So, I wrote a recent blog post, practically entitled, “The Great Purposeful Faith Hack Attack,” only to be faced with its aftermath yet again. My site has been deeply compromised, injured internally and badly beaten. Poor thing.
But God’s Word hasn’t.
Jesus was badly compromised, injured and beaten, but his words last forever.
His touch, a lifetime.
His promises, forevermore.
His power, ever-flowing.
So, it all doesn’t really matter does it? In so many ways, anything can be stripped down to its core, but what always remains is the name of Jesus.
It is by him, for him and through him that everything is, was and is to come.
That’s it, my friends – it all comes back to him, doesn’t it?
If only I can remember this day by day…
Children stripped of clothes, paint strewn all over furniture. Jesus.
Open and wounded emotions after an argument. Jesus.
A big denial after I outpour my heart. Jesus.
A moment of “Why did I do that?” Jesus.
Unhinged expectations. Jesus.
Worst case scenarios come true. Jesus.
Family scars. Jesus.
Sometimes it takes being beaten down to see Jesus’ enduring love –
his endurance that relieves our defiance.
Like a kid being chased, God endures after us, not to mock us, not to yell at us, not to show us what we did wrong, not to call us old labeled names, but to pour out pure and unadulterated love.
He chases us down as loved children because he cares. He sees us running around like chicken’s with our heads cut off. He sees our childlike ways, but he still loves us.
So much so, he takes our present condition of childhood and raises us up to a condition called eternally secure.
The more we are acquainted with suffering, the more we acquaint our eyes to see like Jesus.
Suffering tenderizes our heart.
It pulverizes our judgements of others.
It demolishes strongholds of fear.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean I have been praying for a miracle, because the alternative is tearing down, all that has been built up.
Sure, there is a time and place to be torn down, but, I have this sneaky feeling that if I can just grab hold of the lesson in the wait, I can steer clear of the lesson in the demolition. You know what I mean?
So, instead, I have been trying to take off the 3D glasses of fear:
The ones that seem to think that contentment revolves around joy, peace and comfort.
The ones that make me think I can charge through barriers God has permitted to stand.
The ones that keep me leashed to ideas that no one will like me.
My only thread line of hope is that I can see God’s simple truth and gentle guidance before me.
Gentle guidance. Because opposing God’s direction is tiring. Running against the wind, depletes me and injures my soul. It leaves me worn on the side of the yellow brick road that I thought led to happiness.
Lord, I can’t help but think, if I can only go with your wind, no matter how face-injuring, skin-drying and emotionally-depleting it may feel, that you will gently guide me right to where I need to be.
Sometimes, there is pain in the moment, but we can trust God’s love endures forever. He is much more concerned with His idea of forever, than our idea of a moment.
Crashing sites, lives, jobs and families are all being worked together for good as we trust God. We can trust that.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Don’t miss Part I – Protect Your Heart from Hackers
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Kelly, truth right in these words > “Sometimes, there is pain in the moment, but we can trust God’s love endures forever.” Thank you for writing the words I needed to be reminded of this morning. Blessings!
Thank you Joanne! God’s love does endure. I am glad you had a good reminder this morning. Be blessed today!
You are quite the fighter, girl – way to set such a beautiful example for the rest of us to follow. I’m so glad you allowed us the opportunity to pray alongside you. Love you!
Thanks Kim. We can’t back down, right? God has too many important things t ay through us. You were such an important part of getting this thing back up and running! I am so grateful! God heard.
I just love your spirit shining through in this post. It’s refreshing and inspiring. I can so often throw up my hands and run in the opposite direction – insisting upon running against the wind, as you say. How tiring and futile this is. In the moment, it can be so easy to miss how He might work it all together for good. Thank you for reminding me of this!
Thank you Jennifer. In some ways, it is hard to hit these roadblocks, yet in other ways I get eager to see what God is going to reveal to me through them. Perhaps it is the writer in me. ha! Let’s let the wind of Jesus move us where he wants us to go. I am praying over you and your writing right now. I am praying that God blesses you mightily in all you do.
