The Birthplace of Comforting Others

Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV

I have a close friend in Michigan who lives with a lot of physical pain. She has suffered with migraines since childhood, endured back and neck pain, and now her journey includes multiple sclerosis. In order to slow the progress of the MS, she must give herself a weekly shot that results in flu like symptoms for several days. She once told me she has never experienced a pain free day in her life. Her “good” days are when the pain is merely tolerable. She is one who is presently fettered by pain and she can minister to another individual who suffers with physical pain in ways that I cannot. She can also share the reality of God’s presence, strength, and comfort in the midst of it all. The compassion in her eyes and voice has been birthed through her own personal suffering.

Others are coming to mind this morning that have experienced heartbreak that will one day be used to comfort another. I think of a friend who lost twins early on in her pregnancy and now anticipates the birth of a daughter in September. I think of a number of friends who are walking a path of having daughters pregnant out of wedlock. I think of a dear friend who has experienced the break up of two marriages. I think of a couple in Michigan who were instrumental in my life as a teenager and now walk through days following brain surgery on him. I anticipate the day each of these sit across from a hurting individual and comfort them with the comfort they have received from the Father’s hand.

While my story would be different, God is desiring to do the same thing in me. I experienced this last night as I talked with a friend in the store. Her adult son is going through the difficulty of an ended relationship. I found myself deeply moved by his plight and very aware of all that must be going on in his internal world because I had walked a similar path in the last year. There were aspects of his heartache that I could easily identify and relate with because of my own experience. My ability to pray for him is deepened and broadened because of the memories I house as a result of my own circumstances. If given the opportunity, I could share with him the way God has walked me through the valley and graciously delivered me from the torment of it all.

Dear reader, the same is true for you! Ministry is birthed out of your own hurts, losses, disappointments, pain, and suffering. Know that one day you too will look into the eyes of a broken person and be used of God to comfort them in profound ways. I celebrate His work in us all!

Father, my tears will one day mingle with those of a hurting individual. I rejoice that nothing You have allowed in my life need ever be wasted. In Your wisdom, faithfulness, and love, continue to bring into my life that which would eventually comfort others. Amen.

Mustering or Asking?

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11

Last night and this morning I have become acutely aware of my tendency to try to muster up what I perceive God is expecting of me. Commands are often viewed as something I need to perform out of my own determination and ability. All the things I still lack in my life become lists I think I need to find in myself to fulfill. Whether it is loving God with all my heart, soul, and mind, having a passion for souls, desiring His Word above all other literature, consistently demonstrating all the fruit of the Spirit, praying without ceasing, loving others with pure motives and tireless willingness, finding complete satisfaction and delight in God alone, looking more to Him and less to people, or any number of other abundant life qualities, I have so often felt God would be more pleased with me if I could manage these things without asking for His help. I viewed Him wrongly as the parent who was impressed with the child who could “do it all by himself.” What I have come to realize is this is the trap of legalism at the heart level. It is still performance based Christianity and polar worlds apart from what God intends.

What I am viewing as personal failures in my life are actually God’s invitation to ask His help! He knows I do not possess the capability to love Him and live for Him without His assistance. He is not looking for me to act independently of Him, but rather to come to the place of realizing how much I need Him to give me the very things He is asking of me. Every time I read something in the Bible that shows me what I should be doing needs to become a call for help! The passion must come from Him. The desire must come from Him. The ability must come from Him.

Several years ago I was astounded at the truth that God’s love is not dependent upon what I am doing. Today I am just as astounded at the truth that without Him I can do nothing! He has been wooing me to Himself and waiting for me to see my need of Him. My inabilities do not disappoint or disgust Him…He already knows my personal poverty! He stands with gifts of help to bestow on any who ask! He is willing to do IN me what He wants OF me. It must be a cooperative relationship whereby I ask Him for what He longs to pour into me. I receive what He willingly gives. My tiredness is finally being exchanged for His rest. Surely I am not His only child who has had it wrong all this time!

Father, continue to clear up the misconceptions I have of You and the Christian life. I lay them all at the foot of the cross and extend open hands to receive Your help. Amen.

An Interesting Poll

I received this email from a friend today. Maybe some of you have seen this already. The email was about an NBC POLL and read as follows:

Do you believe in God? NBC this morning had a poll on this question. They had the highest number of responses that they have ever had for one of their polls, and the percentage was the same as this: 86% to keep the words, IN GOD WE TRUST on our money and GOD in the Pledge of Allegiance. 14% against. That is a pretty ‘commanding’ public response. It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having “In God We Trust” on our money and having “God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why is the world catering to this 14%? Clyde McAdams

While I enjoyed seeing the results of this poll I was struck by some other thoughts. Even though this particular poll came out on the side for truth, I have read many other polls where the majority were just plain wrong. The reality, reliability, and trustworthiness of God is not contingent on a vote. God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do whether the majority agree or disagree.

