RE-LEASING MY BURDENS

Lately I've been doing a lot of reading.

Seems like being sick has a way of slowing life down, and reading is a good way to pass the time.

So I've been learning, listening, lounging –

And I read something that I wrote four years ago that really spoke to me again.

I thought I'd share it with you today…

I had just read something that a friend wrote that triggered a deep response in my heart.  She was talking about *letting go* of a particularly difficult situation in her life.

About how hard it was for her to do that.  

How relinquishing control was often a moment-by-moment process.

How well I related.

So tired, wanting and waiting to release the burden of care that she was carrying.

Yes, I got it.

Those of us who are parents will totally understand the weight of love and concern that we have for our children.  (By the way, those of you who aren't parents still care for other people deeply – you will also understand what I'm talking about).

And we should care.

If we ever took that job of parenting seriously, we will care…deeply.

But sometimes we can get overburdened, overwhelmed, overcome by the things we care about.  Especially when we face the ugly fact that we have little control over another person's circumstances, pain and suffering, thoughts and feelings.

I often find myself being the "emotional burro" of the family.

Might I just say in my defense that I come by that role naturally.

I am the first-born child, and oldest daughter of a first-born son and an only child (my parents).  I am also the first-born grandchild of two first-born sons (my grandfathers) – and the oldest cousin in my family.  (Might I just add that both of my parents were also the oldest grandchildren and oldest cousins on one side of their families).

Yup.

Overly responsible.
Overly conscientious.
Overly…everything.

(Sign me up for Overachievers Anonymous)

The weight I carry for others – especially for my sons, my family – can be heavy, heavy at times.

Now, as a believer and a follower of Jesus, I know that I am not in charge.  (I'm not, right?  Funny how I keep having to check on that…)

The Lord is in infinite control of all things, and all people.

So, I know that my spiritual mandate is to allow Him to have that control.

To exhibit my yielding to His sovereignty by trusting and obeying Him.

I really, really try to do that.

But I am struck by the spiritual irony that I am now actually striving to rest. 

Silly, huh?


As I pondered what my friend wrote, I thought about that word *release*.

The definition of lease is this (taking out the specific legal stuff so it makes sense emotionally!):

A contract by which one party conveys (transfers) [something or someone] to another...

In that sense, God is asking me, inviting me, even commanding me, to do just that.

To make a contract with Him to convey all my *stuff* to Him.

When I thought about that, releasing my burden actually becomes...

RE-leasing. 

Stopping once again to hand over to Him all those things that burden me.

To once again move into that place where I abide with Him.

Where I allow the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to comfort and calm me.

I re-lease in order to once again find peace.


It's not easy for this crazy first-born.  

Very often I find myself *taking back* all the people and situations that I thought I had given to the Lord.

(Evidently, some of the things that I think I "nail to the cross" are actually just thumb-tacked…or loosely held on with Post-It notes…just sayin').

But, God is calling this overly responsible, overly conscientious mother to give it ALL to Him.

Yes.


Today, though with a troubled heart and an anxious spirit, I will re-lease it all to Him who loves me. 

I will transfer my troubles, my worries, my situations and circumstances, my health, my finances, my family – my past, my present, and my future – every detail, every moment – into His loving and capable hands.

Praying you will, too.


Lord, to whom would we go? 

You have the words that give eternal life.




Is there a burden that God is asking you to re-lease to Him?

One more time
He lightens up my load,
In the night of deep despair
my faith keeps telling me
He's there,
Waiting to answer prayer
one more time.


(From "One More Time" by the Downings)

A Conversation with Jesus (based on Scripture):


"I know that you are weary and carry heavy burdens, Sharon."

"Oh Lord, yes, my burdens are heavy and I am so very tired, so weighed down by the worry and care and concerns that I bear."

"This is why I bid you to come to Me.

I will give you rest."

"Rest sounds so nice, Lord.  And yet, it seems impossible to my weary soul."

"Then take My yoke upon you.  Let me share the burden.

Let Me teach you the meaning of true peace.

I am humble and gentle, and I will be tender-hearted as I lead you, and you will find rest for your soul.

My yoke is easy to bear."

"Lord, what do you mean?  Yokes are heavy and confining, they weigh you down.  And the yoke of caring right now is overpowering to me."

"Oh Sharon, don't you understand?  The yoke is not a symbol of pain, but of partnership.  I will carry the load if you align yourself with Me."

"Yes, Lord, I do strive to walk on my own path."

"Sharon, the Father has entrusted everything to Me.

Including every detail, every moment of your life.

So cast the whole of your care – all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns – once and for all, on Me.

For I care for you affectionately and I care about you watchfully.

I love you."

"I love You, too, my Jesus, my Friend."

"Then cast your cares on Me, and I will sustain you.  I will never let you be shaken.  I will not permit you to slip and fall.  I will never allow you to be moved.

