This will not go down as my favorite school year, however, I will admit I might have learned the most. I like it best when everything is going according to the plans that I have for my life. But that’s not always my reality.
There is a quote that says: “God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain.”
I have found that to be true this year as God shouted to me in my pain. As I fell before God in despair, He lifted my head towards Him and calmed my fears. He gave me strength for each new day, one day at a time. His Word (the Bible) was literally medicine for my soul.
His voice was clear and loud. It said, “I love you. I have good things in store for you. Do not despair.”
I have loved God for all of my adult life and His blessings upon me have never gone unnoticed. Sadly, though when all is right with my world, it’s easy to forget the One who made it that way.
In the Bible it says, “Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you.” James 4:8
When do I tend to draw near to God? When I need Him to save me. When I am drowning in pain, fear, doubt and loneliness. When the voice of the accuser is louder than the One who loves me most.
I can now identify that voice in my head. The one that breathes hopelessness, fear, lies and dread. The one that made me want to crawl in bed and stay there. The one who whispers, “It will only get worse. There is no way out.”
The Bible calls him Satan. He lives to try to bring us to ruin. Jesus lives to save us from that outcome.
The only lasting thing in this world is our relationship with the God who made us. But there are a million things distracting us from that. It’s easy to overlook the quiet voice that whispers to us, “Draw near to Me.”
I don’t believe that God delights in our pain, but He will use it to bring us closer to Him.
I devoured the Psalms this year. They remind us that we can’t control our circumstances, only how we handle them. God doesn’t promise this life will be easy, but he He does promise his PEACE and STRENGTH for those who draw near to Him. Honestly, His peace and strength are all we need.
Many of you are hurting right now, drowning in fear or pain. Can I encourage you to run into the arms of Jesus. The same One who who spread His arms and died to rescue you from fear and death. Your circumstances might not change, but your outlook will.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10
Blessings by Laura Story
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
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Amen to this. I honestly just couldn’t agree more. It brought to mind what I would describe as a year of hell our family had a few years ago. It was completely overwhelming and one in which I was filled with despair. It drove me into God’s Word and I went to the Psalms where I often find comfort . It refocused my attention on God and not the lies of Satan. All of a sudden I was able to see the miracles of God happening during such a difficult time.
That year taught me a lot of myself and taught me more than I could ever have imagine about God’s ability to provide and work miracles that to this day leave me completely amazed. This has made me so much bolder to share what God has done for me and our family. This has given me many opportunities to share with people and even lead some to a saving knowledge of Him.
I don’t wish to repeat that experience but I can truly praise God for the lessons learned. He truly did make something beautiful in His own time.
Oh Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. I can very much relate! God is so faithful to work in us and to use even our most painful experiences to reveal His love for us. I am so much more aware of His leading in my life now. For that I will always be grateful.