A Quest For Normalcy
By Katala Peterson - SEND North
“Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me.” - Job 23:1-6, ESV
“Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me.” - Job 23:1-6, ESV
As the crisis in Ukraine continues to mount, there’s a palpable tension in various areas of the world. In the wake of current world events, discomfort hangs heavy. It seems caustic to be concerned about the cost of living when conflict and suffering is at hand. We are seeking reconciliation to the norm. The world consistently feeds us a perspective to chase happiness and restoration. Our comfort inevitably arises as a concern in a selfish world but we know joy sits in the hands of the Father who is willing and able to do many things– even if we don’t always see complete restoration and peace quickly or even on this side of eternity. During times of conflict, our hearts are pricked by the awareness of suffering and made all the heavier knowing how comfortable we are in comparison.
Deeper into that word – discomfort, what are we truly feeling? Grief, disappointment, fear, or uncertainty? It’s both an emotional experience and a physical look at how our bodies carry tension. Humans were created for Eden. We were designed to have perfect fellowship with God and live in peace. There was no death, destruction, or selfish ambition in the garden. Our central nervous systems are disrupted by chaos and stress as a result of living in an imperfect world.
Our hearts are heavy because we are made in the image of God and suffering breaks his heart too. Rather than losing ourselves in anger, despair, and fear of what the sinful nature of greed and destruction may lead to, allow your uncertainty to turn to longing for the fullness of what only Christ can offer.
"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."
- 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, ESV
Scripture says our sadness with the brokenness of this world is natural, as is our disappointment when things don’t go well (verse 2-3). He prepared us for this moment and even if the world gives way, we are not hopeless or abandoned. My heart is encouraged by the story of Job who experienced anger, shame, grief, and God still chose to count him as faithful with all the questions and all of the feelings he had. The same grace is extended to us.
You do not need to grieve ‘perfectly’ in order to cry out to God. Job literally issued a complaint to God about the state of his world. Not only is change and political unrest terrifying, but the potential shifts in cost of living, changes in cultural norms, and political gains to be made are scary. You are allowed to pray without ceasing for the safety of those in desolation, the comfort of missionaries, and your fear of financial lack if this changes your life. He cares for you and your sadness. We feel grief not because we are broken but because we are made in the image of God living in a broken world. Our grief is symbolic of our desire to be in unity with Him.
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
-Philippians 2:1-8, ESV
We find unity through praying for believers who are suffering amidst the conflict. In our questions, fear, and uncertainty, we look to the example of Jesus; He surrendered His comfort for the sake of seeing God glorified and known. The experience of discomfort urges our hearts to pray, give, and advocate for the Ukrainian people. When we acknowledge the brokenness while fiercely praying for change, we are drawn near to each other and to Christ rather than separated by fear. Today, allow yourself to have the questions Job himself did – while still following in his example to bring them directly to the Lord as we wait and pray for peace.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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