Follow Me.

And all will be well.

Trust Me."

"Yes, Lord..."

(Based on Matthew 11:27-30, 1 Peter 5:7, and Psalm 55:22)



"Thus it is the duty and interest of weary and heavy-laden sinners, to come to Jesus Christ…Whoever will, let him come.  All who thus come will receive rest as Christ's gift, and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts. 

But in coming to him they must take his yoke, and submit to his authority. They must learn of him all things, as to their comfort and obedience.  He accepts the willing servant, however imperfect the services.  Here we may find rest for our souls, and here only. 

Nor need we fear his yoke. His commandments are holy, just, and good.  It requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy.  It is a yoke that is lined with love.

So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so suitable the encouragements, and so strong the consolations to be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness.  The way of duty is the way of rest.  The truths Christ teaches are such as we may venture our souls upon.  Such is the Redeemer's mercy; and why should the labouring and burdened sinner seek for rest from any other quarter? 

Let us come to him daily, for deliverance from wrath and guilt, from sin and Satan, from all our cares, fears, and sorrows."

(Matthew Henry Commentary)



Linked with:

SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, MOMENTS OF HOPE, GLIMPSES LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, RICH FAITH RISING, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, TELL HIS STORY, WISE WOMAN, CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES, GRACE MOMENTS, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, HEART ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, HEARTS FOR HOME, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, TGI SATURDAYS, FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

HE KNOWS MY NAME

So, I am down visiting family again.

And when I'm in town, I like to visit the "chains," as I like to call them.

You see, our little mountain town has no chain restaurants or stores.  (It's a rule that’s even written in our charter!)  

Therefore, I must wait either for: 1) Errand Day – when we venture off-the-hill to do errands, or 2) Family Visitation Days – when I make the 2½ hour trek down the mountain to visit family.

I'm not gonna lie, sometimes I just might…

Peek in at IKEA or Costco.

Run into Macy's or Barnes & Noble.

Covertly sneak a Big Mac or a Quarter Pounder.

Scarf down a Subway.

Indulge on a fancy dinner at Outback or Joe's Crab Shack.


But really and truly, my biggest vice is the nearly-daily run to the local coffee place – 

(*$’s…)

Which is what I did this morning…

Which is where, yet again, I was confronted with one of my biggest pet peeves!

My name.

I have tried and tried to get those adorable (?) baristas to spell my name right!!

Nope.

In fairness, sometimes I'll get an older wiser cashier, and they usually get it right.

But the other ones?!

Hardly ever, even when I spell it out loud and s-l-o-w-l-y.

(Refer to the photo at the end of this post for the latest version, AFTER I spelled it for them…GRRR!)

What is the deal?!

It's actually kinda humorous at this point.

But if I'm in a particularly *weird, sensitive, grumpy mood* – (which is why I am getting the caffeine boost in the first place) – I might just feel a little hurt and offended.

C'mon, people.

It's my name – it's who I am!!


Names are funny things.

They seem to creep into our very souls and become a defining part of our personalities.

Some people love their names, some people hate their names.

Some people even change their names.  (For instance, my paternal grandmother despised her middle name and had it legally changed to R!).

When I entered elementary school, I thought my name sounded too old-fashioned.  I can't remember which grade I was in, but I asked to be called Shari.

OK, if you think Sharon gets mangled, you should see the permutations of Shari!!

Years later, after entering "adulthood," I thought Shari sounded frivolous, so I changed it back to Sharon.

Interestingly enough, though, "The Hub" knew me in elementary school, and still calls me Shari.  So do my uncle and my cousins.  The rest of my family calls me Sharon.

I now like my name a lot…(I remember once having a conversation with my mom.  Seems that they almost named me Patricia!  Not sure what they had picked out for a boy's name!)  


What's in a name?

Evidently, a lot.

I got to thinking about my name, and about how much it bugs me when it's misspelled, and I realized something.

There is Someone who never forgets who I am…

And thinking about that pointed me to four Scripture verses that have something to say about our names:


Verse One:

"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you…he who formed you…: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1, ESV)


Isn't it rather amazing, and very comforting, to know that we are specifically and individually called by God?! 

Yes, I know this verse originally referred to the nation of Israel, but don't you think that it's perfectly applicable to us today?

He created us, and formed us in the womb.  

He knows who we are, and knows everything about us.

He has called us, by name, and we belong to Him.

I love that!


Verse Two:

"'Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.  Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.'" 
(Isaiah 49:15-16, ESV)


Again, though this was originally directed at the nation of Israel, I love the idea that God purposefully remembers us, and holds us close.

And our *walls* – the things that are part of us – our personalities, our thoughts and emotions, our failures and shortcomings, our joys and triumphs, our families, our concerns, our bodies, our health, our finances, our moments, all of the life that surrounds us – is constantly held in His omniscient thoughts, and centered in His omnipresent love.

