FAITHFULLY BROKEN TOGETHER
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:4-6
Thankfulness in the pain?
It sounds crazy, but how we orientate our hearts and minds affects our soul and our willingness to act.
We have all faced challenges that drain us, that make us wonder how we are going to survive, it may even make us question God's goodness and faithfulness. Each of us wears many hats and even though our hats have many different titles, the one that we share is Child of God. We are family - brothers and sisters.
Let's put it plainly - it REALLY STINKS that sin entered this world. It REALLY STINKS that each of us has painful challenges, that we feel lonely, afraid, hurt, uncertain, worried, or any number of challenging circumstances. We know that there is eternal hope in Christ Jesus, but what about nourishing each other now. We are each a blessed mess living in a messy, blessed world.
God wants us to honestly come before Him - pain, hurt, anger, worry, and all the other challenges. He didn't intend us to stand alone. We should stand with Him and with each other. If we work together encouraging and pursuing Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, imagine how strong we can be - individually and collectively.
God's love, the redeeming blood of Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit are meant for all of us. You will be shaped and grow if you faithfully pursue His Holy Truth. Each day that you read His word, pray, thank Him, embrace His truth, are encouraged and encourage - you will be stronger than the last.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV).
I am a blessed mess, may God bless you as well!