Along the way I’ve discovered that too often I am like a small child, unable to properly express my hurt and frustration, so I throw myself into life, crying, screaming, yelling, weeping, lashing out at anything close, begging someone to recognize and understand my pain.
In the past, I lashed out against the pain and unintentionally hurt those around me; but once I recognized the signs of pain in myself, that desperate cry for attention, I was able to see other’s angry words for what they really were—a cry for help. Only once I stopped viewing their pain as the truth about me, something to internalize, and saw it for what it really was, a cry of help, was I finally able to separate the words from the emotions.
It was then that the world’s angry words finally lost their power to hurt me. It was in the silence beyond those desperate cries for help that I found the truth about myself, not in what my parents said about me, not in what my co-workers said about me, not in what my friends or my pastor or my husband said about me; but instead in what God said about me: You are my masterpiece, Trena. I created you and I love you.
Once I realized that genuine freedom lies in recognizing the beautiful truth of God’s words, once I embraced His truth about me, the opinions of this fickle world lost their power. I was able to step away from my doubts about myself and see the motivations behind the angry, hurtful words the world often hurled at me. Only then was I able to embrace those who tried to hurt me, to love them despite the cutting words they spoke in anger.
This brought me to the realization that the love of God has transformative power; it can turn anger into laughter and tears into joy. And despite the fact that those who once hurt me have changed but little, the change in me is dramatic; God has replaced my former heart of stone with a new tender heart, one that recognizes the world’s desperation and responds in love.
So join me as I ask God, not to change those in my life, but instead to transform me, thus releasing me from the world’s wearisome chains of anger and hate.
Final Thought: It is only the love of God living in me that releases me from the burden of other’s hurtful words and actions.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Trading in My Brokenness (Finding A Better Way)
Along the way I’ve discovered that each of us bear the scars of this world’s brokenness, deep wounds only God can heal. Recognizing the pain and suffering around me has opened my eyes, allowing me to see the hurt in others as the source of their anger and hate, giving me the opportunity to acknowledge that my own damage often clouds my judgment. This truth allows me to look past the hurt and pain inflicted by a sin-filled world and view others through the eyes of God’s love.
When I use my own broken life as a lens to view the world, my brokenness causes me to lash out at those around me. And, if I refuse to replace my “truth” with God’s Truth, I begin to expect pain and hurt, inviting it into my life and allowing it to become my new status quo—a dark and dangerous precedent.
Thankfully God has provided a better way. He invites me, no beseeches me to release my heavy burdens of pain and anguish, to give them to Him and to allow Him to restore my sight—giving me a new way of seeing the world.
Now, by using His corrective lenses, I recognize the hurt that causes that man to yell at his wife, the pain that causes my co-worker to retaliate against me, the anguish that puts those angry words in the mouth of the driver beside me, and the sorrow that encompasses the lives all around me. With God’s help, I can finally recognize that it is our brokenness that causes us to lash out against the world, hoping someone will notice our pain and do something to correct it.
So join me as I ask God to give me a new and tender heart, one that sees with the eyes of love and understanding instead of the eyes of selfishness and pain.
Final Thought: The truth is often veiled behind heavy curtains of pain and disappointment that we never bother to pull aside.
When I use my own broken life as a lens to view the world, my brokenness causes me to lash out at those around me. And, if I refuse to replace my “truth” with God’s Truth, I begin to expect pain and hurt, inviting it into my life and allowing it to become my new status quo—a dark and dangerous precedent.
Thankfully God has provided a better way. He invites me, no beseeches me to release my heavy burdens of pain and anguish, to give them to Him and to allow Him to restore my sight—giving me a new way of seeing the world.
Now, by using His corrective lenses, I recognize the hurt that causes that man to yell at his wife, the pain that causes my co-worker to retaliate against me, the anguish that puts those angry words in the mouth of the driver beside me, and the sorrow that encompasses the lives all around me. With God’s help, I can finally recognize that it is our brokenness that causes us to lash out against the world, hoping someone will notice our pain and do something to correct it.
So join me as I ask God to give me a new and tender heart, one that sees with the eyes of love and understanding instead of the eyes of selfishness and pain.
Final Thought: The truth is often veiled behind heavy curtains of pain and disappointment that we never bother to pull aside.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Choices (My Way or the Most High’s Way)
Along the way I’ve discovered that one of the things in life I have in abundance is choices. I can choose what time I get up; what to wear; how to wear my hair; how I greet people; if I smile, laugh, or frown; when I stand up; when I sit down; but most importantly, I can choose how I react to each situation in my life.
Most situations are a direct result of my choices (good or bad), but even in situations outside of my control I still have the opportunity to choose how I respond. I’ve discovered that it is this response that reveals my character, presenting opportunities for growth and development.
My bad choices often lead me to uncomfortable situations, but even in those difficult moments I still have an opportunity to choose to continue down the wrong road or to seize the opportunity to learn from my mistakes, thus paving the road to better choices in my future.
Even with this knowledge, my bad choices seem to come fast and furious, and despite my attitude of learning, I often find myself making the same mistakes over and over—always resulting in the same bad situations.
But there is good news. I am not alone and adrift, destine to continually repeat the mistakes of my past, because God promised to make me a new creation, replacing my heart of stone with a heart willing to serve Him—a heart ready to embrace good choices.
Thankfully, I serve a God Who not only forgives my mistakes, but gives me the power to reclaim my life. He leads me away from the mistakes of my dark, hurtful past, guiding me into the light of an eternal future with Him, a future filled with good choices—the most important of which is the choice to serve Him in all I do.
So join me as I turn my past over to God and allow Him to lead me into my future. Join me as I choose to follow His will instead of mine. Join me as I realize that only when I follow God’s path for me can I truly blossom into the person He created me to be.
Final Thought: Choices are golden opportunities for me to grab God’s hand, allowing Him to lead my life into eternal joy.
Most situations are a direct result of my choices (good or bad), but even in situations outside of my control I still have the opportunity to choose how I respond. I’ve discovered that it is this response that reveals my character, presenting opportunities for growth and development.
My bad choices often lead me to uncomfortable situations, but even in those difficult moments I still have an opportunity to choose to continue down the wrong road or to seize the opportunity to learn from my mistakes, thus paving the road to better choices in my future.
Even with this knowledge, my bad choices seem to come fast and furious, and despite my attitude of learning, I often find myself making the same mistakes over and over—always resulting in the same bad situations.
But there is good news. I am not alone and adrift, destine to continually repeat the mistakes of my past, because God promised to make me a new creation, replacing my heart of stone with a heart willing to serve Him—a heart ready to embrace good choices.
Thankfully, I serve a God Who not only forgives my mistakes, but gives me the power to reclaim my life. He leads me away from the mistakes of my dark, hurtful past, guiding me into the light of an eternal future with Him, a future filled with good choices—the most important of which is the choice to serve Him in all I do.
So join me as I turn my past over to God and allow Him to lead me into my future. Join me as I choose to follow His will instead of mine. Join me as I realize that only when I follow God’s path for me can I truly blossom into the person He created me to be.
Final Thought: Choices are golden opportunities for me to grab God’s hand, allowing Him to lead my life into eternal joy.
Between the Blogs
Personal Challenge: I’m determined to spend more time counting my blessings and less time counting my worries.
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