Proverbs 15:13b – …but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Dear Family and Friends – Many of you are on my heart today and No matter where you may be at this moment, no matter what your circumstances and what the effects of your life might be dictating to you, GOD has not left you. GOD has not given up on you. Perhaps in the overall analysis of one’s seemingly hopeless situation, which we do over and over to the point of exhaustion on any given day, the fact of a loving GOD'S faithfulness to HIS children has oftentimes been overlooked.
In times of extreme distress, overwhelming sorrow and despair, we as mere humans become fatigued and restless. Questions begin to haunt to as we question where we might have made a wrong turn, a bad decision, a careless error. But ultimately at some point as we come up for air in stressful times, we may just ask ourselves if GOD hasn’t left us and we haven’t left GOD, perhaps what we consider brokenness and hopelessness is actually a gift, a blessing in disguise, could it really be?
I have read many articles lately on the aspect of letting GOD have HIS way in our lives. In hard times we begin to complain. In tough times, we start looking for new ideas and new paths. In the darkness we desperately search for answers never stopping to consider that GOD, our loving and faithful Savior, is right there with us.
Scripture tells us GOD is with us in all that we do and wherever we go. If we soar the heights of heaven, He is with us. If we make our bed in hell, scripture says He is with us with unending mercy and love. If GOD never leaves us and we at times feel lost and alone, broken and hopeless, where is our GOD when it hurts?
On a recent church billboard I read “Jesus knows me, this I love”. Yes, He knows us, deeply, intimately, better than we know ourselves or are known by anyone. And if He knows us and we trust He is leading us and molding our lives, can we let Him lead through the pain? Can we trust Him enough to give Him our brokenness knowing of a truth we are blessed, truly blessed, even in this condition?
There are extremes in life we struggle to understand, extreme loss, extreme heartache, extreme confusion. But in all these things GOD is no less GOD, no less loving, no less faithful, no less attentive and caring of His children. Yes, I love that He knows me when no one else truly does. I love that He knows me and loves me anyway! So where as mere humans do we miss it and get so deeply entrenched in gloom, despair and agony rather than the joy that is deposited on the inside of each believer that Christ in us is our hope of glory?
I believe we hear a lot today about how GOD just wants to bless us continually, bigger this, more of that, and from the depths of my being I believe HIS desire is to bless us exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or think. But I have also learned in my own life, there are exceeding abundant blessings in trials and tribulations. When HE is all we have we find HE is more than enough. When nothing else satisfies or has any lasting value HE offers us eternal life. When all else fails HE is faithful as HE promised.
Our lives are being molded and formed by the GOD that created the Universe. HE sent HIS Son to die that we might be reconciled back to HIM once and for all. The sin debt was paid on the cross and HE sent HIS Holy Spirit in our hearts to comfort us and help us. We are in reality never alone, never rejected, never out of HIS hands, though we may feel as though we are at times. We can take our lives and make a terrible mess of them but GOD can change our course with just one word. GOD can heal the brokenness or use that brokenness for HIS glory, but either way we’re in HIS hands and in HIS "will" if we are trusting Him. So don't remain on the run from pain and sorrow, but instead stop and ask ourselves just what GOD may be trying to show us? Who around us will benefit from our steadfastness and trusting GOD even when it hurts and we do not understand?
"Sorrow of the heart does break the spirit", but scripture says a broken spirit GOD accepts, and a contrite heart HE will mend. We have to be absolutely submitted and trusting. We may feel broken beyond recognition but GOD is pruning away all the unfruitful parts of our lives. GOD is burning away all the CRAP that is of no benefit to us and harmful at times. The bottom line is GOD IS, GOD is busy in our lives, GOD is working in our lives, GOD is leading us and guiding us, GOD is loving us and protecting us, GOD is and always will be working things out for our good and HIS glory.
If you’re drowning in a sea of doubt and despair, be encouraged in your inner SELF today. Ask GOD to open the eyes of your heart to see HIS marvelous work in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to comfort you, to aid you, to allow you to feel HIS presence. Fellowship with HIM, spend time in prayer. As you begin to look to HIM, to focus on HIS love and care, HIS loving kindness and tender mercies, less of the pain and heartache will be seen and felt. Less of the world and it’s stranglehold of cares and concerns will so easily trip us up if we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
If you have lost heart, my friends, take hold of HIS hand again and allow HIM to mold you again. Nothing is too difficult for GOD. No need is above HIM. He knows what we need and how to provide it. HE is not looking for perfection. HE is looking for submission. In rebelliousness, we lose our way so quickly. In stubbornness, we miss HIS best plan. But in HUMBLENESS, a quiet and peaceful trust that HE will show us the way when we just can’t seem to get on the right track, will bring a new outlook on life, a refreshing feeling, we thought would never be felt again.
Let that refreshing glow, flow over your life today and all it consists of, your body, your mind, your spirit. Feel His strength begin to surge back into the limp hands and weak knees. For all you may have given up on, GOD was faithful. HE will restore. Trust HIM today to do just that. Baby steps at first if that’s what it takes, then leaps and bounds, but scripture says "they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, and so you shall, my beloved, so you shall".
I pray these words of encouragement have blessed you. I pray these words of inspiration have motivated you to absolutely humble your heart, come to GOD in total submission of your will, and allow HIM to help you. Allow HIM to bless you in over-the-top, unexpected ways. Yes GOD IS, whatever you need. GOD IS ABLE, He’ll fix this for you with ALL GRACE from His infinite supply.
In GOD's name we pray!
No comments:
Post a Comment