Monday, May 25, 2009

Thanking God for the Pain & Knowing Him

Lately my mind has felt like the static and fuzziness of a television. My ability to focus has somewhat been paralyzed this past week by the changing news of our adoption. Trying to find a normal rhythm in my life comes and goes. I am attempting to live in today in the fullest way and rest in God for the future....easier said than done!! :)
I've learned a long time ago that pain and hardship is an OK place to be at in my life....for many reasons. Don't get me wrong, I don't like pain and I would rather avoid it if it came my way. But as I have looked back over those difficult times, I see that I have grown spiritually and was the closest to the Lord. Difficulties also helps me to see my sin more clearly. When things aren't going my way, sins can rear their ugly heads that pride has kept subdued over more peaceful times.
Scripture, prayer and theology rich music has continued to encourage me and remind me of what is really important in life. Sovereign Grace has been my mainstay....I love their music. I thought I would quote a few songs that have been relevant for me during this past year.

"Every Day"

"In your grace You know where I walk
You know when I fall
You know all my ways
In Your love I know You allow
What I cannot grasp
To bring You praise

chorus:
Thank You for the trials
For the fire, for the pain
Thank You for the strength
Knowing You have ordained
Every day

Your great power is shown when I'm weak
You help me to see
Your love in this place
Perfect peace if filling my mind
And drawing my heart
To praise You again

Bridge:
In my uncertainty, Your Word is all I need
To know You're with me every day."
*************************************************
"Through the Precious Blood"

"You have ordained every breath we take
In pleasure and pain, there is no mistake
Gladness and grief, both are in Your hand
And suffering brief carry out Your plan
and fleeting sorrows
Will yield an endless prize
When some bright tomorrow
We'll see You with our eyes, and

Chorus:
"Grace upon grace flows down, flows down
Grace upon grace flows down, flows down
Through the precious blood of Christ

"Father of lights, Giver of all grace
Your mercies crown our lives all our days
River of Life, quench our thirsty souls
For no true delight does Your love withhold
And in every season
We are satisfied
For just one reason
Christ was crucified, and..."

Bridge:
"All good gifts, every good thing
Comes to us freely, so freely
All good gifts, every good thing
Comes to us freely, so freely
Through the precious blood
Through the precious blood."


The verse that I kept going back to last week was:
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the souls who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-26

again...thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. They are nuggets of gold for us, thank you!!

1 comment:

Jen Stutzman said...

Praying for you. Thank you for the beautiful words.