Victory over darkness June 13, 2016

Today my heart is heavy as I think of the terrible tragedy in Orlando.  How I wish I could reach out to the families of those who were injured or died.   How I wish I could give them hope of a brighter tomorrow.  To all whose lives have been impacted, I want to assure you that God loves you.  Jesus Christ atoned for the suffering you now bear.  He is at your side.  He will bear you up.

God loves us enough to let us experience suffering that we might grow.  Kahlil Gibran said something about the deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Some may become swallowed up in the bitterness and anger because of the hateful act that took place.  We cannot let bitterness become an answer.  When we do, Satan has succeeded.

Satan has existed since the beginning of time and continues to seek the destruction of the divine creations of our Father in Heaven.  He seeks to sow violence, hate, and suffering.  He only prevails if we allow those actions to make us weakened in faith, weakened in hope and weakened in joy.

I will never understand the mind that can judge another and decide that their life does not have value. I don't understand how people who believe in a just God, a God who has commanded that we obey his commandments, could interpret his teachings to mean that we have any right to judge his creations and determine whether they have the right to live.  God has reserved the right to judge others as unworthy to live.

The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to love one another as he has loved us.  We have a long way to go to do as he has required.