Joy in Suffering

So I have finally made myself get back to blogging. I really feel God calling me to share my thoughts for He will speak through me to those who read it. Lately I have been so amazed by God. I am always amazed by Him but this is just a deeper level then before. I never really understood the expression "pressing into God" or "going deeper" until this summer. It has been a summer of suffering and trials yet I find so much energy and joy at the most perfect times. It is so crazy to me how you can be going through the most pain and brokeness and God will still make you feel so joyful. I honestly love being in suffering becauese I feel Him the most in those times.

In Matthew 5:3-5 it says "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." WOW! This is just another reason to be encouraged when you are broken. I find such hope in this verse. It doesn't matter how much we are hurting or broken or doing the "ugly cry" because we are being blessed! I don't know about you but until now I never saw pain and suffering as a blessing.

I also have seen that you can learn so much when you are in a time of desperation. You have given up on your own plans and you have to trust in the Lord. Though we should already trust in Him, we all know that when things are going great we tend to set Him aside and do our own thing until the going gets tough. Then we are back to falling on our knees and begging Him to have mercy on us. And of course our loving Father comes to us and holds us and asks us to "deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him" (Luke 9:23). (look for more tomorrow about this verse). And we wonder, woh, denying ourselves? We don't need to do that, we know what we are doing. But truly think about every plan you have had and how many times it has failed. Then think about every time God has a plan and it has failed? I don't know about you but I would much rather the Father of the Universe who sees all take over then me who sees just in front of me. My plans are worthless. God cares way more about our relationships and future then we ever will.

Check out a podcast by Francis Chan called "Joy in Suffering". It will rock your world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v​=BTWyT79MbbY

In Christ,
Heather