Something to Ponder

Hi all.

I am going to take a bit of a mental break for the holiday weekend. I will resume "Purpose in Pain" late next week. But here is a little something to roll over in your mind (meditate on) for the next few days...

Have you ever asked, "What is God's will for my life?" or found yourself "complaining" to God, "Lord, I just don't know what your will is for me." I was often given to this myself, and then about 6 years ago God led me to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and basically said, "It's right here!"

 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

I think there is a difference between His will for out lives and His purpose for our lives. His will is the same for everyone! Purpose is something that I believe He plants in us (Psalm 37:4-5) and reveals to us piece by piece as we need to know (or better yet as we become ready to know). I have a confession that I often speak when I begin to feel those old questions and anxieties coming on. "God will not let me miss or mess up any of the plans He has for my life as long as I am truly seeking Him." This is based off of Proverbs 16:9.

"A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps."

So...if you put God first (Matt. 22:37-38), and get about the business of doing good (Acts 10:38) and loving others (Matt. 22:39), you will be able to rest in the complete peace of knowing God is in control and He's there saying, "I got it!"

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!


In His love,
Jenny

Purpose in Pain: Be still

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Regardless of what you are going through, this is powerful advice. And in a world of “rush rush rush,” this is something we don’t do enough of. And in the event that we consider slowing down for a moment, we often feel condemned. I challenge you to trade in your “GO GO GO” life for a few minutes of “standing in awe of God.” (Ecc. 5:7 NIV)

There are many places in scripture where we are encouraged to rest…not to mention that from the beginning of creation God set aside an entire day for that specific purpose!

Recently our Sunday morning Bible study class has been going through the book of Ruth. Last week one verse practically jumped off the page at me. After Ruth returns from, for lack of a better word, proposing to Boaz, Naomi gives some very wise advise when she says, “Sit still my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out;” (Ruth 3:18). Are you going through something difficult, exhausting, or confusing right now? Take wisdom from Solomon (he’s a pretty good source for wisdom) when he says in Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”

So please, for the health of your spirit and the sanity of your mind, take time to just be in His presence. Let Him speak to your heart and give you new insight and understanding. And allow the God of all to give you rest for your soul.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

 

^“THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self);” Psalm 23:1-3a

Purpose in Pain: Thank you, Lord?

“Give thanks in all circumstances.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18a

How? How do you give thanks in the midst of your darkest moment…in fear, in pain, possibly even in anger?

A few years back the Lord brought something to my attention that has been a great help to me. If you take a look at the beginning of the book of Job we see Satan coming to the Lord after having been roaming around on the earth, and God actually brought up Job. He asked, “Have you considered my servant Job?” (God was proud of Job!) Even Satan knew that Job was a man of God. But he presented God with a challenge. In Jenny paraphrase he said, “Look, I know that he is a great man of faith and all, but look at how much you’ve blessed him! He’s one of the wealthiest men on the earth. It’s easy for him to serve you! I promise that if you take all that away from him he will no longer be a great man of faith.” God says, “I’ll take that challenge.” You see, God had faith in Job’s faith! Does God see me that way? Does Satan see me as a threat he wants to take down? Just a thought…if you have had no struggles, maybe Satan doesn’t view you as a problem…hummmm….

So how about when faced with a trial we try responding with something like this, “Thank you, Lord that you see me as strong enough to go through this trail. I know I can do whatever I have to do through the power of Christ living in me, which gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

Here’s another thought…In John chapter 9 we see a man born blind. Many ask Jesus, “Who sinned that this happened?” And Jesus answers that no one sinned but this has happened that God may be glorified. Then they all witnessed the power of God as Christ restored the man's sight.

I am not saying that God has caused your trial, but I am saying that, if you let Him, God will use whatever you are going through to grow and strengthen you and your faith and to gain glory for Himself and His kingdom. People are watching you in the midst of your trial. Let them see God! And give God thanks that He is with you every step of the way and that He sees you as strong enough to go through this. He never gives us more than we can bear. (1 Cor. 10:13)

If you are going through a tough time, I challenge you to take a few minute and list all the things you can be thankful for in the midst of your trial. This may be difficult, but give it a shot. I promise the change in perspective will increase your strength. And please remember, God loves you and will never leave you.

