Suffering In Stride

Suffering in Stride

FROM ANGIE’S ARCHIVES

Sunday, November 5, 2017

PRAYER ORDER

Psalm 119:50  "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life."

Suffering is an unpleasant experience with a threat of harm to an individual.  We try to avoid it at all costs, but sometimes it's just part of the plan God has for us.  Acts 14:22“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”  We do not suffer in vain.  All that we suffer through has a purpose. It is intended to help us to rely on God more and less on ourselves.

There are two ways to respond to suffering: question, blame, and curse God while you suffer OR praise and thank God for the suffering that drew you closer to Him.  Job 2:9-10 is a good example.."His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”  In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."

Suffering makes our hope in God's promises all the more powerful and meaningful to our hearts, minds and souls.  2 Corinthians 4:17-18  "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Are you going through a tough time? Take heart. The Lord is sovereign and He controls all adversity in our lives. That’s why it’s important to remember how much He loves us. If He allows us to go through pain, suffering, or loss, then He has something good He wants to accomplish in us. [intouch.org]

As for myself, my personal suffering is God's way of keeping me focused on Him and His promises.  If CMT [Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease] had not been my 'thorn', where would my spiritual state be?  The struggles make you stronger, and the changes make you wise, but to God none of it is a surprise.  God is my all in all, every step of the way.

7 Truths About Suffering [C. Stanley;  intouch.org]

1. Adversity is universal. It’s everywhere and can affect any area of our lives.

2. It’s impartial. Because we live in a fallen world, trouble comes to all of us—even believers, no matter what our financial, social, or educational status.

3. Adversity is painful. The pain can be physical, emotional, or relational, but whatever the source, it hurts.

4. Sometimes adversity comes suddenly. Life could be going on as normal when an accident or a negative report from the doctor leaves us unexpectedly devastated.

5. Times of adversity may be prolonged. Sometimes the emotional or physical pain continues for years.

6. It may be intense. We may hurt so badly that even those who try to bring comfort feel the pain.

7. Adversity is often beyond our control. We may feel helpless and have no answer for why God would allow us to go through it.

Prayer Order

FROM ANGIE’S ARCHIVES

Friday, March 16, 2012

Prayer order

This caption reminded me that we should put our needs and wants last when we pray.  There is a simple acronym, ACTS, to help us remember everything to pray for.

A-Adoration.  We should praise God for who He is.  That He is just and never changing.

C-Confession   Recognize your sinful faults and nature and ask for forgiveness. 'Renew in me a steadfast heart.'

T-Thanksgiving   Count your blessings. Be grateful for another day of life. Thank Him for the hills and the valleys of your journey.

S-Supplication  Tell of both your needs and those of others.  Be specific, expectant and submissive.

The Bible points out that our prayers are often ineffective because we don't pray under the right conditions. James 4;3  ''When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.''

Come On In, Whose Voice, and Piece Of My Mind

FROM ANGIE’S ARCHIVES

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Come On In

''If you knew Jesus was coming to visit you at your house tonight, would you run to the door to welcome him with open arms, or would you (we) need to rush around to hide some things. What do you have in your home that you (we) would be ashamed for him to find?''

This was a post from my cousin, Gina, on her facebook page and I thought it was a good point to ponder.  Everything we have and own belong to God but would He want to claim it?  Music and movie collections, are they an encouragement to the soul?  Is your home an example of earthly hoarding or an example of humble giving?
It's okay to surround yourself with things you enjoy and make you happy but there are limits to one's greed and self indulgence.  We must give our first fruits to God, not the leftovers.  'In my house, we will serve the Lord.'  It's not just a saying but should be a way of life.

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Saturday, March 10, 2012

WhosE Voice?

We went last night to Verizon arena to see the ventriliquist, Jeff Dunham.  It was a great, funny show, although uncensored- unlike on television.  My favorite puppet is Walter, a grumpy old man who tells it like it is regardless of what others think. Jeff has six main puppets with all different personalities. It was a good night of laughter.

The idea of puppets makes me think about our own voices.  God didn't create us to be puppets so He gave us freewill.  Yet, He is our master. Is your voice being controlled by the Master?  It says in the Bible, we are not defiled by what goes into our mouths but by what comes out of it.  If we each had a mouth filter, how much dirt would yours catch?