Kelly, I sure hope you get all the blog issues resolved. Thank you for reminding us what is truly important. “Sometimes, there is pain in the moment, but we can trust God’s love endures forever. He is much more concerned with His idea of forever, than our idea of a moment.” It seems like this lesson is one we have to keep coming back to. Maybe the hard things help us see that we are not trusting God as we should and they bring us back to Him. He sees the whole picture and we only get a glimpse, but He loves us and we can trust Him to do what is best. Blessings to you 🙂
Thank you Gayl! I think everything is resolved. Praise God for that. Yes, just as you says, he sees so much further than us. He sees so deep and so wide. Thank you for your encouraging word this morning.
SO much truth in one blog post. As a sufferer of chronic pain and other health conditions, it can be hard for me to continue to be strong. But I persevere because I have hope in Jesus Christ. There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, no more fear!!
Thank you Lauren. I love your words – that day will come before you no it. No tears, pain or fear. Amen! Amen! We will wait expectantly!
It’s so inspiring to think how Jesus and His words will always last forever, no matter what. The stripping process of all that is of us can be so hard, but it always brings us closer to seeing our all in Jesus. Thank you, Kelly, for your insights and perseverance in the faith.
It does bring us closer – less of us and more of him, right Trudy? May we be stripped so that he can dress us incredibly!
You’re so right, Kelly… couldn’t agree more with you, this post is so motivational!
I am so glad you enjoyed it Lily! Thank you so much for joining me here today. I love having you.
I’m so sorry that happened! I’m pretty new at this and, truthfully, the thought of a hacker getting in unnerves me. I’m glad you can see God’s sovereignty over even allowing that kind of mess. Glad to find you today from #tellHisStory.
I know. It is pretty scary to deal with, I must say! God’s way is the best and he completely protects us.
Kelly,
Taking off your 3D glasses of fear and what you think should bring you contentment — how true that is! Relaxing into God’s gentle guidance sounds so amazing but it’s harder for some of us to do that and stop striving! Appreciated these words today, friend! 🙂
Let’s relax deep down into his will for us. He has us and he won’t hurt us. Thank you for your comment Valerie!
“Sometimes, there is pain in the moment, but we can trust God’s love endures forever.” Amen!
Was writing about this very thing this morning. It’s not an easy path to traverse, definitely not for the faint-hearted, but you’ve been a beautiful example of how to walk through the pain, at least on a website level. (I can only imagine…was feeling for you big time, Kelly!) You’re a strong warrior. #GoGodGo #coffeeforyourheart
Sweet Kelly,
I’ve been away from social media for a few days, but not before I saw the call to pray via Twitter. And I did. I prayed for God’s protection – that no weapon forged against you would prevail. And I got to thinking – the evil one does not bother with anything that is not a threat. You are impacting the kingdom in a mighty way, and he is afraid! Keep fighting, my friend. And never hesitate to call for back up!
Blessings and big hugs,
Kamea
Thank you Kamea for praying for me. Thank you for rooting on God’s truth. That is the best. Our words matter and are a threat, no matter how much we may not believe it. Let’s fight for Jesus!
Passionately written and profoundly meaningful words you have shared here, my dear sister. Thank you for your unfettered honesty for the sake of the only purpose for our lives–Jesus. Much love, Kelly!
Thank you Stephanie. I am glad you liked this post. Honesty is the only way God wants us to go, so I guess I am all in! 😉 I hope that the Lord blesses you today Stephanie.
I recently watched the movie, Unbroken. And one line from the movie has stayed with me,” A moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory.”
It was a great reminder to me that the moments of pain whether they are in-marriage, children, blog…are worth it in the long run. Each trial is refining me. Having that eternal perspective helps in the day to day. What a beautiful post. So happy to have dropped in today!
I love that line Alecia. How true that is! If only we can remember that when we get in the thick of it. Great reminder to keep that eternal perspective. Thank you.
I definitely charge ahead too often and am in the process of letting God work. It is so terrifying and peaceful at the same time!
Yes! When we step back, he steps in. Now, I just have to remember that. Ha!
There’s so much truth here! Thanks for linking up at Women With Intention Wednesdays! I look forward to what you will share this week! 🙂
Thank you so much for joining me. I love hearing from you Jenny!