The day after learning we had loss the baby I made this list of things I could be thankful for:

• My mother-in-law was here to stay with Mikaela when it all happened.
• I have an amazing husband who loves me and the Lord. He’s strong and compassionate.
• Tim was able to be with me for the ultrasound when I got the news.
• I found out from the doctors and not at home alone.
• They were able to schedule the procedure quickly.
• I have a wonderful, Christian doctor.
• I have Mikaela to come home to and hold.
• My parents came up and we had time together.  

What can you be thankful for?

Purpose in Pain: No Guilt in Grace

Guilt in grace? Sound a little strange? You see, Satan has a funny way of condemning you no matter what you’re doing. If you’re upset, he may tell you that you should suck it up and quite all the self-pity. (Sometimes, when appropriate, God may say that to you as well, so you’d better be spending time with Him so you can tell the difference!) I experienced the opposite. Here I was, at what was the lowest moment of my life, and yet I was hopeful and positive. This was NOT of myself! I never imagined being able to have that kind of peace.

Anytime I had ever let the thought of losing a baby enter my mind I would immediately cringe and imagine that I would be so knocked down by such a tragedy that I would lock myself away and not leave the house (or maybe even my room) for as long as possible. But the truth is I have secluded myself more when having a cold than I did after losing this baby. Despite our painful loss, I was overcome by this incredible need to be with people and to share the love and peace that God had given me. I could hardly wait until Sunday to be with my church family and to let them see, that by His power, I was ok!!

In the midst of these feelings the Lord had given me there were other nagging questions in the back of my mind. As Tim and I sat in the waiting area about to be called back to prep for the surgery that would physically take my baby from me, I was a mixture of emotions. I wasn’t falling apart, but shouldn’t I be? Was it right that the people in the waiting area with me would not know that I has just suffered such a devastating loss? And once called back, should I really attempt to smile when I met the nurses and orderly? Wasn’t that wrong? They knew why I was there. Wouldn’t they think something was wrong with me if I didn’t appear distraught? I felt so conflicted, the feelings I thought I should have and the consistent feeling of peace I did have were at war within me. As I contemplated these questions in my mind, this still, small voice spoke to my spirit, “You don’t have to fall apart. I have given you peace. Let them see Me.”

So there is no need to feel guilty for the grace God may give you in the midst of your trial. Let them see Him! The scripture tells us many times to rejoice in trials, count it all joy (James 1:2-3), for the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Even in suffering we can be holy (set apart) for Him. Trust in the only One who can turn your mourning into dancing! (Psalm 30:11) Don’t let Satan tell you that being at peace is wrong. I was suffering greatly at this time (and still have rough moments), but by His grace I had peace in my heart though the storms of life continued to rage around me. God is so good!

“Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.” Romans 5:3 (Amplified Bible)

Purpose in Pain: A Better Plan (cont’d)

We can rest assured that when God doesn’t give us something we really want it is because that thing is not His absolute best for us. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Yes, this is a hard pill to swallow. And I am not saying that God gave us this baby and then changed His mind. I am saying that in His sovereign wisdom (which is something that as a Christian you must accept in order to maintain any sanity in a world corrupted by sin and tainted by mere human thought), God knew that this trial would bring Tim and I to a higher plane and a deeper level in a way nothing else could, making us more usable (and relatable) instruments for His work, something for which we pray diligently.

Perhaps God knew that even more than being “Mommy” again, what was best for me right now is to grow in my faith (James 1). Knowing that I am called into ministry, I am constantly praying for God to make me who He wants me to be (more like Him). 1 Corinthians 1:27 makes this need very clear! J Uncomforatable as it is, trial accomplishes this like nothing else (just as gold is purified by fire - 1 Peter 1:7).

Painful as the process has been, it has given me new found strength and confidence to carry on, to continue to grow. God says He’ll be there, and He means it!