Good stuff!


Verse Three:

"'The one who is victorious will…be dressed in white.  I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.'" (Revelation 3:5, NIV)


The Bible speaks often about the Book of Life – a record of all those who have given their lives to Christ, and accepted His gift of salvation.

It is an eternal record, and it is infallible.

A person's name is either in there, or it isn't – and that is a fact with eternal consequences.

I celebrate the fact that when I confessed Jesus as my Savior and Lord of my life, my name was written in this book.  

Sealed there forever. 

(I kinda like the image of Jesus taking a pen and hand-writing it!!)

One day, the book will be opened, and the names will be read.

And on that day, I will hear my own name, and I will enter into the promise of everlasting life!

I rejoice over that, don't you?!


Verse Four:

"'And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.'" 
(Revelation 2:17, NLT)


I remember when I first read this verse, I was puzzled by it.  

It is a bit mysterious, and I doubt that I'll ever fully understand it on this side of eternity.

But the more I contemplated it, the more excited I became!

Yes, in so many ways, the Lord is the only one who knows who I truly am.  

He is the only one who intimately knows the spirit that He created in me.

He's the only one who knows what I will look like with no sin, shining in His righteousness, complete in His perfection.

And on this day, I have a feeling that this Truth will be revealed to me, in an exquisitely intimate moment between just the Savior and me.

I picture it in my mind…


Jesus looks me straight in the eye, with one of His precious scarred hands on my shoulder.  

He says:

"Sharon, I have known you since before the creation of the world.  I know every part of you, even the parts that you have not known of yourself.  I love you beyond your comprehension.  I have been waiting for this day."

Then He gently opens my hands, and lays a beautiful white stone into my palms.

I stare at my new name, and tears flood to my eyes.

I look up at Him…

"Yes, this is who you truly are.  Forever this will be your name, and forever you will be My child."

In that moment, I will know what I have never fully known or understood before….

My very being will be defined by my Creator.

I can scarcely take that in!


So, friends, what's in a name?

It's a sign of identification, a touchstone of our personality, an emblem of who we are.

But so much more than that…


It's a personal call.

It's a stamp of belonging.

It's an assurance of love.

It's a promise of life.

It's the hope of one day becoming our true self.


Yup.

I am Sharon – no matter how it's spelled.

And my name is remembered where it counts!




What does it mean to you that God knows your name?

Close...

I think the barista was a pirate.

"Arrr!" 

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139:13-17, ESV)

"'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…'" (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV)

"Know that the LORD, he is God!  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." (Psalm 100:3, ESV)

"The gatekeeper opens the gate…and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." 
(John 10:3, NLT)

"'I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…'" (John 10:14-15, ESV)

"The LORD is good…he knows those who take refuge in him." 
(Nahum 1:7, ESV)

"'Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.'" (Isaiah 43:6-7, NIV)

"Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:27, NIV)

"And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it.  The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.  I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne.  And the books were opened, including the Book of Life." (Revelation 20:11-12, NLT)

"You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven.  You have come to God himself…" (Hebrews 12:23, NLT)

"'…rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'" (Luke 10:20, NIV)



Linked with:

SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS, MOMENTS OF HOPE, GLIMPSES LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, RICH FAITH RISING, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WISE WOMAN, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES, GRACE MOMENTS, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, FUNTASTIC FRIDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, TGI SATURDAYS, FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?

Hellooo…

Is anybody out there?

Sometimes I feel this way – like I say "Hello" and all I hear are crickets answering me…

Chirp, chirp.

Seems to me like Blog Land has been kinda quiet lately.

Which leads me to wonder – is blogging dead?

If you google this question, you'll find various opinions on the matter.  But most people agree that its *heyday* has come and gone, that its peak popularity is in the past.

I certainly know that many people I became acquainted with when I first started blogging have long since left.

I get it.

It's hard to keep up with it.

Inevitably, if you blog long enough, you'll face either writer's block or burnout, or both.  And life happens.  Other things take priority.  I know that there have been a few times when I seriously considered discontinuing my blog.

I felt like my words were dry, my inspiration was lagging, life got complicated.

But somehow I felt like God wanted me to stay, and He kept giving me one more idea at a time.

So I'm still here.

But I firmly believe that God is the only one who can tell us whether we need to stay, or that it's time to leave.  

And we should heed His voice.

It's just that I miss some of my old blogging friends.


Losing contact is a hard thing.

Sometimes it's nobody's fault, it just happens.  People move out of the area (like I did), or life gets busier, or we add other people to our lives.

But still…

There are times when I feel like my voice echoes back to me when I cry out…

"Is anybody out there?"

It’s hard enough to feel this way with people, but sometimes I feel this way with God.

Like He's moved somewhere and neglected to give me His forwarding address.

Hellooo…

Are You out there, God?

Chirp, chirp.

