words to help?

[Penny]

I did not know what to name this topic.

As many of you know Last year my nephew was murdered. Right now we are dealing with court visits, and My sister is meeting with different people to keep updated on the case.

She has sent me a letter I am going to share some of her letter below.
I am at a loss what to say, There are so many smart people on this board and I am hoping someone may have some kind of idea to help me help my sister pass this hurt and anger, I know it takes time. And I have never been around anyone who has lost anyone it the horrible way we lost Josh. So I feel helpless.




Since the State of North Carolina has announced they are seeking the death penalty against two of the gang members, I have started receiving "hate mail" from opponents of the death penalty, including "Christians" who tell me if these kids do get the death penalty, God will judge our family harshly and their blood will be on our hands on judgment day. Ain't nothing like a good Christian kicking you while you are already down. There are websites that are closely monitoring all of the court hearings and reporting the results on their web pages. These crazy fanatics have gotten a hold of my personal e-mail address and cell phone # so I have closed both accounts

I use to be one 100% against the death penalty, I am not sure where I stand on that anymore. My sister did NOT want this. She had no say in what the State wanted.

I continue to see that evil is winning and God is sitting back and just letting it all happen. I keep reminding myself that God gets the last word on everything. God gave Satan and the demons permission to kill, steal and destroy Joshua's life and now mine. I know you all do not see it this way but this is how I feel. I will never understand how any of this is for my good like I keep hearing from other Christians. I am grieving myself to death and I am consumed with this 24/7. Why Josh?

Ok guys... If you have any verses in the words that maybe would help please tell me where they are.. This is just a small part of a huge letter, I am careful what I post mainly b/c this is a huge legal issue and I do not want some nut to google names and find me posting about this. Which Is why I can only share just a little bit. I really want to post her whole letter, but she is naming names of people in the case, and That may not be wise to post all that.

[Jennifer Smith]

Penny, I can only pray for you for wisdom and for your sister, for her faith and hope to be restored. She has got to grieve and grief is bitter. In the long run, if the grief is bitter now, then she may get on the other side of it later. But if her heart is bitter towards God or people, that is not good. If she is unable to find peace through forgiveness, the wound will only fester and not heal. Forgiveness is like cleaning the wound, then the healing can take place inside.

Jesus, please help Penny and her family right now in the name of Jesus, I ask and pray. I am so sorry that this had to happen, You alone know why, Lord. I lift them up to You and ask for grace and mercy to rain down upon them. Lord I ask for wisdom and a message of grace to come to Penny. She may not have a scripture verse yet, it may not be what her sister will be able to receive, but You will give her Your words of grace in a form she will be able to accept. Let your love saturate Penny. Give her faith enough to believe that she can be a minister of grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen. I believe You are working and that You are more than enough. I pray that Satan would be vanquished and that Your blood, Jesus, would cover this family. Amen.

[RamboPreacher]

prayer is happening, and after some discussion with my wife, the best advice I can give, is to just delete the emails without response, and treel them like "trolls"; whether they claim to be Christian or not.

[Kenya]

If your sister reads, get her "Disappointment with God" by Philip Yancey. Your family is in my prayers. Thanks for your prayers for me too, Penny. I feel as if a load has been lifted from my shoulders and the headaches have stopped. I believe stress played a huge factor in that. Love you girl.