I wish I had all the answers. I don't. I have failed at this many times, resting in the lukewarm complacency of self-pity and lament. I have shaken my fists at God, wrestled with feelings of punishment, and wallowed in self-blame. All the while, onlookers say, "You're so strong." It reminds me of a line from a song whose lyrics read..."People say that I am brave but I'm not. The truth is I'm barely hanging on." (I Will Carry You by Selah). Even still, I have hope. The hope I possess keeps me clinging to the cross, at the feet of my Savior, Jesus. That's the answer. He's the answer. We can have joy in Him, not in our circumstance! Amen?!
I want to share a sermon with you that was preached at my church today. We had a visiting Pastor, Pastor Josh, who was a part of our church's original core group. He has gone on to plant a church in another community, Living Waters Fellowship, and God is doing a mighty work there! Please pray for their ministry!! Also, a shout-out to his wife, Danielle, who is a precious woman of God and a dear friend.....who also happens to cut my hair, which makes her extra special! :)
Anyway, Pastor Josh preached today about giving praise to God, in good times....and in bad, based on Psalm 66. Take some time to listen. I trust you will surely be blessed. I certainly was. Click here to listen to the podcast
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What do you ladies think? What does it mean to "rejoice in our sufferings?" How have you managed to do this in light of your loss? What choices do you need to make to be joyful in the midst of your loss (that's right...we have a choice!)? How can I pray for you in this area? Leave your comments below...
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One month after our loss we also dealt with our family being separated for 4 months while my husband started a new job in Ames and then the rest of us moving here from another state, our house not selling and figuring out how to financially live adding to that stress. My husband never spoke of our loss and I was still hurting. It was a year of "living in the Dessert" for sure! While my husband and the rest of us were not together here yet I had been going through a bible study at my church and it was about being the Keeper of the Home and one week we studied exactly that-rejoicing in our sufferings. Now I will say that it made me more angry thinking about all of our trials at that time but I can say this...God is still my God and he still provided Salvation for me through Jesus and that is something right there to rejoice in. When we started attending our church here we sang The Dessert Song (Hillsong)almost every week for 4 weeks it seems and I made it "my song" and sang it constantly when I was/am down. When I am having a pity party I just remind myself that I am one of God's children and trust that He has another baby for us and great things planned for our family. It is hard to rejoice in our sufferings and hard to see God's plan from any of it but I choose to believe that He has something bigger for us!
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