Byproduct of Grief

 Anyone who has suffered grief understands the twisting inner pain that keeps one awake at night.  However, a beautiful byproduct of this horrific pain can be kindness.  In acute suffering, the griever often has no desire to inflict emotional pain upon another human being.

" And so I learned about grief, and about the absence and emptiness that for a long time make grief unforgettable. We went on, the three of us remaining, as we had to do…

A sort of heartbreaking kindness grew.....  grew among us all. It was a kindness of doing whatever we could think of that might help or comfort one another. But it was a kindness too of forbearance, of not speaking, of not reminding...  That kindness kept us alive, I think, but it was a hardship too.”  (Wendell Berry, as quoted in Hannah Coulter)

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He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief... [Isaiah 53:3a]

Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks

From the three directives of I Thessalonians 5:16-18 that were mentioned yesterday....

Rejoicing always has to do with attitude as well as action.  Both praying without ceasing and giving thanks for all things are actions that can be done regardless of attitude. 

If we try to rejoice, but don't have the ability to do it, we can pray that God will enable us to rejoice and then we can give thanks for answered prayer whether we see an immediate answer or not.

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Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. [Isaiah 65:24]

3 Directives

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.… (I Thessalonians 5:17-19)

Which of the above do you find the hardest?  For me, it is "rejoice always."  However, this is God's will, in Christ Jesus.  And, we are promised:  If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (I John 5:14)

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For when I am weak, then I am strong. [2 Corinthians 12:10] 
 

How to Love a Rose Bush

Every person is like a rose bush, beautiful and special - yet thorny.  We handle some people without getting too many pricks and pokes, appreciating their unique beauty.  Others we learn to avoid due to the bleeding that comes from regular contact.  Some rose bushes that we avoid also are overgrown with poison ivy. Avoiding the poison ivy rose bush would seem to be a no-brainer. 

God loves each rose bush and wants us to love the others as ourselves... even the ones we have learned to avoid. I have no desire to love certain ones of these.  Deep inside is the fear of yet more damage being inflicted upon me.

The prayer:  Lord, give me YOUR love for this person.  Every part of me wants to run, but You can place the strength, ability and even the desire to love this most undesirable person.

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"If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." 
[I Corinthians 13:2b]

Our Great Hope

 From Community Bible Study materials:

What great hope does James offer to encourage and exhort the believers to be patient?

He tells believers to be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.  The great day of the LORD is near-- near and coming quickly. (Zephaniah 1:14)

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He which testifieth these things saith, "Surely I come quickly."  Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  [Revelation 22:20]

Let Nothing Disturb You....

Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila~

Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass.
God does not change.
Patience achieves everything.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world.
Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which He is to bless His people.
  

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God has chosen to make known... the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. [Colossians 1:27] 

New Eyes for My Spouse

A friend of mine lived in an impossible marriage.  She was given permission, by her pastor, to divorce her husband.  In spite of this, she tenaciously perservered within the seeminly doomed marriage.  Today, her situation has stabilized and her marriage is much better, even happy.

Here is a prayer that she said made a big difference. "Lord, give me Your love for my husband.  Help me to see him through Your eyes." 

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...To know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  [Ephesians 3:19]