“We don't see things as they are,
we see them as we are.”
Anais Nin
But, oh, to see as GOD sees.
*I read my cousin's blog post in which she declares she doesn't
know if there really is a God because of all the calamity
that has befallen her and her little ones.
She asks how there could be a God who cares
since she has had to suffer so much.
Her husband, an elder in his church & preaching from the pulpit,
was an unfaithful man
and destroyed her dignity.
Her oldest child is completely deaf.
Loneliness and lack of concern and caring from
the church she attempted to attend discouraged her.
Expecting support from Christians, relatives and friends
and not being offered the beacons of encouragement
she was looking for disappointed her.
She, who had been a missionary, and trying to live right, etc...
was let down and felt forsaken,
and came to the conclusion
that there must not be a God who cares.
I read her blog, but she doesn't read mine*
(*Understandably, I talk to myself way too much for most friends and relatives to even try to follow along with the blab on adoption and our nutty life - save a handful of die-hards.
A high-five to you who still reads. You are amazing!)
However there are a few things I wish she would consider.
not that she's asking for my take... I worry that if I should offer my view it would be discounted as judgmental. It happened recently with someone. I was slapped across the face(book) with the words; mean, judgmental and harsh, amongst other things..... Most of the time people just want you to validate their opinions. They are not interested in discussion - or so
i am learning....
Still,
I wish she would consider...
~
John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
God has not promised skies always blue,
joy without sorrow,
peace without pain.
He's promised us that there would be trials to refine and remake us.
1Peter 1:7
The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ appears again.
The fiery furnace of affliction is not a sign that there is no GOD,
but rather a more clear indication that He found in us something worth refining.
Job 23:10
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
~
Christ, Himself, suffered much for our sakes...
The entire chapter of Isaiah 53 is a haunting description of His suffering
- He was despised and rejected of men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
The Son of God suffered, far more than we ever will...
And if we are willing to share in His suffering we will one day share in His glory.
1Peter 4:13
But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
~
We need to KNOW HIM!
He is sufficient.
No one can fulfill your needs like Christ alone.
He is enough.
What's more, He loves you with an everlasting love;
An unconditional, unlimited love.
It is human nature to look to someone with skin on for support.
We were created to bond and bear each others' burdens,
but at times God allows those supports to be removed so we can learn to lean on HIM fully
and we discover how amazing the Heavenly Father is.
He is all we need.
~
People are busy with their lives... the trials that beset one and all,
the burdens and the joyful responsibilities laid on their shoulders, keep them fully occupied.
More often than not, the person desiring the encouragement is expecting the friend to just know and be aware of the pain. They suffer in silence,
or maintain a pretentious flow of chipper twitter tweets,
or worse, a steady tide of complaints that wear out the welcome.
A simple statement of,
"I would appreciate your prayers"
would alert a caring person to the need.
Together then, they could reach out to the One who supplies our heartfelt needs.
~
We live in enemy territory.
Bad things happen to good people.
Horrible things happen to the innocent.
It is difficult to understand
as the battle between good and evil wages on.
But we must not lose sight of the eternal realities unseen as yet to our finite eyes.
That great day is coming...
heaven's gates will open wide
and all who love the LORD
will enter in.
Matt 25:34
Come ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the Kingdom prepared for you.
Rev 7:14
And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
It will be worth it all
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
God has not promised skies always blue,
joy without sorrow,
peace without pain.
He's promised us that there would be trials to refine and remake us.
1Peter 1:7
The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ appears again.
The fiery furnace of affliction is not a sign that there is no GOD,
but rather a more clear indication that He found in us something worth refining.
Job 23:10
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
~
Christ, Himself, suffered much for our sakes...
The entire chapter of Isaiah 53 is a haunting description of His suffering
- He was despised and rejected of men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
The Son of God suffered, far more than we ever will...
And if we are willing to share in His suffering we will one day share in His glory.
1Peter 4:13
But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
~
We need to KNOW HIM!
He is sufficient.
No one can fulfill your needs like Christ alone.
He is enough.
What's more, He loves you with an everlasting love;
An unconditional, unlimited love.
It is human nature to look to someone with skin on for support.
We were created to bond and bear each others' burdens,
but at times God allows those supports to be removed so we can learn to lean on HIM fully
and we discover how amazing the Heavenly Father is.
He is all we need.
~
People are busy with their lives... the trials that beset one and all,
the burdens and the joyful responsibilities laid on their shoulders, keep them fully occupied.
