Post by Cindy on Feb 8, 2016 12:37:49 GMT -5
I've been going through a trial with others that I love, and something happened recently that made me feel like the rug had been pulled out from under me. I been thinking things were getting better, but then discovered that the breach was even wider and deeper then I could have ever guessed. I was devastated; I felt both angry and hurt by it. My flesh wanted to retaliate, but I knew that's not how Jesus wants us to react. I didn't know what to do, but knew I needed help, and a lot of it, so I turned to the Lord and His Word, begging Him to help me. I thought I'd share what I found for help, in case it will help others too. Besides, writing it out will help solidify it in my mind. I'll share the scriptures He led me too and what I got from each one as I reflected on it with Him. (I wrote it all down in a notebook, so I'm just copying my notes for you)
No sooner than I had begun to pray, a verse came into my mind, but it didn't seem to have anything to do with what I was going through. But I've learned to pay attention to things like that anyway, so I went to the verses and began reading. This is the scripture that came to my mind: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”” (Hebrews 13:5–6) I talked to the Lord about it and will share what I got from it too: Be content because God will never leave you. Keep your life from coveting anything, including family. Be content the way things are, knowing that God is working it out for His glory and your good. God hasn't left me to the mercy of these circumstances. It's not easy to take it joyfully, but we can if we realize that God is for us, not against us, and that we have an even better family in Christ, with Him as Father. I need to remember that He's always with me and ready and waiting for to fellowship with me.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3) He's given me every spiritual blessing and all I need to deal with this trial. (2 Peter 1:3 too) He reminds me too that He will not fail me and that He is glorifying Himself even now in the midst of this trial. Because of what God does, I have no reason to be dissatisfied with anything God allows in my life. He will protect me, help me, and provide everything I need, and never leave me. The Lord won't fail me!
The next scripture I went to was: “My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 131:1–3) God's ways aren't our ways or His thoughts our thoughts, therefore there's always much we don't understand. That's ok though because we can trust Him since we know what He is like. We don't need to try and figure out the ways or things we don't understand. It's pride that makes us try to and also trying to be independent of God instead of relying on Him. I'm to hope and wait on the Lord and while waiting, I'm not to take matters into my own hands. " I've stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child with it's mother." I've been weaned of self sufficiency, self will, and self seeking; from people and things of this world as far as any dependence on them for my happiness. I'm to be content and trust the Lord; content in His love.
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” (Psalm 37:7) I'm to be content and rest in the Lord and His love. I'm to relax and not react to what others think or do. I'm to wait on God in daily obedience to the things I know to do and with confidence in His perfect sovereign answer to my prayers. In His time and His way, He will work it all out. In my weariness, I'm to cast my burden on Him. I'm not to fret about what's going on, or how long it's been going on, and I'm to remember that nothing is too hard for the Lord.
““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11:28–30) He wants me to just come to Him and give Him my problems. I'm to leave off trying to make others better and ask Him to give me the mind of Christ or Christ conscientiousness instead of self conscientiousness. When we take up His yoke, it's like having His arms around us. To come to Him is to trust Him and have an attitude of submission to His Will. This will bring us peace - peace with God and the peace of God. If I allow myself to obsess and focus on those hurting me, as though I can't live without them - they become idols to me; so I obviously don't want to do that. Or, if I strive endlessly to work to gain their approval, it's the same thing - they become an idol. God is to be the one and only thing in my life that I can't live without. If I let them become what I serve, they become my yoke and I'm a slave to them instead of God. Instead, I need to be bound to God and His counsel and guidance. When we take His yoke, the other half it it is on Him and He carries the weight, not me. When we have the peace, light and joy of the lord, it proves that the burden is also there, because the burden God places on us brings out the fruit of the spirit in us and grows us to be more like Him.
“This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:17–18) He constantly teaches me what's best for me. He directs my steps, giving me peace and making me righteous. Therefore I don't react to others, I act purposely instead. He goes before me preparing the way. All I have to do is trust and obey.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:3–8)
I'm to see my own sin as worse than theirs. I'm not to think of myself, but of Jesus and I'm to endeavor to use everything, even this, for His glory. I'm to keep my eyes on Jesus, not myself and not this situation. I need to focus on the needs of others, even the needs of those who are hurting me, instead of what I need. I'm to think of others, (Jesus first), (Phil. 2:5–6) serve them, (Phil. 2:7) sacrifice for them (Phil. 2:8) and glorify God. (Phil. 2:9–11) When we learn humility, we learn contentment in all circumstances. Humility is maintaining a teachable attitude and a willingness to bend to the will of the Father. I'm to love those that mistreat me, or lie about me, and have mercy toward them. (Matthew 5:44–48) I'm to be seriously, involved in the godly goals of others in a caring way, as well.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) I'm to cover their sin with love and not speak of those sin(s) again to myself or others. Instead I need to take captive and stop the thoughts that I have that are about what they've done to hurt me and replace those thoughts with the Truth from God's Word. I can use these or other scriptures to replace those thoughts with and remind me of the Truth: “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) ““We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.” (Acts 14:22) “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,” (Philippians 1:29) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19) “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:13–14)
Finally I was reminded of what God's definition of love is, and that I'm to pattern my life after this kind of love, not the world's love. And of course, I can use any of this to replace any thoughts of their sin too: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” (1 Corinthians 13:4–8) It's totally beyond my ability to conform to how the Lord wants me to deal with this, but I know that I can do it, if I will concentrate on remaining in Him instead of trying to do it in my own strength. Only with Him can I possibly succeed. Yet I have to smile because the Lord reminds me too that I will succeed because He will make me stand firm! (Romans 14:4)
I hope this will help anyone else going through a trying time with people they love.
