International Christian Church Quiet Times

Tag: Pain

  • Who is God?

    Because I struggle with understanding why God does what he does and having faith in His will, it is important for me to study out who God is according to the Bible.  Being a disciple is difficult and there are many emotional and material costs that come with it.  In my pride, I want to view God in a very negative light in order to justify my attitudes about the struggles of being a disciple.  “Why would God create a world where so few would choose Him?” “God feels loved when I’m in pain.” “The world is God’s game.”  These thoughts, though very arrogant and entitled, can very easily be my realities when I begin to trust what I think is true over what the Bible says, and even equate my relationship with my physical father to the relationship I have with God.  The scriptures that follow compose one of my favorite and most important quiet times.

     

    What authority does the Bible have?

    Hebrews 4:12-13

    12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

     

    These thoughts originate in an attitude in my heart that can be dealt with using the Bible.  It is important that I minister to these thoughts because I must give an account of them someday.

    Let’s get started:

     

    Jeremiah 29:11-14

    11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

     

    God plans to:

    -prosper me

    -not harm me

    -give me hope

    -give me a future

    -listen to me

    -be found by me

     

    definitions:

    “prosper”: to make successful.

    “harm”: have an adverse effect on.

    “hope”: a feeling of trust.

     

    God does not feel loved when I am in pain; harming is not his intention.  Harm does not come from God, for this is simply out of character for Him.  Life’s harm comes from sin; sin from self, the sin of others, and the devil’s schemes all play a part in the hurt one experiences in life.  Harm from the devil that is allowed by God should not be equated to “God harms”, for it is biblically impossible.

     

    1 Timothy 2:3-4

    3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

     

    God is not laughing when people do not choose Him.  Because discipleship is essentially adoption into God’s house, it hurts God when potential children refuse to have any part with God.  God gives everyone the opportunity (Acts 17:26-28) and desperately wants them to take it.  This can be paired with the Jeremiah 29 scripture as well.  Because God does not want to harm, it would only make sense for Him to want the best for each individual, especially when it comes to salvation.

     

    Genesis 6:5-6

    5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.

     

    Sin is something that God feels very deeply about.  It hurts Him to the point where He would undo a lot of work that He initially found good (Genesis 1).  Because of this fact, humanity is not a “fun” thing for God, nor was it His science experiment.  In fact, this verse might suggest that allowing humanity to live is something of an emotional sacrifice for God.  What’s in it for God? To prosper the creation that he loves very deeply with only a possibility of that creation returning the favor.

     

    Though there are plenty of other scriptures out there on God and who He is, these are a few that really minister to my heart when I’m in times of doubt.

  • Brave Heart

    Brave Heart

    Brave Heart
    Brave Heart

    1 Chronicles 8:40
    – The sons of Ulam were brave warriors.
    – They could handle their bow.
    – They multiplied themselves.

    Are you brave?

    Brave = “To be ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.”

    “He was a brave soldier.”

    One of the things I’ve struggled with my whole life is pain. Enduring it is definitely not one my strengths, but it has certainly taught me a few key things. Pain is essential. If you want to give love or receive love, it takes true perseverance. From the age five and up, I was physically, sexually and emotionally abused. I got to a place where I didn’t want to “feel” anymore. I didn’t see the need for trusting or “opening up.” I ran to things that took any and all emotion out of me such as music, dance, drugs, and relationships. When all was said and done, I found myself empty and alone. The emptiness inside of me prompted me to run in a direction I never thought I would: God. With Him I’ve learned what true trust and love is. (I John 4:18) He showed me that this world wasn’t the safe and secure place that I thought it was, but that only He was. He became my safe zone and my refuge, which gave me the courage to forgive and move on. With His help I’ve been able to see pain as a blessing, and now I love helping other young women find the positives in negative situations. Pain has refined my character, showed me my weak areas and ultimately trained me to be ready for the next battle. 

    Questions for reflection:
    Q: How do you deal with pain?
    Q: Do you numb it or embrace it?
    Q: Can you handle correctly your bow? (The Word of God)

    1 Chronicles 9:1
    – The people of Judah were taken captive because of their unfaithfulness.
    – We can all fall into a trap if we don’t know our Bible well enough, and can be lead astray by other’s opinions of the scriptures versus what the Word actually says.
    – We must study the Bible often so that we’re never led astray.

    1 Chronicles 9:13

    Are you able?

    Able = “Having considerable skill, proficiency, or intelligence.”

    “The dancers were technically very able.”

    Questions for reflection:
    Q: How often do you cultivate your skills?
    Q: Do you share them with others?

    – If you watch and listen to others do something skillfully, it may inspire you but if you are not personally attempting to do it yourself, you’ll never be able to be trained in it.
    – Bravery takes action. Action takes courage. Courage takes hope.

    “Never stop looking for what’s not there.” -Monte Wildhorn

    Challenge:
    1 – Be trained through pain and suffering.
    2 – Be brave in everything you do.
    3 – Learn how to properly use the Word
    4 – Trust the soldiers around you with your life.