I have often wondered to myself – why is it that sometimes when we need God the most, He seems silent or hidden?

I have heard this referred to as the north face of God.

(Though I have not read this book yet, I find that it's highly recommended: "The North Face of God" by Ken Gire.  Also great, a book that I have read, "Disappointment with God" by Philip Yancey)


What does this mean?

The north face of a mountain in the northern hemisphere is generally the coldest, iciest and most formidable route to climb.

I like the word picture of our faith journey being like a long trek up a steep mountain.  There are so many apt parallels that can be drawn.  But perhaps my favorite of all, is the treacherous ascent to the summit.

Climbers on Mt. Everest have a name for it – the Death Zone.

"At the higher regions of Mount Everest, climbers seeking the summit typically spend substantial time within the death zone (altitudes higher than 26,000 ft), and face significant challenges to survival.  Temperatures can dip to very low levels, resulting in frostbite of any body part exposed to the air.  Since temperatures are so low, snow is well-frozen in certain areas and death or injury by slipping and falling can occur.  High winds at these altitudes on Everest are also a potential threat to climbers.

Another significant threat to climbers is low atmospheric pressure.  The atmospheric pressure at the top of Everest is about a third of sea level…resulting in the availability of only about a third as much oxygen to breathe. Debilitating effects of the death zone are so great that it takes most climbers up to 12 hours to walk the distance of 1.07 mi from South Col to the summit." (Wikipedia)


Yes, sometimes the walk of faith is dangerous – fraught with trials and temptations.

And sometimes it can be a lonely walk.

Because sometimes, when we are in the midst of adversity, this is exactly when God seems absent.

Why is that?

I went on a search for answers, and found many interesting verses about the seeming "hiddenness" of God.

And many of these verses speak about times when God tests our faith (I've included them in my Scriptures at the end of this post).

At first, quite honestly, these verses kinda riled me up.

My reaction was like, "C'mon, God.  I'm in the midst of difficulty and You choose this time to feel far away?  Not fair…"

And then I started to think about His promise to never leave me nor forsake me.

Is that what He's doing – leaving me?

Grrr…

But then, as I pondered this more, I began to realize that there is a big difference between God's promise and my perception of it.

Just because God "feels" far away doesn't mean that He is.

And the sense of His absence is actually a way for God and I to draw closer to one another, and a way for my faith to grow stronger.


Let me put it this way.

When my sons were little I hovered over them like a crazed helicopter pilot.  Not wanting them to get hurt or scared or sick, I was right by them all the time.

"Whoop, whoop!"  (Rotor blade sound effects...)

But as they grew older, I realized that it was important for them to launch out into life.

My toddlers ventured farther away from me.

My preteens moved even more.

My teenagers traveled into the far reaches of independence – testing the boundaries, learning their own.

And now, my sons have developed into mature adults.

Strong in their values, their decision-making, and their wisdom.

Did I ever abandon them?

Of course not!


In much the same way, God works for our spiritual maturity.

He tests us along the way, allowing us to build our faith stronger in times of trouble.

And sometimes that means that He will feel far away.

I am consoled knowing that I am not alone in these feelings.

David felt them:

"Why are you so far away when I groan for help?  Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.  Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief…Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me." (Psalm 22:1-2, 11, NLT)

And Jesus quotes David's words from the cross:

"'My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?'" (Psalm 22:1, NLT)

No, we are not alone in feeling alone.


The north face of God.

The chilly silence.

The icy hiddenness.

The formidable sense that we are all alone.

Hellooo…

Is anybody out there?

Are You out there, God?

He is.

Ponder this –

Those mountain climbers who dare to ascend the north face of Mt. Everest rely on one thing more than anything to make it to the summit…

Oxygen.

The very stuff that keeps them alive.

"…he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:27-28, KJV)

"For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being." (Job 12:10, NLT)


Yes, though my sense of His presence can be faulty at times, though He may seem distant for a time of testing, the Truth remains the same:

He is with me.

Every step of the way.

So I keep climbing…




Have you ever felt like God was far away?

He's as close as my heartbeat,
As near as a sigh,
A part of each breath,
He is ever nigh. 

So where is God hidden?

He's here, in my heart,

Directing my pathways

As He has from the start.

Where is God hidden?

He's not! Don't you see?

The Most High of the Universe

Dwells within me.

(© Sharon Kirby, October 4, 2000)

"However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart." 
(2 Chronicles 32:31, NLT)

"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 8:2, NIV)

"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.  In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.'" 
(Exodus 16:4, NIV)

"The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man." (Psalm 11:4, ESV)

"'I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested.'" (Zechariah 13:9, Holman CSB)

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my…thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24, NLT)

"I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.  Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness." 
(Psalm 26:1-3, NIV)

"But he knows where I am going.  And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold." (Job 23:10, NLT)

"For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried." 
(Psalm 66:10, ESV)

"Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine.  Test yourselves.  Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." (2 Corinthians 13:5, NLT)

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." 
(James 1:2-4, NLT)

"So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.  So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." (1 Peter 1:6-7, NLT)

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12, NLT)

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8, ESV)

Linked with:

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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

MY WORD FOR 2015 - RECAP

So, my word for 2015…

HEALING.

