Words to say...
I had a really good day today. A really good spiritual day and despite what I'm about to say, I'm still am having a good spiritual day.
I got some news today that I'm just torn up about. I got an email from a friend today at about 2 p.m. and I haven't been the same. This friend is starting the journey that I did over a year ago. We talked on the phone for a while and I knew her story all too well. She has small children too. I'm just sick about it. I'm in complete and total shock. I'm hurting for her, because I know how broken up she is. I know how confused and lost she is. I kind of relived my experience just listening to her. I'm really just speechless about it.
Again, it's a situation I don't understand. And because I don't really have anything to say but that I don't understand, but God does, I want to write a passage from Beth Moore's book, "Get Out Of That Pit". I read this book last year and through this book found a peace that only God can provide. (It's kind of long...but it's good)
And by the way, friend...this book is on it's way to you. I love you.
"Somewhere along the way, Joseph decided not only to look up also to point up. His decision to view God as entirely sovereign and ultimately responsible was not the death of him. It was the life of him. Why? Because he knew God could only be good and do right. The words Joseph spoke over his guilty brothers have been medicine to many sick souls were willing to swallow them whole: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish that what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20)
Take a good look at the word intended. It comes from the same Hebrew word translated "think" in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope". God thinks of His children continually. And when God thinks of His children, He only thinks in terms of what can be used toward our good, toward His plan for us, and toward the future. His intentions can only be pure. Right. Full of hope. Promoting peace. Listen carefully. God did not haphazardly or accidentally let Joseph's brothers throw him in the pit. He had already thought it out in advance. Considered it. Weighed it. Checked it against the plumb line of the plan. He had looked at the good it could ultimately accomplish, the lives that could be helped and even saved. Then and only then, in His sovereign purpose He did permit such harm to come to His beloved child. Had the incident not possessed glorious purpose, God would have disarmed it."
*********************
I'm always a little careful when trying to comfort someone. I know that not everyone sees things the way I do...and further more, I'm not an expert on pain or suffering. I just know what I've experienced and what I've learned from it. What I am an expert on is knowing that no matter what God's plan will prevail.
This is what I've decided about trying to understand pain: This world will never provide understanding. It can't, because it's broken. Maybe someday I will get that through my head, but probably because I'm human, I will still keep searching for some sort of understanding.
I truly believe the above passage though...and we all know what happened to Joseph and how his story ended too...divine purpose. If there is no divine purpose, then there is no point, and if there is no point, then there is no life. And we all know there is a life...Christ's life...eternal life.
Say a prayer for my friend and her family. They all need to covered in prayer. Say a prayer for my mother in law too. She won't be able to come down for Madi's party after all, because she is going to have to have emergency surgery to remove a cyst that is on her spine. They think it is benign, but still prayers for the whole situation are needed. Thank You!
I got some news today that I'm just torn up about. I got an email from a friend today at about 2 p.m. and I haven't been the same. This friend is starting the journey that I did over a year ago. We talked on the phone for a while and I knew her story all too well. She has small children too. I'm just sick about it. I'm in complete and total shock. I'm hurting for her, because I know how broken up she is. I know how confused and lost she is. I kind of relived my experience just listening to her. I'm really just speechless about it.
Again, it's a situation I don't understand. And because I don't really have anything to say but that I don't understand, but God does, I want to write a passage from Beth Moore's book, "Get Out Of That Pit". I read this book last year and through this book found a peace that only God can provide. (It's kind of long...but it's good)
And by the way, friend...this book is on it's way to you. I love you.
"Somewhere along the way, Joseph decided not only to look up also to point up. His decision to view God as entirely sovereign and ultimately responsible was not the death of him. It was the life of him. Why? Because he knew God could only be good and do right. The words Joseph spoke over his guilty brothers have been medicine to many sick souls were willing to swallow them whole: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish that what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20)
Take a good look at the word intended. It comes from the same Hebrew word translated "think" in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope". God thinks of His children continually. And when God thinks of His children, He only thinks in terms of what can be used toward our good, toward His plan for us, and toward the future. His intentions can only be pure. Right. Full of hope. Promoting peace. Listen carefully. God did not haphazardly or accidentally let Joseph's brothers throw him in the pit. He had already thought it out in advance. Considered it. Weighed it. Checked it against the plumb line of the plan. He had looked at the good it could ultimately accomplish, the lives that could be helped and even saved. Then and only then, in His sovereign purpose He did permit such harm to come to His beloved child. Had the incident not possessed glorious purpose, God would have disarmed it."
*********************
I'm always a little careful when trying to comfort someone. I know that not everyone sees things the way I do...and further more, I'm not an expert on pain or suffering. I just know what I've experienced and what I've learned from it. What I am an expert on is knowing that no matter what God's plan will prevail.
This is what I've decided about trying to understand pain: This world will never provide understanding. It can't, because it's broken. Maybe someday I will get that through my head, but probably because I'm human, I will still keep searching for some sort of understanding.
I truly believe the above passage though...and we all know what happened to Joseph and how his story ended too...divine purpose. If there is no divine purpose, then there is no point, and if there is no point, then there is no life. And we all know there is a life...Christ's life...eternal life.
Say a prayer for my friend and her family. They all need to covered in prayer. Say a prayer for my mother in law too. She won't be able to come down for Madi's party after all, because she is going to have to have emergency surgery to remove a cyst that is on her spine. They think it is benign, but still prayers for the whole situation are needed. Thank You!
posted by Larissa at
7:27 PM
11 Comments:
Oh, yuck! You know, it seems to be an epidemic going around. If Satan can attack our families, the whole deck of cards seems to come crashing down, doesn't it?
I pray that your friend will be comforted during this time in the way that only God can provide.
Larissa,
I just want to say thanks for your last 2 posts. They have been a huge comfort and encouragement. I really needed to hear this today. Thanks and prayers will go up for your friend...
Hey! I need your email address so I can explain that whole thing- it sounds really bad like we were talking about you and I feel so bad!
I'm glad you are there for this friend.
Father God I lift up Larissa's mom to you in prayer. I pray for the hands of the surgeon and for each and every health care person connected with her care. May your wisdom, and your care be manifest in their every action. I pray for a good report and a speedy recovery. I thank you in my Saviors precious, precious name. I know you are a good God who not only hears, but answers prayer. Amen
Susan
Esther 4:14 says, "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" No you are not in a royal position, but you are in a position to help your friend in a way that no one else can. God has taken your suffering and given it back to you as a tool to use to help your friend in her horrible situation. That doesn't make anything right that has happened to you, but you have been given a gift to be able to comfort in a way that no one else could be able to do.
You have said as you've gone through this that one day, you hope you'll be able to help others. Here's your chance. You have a capacity to understand what's going on more than some of us because we've never been through it. I'm praying for you and your friend. Praying that your friend will feel God's arms around her and that God will guide your words as you ARE the words of God to her right now.
Blessings on your friend...and on you. God is using you, girl! I'm praying...
Definately praying for these two women.
These past few posts have been challenging, honest, and encouraging. I'm so thankful for you and we're so blessed to serve the God we do.
Praying for you and for your friend, too . . .
Celeste
I am praying for your friend and your mother-in-law.
Jenny
That is horrible news. I'm so sorry for your friend. We will be praying for them. Thanks for sharing her story.
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