I profess a good God but I’ll be honest, sometimes life can feel anything but good. Why would my good God allow such pain and suffering?
This week’s podcast episode is a solo flight. It’s just me. And you of course! The reason I wanted some one-on-one time with you is because I’ve got some exciting news. I stepped into the role of Speaker! I’m a blogger, a podcaster, now a speaker and I have author in my sites. No matter the role I step into, I love to encourage the hearts of women, letting them know that they’re never alone.
With this announcement (of speaker) I want to share one of the messages that I’ve had the privilege to give at various churches and women’s groups.
It’s based on my personal experience as I moved through the early stages of my grief after unexpectedly loosing my husband, Larry. Going from stunned silence, to anger to surrender. But before you tune out, feeling like grief is only for the loss of a loved one, I want you to stay tuned because I share what I’ve discovered…grief is present anytime we’re separated from the things we hold nearing dear to our hearts. Therefore, a grieving process is familiar to all of us.
If there is any beauty to be found when we find ourself in those bottomless free falls of desperation and uncertainty it is discovering God’s presence. Discovering that His word was true.
We can go from knowing things about God through His word to a new level of intimacy because He was proven true in the darkest struggles of our lives. Only God can reach deep pain. Because to be honest, if you can’t change my circumstance (, you can’t reach/change my pain. But God could and God did.
Knowing scripture is powerful but it’s not everything. I knew Deuteronomy 31:8 (It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed). I knew Psalm 91:4 (He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection) I knew Psalm 23 ….The The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need….I can do a later episode breaking down how God showed Himself faithful to me using Psalm 23…
But my point is that scripture is only powerful when we engage the author, God.
I knew a lot of scripture but up to that point in my life my faith had never been tested to the degree that it was when I lost Larry. Those words on crinkly pages would have pointless unless I took them to the Fountain Head of Truth, God and begin to process my pain with Him. We’re not safe processing our pain anywhere else.
No matter how traumatic this life can be, God’s heart and mission is to come to us, let us rest in Him, guide us through the pain and give us the beauty of His presence…that’s the only thing I ask for now…His presence…. In every situation. When you have the beauty of His presence you get all of Him.
Knowing what He’d done for me and how He patiently guided me through my grief and questions is why I have no worry for tomorrow. No matter what unexpected twists and turns this life takes, God is writing a bigger love story with me than anything here.
We’re not going to avoid the pain of this life. It’s not IF something painful happens.It’s WHEN something painful happens. So no matter what this life hands you, no matter how painful it might be, I want you to keep this close to your heart. You’re not alone and that the good God we profess speaks the most beautiful things in the dark.
Let’s jump into the message and thank you for stopping by to listen. I sure hope your heart is encouraged today!
Real quick before we start, If you can think of someone who would be encouraged by my message, please share this with them. If you think of a church or women’s group who could benefit from knowing that they’re not alone, especially in their darkest moments, use the Contact link (alifeofthrive.com/contact) to let me know who I can reach out to. I’d love to encourage every heart around the world!
You can Live Loved and Thrive…no matter your circumstance!
Associated Links: Here is How Psalm 23 Showed Me God’s Faithfulness – https://alifeofthrive.com/2022/08/17/heres-how-psalm-23-showed-me-gods-faithfulness/
Connect with Sherrie:
Website: ALifeOfThrive.com
Podcast: Finding God in Our Pain – Listen on whatever platform you use or go to my website to listen: https://alifeofthrive.com/finding-god-in-our-pain-podcast/
Transcription: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/881d522a67854af19c9b0de019ecbaec/edit_v2
