"As I have walked through a seemingly endless season of suffering, I have been helped by remembering that we are in a spiritual battle with an enemy who relentlessly works to defeat us and destroy our witness. He sends fiery darts of doubt, fear, and despair. He tempts us to look to the world’s comforts for solace. He works hard to isolate us from God’s truth and the church in hopes that we’ll stumble and fall, or at least lose our joy. He knows that the moment we take our eyes off of God’s faithful promises, we become vulnerable to a spirit unbelief and despair. Yet, God in His kindness, has used even my defeats to teach me greater dependence on Him. Still, the more we resist the temptations that often come during times of suffering, the greater victory we will experience." - (Guest Contributor Linda Green...who may or may not be my mom. She has walked through countless years of trials with our family and is one of the wisest women I know). Continue reading at link in bio...
One of the greatest blessings of the trials God has allowed is being humbled to see myself more accurately before a holy, wise, and sovereign God. Some of the most painful points in my suffering have been the result of me being unwilling to yield to God’s will in my life, convinced that I knew what was best. But as he has patiently and graciously humbled me over the years, I have come to see the true gift it is to US to humbled and gain a spirit of teachability. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But if we think we have all the wisdom we need, we will miss out on the rest, peace, growth, and fruit that come from fearing the Lord and growing in a heart of wisdom. #hopewhenithurts #wisdom #humility #peace
I’m feeling the heaviness of life today. Continued season of job loss, sick children, an aching body, sadness over the suffering of those I love, and simply the dreariness of a gray winter in the Midwest. Sometimes it’s hard to see God’s hand and feel his presence in these long dreary seasons. And all too often, I focus on the clouds rather than running to the Son.
There will be times when God’s ways perplex us and tempt us to feel as though he’s distant and uncaring. Yet, we know from all of scripture that that is far from the truth. Therefore, we have to know the countless promises that remind of us God’s character - his goodness, faithfulness, sovereignty, and loving mercy. When our circumstances tell us God is uncaring or unable, we have to rest our hope in what HE has shown us in his Word and how he has proven his love on the cross, through the scriptures, and in the past.
If you are struggling to see God’s hand today and you’re feeling weary, join me in trusting his heart through his promises. When we come to him, he promises that we will never walk away empty. “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” Psalm 112:6-8. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2.
#hopewhenithurts #promises #togetherthroughthestorms
