How willing are you to embrace what God puts in your path? In order to be fully alive? The good along with the bad? Your pain from past abuse. Suffering and sorrow in the midst of joy and laughter? To be complete in God. To become more like Him?
Yes, just how willing are you?
Sheila Walsh a gifted inspirational communicator, author, speaker, worship leader, television talk show host, and Bible teacher, shares on this topic below:
Suffering and sorrow are never welcome guests. They take us by surprise and squeeze our hearts, but I believe they are necessary to make the melody of our lives complete. It's possible to try to live your life in one color, protecting our self from the full spectrum of human experience, but the sounds that emerge are a little hollow and one-dimensional.
We were made for the joy and laughter of the major keys and also for the pain and tears of the minor. Part of being fully alive to God is being willing to embrace all that he puts in our path. That includes the unexpected stones that scrape our souls, so that we can become more like him.
When I study the life of Christ, I sense a deep, rich symphony ascending to the heart of God-using every note and inflection. This is what we, too, were made for.
Sheila Walsh
I am willing, but I am scared. Recently, GOD asked me to do something...I have been struggling, yet I know HE knows best!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea
I wonder what's your answer (((JBR))).
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you
There is so much truth in this. When I am going through difficult times, I visualize in my mind that I am being sanded and filed and shaped by the Masters hands. If I am having an especially hard time of it I will take a memory walk back to my past and without a doubt I am reminded of all the goodness and how the difficult things were used as tools to refine me. I don't always understand God's purpose but in large ways I feel it with all His gentle reminders of how He truly is taking care of me. The times that I panic or am full of anxiety are when I am not being mindful of the fact that God is in control and I will always be taken care of. Once I step back into the fold, I am completely aware that this lesson I am in at the present moment will carve into me what is needed and remove what isn't.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder today. Bless you. Sending hugs and love your way. XX
Very poignant reflections shared from Shelia Walsh but oh so true. I can easily embrace the good times but find myself towering behind Him in fear during those times of trials and sufferings. But in spite of the fear, I long to be all that He's designed me to be.
ReplyDeleteDear sweet JBR~
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say yes to embracing whatever God puts in my path and that I do it willingly, but I can't. Many times I have said to Him, "Are you kidding? Are You serious? You want me to do WHAT?" But God knows what's best for us, and at times will ask us to do things that take us out of our comfort zone. I am learning to not question God's intentions...I know He will never put me in harms way and wherever He takes me to....I know He WILL see me through!
PRAISE THE LORD!
Blessings, my friend~
Laura
JBR I tend to focus on the negative rather than the positive. Great thought provoking post today. Love reading others responses. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteI really love this. I have said I am willing to go through the pain if it is what supposed to be from God, but I can't say I like it at all.
ReplyDeleteI adore Sheila and this is so very true. It's not always easy to step out on faith but it is required to do His will for in the end it is His plan for us.
ReplyDeleteToo bad we mere mortals often think we know better than God. It sure gets us into a heckofa lotta trouble! Heeheehhee!
I hope this Season brings you peace and joy deep in your heart sweetie.
God bless ya!!!
Oh wow.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this.
And for your dear hugs you leave;
they cheer me so:)
-Jennifer
yeah, definitely needed this one today...
ReplyDeleteWhoa!! I loved that!! I so loved that! :) :) You make me feel good, JBR!
ReplyDeleteThank you, JBR :) This is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLoved that reflection from S. Walsh...Great reminder that we can't have a beautiful music of our lives, without having both the high and low notes. But all in all, a beautiful masterpiece. God bless.
ReplyDeleteIt is in the dips of life that we take closer steps to God. They are very necessary for us.
ReplyDeleteBM