This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Hello Dear One,
Are you rejoicing today? If not, let me point a judgmental finger at you and ask, “Why Not?” If you have faith, put a smile on your face and all will work out according to God’s plan. That is what some of your Christian friends might say, but not me.
Let’s you and I be real. Life is messy and hard. This season of my life is difficult. My dear one, Jim, has been in the hospital three times in the last month and in severe pain. He had back surgery which isn’t seeming to relieve his suffering. And when you love someone deeply, you suffer with them. So how does a Christian respond to life’s challenges? I say, “Be real.”
First, I am in continual prayer for healing. I believe God hears my prayers. I also know that we don’t always get the answer we seek.
Next, I wrote a dear friend who lives just a few miles from me and is going through her own very real difficult season. I shared my heart with her. It is important to be honest with a trusted friend who understands your need to vent and one who won’t judge, and who also knows she can unload to me when her strength is waning.
Lastly, I am allowing this season to propel me deeper into my faith. After venting to my friend, I turned to my on-line Bible study and God answered me with this prayer by Sheila Walsh:
Prayer for the Week
Jesus, thank You for the incredible compassion You show to us when we are in trouble, when our shame is out there for all to see, when we’ve blown it, and when we are devastated by loss. You are so kind. You are so loving even when we are in the lowest places of fear, doubt, grief, or disgrace. Help us to be honest with You in prayer. We don’t want to fake it or cover it up any more. We just want Your arms around us. We love you, Lord. Amen.
Dear one, if you are in pain, you don’t have to fake it! Be real. Be honest with a trusted friend and with God. God did make this day, and we can rejoice that in this difficult season, we are loved by trusted friends and by our Father.
Learning to lean,
Linda
v
Hello Dear One,
Are you rejoicing today? If not, let me point a judgmental finger at you and ask, “Why Not?” If you have faith, put a smile on your face and all will work out according to God’s plan. That is what some of your Christian friends might say, but not me.
Let’s you and I be real. Life is messy and hard. This season of my life is difficult. My dear one, Jim, has been in the hospital three times in the last month and in severe pain. He had back surgery which isn’t seeming to relieve his suffering. And when you love someone deeply, you suffer with them. So how does a Christian respond to life’s challenges? I say, “Be real.”
First, I am in continual prayer for healing. I believe God hears my prayers. I also know that we don’t always get the answer we seek.
Next, I wrote a dear friend who lives just a few miles from me and is going through her own very real difficult season. I shared my heart with her. It is important to be honest with a trusted friend who understands your need to vent and one who won’t judge, and who also knows she can unload to me when her strength is waning.
Lastly, I am allowing this season to propel me deeper into my faith. After venting to my friend, I turned to my on-line Bible study and God answered me with this prayer by Sheila Walsh:
Prayer for the Week
Jesus, thank You for the incredible compassion You show to us when we are in trouble, when our shame is out there for all to see, when we’ve blown it, and when we are devastated by loss. You are so kind. You are so loving even when we are in the lowest places of fear, doubt, grief, or disgrace. Help us to be honest with You in prayer. We don’t want to fake it or cover it up any more. We just want Your arms around us. We love you, Lord. Amen.
Dear one, if you are in pain, you don’t have to fake it! Be real. Be honest with a trusted friend and with God. God did make this day, and we can rejoice that in this difficult season, we are loved by trusted friends and by our Father.
Learning to lean,
Linda
v
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