October 7th, 2021
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Lori Ennis
Transformation Through Pain
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Psalm 22:1-3
When we are suffering, life hurts. The only thing we want to be transformed is the situation that is causing us pain. Few people willingly take emotional pain and trauma on, and in despair, I'd venture to say most of us can relate to how David felt when he wrote this psalm.
When my first son died, this is exactly how I felt.
All my life committed to Christ, and the 'reward'? A tiny white coffin for my child.
Just like David, I begged God to come near. I begged Him to hold my heart and to answer my cries. I knew that God was not bringing my son back, but my faith in Him through the years reminded me, as David's did him, that our God is a God who is near the brokenhearted. He didn't change the situation, but He changed me.
The situation we are suffering in may or may not change. In the case of death, obviously, it doesn't.
But in ALL situations of suffering, what CAN change is us. And it's GOD who does the transforming. When we cry out to Him, He hears. He holds each tear we cry in His hand and He promises to redeem them. When we draw close to Him and allow Him to transform our broken, disappointed hearts, He responds with tender care and concern.
If you're feeling broken today, let Him know. He's waiting to bring you a peace that goes beyond all understanding, and a transformation in your life that can only be because of His goodness and grace and His abundant love for you.
Lori Ennis
Transformation Through Pain
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Psalm 22:1-3
When we are suffering, life hurts. The only thing we want to be transformed is the situation that is causing us pain. Few people willingly take emotional pain and trauma on, and in despair, I'd venture to say most of us can relate to how David felt when he wrote this psalm.
When my first son died, this is exactly how I felt.
All my life committed to Christ, and the 'reward'? A tiny white coffin for my child.
Just like David, I begged God to come near. I begged Him to hold my heart and to answer my cries. I knew that God was not bringing my son back, but my faith in Him through the years reminded me, as David's did him, that our God is a God who is near the brokenhearted. He didn't change the situation, but He changed me.
The situation we are suffering in may or may not change. In the case of death, obviously, it doesn't.
But in ALL situations of suffering, what CAN change is us. And it's GOD who does the transforming. When we cry out to Him, He hears. He holds each tear we cry in His hand and He promises to redeem them. When we draw close to Him and allow Him to transform our broken, disappointed hearts, He responds with tender care and concern.
If you're feeling broken today, let Him know. He's waiting to bring you a peace that goes beyond all understanding, and a transformation in your life that can only be because of His goodness and grace and His abundant love for you.
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