But Beth Moore said that perhaps God wants you to tell. She went on to say, "you went through it 'for them,' and if they can't see it, what good is it?"
In the Bible, when Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers he spent years falsely imprisoned before he finally was put into service under the Pharaoh. When he saw his brothers again, he didn't lament all his troubles to them, instead he said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen 50:20)
In the book of Matthew, a blind man is brought to Jesus. Jesus' disciples asked Jesus who had sinned, the man or his parents, for the man to be blind. Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." (John 9:3)
What pain are you going through in your life today? Or what past pain are you holding against God because He let it happen to you in the past?
Maybe it happened "for them" to save lives or so that God may be displayed to others through your story. I have a hard time with why God let my childhood go as it did. Yes, I've even been mad at God. But to think that it happened "For them" makes it hurt a little less.
Why not try to let go of your pain today, and instead focus on who can benefit as a result of your experiences. Display God. He let it happened for them.
16 comments:
What powerful post! Now I'm racking my brains trying to remember if I did the Ester series. I love beth!
A good thought! A friend recently told methat she felt as if God were always "mad at her." When we understand that we are seated in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus, and all the precious promises the LORD made for all who have faith in Him through His Son, we can understand that He works for good in all things in the lives of those who love Him, and have been called according to His purposes. Everything is filtered through His fingers of love. God isn't "mad" at us, but he disciplines those he loves, and uses trials to refine us, so that His glory may be displayed for all to see. His hand is on His children, El Roi sees it all, and He uses it all for good! As we tell a little more of our story, He redeems it, and restores us as we share to encourage someone else. Iron sharpens iron! Amen! Thanks for sharing a good word today!
Joyfully,
Wylie
"you went through it 'for them,' and if they can't see it, what good is it?"
Love this quote and do think I've gone through things to help others or just to show God's greatness. :O)
This post touched me more than you can imagine Kelly. I have often wondered those same things and I have tried to cover my past and keep the spotlight on the here and now. My past wasn't so rosy and neither was my childhood and although I am not proud of some of the things I did, it was still part of what I am today. Great post.
So true. Think of all the lives you have touched through your testimonies. Whether we like it or not, our childhood does, in some way, affect the adult we become. How we use that is up to us.
Thanks for using your childhood to help others.
KC,
Excellent post. Sometimes a parent shows their children how not to be. You just learn to never lean into a right cross. It would have been better to learn that lesson on the street. But it was an important lesson none the less. One I never taught to my children.
Once when I went to a Beth Moore conference she referenced Genesis 3 and insisted that it said that God made thistles and thorns FOR US. And when you read the passage, you see she is right. His ways are not ours. He did all this FOR us. Not as a punishment, but so that we would not be so in love with the earth that we would forget to long for our heavenly home.
Kelly...one of my favorite ministry moments was several years ago when Sheila Walsh talked about skeletons in the closet at a WOF weekend. She talked about the fact that God already knows our secrets...every one of them. AND HE LOVES US! Once we figure that out and really believe it...he can use it to help others.
It was a powerful powerful moment for me and did, in fact, free me to share some things from my past that I was previously ashamed to admit.
Thanks for another reminder of this lesson.
Hugs,
Susan
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I've been thinking along these lines these last few days myself. I really want to do that Esther study!
Enjoy your weekend!
I have a friend who's also doing the Esther study and is getting a lot out of it.
I believe God can use all of our suffering, hurts and trials as a way to display His glory in our lives. Although, giving "it" up to Him can be really hard.
Happy Saturday.
I missed this study. You have me thinking. b
I haven't done the Esther study, but have done others of hers, and I love Beth Moore's studies. She quoted Ray Stedman in one of her studies, and since then I just love to read his writings. Anyway, I have a pretty sordid past too and have tried to write about it...but have come up short. It's such a long story. Maybe all in good time.
Good comments. We all have pain to process, don't we? Ever read Wendy Blight? She has a GREAT testimony on her blog (right column link) about pain she has endured and processed through: http://www.wendyblight.com/
wb
Good thoughts! I'm just finishing Beth, Priscilla & Kay's study, Annointed, Transformed, Redeemed. So much to digest, but the bottom line and main theme is God's grace... HE chose us before we were born, loved us and KNEW all about what we would do and who we would be.... and yet....loves us! Isn't it amazing?
Hey! Wanted to try to catch you before you went to bed. I was offline all day and now I'm playing catch up. Thanks for the birthday wishes! And for relaying messages! Her computer died on my birthday last year too.
Love ya girl!!
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