|
|
Post by warriornanny on Sept 21, 2016 3:19:19 GMT
I hope I can find the words to explain the thought I believe God has given me. Last week, I had one of the worst days I have had since the old days when my estrangement was new. Ladies, I wanted my life to be over! After praying for God's help and screaming into my pillow and virtually having a breakdown and a meltdown at the same time, I knew I needed to be prayed for so I posted "sisters, I need your prayers" on this forum.
(does anyone else ever feel like dementia would be a blessed relief?)
Your loving responses gave me so much comfort there are not words to describe it. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated your prayers and words of encouragement.
Doesn't it feel good when you know someone truly understands the anguish you are going through? Isn't it comforting?
I don't know how many times in my life I have been told that He understands all our pain and we don't go through anything that He hasn't felt himself. I always used that information wrongly. I would say "If you know how this feels, why would you put me through it, or why won't you make it stop?"
I've been told that God didn't cause this, He allowed it. Why would He allow this? I tell Him "if my earthly parents could take this pain away from me they would do it in a heartbeat, YOU can take it away and You said You know much more how to be a good parent than we do. Why won't you make this stop?"
God didn't cause this to happen, but when it did happen He invited us to understand a part of His heart that few people will ever truly understand. We understand the pain of being rejected by our children, how devastating and anguishing it is for them to leave us behind. We have been invited to fellowship in His suffering.
God created mankind to fellowship with Him. He simply wanted us. Everyone wants to be understood and if God didn't desire to be understood then the animals would have been the final creation. You can have great fellowship with an animal and if we can God certainly can. He created humans to fellowship with Him and to understand Him. We can understand this particular sadness God has like no one else! This part of God's heart is revealed to you and me, sisters! Those who understand the pain of being rejected by our own.
In the Bible, Jesus ministered to many people, but we are told there was a group of women who ministered to Him! We, you and I, are a group of women who can minister to each other as no one else can. And I believe we can give comfort and minister to that part of God's heart that no one understands like we do.
Fellowshipping in His suffering. An invitation to minister to God's broken heart. What a priveledge.
I don't know if this made one lick of sense to anyone else, but I feel like a light bulb just exploded in my head. I hope I never view my estrangement the same way I did before this.
Excuse me sisters, I need to go say a few things to God, my Father. Like 'I'm sorry I was blaming you all this time for my suffering' and 'I understand now how much it hurts you when we turn our backs on you.' and 'I understand how you feel'
|
|
|
|
Post by luke2231 on Sept 21, 2016 10:16:33 GMT
I'm certain that He allows things like this to reveal Himself to us in ways we couldn't imagine. Especially so that we can use that understanding to help others and be His presence in a physical way for those who need hope but can't see or feel it... yet! Thank you for sharing your heart and what He revealed to you - it is a great encouragement to me this morning!
|
|
|
|
Post by autumnwind on Sept 21, 2016 11:14:12 GMT
Thank you warriornanny, I needed to hear this before starting my day. Gods timing is always perfect.
|
|
|
|
Post by lindajoan on Sept 21, 2016 11:37:45 GMT
Thank you our friend for sharing what the Lord has revealed to you. It is so true that if we never experienced storms of life that we would never be as close to the Lord. Estrangement is a difficult storm. It drives us to our knees. We need the Lord the most. Then we need one another. We can support each other by truly saying, "I understand."
God bless each of you dear friends today.
|
|
|
|
Post by everloving11 on Sept 21, 2016 12:58:28 GMT
"Fellowshipping in His suffering. An invitation to minister to God's broken heart. What a privilege." AMEN - that has been rumbling around in my heart of late as well! Thank you for sharing.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 14:46:36 GMT
There are many reason why God allows us to suffer. By Our hope and faith he Will carry us through. We have that reassurance in his word. If we never had a trial we wouldn't have to depend on God and would miss knowing How big our God is. After all, is their anything too great for God? Estrangement is nothing new to God. Every time one of his children turns away and stops living for him, estrangement occurs. Do you not believe he grieves for each one as we do our own es children?
