I'm back to blogging on a more regular basis. I hope!
I really wanted to do the "thankful Thursday" meme today and post pictures from our latest vacation, and my youngest daughter on her first day of school (this a.m. she began 5th grade and still lets me take her picture...my oldest began 11th grade and refuses to get her pic taken anymore...that and she is always running late....but hey...she made her bed this a.m.! A huge plus!)
Seriously, there has been a lot I have been dealing with. (since post below this one). Between church stuff, friends and their issues; issues I have with a friend, back to work/school and the busy-ness that entails, and a house that needs some repairs, I am feeling overwhelmed and a bit sad. The sad feeling is rather new to me. I am not sad often.
so....I am trying to press in to the Lord and see what He is trying to teach me through some of these trials. I don't think it is depression. But I AM sad about some stuff. And so I turned to the Word early this a.m. after a sleepless nite. Here are some truths I've learned about times of sadness:
I really wanted to do the "thankful Thursday" meme today and post pictures from our latest vacation, and my youngest daughter on her first day of school (this a.m. she began 5th grade and still lets me take her picture...my oldest began 11th grade and refuses to get her pic taken anymore...that and she is always running late....but hey...she made her bed this a.m.! A huge plus!)
Seriously, there has been a lot I have been dealing with. (since post below this one). Between church stuff, friends and their issues; issues I have with a friend, back to work/school and the busy-ness that entails, and a house that needs some repairs, I am feeling overwhelmed and a bit sad. The sad feeling is rather new to me. I am not sad often.
so....I am trying to press in to the Lord and see what He is trying to teach me through some of these trials. I don't think it is depression. But I AM sad about some stuff. And so I turned to the Word early this a.m. after a sleepless nite. Here are some truths I've learned about times of sadness:
- God is sovereign no matter what. I was reminded of this while flipping thru Jeremiah and my eyes caught on verse 3 from chapter 33 : "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Every small detail of our lives takes place under His Wings. How awesome is that?! He cares for us like no one else can.
- There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ, His Son. From John 14 I read this: "Let not your heart be troubled."
My mind needed to see that in print this a.m. before leaving for work. I am so glad I didn't choose to read the a.m. paper but rather, turned to my Bible.
All of our Bible studies, small groups, going to church, serving in a ministry, hanging out with friends who are saved, reading Christian books will NOT give us a relationship with Jesus. Only by repenting of sin, believing on Jesus and confessing He is Lord and Savior.....asking Him to be your personal Savior and Redeemer, will we really know God....It is the only way to heaven! "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Now of course I already know this. But....I believe what He was trying to tell me this a.m. was that Yes, since I know Him on a personal level, my heart will not be troubled. I'll HAVE troubles, but my heart can be at peace.
All of our Bible studies, small groups, going to church, serving in a ministry, hanging out with friends who are saved, reading Christian books will NOT give us a relationship with Jesus. Only by repenting of sin, believing on Jesus and confessing He is Lord and Savior.....asking Him to be your personal Savior and Redeemer, will we really know God....It is the only way to heaven! "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Now of course I already know this. But....I believe what He was trying to tell me this a.m. was that Yes, since I know Him on a personal level, my heart will not be troubled. I'll HAVE troubles, but my heart can be at peace.
- And this: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 We can really, truly know that God is in control and His plan will be revealed in His time.
I have been wondering lately if I really heard God on something this summer regarding a friend and my self. Lately that wondering has been tested.
I tend to be a bit less confident about my friendships that go deep than I do my friendships that are more superficial. Actually, most people are probably like that at one time or another.
The last couple of days though I have been wondering if what God showed me thru prayer journaling and sharing/talking with this person have been from Him or just my desire for an actual deep friendship with someone who actually needs that too!
It has felt like answer to prayer for the last few months....but...something happened that made me question this.
And yet.....God has directed me time and time again to words that He spoke to me.....now for those of you who are new Christians, I am not talking about an actual, audible voice. He speaks to us, thru the Holy Spirit, if we take the time to listen. And journal. I even bought this friend a journal hoping she would take the time to do this too. My prayer is that she will learn to prayer journal....it is so refreshing and restorative. Yet, now I find my self lacking confidence in that area too.
