Some mornings, on my way to work, I stop in this one spot in order to watch the light of day arrive over the water. Obviously I capture many pictures of these sunrise moments, as they are so beautiful to behold, I can’t resist the urge to carry them away with me. I’ve always found solace in being near the water…seeing the reflections of light bouncing off of the surface is like looking right into the face of eternity, and it’s beautiful. I always send my husband the pictures I take, and this morning his response was, “And then there was “Day” and God said it was good.”

Each new day is a gift we are given. It’s another chance to make better choices than we did the day before. It’s hope and promise of the potential God placed in our lives. It’s motivation to keep moving forward. It’s love in visual form. The shades of light and color always fall short of their true magnificence in a photo, but that never stops me from attempting to translate reality into a memory.

There are people all over the world who consider Christians to be “delusional” and “gullible” for believing in words written thousands of years ago by people who no longer exist about a being who can’t be seen. I’ve heard them say that they feel sorry for those of us who strive to live a life of faith. My heart breaks for these people, because I know they don’t understand the power of hope and faith in God. Yes, I would love for them to experience the joy and peace that comes with allowing Christ into their lives, but I don’t feel the need to berate them for not choosing that path. When I happen across a tangent of this kind, it doesn’t hurt me or damage my faith. For me, all I see and hear are the attacks of the enemy trying to create dissidence between me and the God that I love.

I once heard someone say that Satan is the prince of lies for a reason. He knows how to use our fears and weaknesses against us. He knows how to use God’s children as weapons against one another. Even those of faith can be used, albeit unknowingly, to hurt and damage the heart and faith of a brother or sister in Christ. By choosing to remain angry, to remain unforgiving, to be judgmental of another in any way, we are allowing ourselves to be used. It is very difficult to watch someone you love be used in such a way, and not be able to help them see what’s happening. We have to be able to be honest with each other and risk open communication. When we refuse to face someone we love who has hurt us, choosing instead to shut them out, we are giving the enemy exactly what he wants. Division between God’s children. “For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 AMP

By creating division, Satan is preventing this very thing from happening. He knows we are stronger together than we are apart, and he’ll do anything he can to create that separation. It takes real strength and faith to face someone who has hurt you, or someone who you have hurt. If we truly want to strengthen our faith, we must obey the Lord. We can’t let our worldly emotions dictate our actions, for actions speak where words fail. We need to remember that we don’t have the full picture, and can’t assume we have a clear understanding of all aspects of any situation without taking the time and making the effort to communicate.

“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].” Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

Still, when those who have hurt us refuse to communicate, what do we do? We are supposed to leave it with God, trusting that He will sort things out in the way that they are supposed to be. The challenge becomes determining when we’re supposed to act, and when we’re supposed to be still. Our instinct is usually to act, because we want to see change and progress. We can ask God what we are supposed to do, but then we have to figure out how to receive the guidance. It’s a never-ending struggle, and one which is only further complicated when we are in pain.

This is why I keep going back to watch the sunrise as often as I do. It is a time of peace and stillness. Watching the sunrise over the ocean is even more awe-inspiring, as it is the place and time I feel most connected to my Heavenly Father. It’s why my husband and I chose to marry on the beach at sunrise…It was placing our lives and our marriage in the beautiful morning light, right at God’s feet. For us, it was symbolic of dedicating our love and our blessings to the One who gave them to us. It was the purest and most beautiful experience of my life. Next time you get the chance, choose to lose a little sleep, and be there to watch the arrival of a new day…