I've been there

I have a Christian friend who is going through tough, tough times right now. Sometimes God has to shake up our lives a bit to make room for what He’s going to do next. Sometimes shaking up is hard to take, but we need to trust God wouldn’t do it to us if it weren't going to help us on our journey. The scripture that comes to mind is one that I never get tired of sharing, one that has helped me often in my walk: Lamentations 3:21-26
21This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

We are called to lift each other up, edify and support each of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and leave the Judging to God. Chuck Girard has a great song that I want to share here-look to his website: http://www.chuck.org/ for more of his music and ministry. Those of us older than dirt remember Chuck from his group “Lovesong” and his solo career-those of you too young may know of Zoegirl, the group Chuck’s daughter Alisa is in.

DON’T SHOOT THE WOUNDED

Don't shoot the wounded, they need us more than ever.

They need our love no matter what it is they've done.

Sometimes we just condemn them, and don't take time to hear their story.

Don't shoot the wounded, someday you might be one.

It's easy to love the people who are standing hard and fast.

Pressing on to meet that higher calling.

But the ones who might be struggling, we tend to judge too harshly, and refuse to try and catch them when they're falling.

We put people into boxes and we draw our hard conclusions, and when they do the things we know they should not do,

we sometimes write them off as hopeless, and we throw them to the dogs.

Our compassion and forgiveness sometimes seem in short supply, so I say...Don't shoot the wounded!

We can love them and forgive them when their sin does not exceed our own. For we too have been down bumpy roads

before but when they commit offenses outside the boundaries we have set,we judge them in a word and we turn them out,

and we close the door. Myself I've been forgiven for so many awful things. I've been cleansed and washed and bathed so

many times that when I see a brother who has fallen from the way I just can't find the license to convict him of his crimes.

So I say... Don't shoot the wounded!

That doesn't mean we turn our heads when we see a brother sin and pretend that what he's doing is all right.

But we must help him see his error, we must lead him to repent. Cry with those who cry, but bring their deeds into the light .

For it's the sick that need the doctor, and it's the lame that need the crutch. It's the prodigal who needs the loving hand. For a

man who's in despair, there should be kindness from his friends. 'Lest he should forsake the fear of Almighty God and turn

away from God and man, So I say...Don't shoot the wounded!

�1982 Sea of Glass Music/ASCAP

Don't give up, friend.