He sees you, right now.
In your struggle.
In your storm.
He is the God who sees you.
He knows your heart,
your desires.
He loves you, unconditionally.
He's never away from you.
El Roi,
the God who sees me.
Showing posts with label suffering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suffering. Show all posts
8.27.2013
10.13.2011
How Great is Our God?
Usually when I go through trials, I chant lyrics from certain songs...
"I will praise you in this storm..."
or
"Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?... His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."
But this time, during this trial, I keep singing "How great is our God?"
All throughout the Bible, we are told to be thankful for the sufferings we endure. It's easy to read. It's easy to say. But when it comes down to putting it into action, it's one of the hardest things to do.
I love music and that's why I always surround myself with lyrics and songs that fit the situation I'm in. It helps bring me to a state of worship and gives me the words to pray. It seems bizarre that this is the song placed on my heart during this past month.
In Chris Tomlin's song "How Great is Our God," those 5 words are repeated over and over.
I almost laugh because the last thing I want to chant to myself in the midst of struggle is "how great is this?!"
I can answer that question now.
About a month ago, my heart completely broke. I fell in love with someone I never met and mourned their death at the same exact time. I had a miscarriage. Brandon and I were unaware that I was even pregnant. It was hands down the most traumatic thing I've ever had to deal with. I had so many questions. I wanted all the answers but also wanted everything to go away. I didn't know how to express my feelings. I didn't know how to let Brandon or anyone else help me. I felt so broken.
Last week, I lost my job. I was teaching at a nearby elementary school. There were economical and social problems and finally it all had to end. I was embarrassed, scared, and shocked. I didn't know about the future. I couldn't deal with the present. I wanted to hide from the world. I didn't want to show my face to anyone.
Rumors have started. Looks have been given.
How great is our God?
I didn't write this blog to get sympathy. I wanted to be transparent, real. I wanted to get out everything that's been inside of me for the past month. All the heartache, trouble, and struggles. I wanted everyone to know the truth. And the truth is that God is still in control of my life. He is the beginning and the end. He orchestrated everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. I shouldn't need "good" things to happen for me to realize how great He truly is.
Through these trials, I've gained two things, faith and hope. Faith in that no matter what I think is best for me and my family, God has even better desires and dreams for me. Faith in Him to always be consistent in His love for me. I gained hope, that one day it very well may be possible for me to have children. I have endometriosis. It's scared me to think about the possibility of not having children. The odds are 50/50 but I serve a God that is the ultimate physician and I know He can heal me. I have hope that there's an even better job out there for me. God knew my heart was torn between teaching and something else. I can now smile in the middle of everything because even though I don't know where He's taking me, I know He won't ever let me go.
That's how great He is.
"I will praise you in this storm..."
or
"Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?... His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."
But this time, during this trial, I keep singing "How great is our God?"
All throughout the Bible, we are told to be thankful for the sufferings we endure. It's easy to read. It's easy to say. But when it comes down to putting it into action, it's one of the hardest things to do.
I love music and that's why I always surround myself with lyrics and songs that fit the situation I'm in. It helps bring me to a state of worship and gives me the words to pray. It seems bizarre that this is the song placed on my heart during this past month.
In Chris Tomlin's song "How Great is Our God," those 5 words are repeated over and over.
"How great is our God?
Sing with me, how great is our God?
And all will see how great, how great is our God."
I can answer that question now.
About a month ago, my heart completely broke. I fell in love with someone I never met and mourned their death at the same exact time. I had a miscarriage. Brandon and I were unaware that I was even pregnant. It was hands down the most traumatic thing I've ever had to deal with. I had so many questions. I wanted all the answers but also wanted everything to go away. I didn't know how to express my feelings. I didn't know how to let Brandon or anyone else help me. I felt so broken.
Last week, I lost my job. I was teaching at a nearby elementary school. There were economical and social problems and finally it all had to end. I was embarrassed, scared, and shocked. I didn't know about the future. I couldn't deal with the present. I wanted to hide from the world. I didn't want to show my face to anyone.
Rumors have started. Looks have been given.
How great is our God?
I didn't write this blog to get sympathy. I wanted to be transparent, real. I wanted to get out everything that's been inside of me for the past month. All the heartache, trouble, and struggles. I wanted everyone to know the truth. And the truth is that God is still in control of my life. He is the beginning and the end. He orchestrated everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. I shouldn't need "good" things to happen for me to realize how great He truly is.
Through these trials, I've gained two things, faith and hope. Faith in that no matter what I think is best for me and my family, God has even better desires and dreams for me. Faith in Him to always be consistent in His love for me. I gained hope, that one day it very well may be possible for me to have children. I have endometriosis. It's scared me to think about the possibility of not having children. The odds are 50/50 but I serve a God that is the ultimate physician and I know He can heal me. I have hope that there's an even better job out there for me. God knew my heart was torn between teaching and something else. I can now smile in the middle of everything because even though I don't know where He's taking me, I know He won't ever let me go.
That's how great He is.
3.27.2011
Suffering? Rejoice!
Spring could not have come at a more convenient time! It's been a rough few weeks and a vacation is exactly what I need! On Saturday, I had a wonderful bridal shower, my Grandmother came down and I was able to spend some time with her and I get to sleep in my old room! Plus, it's only Sunday! I still have the rest of the week! The plan for this week: wedding, wedding, wedding! My mom and I are hoping to get the rest of my wedding checklist completed!
But, for now, I can relax.
It's Sunday. The day of rest. I'm curled on the couch, p.j.'s on, and a sweet puppy laying at my feet.
I'm blessed to come home to such an amazing Sunday school class. My mentor, Kami, and her husband, Alfred, are the leaders. Just being with them anywhere does my heart good! They've both seen me grow up since I was 16...mentally, physically, and spiritually. Kamera has helped mold me to be the woman I am today. I couldn't imagine my life without her!
Anyway, today's lesson was...God designed. He's so good at that, eh?
We started talking about what the Bible has to say about suffering.
The passage we explored was 1 Peter 4:12-19.
(NIV Translation)
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trail you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
(The Message Translation)
Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.
If you are abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!
It's judgment time in God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message! If good people barely make it, what's in store for the bad?
So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what He's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.
When we suffer, we're more like Christ than ever before.
But, for now, I can relax.
It's Sunday. The day of rest. I'm curled on the couch, p.j.'s on, and a sweet puppy laying at my feet.
I'm blessed to come home to such an amazing Sunday school class. My mentor, Kami, and her husband, Alfred, are the leaders. Just being with them anywhere does my heart good! They've both seen me grow up since I was 16...mentally, physically, and spiritually. Kamera has helped mold me to be the woman I am today. I couldn't imagine my life without her!
Anyway, today's lesson was...God designed. He's so good at that, eh?
We started talking about what the Bible has to say about suffering.
The passage we explored was 1 Peter 4:12-19.
(NIV Translation)
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trail you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
(The Message Translation)
Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.
If you are abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!
It's judgment time in God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message! If good people barely make it, what's in store for the bad?
So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what He's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.
When we suffer, we're more like Christ than ever before.
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