I remember thinking that I was relieved to have this word.

You see, the year before my word was JOY.

And I remember struggling with that word – especially when it was almost immediately challenged when my father passed away unexpectedly a little over two weeks into January.

Of course, the Lord taught me many things over the course of that year.  

He has a way of doing that.

And in the end, I learned a great deal about true joy.

But, it was a very difficult year.

So, when I felt like God gave me the word *healing,* I was pretty happy.  

"You know what," I thought to myself, "that sounds nice."

Restful and restorative.

Like 2015 was going to be an easier year.

A year in which God was going to make me feel better.

Yup, that sounded really good.

Well, things didn't quite work out like I expected.  This past year we've had more medical things happen than ever before – both with "The Hub" and I, and our extended family.

More tests, screenings, procedures.

More illness, infections, conditions.

Things that have sorely tried my patience with the mysterious workings of the human body!

Emotions have been hurting, too.

And it has NOT been fun.

So, what on earth did God mean by healing?

Why didn't He make me feel better – (as in, *take all the bad stuff away* or *don't have it come in the first place* better)?

So, as I sit here in front of my computer, I'm contemplating what He's taught me about healing.

And really, as I seriously ponder it all, I realize that God has indeed taught me quite a bit – not just about healing, but also about suffering.

Here's what I've learned:

1) You only need healing when you're hurting

OK, that sounds really obvious, but think about it.

People who think they've got it all under control, people whose lives are chugging along just fine – well, they don't need healing.

It's when life hits us smack in the face, when we're suffering – physically, emotionally, perhaps even spiritually – it's then that we need healing.

It's then that we cry out for it.

Yes, if you want healing, you have to admit you're hurting.

"And Jesus answered and said to them, 'It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.'" (Luke 5:31, NASB)

2) Sometimes healing requires more brokenness

Yeah.

Just like broken bones sometimes need to be re-broken before they can heal properly.

Or a tooth needs a root canal and a crown – (which I whined about quite well last week).

Sometimes healing is a process, not an immediate fix.

And sometimes the Lord has more work to do, and we must learn through the pain.

"For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness…" (Hebrews 12:11, AMP)

3) Not all suffering has a reason, but it all has a purpose

Let me clarify this.

Sometimes we might be tempted to put a "label" on our suffering (or that of others).  

We might be inclined to attribute the blame to either God or the devil.  

But, I would caution against this tendency.

Sometimes God isn't trying to teach us a lesson, or the enemy isn't attacking us.

Sometimes suffering just happens because we live in a broken world.

Stuff happens.

So there might not be a "reason" for suffering, but there's always a purpose.

God is not a God of waste.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)

4) The question shouldn't be why, but how

So sure, suffering is inevitable in a sinful world. 

And as I said above, there might not be a clear place to assign blame. 

However, I think spending an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out why something happened is really a waste of time.

The better question is how.

How am I going to react to this?

How am I going to let God use this in my life?

How am I not going to let the enemy use it?

Refocus from the confusion of the pain, to the completion of the work it will do in your life.

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you." (Philippians 3:14-15, ESV)

5) We were not promised ease in life

Yup, straight from Jesus' mouth.

In this life, you WILL have trials and tribulations.

Healing may not come, or it may not come in the way that you want it – 

But there is always hope, and hope itself is healing.

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NLT)

6) Suffering for Jesus' sake is a privilege

Ouch.

I don't know about you, but pain is…well…a pain!

And it's hard to recognize it as anything else.  

But in some crazy, God-works-backwards kind of way, sharing in the suffering of Jesus is important, even honorable.

And it requires humility on our part to bear this particular cross.

Do I understand the mystery of it all?

No, but as His child, I'll gladly stand by His side.

"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad – for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." 

(1 Peter 4:12-13, NLT)

7) God cares about our healing, but more about our sanctification

Sanctification can be defined this way:

"Sanctification involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration."

And though God is not callous toward our pain, His greater purpose is to make us look more and more like His Son.

His perfect will sometimes requires that we are not healed.

And sometimes when that happens, the soul transcends the pain in beautiful fashion, and healing comes in an entirely spiritual way.

Not a cure, but healed nonetheless.

And sometimes in the not-healing, one is given an extra dose of grace and glory.  

"Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was…Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.'" John 11:5-6, 14-15, ESV)

8) Jesus understands

We say this so often, does it begin to lose its impact?

Honestly, how can it?!

Jesus, God of the Universe, GETS. IT.

He knew pain, and He also knew the pain of asking for healing, and having the answer be "NO."

