Of course you'll encounter trouble.
But behold a God of power
who can take any evil
and turn it into a door of hope.
* Catherine Marshall *
Let's admit it.
Somewhere along the line we've secretly mused, 'why me?'
Too many spoke the lie that the Christian life included great heapings of lavish prosperity and unlimited health for those who named it and claimed it.
We figured that 1+1=2 and if we did all the right things then we'd live a fairy tale existence, our marriages would be golden, our families would be untouched by grief, and we'd all be singing 'kumbaya' as we sailed through life with happiness and ease.
Yet we found our own personal pathways strewn with messy heartbreak, seemingly endless losses, and far too many closed doors. Some seasons looked like a complete train wreck and the specific answers to prayer we yearned for never quite appeared.
And we wondered if we somehow missed the boat.
*
Not so.
Not so.
Hebrews 11:35-39 speaks of the parade of New Testament martyrs who encountered destitution, persecution, and grisly, unspeakable deaths.
Jesus Himself said,' in this world you will have trouble' {John 16:33} and His own torturous crucifixion and the abandonment by many of His own showed that He was not exempt from life's cruelties.
But there is a door of hope.
*
God specializes in turning our miseries into miracles, our woes into wonders, our disasters into deliverance. He offers a life-altering comfort right smack dab in the midst of the troubles and the wrongs that have come our way ... so that we in turn can offer hope to the next one down the line.
'Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God'
{2 Corinthians 1:3-4}.
Emerging from our deepest sorrows, we are able to hold open that door of desperately needed hope to broken, bewildered souls who've been yearning to know that there is a tomorrow. Our own unique array of personal sufferings invite us to be fully present, listen deeply, empathize fully, and offer authentic hope ... because we know what it's like to be in the pit and we've emerged with a richer song to sing.
Courtesy of the compassion of Jesus Christ.
As I spend this week Zooming with women in ministry around the globe, I am struck once again how bits and pieces of their stories mirror challenges and heartbreaks I've experienced myself. And all I can do is whisper 'praise You,' because He specializes in restoring and redeeming the years the locusts have eaten {Joel 2:25-27}.
Thank You, Jesus.
Linda
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So true, Linda, "God specializes in turning our miseries into miracles, our woes into wonders, our disasters into deliverance." I'm so thankful for His lovingkindness.
ReplyDeleteLisa, yes. We each have our own unique redemption stories ... and they continue as we make our way through life. That Joel 2 passage has been priceless for me.
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This is good, Linda. I have been prone to ask why me? lately but then I'm reminded that everyone goes through struggles, all over the world, all through time. I'm not unique. Maybe our individual struggles are pieced together in unique ways, but everyone knows pain and loss and heartache. I'm so thankful the Lord travels these journeys with us and sends us human companionship along the way too!
ReplyDeleteYes, we are not alone ... or unusual and it's ok to sit with the why question, for just a bit as long as we don't stay there forever.
DeleteI like 'what?' questions better, anyway.
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Amen, Linda! When we can take our bad times and use those experiences to help others along this journey called life, I believe we are demonstrating God's infinite grace and compassion. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI've seen you do that especially in these recent months, Martha, that have been so challenging. You are a blessing to many ...
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He specializes in restoring and redeeming…Amen, Linda. Thank you for sharing this encouraging post!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for speaking beauty and the warmth of hospitality to us all week in and week out, Pam. My life is enriched because of your creativity.
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So glad you are able to minister to these women this week and connect with them. We might never know why we go through the situations we do, but God promises to be there with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they're teaching me more than I could ever offer them.
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It's funny that people who wouldn't preach the "prosperity gospel" in relation to wealth and health still seem to think we're supposed to have rosy, uncomplicated lives if we're walking in fellowship with the Lord. It's a different kind of prosperity gospel, yet it's still false. So many people's lives in Scripture show the opposite, even Jesus. I admit, though, I still lean toward praying for deliverance from hard situations rather than for wisdom to learn from them.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Barbara about that 'different kind of prosperity gospel.'
DeleteAnd yes, I'm the same, much preferring to pray for the hard situations to go away instead of praying for wisdom. So true.
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Sadly, many listen to the health/wealth claptrap and believe that we should have flower strewn pathways (as the poem goes) but that simply is not the case. I would much rather prefer bragging on the ONE who is always faithful, even when tough times come. Thank you Linda for a challenging thought.
ReplyDelete'Bragging on the ONE who is always faithful.'
DeleteAnd all God's people said, AMEN.
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Oh yes, Linda! The door of hope for broken, bewildered souls. Thank You, God, for your endless compassion. And this truth is such an encouraging reminder - "God specializes in turning our miseries into miracles, our woes into wonders, our disasters into deliverance." Thank you for your encouragement! Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteWhen we've truly been broken and bewildered, all we can do is plead with God to restore that season by doing something good with it.
DeleteHe never fails to deliver.
