In my devotional lately I’ve been on the chapter called “When Life Hurts”. It’s definitely a God-thing that I’m on this chapter because I’ve had to deal with a lot of stuff lately that has deeply hurt me. My daily devotionals have helped sooo much though, it’s amazing. I shouldn’t be surprised though. I’d like to quote some statements from the book that have really encouraged me and helped me realize important life lessons.
The first day, the title is “What Are You Known For?” and it talked about ordinary people from the Bible, such as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab that became extraordinary because of their faith. That’s what I want. I want to set my heart on things that I can’t see. God has something so much better than this world waiting for me in heaven. I want to live my life on earth motivated by what’s yet to come. I want my faith, like theirs, to give me courage to honor God even in horrible circumstances.
Psalm 27:14- “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
I recently went through one of the hardest times I think I’ve ever been through. A family member said some horrible, terrible things to me and basically destroyed any desire I had left for a relationship with this person. And there was no way for me to escape-I was stuck around this person for 3 days. And it was absolute torture. As hard as it was, I truly believe that God was glorified. God knows everyone’s situation, but He’s less concerned with the instant outcome than with what he wants you to learn in the process. I wanted the instant outcome to be that I got away and escaped from the painful situation I was in. But if I had left, I wouldn’t have learned to rely wholly and completely on God to sustain me and give me His strength, and in that aspect He wouldn’t have been glorified.
Waiting teaches you to lean on God. But He doesn’t just want you to wait. He wants you to wait
for Him, since He’s the only one who can really make the difference.
Thanks for posting this; it is really encouraging for me right now. Looking forward to meeting you in 4 weeks. 🙂
Hilary, I am so proud of you. You are an inspiration to me, and Africa is going to be so blessed by having you there spreading the word of God. I love you and am praying for you.
If the mountain was smooth…..
you couldn’t climb it.
Hilary, Sometimes when we hurt from a relationship – the hurt does not mean to turn away and run, but face it and to face ourselves. To look within ourselves and know that each of us is imperfect and must search for the right way. It’s usually through the hurt, not turning from it or from the people God has put in our lives. That is the road to spiritual maturity. Being a Christian doesn’t mean to do what feels best and it’s not without soul-searching. My daughter grew on her trip from home. I know you will as well.