The Garden of Gethsemane is evidence of that.

Jesus was not spared suffering.

He was not miraculously healed.

No, He died.

He went through all the travails of being human, and even endured things worse than you or I will ever have to face.  

Therefore, He is our perfect Friend.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are…" 

(Hebrews 4:15, HCSB)

9) You can feel particularly close to God when you're sad, sick, or suffering

I have noticed this to be true.

When I'm hurting, needing desperately to be healed, I am often transported to a small and vulnerable place within myself.

And in that place, God meets me.

Lo and behold, sometimes the healing is just His very presence.

And it is more than enough.

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, NIV)

10) Your pain can allow you to help heal others

Have you ever gone through something, then talked to someone else who either has or is going through the same thing?

And then you hear them say those magical words:

"I know what you're going through."

There is powerful healing in those words. 

And sometimes, our pain puts us in that precious position of reaching into the spirit of another person with comfort and empathy.

And lo and behold, helping someone else brings healing to our own spirit.

Giving brings receiving.

"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT)

11) The Word of God has power to heal

I can't tell you how many times I've opened my Bible and found just exactly the right passage of Scripture that spoke directly and deeply to my pain.

No, maybe the circumstances didn't change, but I did.

If healing means to set right again, to restore to proper functioning, to be relieved of pain – then the Word of God is my miracle cure.

The words of God possess the power to heal.

"And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled." (Romans 15:4, NLT)

12) It's OK to pray for healing

Again, Jesus is our perfect example.

And once again, I refer to the Garden of Gethsemane.

He asked, more than once, in deep agonizing turmoil, to be spared the pain of dying.

God did not grant that request, and Jesus accepted His will.

But He asked.

And therefore, I believe we are given permission to bring our requests for healing – for ourselves and for others – directly into the throne room of God.

But please, let's not fool ourselves into thinking that our faith is what makes the healing happen.  I am not a fan of the spiritual outlook that supports the contention that if you pray with enough faith, healing will come.

I've seen too many faith-full people die, and I've seen some others who nearly lost their faith over their agonized inability to *drum up enough.*

Whether we are healed or not, that is up to the divine and perfect will of God.

But go ahead and ask – He tells us to do just that.

"…in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6, NIV)

13) When healing doesn't come, you get in touch with your core beliefs

Let me tell you, when one is sorely tested and in desperate need of healing, what we do speaks volumes about our core beliefs.

I have had times this past year when I was just completely overwhelmed and overwrought.  Times when I wanted healing more than anything else.  Times when things didn't work out in my way or timing.

And yet, in the very depths of my heart, I realized something.

God was there.

And I wanted Him more than ever.

Though I did not enjoy the path of pain that got me there, it was a blessing to realize that way-down-deep-inside…I believe.

There is something rather amazing to know that you know what you know.

To know that underneath all the myriad emotions you feel, beyond the pain and suffering, at your very rock bottom...you know that you are a person of faith.

And you will not be giving up.

"As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.  So Jesus said to the twelve, 'You do not want to go away also, do you?'  Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have words of eternal life.'" (John 6:66-68, NASB)

14) Eternal healing will be a victory

Sometimes people are miraculously healed in this lifetime.

Goodness, Lazarus was even raised from the dead!

But, in the end, all people die.

Well, at least to this life!

You see, the final word on healing is still ahead of us, still in the glorious future that awaits us.

Final and complete healing will never take place until we're united with our Lord face-to-face.

It does my heart great good to know that the loved ones that have passed on in my life are now in the presence of God.

And they are awaiting that future time, just like we are, when we will be granted immortal, resurrected bodies.

Perfect and complete – incorruptible.

Free from disease and pain and suffering and death.

Ultimate healing will be the resounding victory that Jesus bought for us with His life.  

Ultimately all our prayers for healing will be answered.

For our victory, bought and paid for on the Cross, will once and forever vanquish death.  Our enemy will lose…

And we will live.

"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." 

(Revelation 21:4, NLT)

15) Healing is a choice we make

Let me explain.

Certainly the journey of healing often requires "outside help."

Sometimes we can't heal ourselves without the aid of doctors or nurses, psychologists and counselors, surgeries and medication.

Sometimes we need the help of a trusted pastor or fellow believer.

Sometimes our healing, though we can contribute to our own wellbeing, sometimes healing is out of our hands.

But, somehow we must be part of the process.

I think of a very popular book published in 1979 called "Anatomy of an Illness" by Norman Cousins.

Norman Cousins was given a few months to live in 1964.  He had Ankylosing Spondylitis, a rare disease of the connective tissues.  He was told by a doctor that he had a 1 in 500 chance of survival. 

Cousins basically responded, "No way."

And one of the things he did was to laugh.

He chose laughter intentionally, convinced that it would affect his health.

Well, who knows – but Cousins lived until 1990!