No sooner than I had begun to pray, a verse came into my mind, but it didn't seem to have anything to do with what I was going through. But I've learned to pay attention to things like that anyway, so I went to the verses and began reading. This is the scripture that came to my mind: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”” (Hebrews 13:5–6) I talked to the Lord about it and will share what I got from it too: Be content because God will never leave you. Keep your life from coveting anything, including family. Be content the way things are, knowing that God is working it out for His glory and your good. God hasn't left me to the mercy of these circumstances. It's not easy to take it joyfully, but we can if we realize that God is for us, not against us, and that we have an even better family in Christ, with Him as Father. I need to remember that He's always with me and ready and waiting for to fellowship with me.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3) He's given me every spiritual blessing and all I need to deal with this trial. (2 Peter 1:3 too) He reminds me too that He will not fail me and that He is glorifying Himself even now in the midst of this trial. Because of what God does, I have no reason to be dissatisfied with anything God allows in my life. He will protect me, help me, and provide everything I need, and never leave me. The Lord won't fail me!
The next scripture I went to was: “My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 131:1–3) God's ways aren't our ways or His thoughts our thoughts, therefore there's always much we don't understand. That's ok though because we can trust Him since we know what He is like. We don't need to try and figure out the ways or things we don't understand. It's pride that makes us try to and also trying to be independent of God instead of relying on Him. I'm to hope and wait on the Lord and while waiting, I'm not to take matters into my own hands. " I've stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child with it's mother." I've been weaned of self sufficiency, self will, and self seeking; from people and things of this world as far as any dependence on them for my happiness. I'm to be content and trust the Lord; content in His love.
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” (Psalm 37:7) I'm to be content and rest in the Lord and His love. I'm to relax and not react to what others think or do. I'm to wait on God in daily obedience to the things I know to do and with confidence in His perfect sovereign answer to my prayers. In His time and His way, He will work it all out. In my weariness, I'm to cast my burden on Him. I'm not to fret about what's going on, or how long it's been going on, and I'm to remember that nothing is too hard for the Lord.
““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11:28–30) He wants me to just come to Him and give Him my problems. I'm to leave off trying to make others better and ask Him to give me the mind of Christ or Christ conscientiousness instead of self conscientiousness. When we take up His yoke, it's like having His arms around us. To come to Him is to trust Him and have an attitude of submission to His Will. This will bring us peace - peace with God and the peace of God. If I allow myself to obsess and focus on those hurting me, as though I can't live without them - they become idols to me; so I obviously don't want to do that. Or, if I strive endlessly to work to gain their approval, it's the same thing - they become an idol. God is to be the one and only thing in my life that I can't live without. If I let them become what I serve, they become my yoke and I'm a slave to them instead of God. Instead, I need to be bound to God and His counsel and guidance. When we take His yoke, the other half it it is on Him and He carries the weight, not me. When we have the peace, light and joy of the lord, it proves that the burden is also there, because the burden God places on us brings out the fruit of the spirit in us and grows us to be more like Him.
“This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:17–18) He constantly teaches me what's best for me. He directs my steps, giving me peace and making me righteous. Therefore I don't react to others, I act purposely instead. He goes before me preparing the way. All I have to do is trust and obey.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:3–8)
I'm to see my own sin as worse than theirs. I'm not to think of myself, but of Jesus and I'm to endeavor to use everything, even this, for His glory. I'm to keep my eyes on Jesus, not myself and not this situation. I need to focus on the needs of others, even the needs of those who are hurting me, instead of what I need. I'm to think of others, (Jesus first), (Phil. 2:5–6) serve them, (Phil. 2:7) sacrifice for them (Phil. 2:8) and glorify God. (Phil. 2:9–11) When we learn humility, we learn contentment in all circumstances. Humility is maintaining a teachable attitude and a willingness to bend to the will of the Father. I'm to love those that mistreat me, or lie about me, and have mercy toward them. (Matthew 5:44–48) I'm to be seriously, involved in the godly goals of others in a caring way, as well.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) I'm to cover their sin with love and not speak of those sin(s) again to myself or others. Instead I need to take captive and stop the thoughts that I have that are about what they've done to hurt me and replace those thoughts with the Truth from God's Word. I can use these or other scriptures to replace those thoughts with and remind me of the Truth: “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) ““We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.” (Acts 14:22) “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,” (Philippians 1:29) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19) “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:13–14)
Finally I was reminded of what God's definition of love is, and that I'm to pattern my life after this kind of love, not the world's love. And of course, I can use any of this to replace any thoughts of their sin too: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” (1 Corinthians 13:4–8) It's totally beyond my ability to conform to how the Lord wants me to deal with this, but I know that I can do it, if I will concentrate on remaining in Him instead of trying to do it in my own strength. Only with Him can I possibly succeed. Yet I have to smile because the Lord reminds me too that I will succeed because He will make me stand firm! (Romans 14:4)
I hope this will help anyone else going through a trying time with people they love.
. But it's hard for us to see ourselves as we really are, like that 2 year old bumbling around trying to help and causing more problems by doing so. That's probably why God's constantly telling us to be still, be patient, to wait on Him, to trust Him, etc. I guess since we don't see a sentence in the bible with our children's names in it, saying they will be saved though, we have trouble trusting Him. All we can do is ask Him to help us to trust Him, and continue to pray for their salvation, knowing that it is His Will for them to be saved, and that His Word will not return to Him void. 
!!