Thank You, Lord.
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Linda, I don't often think I missed the boat, but I wonder if I even got on the right one to begin with! But indeed God's sovereignty is our true Hope. For He works even our wrong turns into His perfect tapestry for us!
ReplyDelete'I wonder if I even got on the right one to begin with!'
DeleteYep, I absolutely hear you!
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Restoration and redemption--AMEN! What a gracious and compassionate Father we have. You and I are on the same wave length again, Linda. I've written about God's "turnings" myself, but he's capable of so many, my list is different from yours! I also approached the subject from a different angle. You'll see on Thursday!
ReplyDeleteOne of the joys of blogging is discovering that God seems to be prompting someone else to talk about the same topic. Please be sure to come back and share the link with everyone around here, Nancy. That would be really helpful!
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Linda, I'm so thankful for the door of hope God opens for us. I've been in the messy, wondering if I'd missed the boat. I've been the one disappointed because nothing—NOTHING—went the way it was supposed to. Turns out, those are the circumstances where God usually shows up most clearly, if we're willing to look to Him in the middle of the hard.
ReplyDeleteI'm blessed by your heart for women and the ways God is using you in their lives.
'nothing—NOTHING—went the way it was supposed to.'
DeleteI know for a fact that a good many of our readers have had those seasons, Jeanne. We find we're in good company when we're real with each other. I've learned much from you in recent years.
I thank you, friend ...
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You can name it, claim it, dude,
ReplyDeleteyou'll be healthy, you'll be rich!
Life should not dare to intrude,
but baby, life can be a b****.
Cancer comes and rips you bad,
gets up right into your face
and doesn't go away (so sad!)
when you holler, "Grace, grace, GRACE!"
But then here's the funny thing,
as you're wearing out your lungs,
there's the sound of angel-wing,
and... wait for it...yeah, grace, it comes
not for your health's restoration,
but rather, your soul's consecration.
'grace, it comes
Deletenot for your health's restoration,
but rather, your soul's consecration.'
Preach it, man. Profound wisdom indeed.
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Oh, dear friend! Honestly, this just might be my favorite post of yours yet. Oh, how it ministered to my troubled heart tonight! I JUST, minutes ago, asked my dear husband and son to tell me if there is anything in my life that they see that would cause some of the things I am going through. Sometimes we can feel like we are being punished when trials beset us and we feel we can take no more. After their precious words of affirmation, I came to my laptop and opened your post, and you confirmed SO much to me. God is so faithful to do that! He will absolutely be found of us when we seek Him with our whole heart! Thank you for being so faithful to His call upon your life. I hope He lets you see what a dear blessing you are to me and to countless others. May He bless you richly, my friend.
ReplyDeleteOh He loves you dearly, Cheryl. And He knows you hold Him in first place in your heart. Your faith is strong and vibrant. You have nothing to fear. All will be well.
DeleteWhen we sin, the Holy Spirit is faithful to convict us of specific sins that need to be repented of. He guides us into all truth.
Blankets of guilt or shame or fear are from the enemy of our souls. I bid him far from you. He has no place in your life.
Bless you as you continue to move forward, dear friend.
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What a powerful image: a door of hope. God has already given us this door we just need to enter in. Why do we hesitate and stay miserable? God is good and full of hope, A great reminder, Linda. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGood question, Jean, about why we're often unexplainably hesitant even as God opens His hands to us ...
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One of your very best, Linda! "Praise Him" indeed!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Lulu, thanks for letting me know this hit home for you. God is good.
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I love the thought of a "door" of hope. And His name is Jesus!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
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Hi Linda........ how nice to see a few words from the writing of Catherine Marshall............ her son Peter was my pastor at the East Dennis Community Church for 8 of the 10 years he was there..... in the early 70's........... he led me to the Lord........ Catherine and her second husband came to church there a few times over the years......... always enjoy your notes and pictures !!
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful story about your connection to the Marshall family! I do believe you made my day ... so fascinating.
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Amen, Linda.
ReplyDeleteI love the image of a "door" of hope.
A great reminder, thank you!
Thanks for being here! Happy April to you.
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Loving on and encouraging others is one of the greatest joys of my life!
ReplyDeleteI know, I know, right?!
DeleteDo you have a website and a link? I'd love to drop by for a visit sometime ...
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Linda, I think this should be required reading for every thoughtful Christian under the age of 30. The first time I read it, I was actually interrupted by a phone call from the imaging center, calling me back for another look at something. (Perhaps you know the drill?) Thankfully, it all turned out OK, but the truth that you shared stayed with me throughout the process. Thank you for holding the door open so beautifully, my friend. In God’s economy, nothing is ever wasted … not one single thing.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad the second look showed that all is well, Lois. Truly. And that I could kind of be with you even from afar made me smile this evening. God is good.
DeleteWe continue to hold that door open for each other don't we. Grateful for your steady, kind presence in my life.
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