Is anyone else having a challenge of doing things scriptural, verses what the secular world says. As in scripture says to put others before me whereas the secular world says put me first. I know what is right, just wondering if others may struggle with this. And how do we mourn the loss of ourselves without sinking into depression? How do we have joy in the midst of our trials and tribulations? It seems that as time passes my patience doesn't hurt as much, (must be experience), but still everyday I start wearing down where my patience begins to hurt a little and I am struggling not to let it be seen. I spend a lot of time in prayer and in the word, that is the only way I have the strength to do this, putting myself aside. But as a faulty human being, I am still in a struggle and seek like minded individuals who understand. May God bless all those who are loving their loved ones to the best of their ability.
Precious Redeemer and friend
Who would have thought that a lamb could
Rescue the souls of men
Oh, You rescue the souls of men
Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way
Oh, we hopelessly lost the way
You are the one that we praise
You are the one we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for
Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne
You are the one that we praise
You are the one we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for.
Sung by Phillips, Craig & Dean
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Proverbs 15:1-2
You write that we are all sinners ( my words) and I repeat . We are all sinners. Jesus died in the cross to take our sins away. We humans are so so blessed and we can be grateful that Jesus died on the cross for US.
Jesus wants us to feel loved. God is just pure love.
So without jumping up and down tiring yourself out: how can you feel blessed?
My idea may fit ..... just be kind. Be kind to others. Stay safe. Be kind. Stay safe.
“How do we have joy during our trials and tribulations ?’
Fleetingly.
We can hold joy in little moments. When we go outside and see a beautiful flower lifting its head of petals to the sun 🌞. A woman cuddling their newborn child, a Grown son holding their arm out to help their aging father walk across the road.
The wind softly blowing against our face 5am.
Rosses- Beautifully put, Beautifully. Thank you.
Shell- Thank you for your post. The encouragement of trusting Him.
Much love and prayers for all of you, and Frazzled also.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
1 John 5:14
I think all of us can relate to how incredibly hard this journey is in so many different ways. But interestingly enough, this struggle that takes us completely out of our comfort zone, that makes us wonder if we will endure what comes next, and even sometimes we may wonder if God forgot us...yes, we are humans, we may feel all that, but this journey full of trials is also one of the greatest opportunities for real growth we have, specially in the areas where we need it the most; and which those areas are, only each one of us knows it.
In my case I think the biggest areas of growth have been to really put my words into action, actions that fully support every “I love you” I have said to my mom in my life; also my understanding towards others, specially those who could and should help, yet don’t care to help and don’t even comprehend what we are going through. My patience, to put in practice true meekness, to really put others before me. All of this is part of my daily learning, a work in progress.
Of course there are MANY moments when I fall short, many moments during the day! But it is that very moment to moment struggle what forces me to learn, and this everyday learning has enhanced my spiritual life incredibly.
That, is the greatest blessing of all.
When I feel tired beyond words, incapable, inadequate, small...I try to remember that the goal as Christians is to allow others to feel the love of Jesus through our actions. That is such a tall task, Isn’t it? But I’ve found it is the greatest reminder of who we should be, and the greatest encouragement to fulfill our upmost purpose.
I share all of this with the hope that in the midst of all the pain you are feeling, you’re able to find those areas of growth that this journey is meant to touch, and while going through this you’re always able to feel the love of God, who never, ever! leaves our side, specially when we suffer. From my heart I hope you are able to find some peace and rest in knowing that all you’re doing is a blessing, a blessing that your mom is receiving through you, and that you are receiving through your mom.
May God bless you both!!
Do I have joy or peace every day, no, but I go through my day saying, "God, You put me here for a reason, and You can get me out of it anytime now. I remind myself that Jesus died for me to have life and to have it more abundant. I thank him all day every day. I see the little things He does and I thank Him. Example, my mother is quite for the day or most things went smoothly today so, I thank Him. I just remind myself how good He is and He has everything under control. But it is hard to feel joy when someone is on your last nerve. Just keep taking time for yourself and for Him. I put myself in time out when I feel like I am overwhelmed or about to lose it.
Remember we can stand firm in Him. He lives in us, have confidence in He who lives in you.
May God keep you in His peace and give you His strength. Comfort you in your darkest times. God bless you. I will pray for you.
I can understand your feelings. This labor of love is soooooo hard at times, especially for our human selves.
