Finding Hope?

I’ve been wondering why I am on this detour in life. Then as I began reading this new book by Aaron Sharp it is beginning to become clearer. One of the things he points out is when you are on a new path in life and it’s unexpected; to ask yourself what is God trying to teach me? Can I see a pattern over my life where a specific incident has drawn me closer to him? As I ponder that thought, I can see how the many detours in my life lead me to lean more on God.

Making Decisions

There was the instance of being assaulted when was 14, my parents getting divorced, the near-death of myself, and my unborn child, to name a few. Those are the events that immediately popped into my mind as I pondered my life and wondered why this tragedy. Then as I looked back over the last 17 months I can see that the death of Tom has definitely drawn me closer to God. This has caused me to kneel by his side every day, ask for his help, guidance, and wisdom. I would say that is drawing me closer to him.

I can see that the decisions I had to make were guided by his hand even though at times I question them. If I am honest there is no way I could have made them without turning to him and asking for help. He sent help in many forms, thru many people, and through many resources. I’ve said numerous times it took a village of people to help me sort out, clean up, have garage sales, and pack up my home in 2 short months. Then fly off to another state.

Lessons Learned

One of the things I have had to learn is that I needed to take time to rest, heal, and take care of myself, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Until my soul is thoroughly fed and strengthened I can not move forward to what he has planned for my future. Wow, that was a huge light bulb moment for me. I never realized that I wasn’t doing that. Sure I would pray, meditate, read my bible, and I thought they were working. However, I was not taking the time to allow it to resonate in my spirit and truly heal my soul.

Lost at Sea

As I tried to recreate what I had lost, instead of feeling a peace in my spirit it was turmoil like a boat being tossed about in a stormy sea. Once I accepted the idea of resting I began to feel a peace in my spirit. What I also learned was that didn’t mean I forgot about Tom or that his death still didn’t hurt; it meant that I was allowing the Holy Spirit to begin to heal that hurt. Finding my way was a matter of taking time to listen, really listen to what the Lord was saying to me. While I was reading his words I needed to see how he handled the storms of the lives of those in the bible. What was the outcome of trusting and believing that God has not and will never leave me? Because even in our darkest days, God’s great faithfulness will shine through.

Finding Hope

When I look at all the ways God has taken care of me in my life, it’s astounding! Then I feel a bit ashamed because often I would feel like he had abandoned me. So I found myself searching through the bible to see that many of the prophets and disciples also some times experienced those same feelings. Jeremiah felt defeated, isolated, and abandoned by God (Lamentations 3:13-24). But he still managed to have hope. It’s a hope that only comes from realizing that God is great, his love endures forever, and he has more compassion than we can comprehend.

So on those days when I feel hopeless, abandoned, defeated, and alone I force myself to remember those words our Father spoke; “Behold I am doing a new thing. Can you not perceive it? (Is. 43:19)

My Prayer

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:23-24). As I travel on this journey or as Mr. Sharp so fondly calls it “an unexpected detour in life” if I can remember to stay focused on the cross then I can find the peace that our Lord promises us. It’s a peace that passes all understanding and gives me the courage, strength, and guidance to get through to the other side of grief.

Close: Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s blog post. I hope you found it valuable and informative. Please feel free to share it. Also if you would like to receive updates on future posts go to the subscribe tab and enter your information. I promise you will not be spammed and only receive updates to the next post. If you are already one of my subscribers I thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless..}

“If God Is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:11)