As we have concluded, estrangement is a sin and probably one of the most painful experience in life (at least for me). I would not want to even attempt surviving this experience without God. He does understand completely. When we feel we can't go on, that is when he reaches down, picks us up , and carries us. I have found, in my darkest moments, God never fails.
Being among others who understand our feelings is God way of letting us know he does care. He brought each of us here to minister, comfort, and support one and another in a manner he would if he were to physically appear. Meanwhile, believe in the spiritual realm God is working it out and in due season, we will see our prayers answered for our ec children. God's ways are not our ways!
I found this and hope it is of help.
God Bless! May the peace that passing all understanding be with you today and forever.
Why Do Christians Suffer?
by Joyce Meyer
As Christians, we like the thought of sharing in Christ's glory, but what about sharing in His suffering? Jesus took care of the death penalty once and for all so we don't ever have to worry about that again. But the Bible teaches that we must suffer times of trial if we are to share in the glory. Is it worth it? Read what Paul says in Romans 8:18: ...For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us!
Acting Right When Things Are Wrong
Many of us think we suffer because of our circumstances. We believe that if our circumstances would change, we'd be able to act right. But God wants us to become so mature and stable that we act right even when none of our circumstances are good. There are different levels of faith, and most of the time we want to use our faith to get rid of a problem. But sometimes God's plan is for us to exercise a higher level of faith that will carry us through life's challenges. This requires even greater faith than being delivered from a situation.
Too often we marvel at the delivering power of God and overlook His keeping, strengthening and enabling power. Although there are many reasons why Christians suffer, I would like to address what I believe are eight of the most common reasons why there is suffering in our lives.
#1: A Lack of Word Knowledge
Many Christians suffer because they're too busy seeking carnal knowledge instead of the Word of God. The Lord Himself said, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... (Hosea 4:6). Paul was an educated man, with a wealth of carnal knowledge. When he realized the importance of spiritual knowledge, he said, ...I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).
Like Paul, we need to realize the importance of learning spiritual things, for Galatians 6:8 says, ...he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
#2: Disobedience
Once we know the Word of God, we have a responsibility to be obedient to it. Too many of us intend to be obedient, but put it off. Even procrastination is disobedience, and it can cause us to suffer. James 4:7 gives us good advice: Submit yourselves therefore to God... . When God tells me to do something, I find it helpful to write it down. This serves as a reminder that I must be obedient if I want God's blessings. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).
#3: To Purify and Test Your Faith
Sometimes people seem surprised that they must go through a time of trial or suffering. Perhaps they’ve been faithful to learn and obey the Word, and the trials still come. Sometimes trials come simply to test and purify our faith. [You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, so that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed(1 Peter 1:6-7).
#4: A Need for Brokenness
The word brokenness may strike fear in some people, but it's really not a bad word. God doesn’t desire to break our spirits, but He wants to break that outer shell, the flesh that prevents Him from being all He wants to be in and through us. He wants to break off things like pride, rebellion, selfishness and independence. God wants us to be totally dependent on Him, and suffering seems to bring us to that point.
However, having to depend on God shouldn't cause us to feel sorry for ourselves. I once said, “Oh, God, I'm so lonely, and I don't have anybody but You.” And the Holy Spirit said, "Poor Joyce, you're just stuck with God." I've discovered that having only God is a good position to be in.
#5: To Build Compassion
Compassion is born out of experiencing similar problems. The Bible says, ...we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). It comforts me to know that Jesus understands me and has compassion.
Going through trials and experiencing God's deliverance better equips us to minister to others. Our pain is never wasted; it brings about compassion that reaches out to other hurting people by saying, "I've been there, and God brought me through it, and He'll do the same for you."
#6: To Encourage Others
The apostle Paul said there were many things that God allowed him to go through simply as object lessons for other people. ...I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel).... most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of my chains and are much more bold to speak and publish fearlessly the Word of God... (Philippians 1:12-14). Even in Paul's imprisonment, his stability and ability to be used of God was evident.
If we’re to minister to others, we too must face some adverse circumstances. But if we stand in faith and confidence, God will bring us through to victory, and we'll be a great encouragement to others in the process.