I am thrilled that 86% of the Americans polled believe in God. My question is, "Does their belief in God affect their life?" And, "Is the God they believe in the God of the Bible?" Keeping IN GOD WE TRUST on our coins is commendable. Making that statement a part of our everyday life is where the rubber meets the road. Do we know Him personally, trust Him entirely, and follow Him with abandon? It is not what the majority say. It is what each individual says. What does each person mean when they say, "I believe in God." Is it merely a mental assent to His existence or a declaration of Him being their God and their life? Does it have any influence on their words, actions, and lifestyle?

God wants to be in their heart and life...not just on their coins and in their pledge. His love for them is incredible and yet so few seem to realize it and live out it. May He change that.

God, be more to us than a nice saying or palatable motto. Stamp Your image on the deepest part of us. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that You are Lord! May knee bending and tongue confessing start now!

His Daughter,
Pam

The Gift of Mentors

So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:26 NKJV

You will not see the word “mentor” in the Bible but you will see many examples of mentoring relationships. Today’s verse shows one such relationship between Aquila, Priscilla, and a Jew named Apollos. Previous verses reveal that he was an eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in spirit, one who taught diligently the things of the Lord, and a bold witness in the synagogue. Yet Aquila and Priscilla saw a need to further instruct him in some things he was lacking. God used them in his life to help him more fully understand His way.

Today is my 34th spiritual birthday. It was on July 13, 1973, that I was born into the family of God through faith in Christ. I look back over those three-plus decades and I can recount numerous individuals who stepped into my life for the purpose of mentoring me. Through their words as well as their life I learned the “way of God more accurately.” Some have gone on to Heaven, some I am in occasional contact with, and some are no longer a part of my life. I thank God for each of them. I would not be the person I am today without their influence. Occasionally I will revisit conversations I had with them and delight in the fact that they have left a precious mark on my spirit. I treasure the advice they gave, still practice principles they instilled, and carry on the rich heritage they left. They were my Aquila and Priscilla!

While God still crosses my path with individuals who encourage me in the faith, I am finding myself in a time of transition. Personal mentors are now coming through the pages of books that I read more than individuals I meet face to face. I metaphorically sit at their feet and drink in the lessons they teach. Even more so, God has become my prominent and predominant Mentor. He encourages me to bring the questions to Him and allow Him to give me the answers and direction I need. He is now the one I from whom I seek wisdom, comfort, and instruction. Will He still use people? Absolutely. But the dependency is finally switching over to Him and in that I have found a new freedom!

I now take the challenge to be available to Him when He calls upon me to mentor someone else. I want to be to others what so many have been to me. It is an ongoing process of passing on what I have received. May the chains of influence continue to grow!

Father, many faces are coming to mind as I recall the mentors in my life. Their investment in my life was not in vain. I treasure the memories and accept Your call to reach out to others. Amen.

Listening to His Voice

I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Psalm 85:8 NKJV

Peace accompanies the voice of God. Turmoil and confusion do not! I am learning to identify the times when the voice I am listening to is no longer that of my Father. In the past week I have had two distinct times of the enemy of my soul speaking lies to me and the result was a loss of peace. Uncertainty replaced confidence. Confusion replaced objectivity. All seemed dark and all seemed hopeless. I marvel at the extreme nature of my own thoughts. Both times were attacks on the journey God has had me on. His first tactic was to cause me to question my motives for the journey. His second was to cause me to question the source of that journey. These became terrifying times for me as I lost all sense of direction and reasoning. This quickly turned into condemnation, fear, and shame. NONE of these are of God! He does not use them as tools in our life. They are the calling cards of Satan himself, and he desires to use them effectively.

Deliverance comes and peace returns when I purposefully listen for God’s voice and He WILL speak. As we work together to identify and renounce the lies, He gives me truth to own and peace to embrace. I relish the settling that comes over me and the return of confidence and assurance in God’s love, presence, and provision. My mantra becomes, “Identify the enemy and listen to my Father!”

A person once asked me what I meant when I said, “God spoke to me.” I assured her it was not an audible voice (although at times it comes close). It is primarily through the vehicle of thoughts that I know are not my own. These are not random thoughts but rather distinct, accurate, and timely. For decades I use to think God only spoke through His Word. I was not aware of the variety of avenues He uses. While His Word is certainly primary, He also speaks to me through music, nature, conversations, sermons, experiences, books, and prayer.

