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| Yes, this is really me. |
How Do you respond?
Recounting my losses, I turned to the story of Job from the Bible. Job was a godly man, blessed with wealth, land and a robust family (10 children!) Even God called Job 'blameless and upright.' (Job 1:8) Most would conclude that a man with God's total approval would see only good days filled with joy and triumph. It only makes sense right?
Oh the injustices Job suffered. In one fateful moment, Job's life spun into a storm of loss and grief. Everything he treasured met a destructive end...even his precious sons and daughters.
The injustice of the pain...oftentimes the hardest pill to swallow in the midst of a nightmare. "Why?" and "It's not fair!" flood the heart in a blur of emotion and tears. No comfort on this earth offers any answer. Left helpless, we cling to the fleeting notion that somehow understanding a purpose for the pain will bring a measure of solace. Yet, so often, that purpose remains hidden and we remain wounded and frail.
Do you know the very first response Job gave to the most horrific day of his life? [This blew me away and challenged my response to my current situation...a life-changing, fresh perspective that empowered me to move forward.]
What? Didn't he have a right to recount his uprightness to God and demand intervention or at least justice? How did Job even come up with worship as a possible response to such trauma?
I cannot imagine Job's integrity to incite such a beautiful picture of Trust in God. That level of faith certainly doesn't come naturally to most of us...
It didn't to me.
Lying in a hospital bed, realizing that God wasn't healing me as I had expected Him to, I asked Him audibly, with tears, "God where are You? Why are You allowing this? I always thought You answered when I prayed."
Yes, I was candid with God. It is sooo okay to be candid with Him. In fact, I highly encourage your vocal honesty before the God who loves you. Only... it will benefit you greatly to allow Him time and opportunity to respond. He will.
Sometimes immediate, but most often a ways down the journey, God Almighty will reveal His Faithfulness to you. You truly are not alone. He has not abandoned you, and He is not punishing you. His heart toward you is quite the opposite.
I'll leave today's post with this. While I did not respond to my trial initially with worship, I gradually learned that worship plays a vital role in one's healing process...no matter the circumstance. But, you will hear oh so much more about that later.
In light of the years past, I have learned and now intend to respond to life's pains and joys with a heart of genuine worship for the God who loves me.
...The God who Met Me.
The injustice of the pain...oftentimes the hardest pill to swallow in the midst of a nightmare. "Why?" and "It's not fair!" flood the heart in a blur of emotion and tears. No comfort on this earth offers any answer. Left helpless, we cling to the fleeting notion that somehow understanding a purpose for the pain will bring a measure of solace. Yet, so often, that purpose remains hidden and we remain wounded and frail.
Do you know the very first response Job gave to the most horrific day of his life? [This blew me away and challenged my response to my current situation...a life-changing, fresh perspective that empowered me to move forward.]
What? Didn't he have a right to recount his uprightness to God and demand intervention or at least justice? How did Job even come up with worship as a possible response to such trauma?
I cannot imagine Job's integrity to incite such a beautiful picture of Trust in God. That level of faith certainly doesn't come naturally to most of us...
It didn't to me.
Yes, I was candid with God. It is sooo okay to be candid with Him. In fact, I highly encourage your vocal honesty before the God who loves you. Only... it will benefit you greatly to allow Him time and opportunity to respond. He will.
Sometimes immediate, but most often a ways down the journey, God Almighty will reveal His Faithfulness to you. You truly are not alone. He has not abandoned you, and He is not punishing you. His heart toward you is quite the opposite.
I'll leave today's post with this. While I did not respond to my trial initially with worship, I gradually learned that worship plays a vital role in one's healing process...no matter the circumstance. But, you will hear oh so much more about that later.
In light of the years past, I have learned and now intend to respond to life's pains and joys with a heart of genuine worship for the God who loves me.
...The God who Met Me.
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