Wednesday, August 08, 2007

The Hard Things

The battle of the mind involved in surrendering every thought to God
Revealing of the deep suffering of others
Being misunderstood by others
Being falsley accused
Utter exhaustion in daily trials
Grief over loss, sin, family etc
Suffering injustice
A sense that God has hidden His face or forsaken us
Loneliness
Suffering a Betrayal
Slander
the list goes on..and...they are imposssibe to bear, actually, without Christ. These are things that sometimes hurt in a way that noone else knows about or sees. But when we ask for a deeper fellowship with Christ...we must enter into that fellowship with Him- alone. With Him alone we will sorrow in these that we might better see Him. The trials will be ones that we will not always be at liberty to share with others or even have the words describe. They will seem, at times, to come from every direction- sometimes small as raindrops but rained down in such volume to create such a flood that if it weren't for our blindly (at times) grasping for God we would be swept away. Part of the difficulty in bearing up is that noone can see or understand these sufferings...they are for us alone...to give to Christ alone...for our own good. Should others be included- self pity and pride might be given occasion to hinder any growth that might have been attained. When we plead for a deeper love, deeper fellowship, deeper understanding we must be prepared to cling to Him as we can in no wise bear the understanding of His sufferings much less the burden and pain of them. I tremble at the thought of what I have asked of my Lord...of what I have surrendered to. It is too big for me to even understand what I have agreed to...I am rendered *dumb* in an explanation of it. I have failed many a time in the little He has shown me- I am so small and weak. What I do know is that He will lead and I will follow and know that He has equipped me to stand in the face of all trials...I will drink continuously from the Living water which He provides. I will remember to encourage and pray for my fellow Saints along the way- whose sufferings I don't know. Ps 31:3 For thou [art] my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Let's not underestimate or overlook the unseen sufferings of our fellow Saints regardless of our own opinions of them. We may not see evidence of the battle, but if they love the Lord...KNOW they are either preparing for battle or in the midst of battle. A kind word or even a small touch on the arm goes a *long* way, a warm embrace- is there anything better than a listening ear?! I am sure we all desire these things at one time or another. Ps 30:5b "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning" Dear suffering Saint, the Lord hears your prayers and prompts Christians to pray...I don't even know who I am writing this to (besides myself ;) )..but the Lord does-I hope you are encouraged in Him.

Phl 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

Ps 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Psalm 121:1-8
Eph 6:10-19
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

9 comments:

Sharon said...

Hello Heather!

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

I like your blog a lot and will be back to visit again when I have some time to read.

Blessings to you!

Kristi said...

Hi Heather, I left you a comment back at Thimble Thoughts in my brother's Birthday post. :)

Your post is so true. Bruce and I went for months and never said a word about some of the trials we were going through. It was so comforting and encouraging for a dear Brother or Sister to just say, "You know, I'm praying for you." Or "God laid you on my heart. I just want to tell you that I love you." There's something about that, that can take you a little closer to the mountain when you're down in the valley.

~Kristi

Pam--in America said...

Heather, I wish I could be there to give you that hug! But I am praying for you, and I'm always here with a listening ear when you need one. Love you!

Cherlyn said...

I knew I recognized you.

I want to come back. My husband does not. I am feeling kind of torn, but I realize that I need to take responsibility for my spiritual health, as well as my son's, so I need to come back. I have a lot of questions, though - I guess I have some problems with my faith. So maybe Maranatha would be a good place to get those questions answered.

Heather said...

Cherlyn, I would love to visit with you again and we can take your questions to the Bible so you can have the peace God wants you to have. A friend of mine and I will be out visiting Thurs. night-I would love to talk with you. *Please* call me 633-4085. I *love* how the Lord allowed our paths to cross in this way....isn't He amazing? Wow.((hug))

Heather said...

Thank you Mrs Sharon! Stop by anytime :)
Kristi...lol-not sure if I left the answer you wanted or not ;P
Pam-I guess a virtual one will have to do :)

Rita Loca said...

thanks for stopping by my blog today!!!

Anonymous said...

Heather-
Hello again. :) Wow, I have to tell you that I have been under a very heavy "cloud",if you will, today. Like the weight of life on this earth and how much I fall short is just so hard to bear(thank God that I have my strength through Jesus Christ!) however, sometimes I crack and my humanness is crushed by the weight of it all. Today is one of those days, nothing in particular is going on just small raindrops like you said--what a perfect analogy...
So, I am sitting in front of the computer crying(literally) out to God telling Jesus I know You are a friend that sticks closer than a brother, but Lord I miss my friends in Christ(the fellowship!) and then the Holy Spirit reminds me about you and prompts me to check your blog! You can imagine my surprise that what you wrote is exactly for me... Oh, how my heart is aching in my chest at how unfaithful I can be and how desperate for fellowship I am and etc etc etc...the list is endless really! My flesh is weak and when I look away from Him if only for a moment I am reminded of just that! You don't even know what a blessing you are to me! God bless you sister. I will be praying for you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Sarah T

Free In Christ said...

Beautiful post. It is so true. I know that recently I went through a ROUGH time with my family, and it felt so overwhelming at the time, but God is so faithful, and he was with me all the time. I am reminded of Joseph saying, "you meant this for evil, but God meant it for good. (well, something like that). Last week our Pastor quoted someone saying, "God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves." So true, it is the explanation for evil things that happen to his children.

I hope you are feeling better, and your spirits are lifted. I will remember you in prayer.

Lots of HUGS and prayers.
Melissa