I do not want to limit Him in any way. I want to be like the Bereans in Acts who “received the word with all readiness of mind.” I want to listen with expectancy and intensity. I want to allow God to speak to me in any way He wants, at any time He wants, for whatever purpose He wants. It may be to correct me, enlighten me, motivate me, teach me, or assure me. At times His voice has me in awe and at other times it has me in tears. May my ears stay open and my heart stay receptive to all that He has to say!

Father, You are such a communicator. I do not want to miss anything You are saying to me. I treasure Your words and purpose to hear You. Speak, Lord, for I am listening. Amen.

The Power of Prayer and Praise

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Acts 16:25 KJV

Paul and Silas’ prayers and praises followed the abuse they suffered at the hands of others and preceded God’s redemptive work in their situation. They were voiced in the darkness of prison cells and coupled with the physical pain they still felt from a beating. They had no control over what had just happened to them but they had major choices to make as to how they would respond to such treatment.

We are not given the details of their prayers but my imagination is awakened as I think about the possibilities. Could it be they prayed for the very ones who had just mistreated them? Possibly Jesus’ prayer to His Father as He suffered on the cross became their prayer with their feet in fetters, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” They may have asked that the spiritual blindness of their persecutors’ hearts be removed so they could hear, understand, and receive the gift of salvation. They may have also prayed for fellow believers to stay strong in the midst of their own persecution. That they would not grow weary in well doing and would not become discouraged and quit. They may have prayed for grace for themselves and the ability to love the very ones who had hurt them. I do not believe vengeance or hatred found a place in their hearts or their prayers.

Songs of praise! They did not have the hymns or praise music that is so readily available to us today. Maybe they buried themselves in the many Psalms that David had written. Surely the words reflected the many attributes of God. They would have been the equivalent of our present day How Great Thou Art, I Need Thee Every Hour, Awesome God, Draw Me Close to You, and You’re Still God. Their prayers and songs of praise had an audience with God as well as the other prisoners. Oh that we would see the same in our own situations.

Freedom in the midst of difficulties is ours to embrace when we follow the example of these two men. Choosing to pray for all involved and voice our praises to God is the only thing that keeps us afloat in the storms of life. I am miserable when I give in to the enemy’s suggestions of condemnation, self pity, and bitterness. I would much rather don the garments of praise when faced with a spirit of heaviness then clothe myself with that which would defeat me spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Does it mean I won’t feel the sting of life in all of this? Absolutely not! It simply means I will become receptive to the healing balm of a gentle Savior.

Father, nothing compares to the power of prayer and praise in the midst of pain, heartache, and loss. Continue to do your redemptive work in me as I lift my voice, hands, and face to You. Amen.

Teach Me

Teach me what I do not see. Job 34:32 NASB

I spotted this verse yesterday and it has remained with me and come to my mind numerous times. It has quickly become the cry of my heart. Any time I go through a difficult circumstance or situation there are things I do not see, understand, or comprehend. Things about God and things about myself. Areas of my life begin to resemble a huge jigsaw puzzle with countless missing pieces. I walk with more questions than answers. The pain outweighs the joy. It is then that I realize that if God does not begin to teach me the things I am blind and ignorant to I will be stuck in a place from which I desperately want to escape.

Today was a day of needed revelation. God knows there is an area of profound sadness that continues to house itself within me. He knows I want release and freedom. I have confided in a small handful of people the details of an ongoing heartache. They have listened with compassion and offered healing words of wisdom. I have been reading a book by Sheila Walsh entitled The Heartache No One Sees. It is filled with messages I need at this time. Messages that have come out of her own broken story. I have realized God’s purpose in allowing this particular hurt to come into my life. I have sensed God’s presence and provision to help me go from one day to the next. But I could not understand after all that why the sadness remained. So I asked Him to teach me what I could not see.

His answer stunned me. He let me know the healing of my heart was not going to come from the taking in of more knowledge. It will not instantaneously happen when I finally get the last “puzzle piece” of information. The healing will come from His hands. It will be His doing and it will take time. Just as in surgery and recuperation there is pain involved and felt, so in the lessons and heartaches of life. The fact that I feel pain and sorrow does not mean I am not still on a journey with Him and it does not mean He is not working in me. It simply means I am human. If I am cut I will bleed and if I am deeply hurt I will ache. The deeper the hurt, the more profound will be the healing. The greater the death in an area the more miraculous the resurrection.

Two things I desire above all other things. That I would come through this knowing God in ways I never knew before and ministering to others as a result of my own broken story and places. May it not be in vain and may it not be unprofitable in His kingdom work.

Father, I once again look to You to do in me what I cannot do myself and no one else can do for me. Hold me, help me, and heal me. Amen.