Recently, Pastor Paul was asked by a staff person how he deals personally when facing difficult circumstances….in this case, his dads very risky heart surgery.

We asked Paul if we could share his thinking with our church family, and even though he had responded  in a private email, he graciously agreed. We hope it may help you if you are facing times of pain, tragedy, loss:

From: Paul Hontz
Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 9:43 PM
To: Mike McKay
Cc: Paul Hontz
Subject: RE: God is faithful...right? !

Thanks for your good question, Mike.  I'll try to respond to you.  Feel free to use or not use any of this as you see fit.  This certainly takes on a more personal, less theoretical, aspect given my Dad's situation.  And what I'm about to share, I hope I can prove this to be true for me should things not work out as I would like.

These are things I believe we can confidently embrace in times of pain, tragedy, and loss.  Sometimes these principles are easier to share with some folks than with others depending upon what I'm able to discern regarding the other person's faith in the face of difficulties..  Here goes:

*  I believe that God does all things well.  He makes no mistakes.  He sees everything from the perspective of eternity.  I would always choose what God chooses if I could see things as He does.

*  I believe that all things really, really do work together for the good for all those who are called according to His purpose.  For me, that's Bible.  That's truth.  And it really IS true or it is NOT.  I put my trust in this as a promise from God.   I may not understand what's happening.  I may not like it nor, if it were up to me, chosen for this to happen; but I believe this is true.  And if I question this or fight against this, where else would I go?  Does believing otherwise offer me greater comfort or hope?

*  I believe God loves me.  I believe God is committed to my best.  Nothing can happen to me that isn't first filtered through my loving, sovereign Savior.  I can trust Him to use every life experience for my well being.  I don't need to understand.  I don't need to like what's happening.   I do need to trust

*  I believe in heaven.  I believe that heaven and eternity is what we are made for and that our clinging to the things  i.e. health, relationships, etc. of this world are held lightly only in proportion of our confidence and grip on eternity.  The less sure we are of heaven and God's purposes, the more susceptible we are to clinging to the things of this world.

*  I believe that God knows my frame.  He understands that I am but dust.  He understands my questions, my pain,  my frailty, my hurt.  He even understands when I am angry at Him.

*  If I really do believe these things are true, then the final choice I must make involves my attitude.

All of these are  part of my reality.  I embrace them all; even when at times they seem to contradict one another and must be held in tension.  I seek to communicate this to others in ways that are appropriate.  These matters, I believe, are best embraced in one's life before tragedy strikes.  It's tough to form this framework in the midst of life's trials.

Mike, I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for or if it's helpful in any way.  Nevertheless, I found this to be a good exercise in anticipation of flying out to California tomorrow.  Thanks for the opportunity to do this.   I look forward to hearing your message when I get back.  I'm confident you'll do a great job.  I will be praying for you, friend.

Warmly,
Paul