Here's a quote I found that makes alot of sense...  'When words reach the tip of your tongue, hold back half of them.'

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Piece of my Mind

Okay so from this caption, we now know what lies ahead for my future.  Giving someone 'peace of mind' is a far cry from giving someone a 'piece of your mind.'  ha

I recently ordered myself a new coffee mug with Maxine on it.  It says 'Everyone is entitled to my opinion.'  lol  I can honestly say I'm an opinionated person but I hope that I am open-minded enough to not totally reject a rebuke without at least giving it some thought.  ''The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.''

Pieces of my mind are certainly more apt to fly out of my mouth when under pressure.  You can't relate to this? Yea right.  Sometimes the pieces can fly right back at you and smack you in the forehead.  One time at the airport, the ticket counter person seemed to be going slower than slow.  I slammed my fist down on the counter and said 'YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE US MISS OUR FLIGHT.'  He calmly said, 'ma'am you're flight has been delayed.'  'Oh, okay, good' was all I could humbly say.

We must have a firm foundation of our beliefs that are unwavering but our opinions can often be quickly given without thought or merit.  Sometimes people don't want to know what we think but if they do, they will ask.

A Choice, Decisions, and The Battle of Discouragement

FROM ANGIE’S ARCHIVES

Monday, July 27, 2015

A Choice

It is a choice we all make in our lives, in both fleeting moments and as a lifestyle.  What have you decided on?  Vengeance is mine, says The Lord.  Our sin nature in the flesh wants to retaliate when we feel wronged but the Holy Spirit should guide us in our words and actions.
We should use our bodies to be a light to the world and not to reveal more darkness.  Gentleness is a fruit of the spirit that is in strong demand and short supply in our world today.  

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Decisions

Are you a good decision maker?  Some decisions need to be thought over with ample time but other decisions need to be made with a quick response.  Often people want to pass the buck and have others decide for them.  I think this can develop into a bad habit.  Some of the most important questions in life are only left for you to decide.

One day I was on my way home after work.  There is about a two mile stretch of interstate between work and my exit to go home. I was headed east-bound when I noticed a tractor-trailer tire was bouncing towards me from the west-bound lanes.  I don't know where it came from but I knew I had to think fast.  I could slow down and maybe it would pass in front of me? But I couldn't go in reverse if need be.  Or I could speed up and pass it before it got to me?  If I speed up and we meet, it'll be quick and over.  I had about 5 seconds to decide how this story would end.  The tire was now in the median.  You would think it would fall over but no, it didn't.  I floored it, as you might expect if you know me very well.  The tire passed behind me somewhere and no other cars got hit either.

The fatal tire will hit each of us someday and we most likely won't see it coming.  Your time is now to make decisions about your life and your eternal destiny.  Don't wait too long!

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Monday, November 9, 2020

The Battle of Discouragement

Psalm 42:1-8

As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, my God.
 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?
 My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”
 These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
    under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
    among the festive throng.

 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

 My soul is downcast within me;
    therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
 Deep calls to deep
    in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
    have swept over me.

 By day the Lord directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.

Oh if you know me personally, then you know that I have been discouraged in 2020.  Actually, I don't know of anyone who hasn't been discouraged in some way this year.  Discouragement can come from anywhere, but it may be from your health, your job, your friends, the election, the media, the way you're treated, COVID-19, or just the current circumstance that life has you in.  In our times of discouragement, let us remember that God loves us and desires to lead us to a place of a renewed vision of Himself!

"Disappointments will come and go, but discouragement is a response, and we can respond in other ways.  If we understand that God allows disappointments, we can find meaning in trouble.  Confess...'The Father is with me in the pain; He’s in control of my life and has allowed this for a reason; He is a good God, who will not let this disappointment be in vain.'  Discouragement may sound harmless enough, but don’t underestimate its power. By keeping watch, you can avoid its deadly trap" [intouch.org]

“Keep Calm and Carry On.” This message first appeared in Great Britain as World War II began in 1939. British officials printed it on posters designed to offset panic and discouragement during the war.  I have a t-shirt that my friend, Karla, made for me that says, "Keep Calm and Blog On".  She knows that I blog about what's on my heart and I find encouragement through it.

