Suffering...a road to blessing?

On a recent post I said that I don't desire suffering. Honestly, I don't. However, there are beautiful things that I believe only come through it. Through suffering, I have gotten to know my Savior, my Healer, in ways I wouldn't otherwise. God has done deep things in my soul that wouldn't have been accomplished any other way.

Butterfly resting on SweetHeart's hand

Do I dare call suffering...a road to blessing? It doesn't mean that I desire it any more than I desire to go through the labor pains of child birth. But I do desire the life that is brought about through it, because of Him. And He always heals.

I don't have to seek out suffering, but I don't need to be afraid of it, or avoid it at all costs.

I read this today in "My Utmost for His Highest" (one of my favorite devotionals):

"As a saint of God, my attitude toward sorrow and difficulty should not be to ask that they be prevented, but to ask that God protect me so that I remain what He created me to be, in spite of all my fires of sorrow. We say that there ought to be no sorrow, but there is sorrow, and we have to accept and receive ourselves in its fires. If we try to evade sorrow, refusing to deal with it, we are foolish. Sorrow is one of the biggest facts in life, and there is no use in saying it should not be. Sin, sorrow, and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them. Sorrow removes a great deal of a person's shallowness, but it does not always make that person better. Suffering either gives me to myself or it destroys me...
If you will receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people."

I know I'm reiterating things from previous posts, but I need to remind myself of things over and over! I hope that if you are reading this in the midst of suffering, that you will look to Jesus...that you're suffering may not be in vain! May you grow in greater intimacy with Him, and be transformed.

The One You Need

My Dad showed me that Jesus is the One I need. He loves a good song, as do I, so...

Watch this brief video about the song...important message about true love.  
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Listen to the song here...

My Own Worst Enemy

Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy! I lie to myself about how good or bad I am. I torture myself about what others may think of me..."Did they understand me? Do they like me? What do they see in me? Hopefully only the best of me!"

Do I want to be a vessel of God's love and encouragement to others? Yes!
Do I want others to admire me, or to see Jesus in me? See Jesus!
Do I want to see the reality about who I am, with Jesus, and work out my salvation? Yes!

Then I must FIX my eyes on Him! When I'm consumed with Him I don't have time to stare at myself in complete confusion, frustration, and despair.

Wondering what others think...
First of all, who knows what others think? I am not a mind reader. So if my imagination is what's guiding me, I'm bound to be misguided to begin with. More importantly, I don't live to please people. I live to please the Lord! People are so different and so fickle. Living so that others will like me is like being on a terrible roller coaster ride. One moment I'm puffed up feeling proud and self-righteous, then the next, plunging into worry and anxiety. There's nothing good about it, because it is not God's way.

When I spend my days acknowledging the Lord with thanksgiving, singing songs of praise, meditating on His word, I'm actually doing what I was made to do. Then, without much thought of myself, I will be a vessel of His love, uplifting others. Lord willing, they will see Jesus in me, and desire Him. I will see the truth about Jesus, and the truth about myself. Then with a humble, hopeful heart, I will submit to Him in repentance and bask in the glory of His love!

Such freedom! Such peace!

And even if I do all this...
People may misunderstand me and dislike me. Some will understand me, and still not like me. I have to be okay with that. That is tied to pride and I need to let it go!

"Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to You for refuge! Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!" - Psalm 143:9-11 ESV

We're having a...

We like to find out if we're having a boy or girl, before the baby arrives. It's fun to have a special gathering with family, and find out together. They get to see our expressions and excitement...we get to see theirs'. So we have the ultrasound technician write it down and put it in an envelope. Then we come up with a plan to find out the surprise.

This time, we gave the envelope to my husband's brother and his wife. I had them get five helium balloons, one to represent each of our children. So there would be at least one pink one, and three blue ones. Then there would be an additional pink or blue one depending on what this new baby is.

I had them put the balloons in a big basket. Our kids helped us open it up, and...

ANOTHER BOY! I was surprised. Most of us were :)

As hard and challenging as it is to be a mom, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I am thrilled to welcome another little boy into our family. I truly feel blessed. I am also full of gratitude for my husband, who is so good to me, and is one awesome dad!

Beautiful Song ~ Image of God

I just heard this for the first time today, and wanted to share. So beautiful.

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Floodgates of Fear

There are times when I feel like I'm holding back floodgates of fear. It seems, if I let even a trickle in, it will make way for a river to overwhelm me completely. I don't want even "little" thoughts carelessly wandering around in my mind. So I have to focus. I have to intentionally recognize those things, and give them to the Lord. Submit my thoughts to Him.

It doesn't have to be drawn out. It may only take a moment, and then I simply behold who my great God is. Keep my eyes on Him. My Strength. My Rock. My Fortress. My Deliverer. My Shield. My Stronghold. He will still the raging waters. I cannot hold them back in my own strength.

One thing in particular that seems to come to mind, sometimes in the midst of complete fun with my family, is fearing the next hardship we may face. It's like I hear,"You're having so much fun! This can't last too long. Suffering will soon be on it's way!" I hate that. I just want to enjoy these moments, this season.

I will accept suffering, however I don't desire or long for it. I only long for my Lord. He is with me always...in good times and bad. I want to rest in that. TRUST HIM! And I want to fully enjoy this season in which my family is having much fun together, without fear whispering in my ear!

I want to be content in all circumstances. I hear the words of Paul, "...I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." - (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

I must not forget the secret of contentment---I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. I can embrace happiness. I can embrace suffering...all because I am embracing Him! He loves me. Perfect love casts out all fear!