When I start feeling that, I think about how the Son of God(God in the flesh) left His perfect home full of love and peace and joy, and came to this earth and was ridiculed, spit upon, lied about and then had to hand from a cross with His hands and feet nailed to it. Suffering and bleeding and dying. I know that was not pleasant at all . But He did that for us.
And we too will have an amount of suffering and trials and persecutions that we will need to endure through. If this life was perfect, how many of us would strive for Heaven and long for it? We would never want to leave this earth. But, because our lives our enduring and trying at times, we dream of Heaven and hope and long for it. Because no one loves us like Jesus. No one.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Don't let the devil make your faith waver. He is a liar.
2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Hang in there and look to HIM for relief.
Oh, and have you tried to put Vicks Vaporub under your nose? It is supposed to help you, so I've been told.
Whats that saying- about putting the VERY BEST warriors on the front lines? Thats what we have to consider because that is exactly where we are!
Psalms 92:1-2
Psalms 100:5
I am glad you were able to see that you are where HE wants you. And even though money is the grease that slides us through this world. Its more important to be happy and contented than all greasy :]
Now I am stepping towards something, and at the same time I know the Lord can turn me a different direction. And that is ok, I truly just want to do what pleases HIM.
I thank you Frazzled, you are always a bit of light I look for on here. Shine on!
I do like the verse in Jeremiah, it is so true, sometimes we think we know whats best but truly we cannot see past this very moment to know whats best. But our Father HE is all knowing all seeing all wise, and HE leads HIS children where HE wants or needs them to be. God is Great!
Little did I know what family situations I would face since then, but God knew. In His grace and wisdom, those doors that I thought were being slammed in my face were a blessing in disguise. When I was pregnant with my daughter and ended up on modified bedrest, I couldn't go on working the demanding schedule. He opened the door for me to eventually start my own at-home business to help supplement our income. While I don't make nearly as much as I did before, it has allowed me the flexibility to attend to family issues that have come up, with our kids, and then taking care of mom and all that we have gone through since.
It reminds me of Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I went back to work as some of you know. Working 12 hour days, 3 days a week. Then it became 4 days, then more and more until they were wanting me to work everyday. Short of help, as management I was having to fill the empty days.
I worked 2 Sundays, for which I am ashamed that I went against my convictions. When originally hired I said no Sundays they accommodated then we got a new director, and she was going to do things her way. Well, even though I received a promotion and a raise, I was in such torment. I wasn't home as much as I should have been and when I was I was just so exhausted to really care about anything. I became like a robot, not feeling just doing.
I started thinking how foolish it was. I did not have to do this job, why was I? Why was I walking around everyday in such a sour mood and not smiling anymore? I don't know. There were some elderly people I came to care about at my work, and I wanted to be there for them. You see they didn't smile when I first started there. But as I started smiling at them and saying hello and stopping to chat, they began to brighten up. And everyday they looked forward to my talks. So I got emotionally involved and it was breaking my heart to leave them, but I knew that I could not choose this job over my family. I talked with the Lord much about it. I was enjoying that extra income, but was no longer enjoying life or my family or anything really.
So after much prayer and meditation the Lord finally released my of the guilt, and I quit. Just quit. I feel peaceful about it, as if that was the right thing. My family seems happy about it. So Monday I will begin school in pursuit of becoming a nurse. I started several times and obstacles have gotten in the way, but we'll see.
Whether I work as a nurse one day or just finish school, doesn't matter. But this is the thing I am going to do.
It has been eating at me for a while. It truly is up to the Lord if HE leads me through that door or if HE has something else planned that I am not aware of. We shall see.
I am just so thankful to have some peace and actually enjoy the days now.
Well guess I just needed to share.
Thanks
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Hebrews 2:1
When we feel at peace.
I’m living proof of that. In my case one of the biggest decisions of my life was to leave everything behind to come do what I knew in my heart was right. I struggled to make the decision a lot. But when I finally did it and ever since that moment, I’ve had peace. I may be tired (a lot), at times hurt, some other times even angry...but even when experiencing all of that I know deep in my heart, that I’ve peace.
Long story to just reassure you, if you needed any reassurance, that as long as you have peace in your heart, you can be sure you’re making the right decision.
Hope peace also brings rest to you, as rest is fuel.
May God bless you!!
Psalms 100:4
Proverbs 1:7
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;