(One of his great quotes: "Death is not the greatest loss in life.  The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.")

Research indicates that our thoughts and emotions *speak* to our bodies, and they have a tremendous impact on our health.  Though it's still not completely understood, one's attitude seems to make a huge difference in the progress and prognosis of many diseases.

I believe that there are three things crucial in our contribution to healing – a desire to get well, a fighting spirit, and hope for the future.

A positive attitude is good medicine.

"…by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge would have strong encouragement and indwelling strength to hold tightly to the hope set before us.   This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it] – a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever…" (Hebrews 6:18-20, AMP)

When I began my journey in 2015, when I was pondering the word *healing,* I felt so strongly that I was given the story of the man at the Pool of Betheseda.  Crippled for many years, he had many excuses for why he wasn't healed.

But when Jesus met him, He didn't immediately heal the man.

Instead He asked him a very pointed question:

"Do you want to get well?"

This question has come to my mind so often during the past year.

I think that was the beginning point of my year of healing – answering that question.  

Because it's not as straightforward as it seems.  

My gut reaction was to scream, "YES!  Of course I do!  I am in pain, after all."

And if I'm honest, I still sorta feel that way.  I want the quick fix, the "take all the bad stuff away" or "don't have it come in the first place." 

But true healing has required learning other lessons.

Lessons of humility, desire, longing, self-sacrifice, surrender.

I wanted to feel better.

God wanted me to believe.

Won't you please come back next week for the *Big Reveal* of my word for 2016?

It's definitely another stretching word, and God has His work cut out for Him when it comes to me!!

But I believe it's a continuation, a further revealing to my year of healing.

Chapter Two, if you will...

I just wonder what He has in store!!

Unto you who revere
and worshipfully
fear My name
Shall the Sun of Righteousness
arise
with healing in His wings.

Please check out my thoughts and verses on HEALING on my sidebar.  They'll be up there until next Monday, when I reveal my Word for 2016, which is...

You'll have to come back.

I love a cliffhanger...

Do you have any additional thoughts or comments on healing?

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SHARING HIS BEAUTY, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, UNITE LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WISE WOMAN, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, NO RULES LINKUP, COFFEE SHOP CONVERSATIONS, LIVING PROVERBS, WEEKEND WHISPERS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

JESUS KNOWS

Ever have one of those moments?

You're reading the Bible, or singing a worship song, or listening to a sermon – and boom!  Something leaps out and stuns your heart.

This happened to me on Sunday.

Right in the middle of a song, I saw these words…

Jesus knows.

And all of a sudden, I couldn't sing – overcome with feeling, tears flooded my eyes.

A simple truth, a profound Truth.

Something that I've known forever, and that I can read about in Scripture.  A familiar concept – one that brings comfort and hope.

But, for some Holy Spirit reason, in this particular moment, I was blindsided by the impact of those mighty words:

JESUS. KNOWS.


Would you take a moment and ponder that, too?

Let it really sink into your soul.

There is nothing that ever happens to us in this life of which Jesus is not aware.

And He cares.

But you know, I think there's a difference between having sympathy for someone, and empathizing with them.  I looked up the definitions to help make the distinction:

Sympathy: feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune
Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another

Sympathy is important.

To show pity for someone else's trials and suffering is crucial.  But it's a more passive emotion.  It's like watching a sad movie, and feeling sorry for the main character, but it might not be a situation that we have actually experienced.

Empathy is more.

It is the act of entering into someone else's trials and suffering.  To understand because you've *been there.*  For instance, I might sympathize with your broken arm, but I'll empathize with your dental problems.

Sympathy enables me to feel bad for your feelings.  Empathy enables me to feel your feelings as if they're my own, because I've had them myself.

So, perhaps this is why those words – Jesus knows – hit me in a particular way on Sunday.  Jesus doesn't just sympathize with me, He empathizes.


I wonder…

Since the presence of the Holy Spirit actually lives within me, does Jesus also actually experience my physical pain and my emotional angst?  I think it's entirely possible.

We do know that when He physically walked this earth, He experienced all that it means to be human:

"This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do…" (Hebrews 4:15, NLT) 


Wanting to really explore a little deeper what this really means, I consulted some commentaries.  I think you'll enjoy what I read:

Matthew Henry – "In the sight of Infinite Wisdom, it was needful that the Saviour of men should be one who has the fellow-feeling which no being but a fellow-creature could possibly have; and therefore it was necessary he should have actual experience of all the effects of sin that could be separated from its actual guilt."

(Don't you love that – fellow-feeling of a fellow-creature?!)


Pulpit commentary – "That Christ, in his human nature, partook of all the original affections of humanity – hope, fear, desire, joy, grief, indignation, shrinking from suffering, and the like – is apparent, not only from his life, but also from the fact that his assumption of our humanity would have otherwise been incomplete."

(I loved the mention of Jesus "shrinking from suffering" – just like me!)