This post is shorter than most. Please read it a couple of times and think it through. And most importantly, please click on the verses, as that is where the true wisdom lies!

Purpose in Pain: A Better Plan

Isaiah 55:8-9 have carried me through many inexplicable moments in my life. Whatever your particular struggle - from wondering why relationships fail to questioning the loss of a seemingly great opportunity, from enduring undeserved rejection to experiencing gut-wrenching loss - one thing is clear from these verses. God has a master plan.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

I think it is of utmost importance that we recognize the incredible promise contained in these verses. There is a Christian school of doom and gloom out there that would say, “God has a plan. It doesn’t make sense to us, but His ways are not ours, so get over it.” Well, while that may be true in a sense, let’s take another look at what is being said. Yes, His ways are not ours, meaning they are different, but then He goes on to say that not only are His ways different, but they are higher, meaning they are better!

God sees things we cannot see and when He looks at our lives, I believe He sees the end from the beginning, and He has a perfect plan for us. I believe He wants and plans wonderful things for each of us; however, because we don’t live in a perfect world, we are going to (as Christ told us in John 16:33) face difficult times. When we encounter these trials we are at a decision point. Will we give up and turn down the road of defeat and despair never to be truly effective examples of the awesome power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us, or will we give our situation, with all its hurt, pain, and questions over to the Lord and let Him use the situation and us to bring further glory to Himself and victory for the kingdom?

The question is not whether we will go through pain and trial, but rather what will we do when these times come? I’m not saying that our situations should never knock us down. There are moments in life, so painful and so tragic that our human forms simply cannot hold it together. As the Jesus said, “The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41) So the point is not that you never fall down but rather that you get back up! (Prov. 24:16) Build yourself up in the Spirit daily (fill your arsenal, if you will) so that when these times come you will be able to stand. As Joyce Meyer often says, “You can be pitiful or powerful, but you can’t be both!” You decide!

To be continued…

Purpose in Pain: Stand on the Promises!

“God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NLT)

One of my favorite things is to search for and mark the promises of God to us that are found in His Word. They are countless! Years ago God gave me a “confession,” if you will, that says, “God will not let me miss or mess up any of the plans that He has for my life as long as I am truly seeking Him.” I often say this out loud, as the scripture tells us that our words have power (Proverbs 18:22). And based on verses like Proverbs 16:9 & 19:22, I believe that each of us can claim this promise as our own.

I believe that God is constantly preparing us for things we don’t understand. If we have given our lives to Him as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) we must endure whatever comes with the faith that He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). (If you are not familiar with the poem Footprints, I suggest reading it.) Years ago I began praying “Use me,” and “Make me.” I know that in all my “human-ness” I am a mess. But I also know, as sure as the air that I breathe, that God has placed a calling on my life. So to get to “use me” I will no doubt have to continue in the “make me” process (which will never be complete this side of glory). I have to walk with Him each day (whether good or difficult), trusting that He is on the job. He is making me into an “approved workman” (2 Timothy 2:15), an instrument ready for the task He has set before me (which only He knows in full). He is answering my prayers! When pain and trial come, should I abandon my call and seek my own comfort, crying, “Lord, it’s too hard!”? No! I can’t! I’m in it all the way! As Paul said, I must press on.” (Philippians 3:12 & 14)  

I always wondered how I would react if my faith was ever truly shaken. Now I know, from experience, that He really is my Rock, and because of His power alive in me I truly can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) That knowledge alone is priceless!

Two other things I have always believed but now know as never before are that, “I know Whom I have believed,” (2 Timothy 1:12) and that, "He Who began a good work in me is faithful to complete it.” (Philippians1:6)

You may be thinking, “That’s great for you, but I don’t have a “call” on my life.” Yes, you do! If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are now His ambassador (personal representative) to the world! (2 Corinthians 5:20) There is no greater call! Now, fulfill it! Study to show yourself approved. (2 Timothy 2:15) And know that, come what may, He will never leave you! (Hebrews 13:5) Let go of your life, and let Him have it. You’ll find peace like you’ve never known.