DAY 24: LIFE #25WordAdventPrayers God brings death and makes alive; God brings down to the grave and raises up. — 1 Samuel 2:6 Our culture does not handle struggle, grief, or sadness well. We want people to “get over it” or “move on” too quickly, we want people to stop making us feel uncomfortable with their emotions, and we ask people how they are doing without really wanting to know the depths of the despair and sadness that they may be experiencing. One of the worst things we do in response to those experiencing grief, loss, or sorrow is to say, that somehow “This was part of God’s plan.” “God did it.” or “Think of all the blessings you have.” and then expect people to respond with, “Oh, in that case, I’m happy now.” These are not helpful. At all. When I am in my deepest places of struggle, while I may not always believe it at that very moment, in remembering that God is in the midst of both death AND life, I can move into what is next at the time and place that God intends. ...