Thursday, May 13, 2010

Chapter Three: Pain

The Crossroads of the Heart

There were some technical difficulties over at The Bloom Book Club tonight, so the video won't be posted until tomorrow, but I thought I'd go ahead and post my thoughts.  Be sure to jump over there tomorrow to hear what Jessica and Angie have to say! 



This chapter is not really a fun one.  Not that any of them are FUN....but the last two talked about awakening! and desire!  That's exciting, don't ya think?  Well, this one.....talks about the reality of pain, and how that sometimes, no matter how hard we pray or how many positive things we speak, things don't always work out the way we planned. 

"The whole notion that some part of the pain of life is unavoidable is not an easy idea to confront.  Especially for Christians.  We tend to see our lives as a series of hurdles, which, if we trust God and jump high enough (oh my.....been there....), we can get through without scraping our knees.  If we miss a hurdle, though - or come through bloody and bruised - we must have done it wrong.  We have failed in some way.  Or worse, God has failed us."

Ever felt like that before?

I have.

But it's not true.

God never fails.  And He is not surprised by anything that happens in our life.  He already knew before it happened.

"It may take us a while to catch our breath, to ride the wave, and to trust that God has something in mind - something good - that we would never have dreamed."

Indeed, the Lord will comfort Zion,
He will comfort all her waste places.
And her wilderness He will make like Eden.
And her desert like the garden of the Lord.
Isaiah 51:3

We are not promised that things will always be perfect or that we'll never encounter a storm, but we are promised that we'll never have to go through it alone.

".....you start to realize that some sorrows in life will never go away.  You learn to carry them with you in ways that enrich rather than debilitate your life, in ways that make you wise.  But the dark and knubby places in the fabric, the tapestry of your life, remain."

"There are inevitable losses in life.  But there is one thing you do not have to lose - your heart."

We all experience pain.  It's where we go from there that matters.

"Pain...takes place on an invisible level, yet it has the potential to actually shape the real stuff of a person's future.  It can numb and destroy your passion in life, but it can refine and bless as well."

What will you do with your heart?

Will you allow (or have you allowed) the pain to destroy your passion for life?  Or will you choose to be refined?

God wants to make your wilderness like Eden and your desert like the garden of the Lord.

Trust that He has something in mind - something good - something you would have never dreamed.

XO
Shelly








7 friends had this to say:

Linda said...

Beautiful post!! I cannot believe how it relates to me today!!
I am still being refined through painful trials that have been on-going for so long now. The Lord's plan I know will be so much better than my plan and I have to let go and let God!
Thank you for sharing this today.
Have a great day!
Blessings.

starla said...

Very encouraging shelly..:0)
I choose to be REFINED!!!

Stacy @ Heartprints of God said...

Oh....pain. I can really relate..as I think we ALL can. This jumped out at me... "There are inevitable losses in life. But there is one thing you do not have to lose - your heart." and I would like to add.... or your hope!

Through the heartbreaking times of my life, God has led me to look past the pain and to focus on the purpose.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

I want to allow God to take my pain and use it to bring comfort to others and glory to Him...through the HOPE we have in Christ.

Great post! Thanks, Shelly!

Shelly said...

@Linda...I am so glad that God is speaking to you today through the words on my blog! I will pray for you today, that God will give you strength, hope and peace during t;his time in your life. Keep clinging to Him :)

@Starla...Thank you and you're welcome! :)

@Stacy...Thank you for adding to this post! I know that your comment will also bring hope and encouragement to someone who needs it! :)

XO

Power Up Love said...

"He already knew before it happened."

It is hard to even imagine how its all possible, but we are man and He is God.

bj said...

Things happen to us that, without God, we just couldn't get thru it. How in the world do the non-believers go thru these things alone? I just don't get it...at all.
Thanks for this wonderful post.
xo bj

Michelle said...

Hi I just found your blog!

First, my husband preaches on the fire of testing this morning and then Alisa over at Faith imagined just wrote an article, and now you write a chapter review that talks about the same thing!

God certainly works in amazing ways!

Have a blessed week!