Yet.....God directed me back to what He spoke. And I know those words are TRUTH. I know my God does not lie. So all I can do is cling to the words He has spoken. To the promises He has laid out before me. To the Truths that are buried beneath some "stuff"......cling to His Word so that the roots of past pain are dug out and healed. His promises are eternal. NO ONE can take that away from us.
I tend to be a bit less confident about my friendships that go deep than I do my friendships that are more superficial. Actually, most people are probably like that at one time or another.
The last couple of days though I have been wondering if what God showed me thru prayer journaling and sharing/talking with this person have been from Him or just my desire for an actual deep friendship with someone who actually needs that too!
It has felt like answer to prayer for the last few months....but...something happened that made me question this.
And yet.....God has directed me time and time again to words that He spoke to me.....now for those of you who are new Christians, I am not talking about an actual, audible voice. He speaks to us, thru the Holy Spirit, if we take the time to listen. And journal. I even bought this friend a journal hoping she would take the time to do this too. My prayer is that she will learn to prayer journal....it is so refreshing and restorative. Yet, now I find my self lacking confidence in that area too.
Yet.....God directed me back to what He spoke. And I know those words are TRUTH. I know my God does not lie. So all I can do is cling to the words He has spoken. To the promises He has laid out before me. To the Truths that are buried beneath some "stuff"......cling to His Word so that the roots of past pain are dug out and healed. His promises are eternal. NO ONE can take that away from us.
- And this Scripture: "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:5-7
This is a command from God: "be anxious for NOTHING!"
If we are anxious, then we are not trusting Him, are we?
I need to trust that I heard from God regarding some new friendships in my life. I need to trust Him with my children. I need to trust Him with my husband. My job, my ministry, my house repairs!
He cares about ALL of our details. Even when we 2nd guess ourselves.
If something is really "God-ordained" NOTHING can stop it.
God is Sovereign.If we are anxious, then we are not trusting Him, are we?
I need to trust that I heard from God regarding some new friendships in my life. I need to trust Him with my children. I need to trust Him with my husband. My job, my ministry, my house repairs!
He cares about ALL of our details. Even when we 2nd guess ourselves.
If something is really "God-ordained" NOTHING can stop it.
5 comments:
Faith, it is hard to let a friendship grow deeper unless you let go of controlling it..maybe you are 2nd guessing because you are moving faster than you feel comfortable with it.
Doubts do come, but it is okay if we are not quite sure about our direction, the Lord said that He would lead us in paths of righteousness for His name sake...He will direct and He will get the glory!
One more thing...Jesus calls you His friend...there is no other friendship that is as precious or priceless...
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another." John 15:12-17
Talk about going deeper...Jesus has shared all that He has heard from the Father and has made it known to us!!! Meditate on this dear Faith! Let the Lord give you His joy that is your strength. <3
"He cares about ALL of our details. Even when we 2nd guess ourselves."
So awesome a revelation. It brings such comfort to remember that.
Faith,
Hate to see you going through a rough time, but I love to see how you just cling to God and He speaks to your heart about the matter. Your scripture verses are so right on.
And remember, we desperately needed a new roof ( it was 22 years old) and had no idea how we were going to afford one....then God sent a hailstorm, you just never know.
Praying for you!
~Sandy
Karen: I sent you an inbox msg....thanks for all of this.....the word "co-dependent" comes to my mind too....I cannot be responsible for other people being co-dependent on the friends I share with them. I wish more people, women in particular, would just know that we can have all kinds of friends...some friends meet different needs than others.....thanks for all the verses..like I told you, I almost used them! :)
Susanne: sorry I haven't been to your blog all week....I will try to do the fave five tomorrow..I have nice pics from my last time at the beach house I'll try to share!
Sandy: LOVE YOU! and remember, next summer we need to try to meet in person...come hiking with me! :)
Faith,
You are doing the right thing. Clothe yourself in Him. Seek Truth in Jesus alone. Allow His love to refresh and revive the joy within you. You hear the voice of your Father and the voice of a stranger, you will not follow.
Praying for you today,
Christy
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