Gill's Exposition – "[He was] touched with the feeling of our infirmities; such as bodily diseases and wants, persecutions from men, and the temptations of Satan; under all which Christ sympathizes [empathizes] with his people; and which sympathy [empathy] of his arises from his knowledge and experience of these things, and the share he has had of them, and from that union there is between him and his people: and it is not a bare sympathy [empathy], but is attended with his assistance, support, and deliverance; and the consideration of it is of great comfort to the saints…"

(Note – His knowledge AND experience of these things.)


My friends, these are powerful thoughts.  

This is empowering knowledge.

Let not the familiarity of these words diminish their impact.  

The Sovereign and Almighty God of the Universe, sent His Son – who was also perfect, holy, omnipotent, completely God Himself – sent this Son, Jesus, into our world.  Our world full of all that it means to be human.

Pain, suffering, temptation, disease, fear, rejection, exhaustion.

He went through it all – the small stuff (stubbed toes??) and the big stuff (injury and death).

Are you getting it???

Jesus KNOWS!


Now, as I have further contemplated these life-changing words, I'm thinking about something else.

What would it be like if I actually pictured Jesus with me, in physical form, when I go through stuff?  Actually right there, in person?

OK, so, I'm picturing Him in some cargo shorts, a T-shirt, and Birkenstock sandals.  Oh, He's still got long hair and a beard, too.  Piercing brown eyes.

Right now, He's sitting next to me on the couch.  

But He's also going to enter into all my *stuff.*

Can you do that, too?

Picture Him with a cool washcloth on your forehead when you've got a fever. Or rubbing your neck when you've got a headache.  Or giving you a thumb's up when you're sitting in that dentist chair.  Or smiling at you when you come out of surgery.  Or sitting by you when you get test results.  Or patting your hand during chemotherapy.  Or hugging you when you cry over the loss of a loved one.

Picture Him in whatever it is that you face.

Don't just know that He's there…

…picture Him there! 

Create an actual visual!!

Close your eyes, and feel His hand, His arms, His smile, His shoulder, His heartbeat, His breath.

And know that every single thing you go through, no matter what…

JESUS. KNOWS.


I sigh with the blessing of this Truth.

And chuckle at the way Jesus brings it home to me – for just today I had a comment on last week's post (when I bemoaned my upcoming gum surgery and tooth repair), and this is part of what it said (Thanks, Nannette!):

"…know that JESUS KNOWS all we go through here on this earth."

Yup, she even capitalized the important part!!


Listen to Jesus, friends…

"My child, I have held your hand before it was even formed.  I will hold it for eternity.  I will never leave you nor forsake you.  And I do indeed know what you're going through.  I know what it feels like to be human.  So, take heart, don't be afraid.  I am here.  And I have overcome."


OK, now I'm picturing hugging Him…

All of my life,
in every season,
You are still God.

Your eye is on the sparrow,
and You hold on to me. 

This is another great song we sang on Sunday:

When my hope and strength is gone
You're the one who calls me on
You are the life
You are the fight
That's in my soul.

Oh, Your resurrection power
Burns like fire in my heart
When waters rise
I lift my eyes
Up to Your throne.

I will sing into the night
Christ is risen and on high
Greater is He
Living in me
Than in the world.

No surrender, no retreat
We are free and we're redeemed
We will declare
Over despair
You are the hope.

We are more than conquerors, through Christ
You have overcome this world, this life
We will not bow to sin or to shame
We are defiant in Your name
You are the fire that cannot be tamed
You are the power in our veins
Our Lord, our God, our Conqueror.

Nothing is impossible
Every chain is breakable
With You, we are victorious.
You are stronger than our hearts
You are greater than the dark
With You, we are victorious.

(Rend Collective, "More Than Conquerors")


"He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief." (Isaiah 53:3, NLT)

"He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases." (Matthew 8:17, NIV)

(Isaiah 53:4, three ways):

"Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering…" (NIV)
"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…" (ESV)
"Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down." (NLT)

"Because God's children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – the Son also became flesh and blood.  For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.  Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham.  Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.  Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.  Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested." 
(Hebrews 2:14-18, NLT)

"…he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)

"For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.  Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]." (Hebrews 4:15-16, AMP)

"For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ." (2 Corinthians 1:5, NIV)

"For his Spirit joins with our spirit…In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory.  But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." (Romans 8:16-18, NLT)



Do you truly believe that no matter what you're going through, no matter what you're feeling, no matter what you're suffering - JESUS KNOWS?



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SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, FIND STABILITY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, MOM 2 MOM MONDAY, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED HOME, WISE WOMAN, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION WEDNESDAYS, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, THE ART OF HOME-MAKING MONDAYS, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, BELOVED BREWS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, HEARTS FOR HOME, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, SUNDAY STILLNESS, TGI SATURDAYS, GIVE ME GRACE



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