Last night I watched In Touch with Charles Stanley. I really like listening to Dr. Stanley even though he looks like an old fuddy duddy. His practical teaching based in Biblical Truth is just what I needed to hear last night.
He spoke on God's purpose in the storm.
He said that:
"God does not always want to just do something IN us, but often His ultimate goal is to do something THROUGH us. The deeper the valley, the darker the storm and the more intense the pain, the greater the preparation of your heart to be a blessing to other people."
"When God breaks your heart, He makes you useful; but He also props open the door of your heart. You become very sensitive to people around you who are hurting. You don’t even have to open the door when encounter one who is hurting…it automatically opens and you become a walking valuable vessel and tool in the hand of God."
"The intensity of the storm and the length and depth of the valley can be determined by God based on our rebellion and indifference. But also the depth of brokenness required can be equaled to the degree of usefulness God sees in His purpose for us."
These are truths that I already "know" but I needed to be reminded. I remember in studying the "40 Days of Purpose" that God is more interested in my character than in my comfort.
I need to embrace the pain of the storm as Christ embraced the Cross for me. I know that there are times lately that I have been living on my own strength. Each storm reminds me that my strength is insufficient and that He is my sufficiency in life.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Crossroads
I haven’t posted in some time due to the busy nature of my life right now. With family responsibilities, working and taking a university course my free time is a priceless commodity. The last couple of weeks I have been sick with a cold and bad cough that turned into a mild pneumonia that took the wind right out of my sails. I went back to work the last couple of days and felt absolutely spent after a relatively light work day. Needless to say, my energy level has been at sub zero. I know I have a paper due next week and I have only started reading the articles for. Add on to that my son who had been febrile for three days with a severe ear infection.
At this particular low period in my life comes the crossroad. It seems like Satan particularly likes to add this stuff in my life when energy levels are low or almost non existent. A thorn that attacked two years ago is back. I thought the wound was pretty much healed. The circumstances were made right for the wound to fester again. A harsh comment here, a temptation there and we are right back to where we were. He is out to attack when our spiritual life is weakened. When someone feels that they can make it without God and without Christian friends, the next step is to get sucked down the proverbial spiral.
I know God is in control and anything that happens is always filtered through His hands, but I still have a feeling of panic in the peace. I have been down this road before and God was faithful in preserving those involved. He has removed the influences that poisoned the pie in the past and I am (almost) confident He will do so again. I also have this feeling of wanting to throw all of my commitments in the trash. I want to forget all about these responsibilities that I have taken on in my life. These "extras" just seem so overwhelming right now and the energy to carry on with them seems absent.
Forgive me if you are reading this and it makes no sense. Only those who are privy to circumstances in the past and present with be able to decipher this cryptic message. I guess if you feel led to pray for this situation, I welcome ALL PRAYERS.
In His Grip
Kim
At this particular low period in my life comes the crossroad. It seems like Satan particularly likes to add this stuff in my life when energy levels are low or almost non existent. A thorn that attacked two years ago is back. I thought the wound was pretty much healed. The circumstances were made right for the wound to fester again. A harsh comment here, a temptation there and we are right back to where we were. He is out to attack when our spiritual life is weakened. When someone feels that they can make it without God and without Christian friends, the next step is to get sucked down the proverbial spiral.
I know God is in control and anything that happens is always filtered through His hands, but I still have a feeling of panic in the peace. I have been down this road before and God was faithful in preserving those involved. He has removed the influences that poisoned the pie in the past and I am (almost) confident He will do so again. I also have this feeling of wanting to throw all of my commitments in the trash. I want to forget all about these responsibilities that I have taken on in my life. These "extras" just seem so overwhelming right now and the energy to carry on with them seems absent.
Forgive me if you are reading this and it makes no sense. Only those who are privy to circumstances in the past and present with be able to decipher this cryptic message. I guess if you feel led to pray for this situation, I welcome ALL PRAYERS.
In His Grip
Kim
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