Hebrews 2: 1-4 (New Living Translation)
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.
1. Growing hard from hurts and disappointments. The breaks in life as some call them. Not achieving all that could have or should have been. Lots of regret,etc
2. Hearts being broken from unbearable pain and loss. Never recovering from the death of a loved one or a relationship that was lost. More remorse that we can live with, etc (again)
3. Or a heart that has become so tender because of a relationship with God. One that has sustained us no matter what we have endured in our lifetime. Always looking to the One who will never condemn us and never leave us. A faith so strong that we believe the finished work on the Cross. When Jesus said it was finished, it meant God put all His anger on Jesus that we deserved and made us righteous that we didn't deserve. A heart made tender accepting that everything that has happened to us in our life is part of who we are, and believing that every bit of it has been used for our good.
At this point I have to tell you that after losing my husband this year, there have been so many times that it made more sense to just give up and believe that what happens, happens and let the anger and bitterness rule and ruin my life. But, at each low time the Holy Spirit would remind me through His Word, a friend, or a sermon, that I am loved and favored by God. He sent His Best to the earth to live and die, to take my punishment so that I could live and one day be in Heaven. I do have a choice! So as I read about these three hearts, I have decided that I want that tender heart. All those hurts and disappointments are part of His design for me and for you, to shape our hearts. There is no other way it can happen!
Which way will you choose? You see, Now is the time to make the choice of how you will be at the end of your life. Will you be surrounded by your family as you breath your last breath, being loved and the example of your faith in God touching each one? Or will you choose one of the other two choices, but really the effects are the same. Please stop and consider your options!
I pray you will be encouraged by the Grace of God as you read this post to take these things and ponder them in your heart and go for that tender heart!
Blessings and prayers!
Please check out Spiritual Sundays, you will be blessed and encouraged.
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2012/09/hello-again.html
Please check out Spiritual Sundays, you will be blessed and encouraged.
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2012/09/hello-again.html
Ever learning of the Grace of God to Me!
6 comments:
Thank you for this encouragement to choose. It has been said that not to choose is to choose. That is true. We will choose something even if we thinking we are not choosing.
Blessings,
Charlotte
You are a trophy of His grace! God is so faithful and full of compassion, strength and mercy and you shine as a light to this truth.
I have experienced death of a spouse, several years ago now, but I am still amazed at how he tenderized my heart through the grief and the healing He gave me.
Blessings to you, brave one. May he continue to hold you close.
I need help with this. Since I lost my husband, I am walking on nothing. I feel so lost in everything including my relationship with God. I don't know how to break free from this pain; it's blocking everything I want to be and I feel like I'm losing the fight.
I'm not sure why it's out of pain and loss that we become stronger....but I just finished reading some of Corrie Ten Boom's books....and what you said here is what she said too. Sending you a ton of hugs.....
My daughter sent me a quote recently, "It is out of our greatest pains that the roots grow the deepest." I've found it to be true in my life. I can't imagine the pain of losing a husband. It's such a beautiful thing to see you accept your pain and draw closer to God.
The greatest victories are won in the battlefield of real life and the tragedies we encounter. I see it everyday in my work as a Christian psychotherapist. God bless you as you continue to claim victory over the darkness that could so easily pull you away from the path God intends for you to walk. Stay strong, don't grow weary, you will reap a reward if you don't give up. God bless. Dr. Bobbi at Inside the Shrink
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