In Other Words
by adustyframe ~ September 17th, 2007
“They gave our Master a crown of thorns. Why do we hope for a crown of roses?”
~ Martin Luther ~
I just finished reading Kitty My Rib about Katherine Von Bora, the wife of Martin Luther.
It was an interesting refresher on my studies of Mrs. Luther. I hope to share a little about her in another Christian Women in History post.
I haven’t participated in this meme for awhile but when I saw the quote was from Martin Luther, I thought I’d play along.
What an excellent reminder to us.
Sometimes, it’s easy to feel that we deserve something better than what we got.
I know my heart aches for James. I often feel like “He doesn’t deserve this.” He’s such a precious little boy. Why does he have to suffer? Why does he have to go through this and all of his friends have daddies that are home every night?
Why do I have to be so tired? Why do I have to have so little money? Why do I have to sit in a prison visiting room in order to see my husband?
Why do I deserve this more than someone else?
It’s so very easy to become focused on ourselves and our wants and demands and our “I don’t deserves”.
We must realize that God doesn’t owe us anything. He owes us no explanations. He owes us no life of ease. He doesn’t even owe us salvation.
His love and salvation and any good he sends to us is a gracious gift. Any trials he sends our way are for his glory and our good.
We don’t like that do we? We want a life of plenty and a life of ease.
I know that I don’t like the way this trial “feels”. I don’t like the hard hard work it takes to grow closer to the Lord. I don’t like how I feel when God uses pieces of this trial to expose my faults and weaknesses.
Throughout this trial I have endured grief, fear, terror, danger, weariness, lack of faith, darkness, exhaustion, lies, threats, sorrow, tears, illness, overwhelming circumstances, loneliness, pain.
And yet, what God has asked of me cannot even be compared to what Christ suffered in order to offer me his free gift of salvation. It’s not even close.
If I only have faith to look at my life through God’s eyes, I can see my trial as a sweet time of testing and growth. I can see the faith this trial has produced in my life. I can see the way he will be able to use me in ministry. I can see the closeness to God I’ve experienced during my deepest times of hurt.
The growth and changes in my life are a precious thing. As Christians, a changed life, a closer relationship to God, more faith–these are things we long for. Yet, we don’t get them without going through the deep waters of trial. I can’t have one without the other.
And would I exchange this new relationship with the Lord? If God offered me the opportunity to go back and not live through this trial but I had to give up the growth, I honestly must say that I could not do it.
If God spared not his own beloved Son from suffering, how can I expect to live a life free from trials?
Everything that God allows in our lives is for his glory. If I’m willing to give God the glory for my trials, he can make my life a beautiful vessel fit for his use.
2 Corinthians 4:15
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
Other posts on this quote can be found at Sting My Heart.
September 17th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
I’m praying right now that God would give you some refreshment and something worth smiling about in your life. May God strengthen you each day and at the end of the day may you be able to truly rest and be refreshed. I’m also praying that God would protect you and your little one from evil and fear. Blessings on you…
Thank you, Ellen.
September 17th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
“And would I exchange this new relationship with the Lord? If God offered me the opportunity to go back and not live through this trial but I had to give up the growth, I honestly must say that I could not do it.
Me either!
Thank you for your honesty…
September 17th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
I honor you for being steadfast and trying to see everything with God’s eyes. May He continue to fill you with His love. Thanks for sharing.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:23 am
“If God spared not his own beloved Son from suffering, how can I expect to live a life free from trials?” Oh, amen and amen!
Praying for you as you walk through this trial. May you totally know the hand of God in your life and the life of your family.
Bless you for sharing!
Thank you for your prayers.
September 18th, 2007 at 3:20 am
Bless you dear one.
Thank you, Denise. It’s good to “see” you here again.
September 18th, 2007 at 4:02 am
The why questions are the toughest, and yet we know that God loves us…that is why our suffering doesn’t make sense sometimes. I have found that when I start asking why I need to change the question to how. How do I get through this, how can God use this, how can I become more like Him.
Thanks for sharing, and may God bring you the rest you need.
Diana, I like your point on asking “how” instead of “why”. Thank you.
September 18th, 2007 at 5:37 am
Praying daily for your sweet, tender heart.
d
Thank you Dawn for your prayers. They are such a blessing to us.
September 18th, 2007 at 5:46 am
Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing.
September 18th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
“And would I exchange this new relationship with the Lord? If God offered me the opportunity to go back and not live through this trial but I had to give up the growth, I honestly must say that I could not do it.”
Doesn’t that just blow you mind sometimes, I was thinking recently of some of my past trials (for me it was financial). How many tears I shed, how much anger, frustration, etc.. I felt…but yet, I would not change a thing.
God is faithful, God is just, and He never leaves us.
Praise God. Beautiful post my friend.
September 19th, 2007 at 3:35 am
Keep your eyes on Him, only looking back to see how far you’ve come with His help. Thank you for sharing yourself. You are a blessing to others.
Thank you, Becky
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:22 pm
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September 23rd, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Lee, I have been reading your beautiful blog for some time. I am utterly in awe of your spirit, your tenaciousness, your faithfulness. Your testimony is amazing and this post is lovely.
Hang in there. You and James are in a lot of folks’ prayers, including mine.
Thank you so much. Your prayers are what we desire the most.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:05 am
And would I exchange this new relationship with the Lord? If God offered me the opportunity to go back and not live through this trial but I had to give up the growth, I honestly must say that I could not do it.
What a beautiful post. I so agree with you — although the pain was sometimes unbearable, I know that it was for my own good. I don’t want to go back either.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on last week’s IOW quote.
Be blessed today and always.