As for myself, the battle of discouragement used to be an easy one for me but now it is not.  I've probably relied to much on myself in the past but now I see that reliance on the Lord is my only hope and path.  I have been in the hallway of waiting so much lately for a new aide and for other things I won't reveal here.  I know God is faithful.  I, also, know that I am impatient.  I will use this blog personally to encourage myself and try to be as patient, as possible.  God has conquered my doubts 100% of the times before, so I will trust Him again and again and continue to pray.

6 Ways to battle discouragement are:  to count your blessings, consider what you take for granted, practice whatever encourages you, give of yourself to others, remind yourself that others are praying for what you have, and read encouraging Scripture.

Understand that discouragement...[intouch.org]:

Is something we choose. While it’s a natural response to difficult circumstances, we have the power to choose a different response. No one else is responsible for our discouragement.

Is universal. At times, everybody will face periods of disappointment and discouragement because we live in a flawed world filled with flawed people.

Can recur. Sometimes we think we’ve settled an issue, which later resurfaces when we least expect it. Or we may have old emotional wounds triggered by something a person says or does.

Can be temporary or lifelong. Refusing to face discouragement head-on can open the door for it to influence our decisions, actions, and relationships as long as we live.

Is conquerable. With the Father’s help, we can get through seasons of discouragement. He wants His children to have a rich and fulfilled life. If we trust in His promises and His character, our feelings of discouragement will slowly be replaced by hope.

Even if you still feel discouraged, remember above all else, God is in control.

Your Choice, I Hate To Be Humbled, and Just Do

From Angie’s Archives

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Your Choice

The mindset of a person is very revealing.  In just a few words, you can tell what a person's perspective on life is...negative or positive.  What is yours and which do you like to surround yourself with?

'Your life is a message to the world, make sure it's inspiring.'  We all complain at times, but don't make it a chronic issue in your life.  I believe in the caption's message whole-heartily.  Where our focus lies is where our energy is spent.  Are you wasting or investing your energy and time?

Misery is optional.  You must see your trials as temporary and move both your mind and yourself to better things.

Trust in God's goodness and enjoy the journey.

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Sunday, December 29, 2013

I Hate to Be Humbled

I like to 'appear' put together and at my best when around others, even when I'm not up to par.  As they say, 'Fake it till ya make it.'  Well sometimes, you get caught off guard unexpectedly.

Today as we drove into church, I didn't recognize the car in front of us.  As we were getting ready to unload, a woman was walking toward us and the church.  Even after 25 years, I knew that was my friend from high school, Tabetha.  I wanted to greet her, as well as hide.  I had my mask on and it was not how I wanted her to recognize and see me after all these years.  Of course, Tabetha knew me and was as sweet as ever.  It was great to visit with her, after I left my pride outside in the van.  It was a humbling experience, but there was greater joy to see my friend from long ago.

Life is a process of changes and it keeps us humble.  I am the same girl who drove endless miles cruising Levy in my red Prelude that waved and honked at friends, like Tabetha, every weekend.  Now I am with a few more miles with wear and tear to show for it.  True friends, like Tabetha, accept you for who you really are, despite the changes we have all been dealt.

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Monday, December 30, 2013

Just Do

I think this is a good caption to think about as 2014 approaches.  People often set goals for the new year and that's as far as they get......give or take a week or two.  If only we were as good as our intentions. Good intentions are worthless without actions behind them.

Your actions speak for themselves.  People will tire of your claims to be better at 'whatever', if there is nothing to show for it.

Have you heard the phrase, 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions.'   The false idea that 'if you are just good enough' that you will get to heaven leads so many in the opposite direction.  People might claim to put God first after everything settles down and gets in order but that only happens when God is your first priority.  ''Ego says, once everything falls into place, I'll find peace. Spirit says, find peace, and everything falls into place.''

What is holding you back from being the person God created you to be?  Procrastination, laziness, self-doubt? Make a plan and follow through....just do it.