The thought hit me today like a slap across my face.
Why do I spend so much time worrying what others do to me when it hurts?
Will I be judged for their actions against me when I stand before God?
I hope not because some of them are just nasty.
I suspect He is a lot calmer dealing with nasty than I am, so I usually hand them over to Him.
I have never died and do not know what the judgement will be like. As I ponder this event, I think we may just have to answer for ourselves, not others.
So when someone is cruel to you, what is the point of being cruel back?
Remember God is keeping score and the name of His game is eternity.
Gracie,
When I read this I became a little angry. Who is causing you this distress? Because I am an empath I can feel the hurt in your words and this distresses me a great deal Today, you are not alone.
You are so sweet. It is behind me though. No need to point fingers but I haven’t had a lot of lovely people in my life. Just the way life has been, but the more I sink into God’s calling as a writer the more he brings good people into my life and you bro are the best!
yes, its funny how he does that, bring people together that need each other’s encouragement. I have researched hundreds of web sites and blogs trying to make sense of what happened to me and my marriage because of the narcissism and for some reason he just had me park on your site. Maybe its just because what is in your heart that flows out in your writing is really closely related to what is happening in my life right now
You and I both see God’s hand in EVERYTHING but still wonder WTF is up with what is going on with our lives. HE KNOWS we have always sought his will and tried to do it the best we could. HE KNOWS our adversaries could care less what HIS WILL is and yet they come out on top. Again, WTF is that all about. I think the answer is that our treasure is in heaven where Jesus told it should be. I can’t quote exactly but He did say, “where your treasure is, that is where your heart will be also”. Remember Jesus sent them out by twos with NOTHING but the clothes on their backs. The answer is life wasn’t meant to be easy for true believers. When ever you get down in the dumps just read JOB. That should cheer you up—-NOT.
You are so right about all of that. Gosh boy you are getting to be quite the prolific writer yourself and for the record I am so glad you parked on my site. 🙂
Gracie, I don’t know if this will post or not but I am going to try. This is the Bible Study lesson plan my daughter is working on in her group. The lesson is from The Book of James.
Lesson 1: Growing and persevering through trials.
Opening Discussion:
Think of a recent trial or difficulty in your life. How did you respond to this trial? Do you feel like God gave you strength to face the situation? In what ways? What did you learn from this?
Read James 1:1-11
Who wrote James? (Mt. 13:55; Jn. 7:5)
Who were the recipients? (Jewish believers who had been scattered because of persecution)
How does Scripture encourage believers to respond to trials?
What is the point in suffering through trials? Is this good news?
How does the world view trials, theirs source and how to go through them? How is this different?
Hammer this home: God gives us trials to test our faith, that we may be complete in Him.
How can you gain wisdom to deal with problems and trials?
Why does God want us to ask for wisdom in trials?
Who should not expect to receive anything from God? Why?
Hammer this home: Sometimes God gives us trials that are more than we can bear, but in that he PROMISES to provide us with the wisdom to walk through that difficulty. All we have to do is ask, believing He is good in giving the trial that we may be more like Him and able to provide!
Application:
How do you usually respond to life’s difficulties?
How have trials challenged you to seek God?
In your next/current trial, how can you live out believing in God’s promises through them?
Describe a time when the Lord led you through a problem?
Amen dear one.
In this same theme that God brings people together unexpectantly, I received a very interesting phone call last week. My business involves manufacturing communications equipment. I get a call from this guy out of the blue that has some old parts and wants to know who could use them. I personally don’t have any idea but know others that may.
We begin a conversation and I find out he has been a Missionary in Mexico for 40 years. He is a Baptist Minister. Well, it turns out my daughter is scheduled to go on a missionary trip to Mexico this summer. He tells me ” Don’t let her go dad. I don’t care how angry she will be with you, Don’t let her go” This guy tells me Bagdad is safer than Mexico and asks me if I would let my daughter go to Bagdad, Iraq? Well of course I wouldn’t let her go to Iraq right now.
So out of 10,000 names he could choose when he does his internet search he picks my little ol barley surviving company to call. He just so happens to have extensive knowledge of the dangers of Mexico right now and by chance my daughter is going to Mexico this summer and he tells me don’t let her. The conversation with my daughter was not a pretty one. When I say not pretty I mean the broken heart that I saw in her eyes. We communicate very well without yelling or any other nonsense. Luckily the trip didn’t make so I did not have to make the final call. But;
She has been invited to be an intern in Nicaragua this summer where she served last year. She is only 17. What is a dad supposed to do?
A dad is supposed to protect his daughter from danger and when he can not do that he should get down on his knees ad ask our heavenly Father to do so. 🙂