The way...

Open your heart and look inside it. Look at the raw and empty places. Look at the confusion. Look at it head on. When you face it in the right way, you won't have to be afraid of it. The pain was intended to destroy you, but God wants it to make you stronger and kinder.

Don't step out of the moment yet. The Spirit of God is descending with great grace. You can be changed. Your heart can be softer.

In this time of sorrow, God has something He wants to say to YOU, personally. He knows exactly who you are, as you read this. He knows every detail of your life and why you do the things you do. He knows about your most painful moments and most embarrassing secrets. He knows about your dreams--the good ones and the bad ones. He knows why certain things make you hurt so bad and why other things strike you funny.

He has known all about you since before you were born; while you swam and kicked inside in your mother's womb, His hand was putting you together. He already knows what you will do with your life on earth, how long it will be, and how it will end. There is nothing hidden from Him. This may frighten you, or make you feel secure. Ideally, it should do a little of the first and a lot of the second. He knows everything--and He wants you to know that He really, really, really, loves you! In spite of what you've done, or haven't done, He loves you. In spite of how you've made fun of church or hated it, or were bored in it, He loves you. In the face of all your temptations--and even when you fail--He loves you. In...