Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!
And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!
Today's word: sorrow
What does the word sorrow mean to you?
Do you think there's such a thing as *good* sorrow? If you do, how would you define that, and what things might lead to that feeling?
How might God use sorrow for His purposes?
How does God comfort you in times of sorrow?
I found so many good verses about sorrow this week - (yes, I know that sounds like an oxymoron) - that I had to post them all. Hope you find encouragement in them:
"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." (Psalm 119:28, NIV)
"Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalemc singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness." (Psalm 51:11, NLT)
"'I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.'" (Jeremiah 31:13, NLT)
"'So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.'" (John 16:22, ESV)
"'I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.'" (John 16:33, NLT)
"God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!'" (Revelation 21:3-5, NLT)
Let me know what you think!!
DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:
"To whom do you turn when you feel completely disheartened? Turn to the Word of God and His commandments. There you will find renewal...Even when you feel most discouraged, seek God's help to enable you to fully understand this truth: God knows about our discouragement and despair and He will handle every situation that comes our way."
*Lord, I weep with sorrow and despair. Encourage me through Your Word.
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
(Devotional from: "Grace for Each Moment" Compiled by Kylie Munger from devotionals by Solly Ozrovech, c. 2008, Christian Art Gifts, RSA)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Sorrow - things that make me sad..people who lie, cheat, steal....who hurt others for no reason. Or when there's huge destructive hurricanes etc. I'm not sure there is good sorrow..... :(
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday Sharon...wishing you happy....and no sorrow.
Sorrow makes me think of grief and sadness. But I do think Godly sorrow can bring us back to a place of proper alignment with God.
ReplyDeleteTo me, sorrow means to grieve from the heart, to desire more than anything for that thing which caused the sorrow just just "not be".
ReplyDeleteGodly sorrow, IMO, is a good thing. It's part and parcel of the idea of being sorry. If I truly don't grieve over an action or condition to the point of godly sorrow, than I'm not truly sorry. True repentance for me is that kind of godly sorrow.
Hi Sharon
ReplyDeleteSorrow is not a word I want to think on too much at the moment. I am afraid if I do I might become very negative and a bit depressed. However I do think it is a good word you have chosen and worth thinking about which maybe I will do more at a later time.
Have a blessed weekend.
Hi Sharon! You have been on fire this week! All these wonderful Scriptures...it must have really been a comfort to you.
ReplyDeleteNot only do I seek Scripture, but his help can come from a loving word from a friend, spouse, or just a smile. God works in everything!
Thanks for coming over to visit today :)
Ceil
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteSorrow to me is a necessary part of our lives...maybe and hopefully not our DAILY lives but necessary still. I know I have grown closer to the Lord through sorrow in one form or another. No, I certainly don't ask for it but have learned and grown from it whether it be through losing my parents and other loved ones or loving a child through their battle with alcoholism. Praise God, my Jesus is always there to sustain me and make me stronger!
Blessings,
Debby
Sorrow allows me to remember this is not my home and He is preparing a place for me where there will be no sorrow.
ReplyDeleteSorrow to me, is a deep, dark place.
ReplyDeleteSorrow means utter sadness - deep - lasting a longer time.
ReplyDeleteA friend of ours died last night so when I think of sorrow I cannot help but reflect on the early passing of such a nice man. Sorrow....deep sadness that even resonates in our bones. That to me is sorrow. God holds us in our sorrow.....comforts us with His Word and love often through others.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorrow is when my brain and heart clinch in spiritual pain - and my spirit cries and my eyes cry - and I am powerless to do anything. So I cry out to Him - and give it to Him - and trust Him to find a way to turn that sorrow to joy! Thank you for your scripture - I would not want to confront the cause of sorrow without Him:)
ReplyDeleteHello Sharon! I found your blog via spiritual sundays blog hop! I've enjoyed reading your posts! I am now a follower! :)
ReplyDeleteSarah Ortiz
http://www.theortizs.blogspot.com/
What does the word sorrow mean to you?
ReplyDeleteIt means a deep sadness. An overpowering sense of grief.
Do you think there's such a thing as *good* sorrow? If you do, how would you define that, and what things might lead to that feeling?
Actually, yes I do. I think *good* sorrow can come from something the Holy Spirit convicts us about. It can be a regret for something sinful we have done or said.
How might God use sorrow for His purposes?
I believe God can use sorrow to bring us closer to Him. If it's sorrow over something sad, like a death or loss, God can use that sorrow to minister His love and peace and comfort to our hearts. If it's sorrow over something we've done that we regret, He can use that sorrow to bring us to repentance, reconciliation, and/or restoration.
How does God comfort you in times of sorrow?
For me, He comforts me by giving me a sense of His Presence. He washes a sense of peace over me. He gives me images of His face, and He speaks of His love to my inner spirit.
GOD BLESS!