#7: Because of the Word
Sometimes we suffer attacks from the enemy simply because of our involvement with the Word of God. Mark 4:17 speaks of those who hear the Word and endure it for a while, ...then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away. When someone receives the Word of God, Satan delights in coming immediately to try to steal what’s been sown in their heart. He knows the Word will strengthen us and help us live a victorious Christian life, and he wants to stop it if he can. So it’s imperative to guard the Word in your heart and resist the devil from stealing it away from you.
#8: Because of Living in the World
Christians may also face trials and suffer simply because we live in a world full of sin. But Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. ” (John 16:33).
What a promise! Understanding the reason for our suffering and having the assurance of the final glory we'll share should make it a little easier to enjoy our lives...even during the times of sharing in suffering.
And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory (Romans 8:17).
This article is taken from Joyce's book, Let God Fight Your Battles.
CATEGORIES
All Categories
Christian Living
Emotions
|
|
|
|
Post by lindajoan on Sept 21, 2016 16:45:06 GMT
Thank you for posting this for us.
|
|
|
|
Post by everloving11 on Sept 22, 2016 12:53:24 GMT
Excellent words of wisdom, Faith ~ you know, at this phase of my life, I get nervous when I am not facing trials. Suffering has become a dear friend for what it teaches me about God....and about me. However, I don't go looking for it! We need to consider that, not only do we join in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings, we also have a deep basis of fellowship with those who are also suffering like we are suffering. The bonds of happiness may be shallow but the bonds of suffering run much deeper, building bridges of trust among all of us who have never met. Should we meet, there would be no awkward embarrassment or shyness for we have all already shared our pain and hurt. Should we never meet on Planet Earth, I look forward to fellowshipping with you all in Heaven where we will see the blessed side of this suffering!!!!
Speaking of Heaven's side of things ---- I 'suffer' from tinnitus. I am in the business as an International teacher of translating other cultures, so it is natural that my thoughts would waft towards the culture of Heaven. Just as we look through a mirror dimly on this side of Heaven, where one day we will see all things clearly, so I can 'translate' the steady hum of tinnitus as the back side of Heaven's music and pleasant noise. Someday, I will hear all things clearly! This mindset helps me be patient as I wait for that Glorious Day. Somewhere in all this musing is another answer to the specific 'blessing' of going through this estrangement --- hmmm, this too will be made clear someday.......
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 14:59:23 GMT
everloving, I once heard a minister say, "If you aren't going through a trial, you better do a self exam on yourself and question your salvation." It is Satan's job to try to divide and conquer.
As I read what you wrote about your tinnitus, I thought of Fannie Crosby. Since infancy, she was blind, but in spite of her disability she became one of the most famous songwriters known. When asked if she was upset with God for allowing her blindness, she remarked, " No, I considered it a gift." Goes to show, We can conquer our disabilities and life's tragedies . It is how we look at our situation that really matters. God can make something beautiful out of any situation. He gives us the choice..... either drown in self pity or rise above it and use it for the "GLORY OF GOD".
|
|
|
|
Post by lindajoan on Sept 22, 2016 16:35:40 GMT
Faith, So true what you wrote about our reaction to difficulties and storms. Thank you for the reminder.
|
|
Hope
New Member
Posts: 11 
|
Post by Hope on Sept 29, 2016 1:00:54 GMT
Warriornanny, a year into my estrangement with my son, I shared something similar on the DS Estrangement site, about what the estrangement was revealing to me, it became very clear to me, that God was sharing His heart with me. He had literally experienced all,the pain of expstrangement from, not just one child, but all his children, as they rejected him,,ignored him, etc. This included me. This understanding has brought such intimacy with God, that I truly began to feel that the estrangement was a blessing, as God was so intimately sharing with me His Father's heart. And now, that healing with my ES has begun, I pray that I will not forget this, but will remember how patient God my Father has been with me, that I may be also Patient, not just with my ES, ur with all those that God has given to me to love and serve. May God bless you.
|
|