More often than not, the person desiring the encouragement is expecting the friend to just know and be aware of the pain. They suffer in silence,
or maintain a pretentious flow of chipper twitter tweets,
or worse, a steady tide of complaints that wear out the welcome.
A simple statement of,
"I would appreciate your prayers"
would alert a caring person to the need.
Together then, they could reach out to the One who supplies our heartfelt needs.
~
We live in enemy territory.
Bad things happen to good people.
Horrible things happen to the innocent.
It is difficult to understand
as the battle between good and evil wages on.
But we must not lose sight of the eternal realities unseen as yet to our finite eyes.
That great day is coming...
heaven's gates will open wide
and all who love the LORD
will enter in.
Matt 25:34
Come ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the Kingdom prepared for you.
Rev 7:14
And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
It will be worth it all
when we see Jesus.
11 comments:
praise God! Good messege! I already intended to write to her. Jesus is coming soon. She must not let go!
Beautifully written! Suffering indeed is part of the Christian life, but so is eternal glory...IF we do not loose heart.
It is looking more and more like I have RA.
Boy would I love to meet you while i am in Oregon!
Love,
S
This blog post has really touched my heart today. I SO needed to hear this - to be reminded of this. I too, have been going through a lot the last several years. Thank you so much for sharing this. God bless you and I pray that your cousin will hold onto God - it beats the alterative for sure. Lisa :O)
Deep heart pain requires an incredible sensitivity. Your comments are absolutely scriptually bang on/her pain is equally real to her right now. She may not even have the strength and grace to accept your answers. Keep praying!
John 16:33 is one of my go-to verses. "In this world, you WILL have trouble..." I also love your line about complaints wearing out the welcome. Beautifully said. Everything in light of eternity like Summer said. BTW I love discussion and believe in it the value of turning both sides of an issue over in my mind. With this crazy and complex life God chose for us, we need to consider every angle. And you do a fine job!!!:)
Sometimes, when we are in crisis mode, we look to others for comfort, whether it be by church, family, etc... but what we need to remember is it is in these challenging times when we need to be with Christ. to be silent, to be still, and to know He is God. To dig in His Word and seek His comfort, His peace, His love at a time when we so desperately need it. People, us being merely mankind, will let people down, say the wrong thing, not completely understand, etc... but Christ love for us is perfect.
Great post. =) Pray on sister, pray on....
Sheri
Thanks for your post, I've followed your blog for a while now and pray for your family although I don't often comment.
Your words were reassurance to my soul this morning as I spend day 26 in the hospital with my daughter. God is with us in the midst of those darkest moments, even when we can not feel Him. And some day, He will help us to see how the pieces of our lives are woven together for His perfect plan.
People don't care what you know until they know that you care. Jesus would not deal with her in the manner which your tone implies. He might tell her the very same things but with her face cupped in his hands, looking into her face, letting her see the pain in His eyes knowing He hurts for her as well. Be careful with what how you respond.
This whole post and the responses are case in point. Some see the beauty of the Words of Life... some see a "tone" they think is implied.
I am not responding to her with this,... This is what I wish she would consider, but I know that at the place she is in right now, she won't see words of hope and life. She would think I was condemning and it wouldn't matter how it was put. Sadly.
A few of the statements I made did not apply to her necessarily, but a general observation of human nature.
At this point I can only pray for her. We don't even live in the same country. There is not enough of a relationship to build upon.
And Anonymous, if you don't have a name, could you get one?
Ok I do read your blogs....late but I do. I dont feel for a second that you are condeming me. I do understand what you are saying. I can talk till I am blue in the face but for me to transcript my heart and feelings would be impossible. I understand that trials and tribulations are apart of the Christian walk...I have been apart of that walk for so long. But I dont understand how an all knowing God can try and refine, as you put, to the point of unbelief. I just couldnt do it anymore. I dont know that I ever can. I have been through far more than you or anyone really knows, there is much I keep to myself. Will I ever find God again? I dont know. From where I am now, its doubtful but not impossible.
I appreciate what you are trying to do here, and maybe we can talk more via facebook or email.
Right now my resentment runs deep. I really dont know what the future holds. I can't say.
I do love you Angie and appreciate your concern.
Amen! Praise Jesus! What a beautiful post! I felt the Holy Spirit in this post! Thank you for writing it. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus! I can't wait, I am so excited for that day!!!
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