26 Jul, 2011
Blessings
Let's admit it. Life is a struggle. It's full of ups and downs. One moment you might be full of joy and excitement about what God has given you and then, just seconds later, left completely broken and bewildered by the pain He's allowed into your life. And, if it's not you that's currently struggling with hard times and heart-wrenching situations, chances are that someone close to you is. For some reason, in my life right now, it seems as though everyone around me is going through extremely difficult times. I heard a song recently that truly blessed me by reminding me of God's sovereignty and incredible faithfulness: "Blessings," by Laura Story. It moves me to the point of tears.
To hear the song, click here.
Psalm 13
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him,"
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your slavation.
I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach me about dealing with pain and hard times?
In this passage, David is struggling, I mean, really struggling. It's obvious that he's having a difficult time hearing from and feeling God's presence in his life (vs. 1-2). He feels forgotten; "feels" being the key word. Even though David feels forgotten by God, he believes God's Word and the promise that God is always with him. As David shares openly and honestly with God, he holds nothing back. In his pain and feelings of abandonment, he is authentic and genuine. He holds nothing back, and yet he never doubts God's ability to rescue him, nor does he question God's goodness and faithfulness. He trusts in God and His sovereignty.
How can I connect today's story and God's Story scripture to my life?
- Think about Laura Story's song, "Blessings," and re-read Psalm 13.
- Take some time to journal about some of the struggles you've gone through recently and how God has blessed you through them. Really take some time to do this exercise. Depending on what you've been through, it may really take some thinking and processing to find the blessings amidst the pain. Ask yourself: "What have I learned, or what is God trying to teach me? How has God changed me, for the better? How has He shown Himself to others, through my pain and suffering?"
- If you are in the midst of a difficult time and are having a difficult time seeing God in the midst of it all, do as David did . . . pour your heart out to God, and be honest! God already knows what you're going through, so don't be afraid to say it! But don't stop there; let your confessions and honesty lead you to a place of prayer. Plead with God, as David did, to take you beyond your pain, to a place where you can see His hand at work. Keep praying this way, and keep trusting . . . until He shows Himself, because He will!
How can I connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and my story to others?
Pain is a universal thing. No matter where you go, who you are, or how strong you may appear to be, because of the sin in this world, pain will find you. Look around you, you are surrounded by hurting people, and God wants to use you and your pain to show Himself to them. Too often, as Christians, we think we have to appear to have it all together, like we never experience pain or trials of any kind, but this only hinders others from seeing the hope, compassion, and strength Christ offers during such times. Find ways to be honest with your friends about the struggles you're going through. Let them see all of the ways God has shown Himself faithful to you, even when He hasn't "solved" your problems.
- Know that the best thing you can do for a friend is listen to him/her. It's likely that nothing you can say or do will make the situation better, or even help your friend feel better. Instead of saying something that just might come across as insensitive or trite, give a hug, tell him your sorry for what he's going through, and offer a listening ear.
- Be willing to pray for your friends who are in the middle of deep struggles and pain. If they're comfortable with it, pray with them, and remember to come back and ask them how they're dealing with it, and how you can keep praying for them - in other words, don't just forget about it!
- Send your friend and encourging note, and don't be afraid to add an appropriate and encouraging scripture verse. Pray that God would use it to minister to your friend in whatever way he needs.
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
