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Hey friends,
In response to yesterday's post, I got some sweet love. I appreciate the emails of encouragement, the texts that made me laugh, and the sincerity of your love. God did not design us to face our trials alone, and yesterday I was anything but alone. Thank you for your prayers, your love, and your encouragement. Today looks much brighter. I'm in the process of forgiving... I've confessed my anger and hurt. I've asked God to forgive my bad attitude. I've said the words, "I forgive..." My heart isn't in it yet, but I will be obedient and I will see God glorified in my weakness.
One friend out there has lived through the same pain I've been dealing with. We've never met face to face, but through our blogs. (Can I just say that I am amazed how technology can bring people together? Geography is irrelevant!) Because she's been there-experienced that, she was able to listen to my heart and help me process the pain. I'm a stronger woman today because she took time out of her own crazy life to invest in me.
That's the gift of friendship. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man (or woman) sharpens another." Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times. A brother is born for adversity." And John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." My friends, you lived out the love of God with me. You didn't leave me to wallow in my self-pity and pain. My bloggy friend listened and as I shared, the pain started to work itself out. I am beginning to realize I'm not the one who lost in all this... I will be stronger because of this experience.
In John 16:33, Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Oh the pain. Truly, this situation has hurt me more than anything else I've ever experienced. But, Jesus has overcome the world. I can rejoice today as I choose not to stoop to new lows. I can rejoice today because I choose to let go. I can rejoice today because Jesus took this pain. He will use this experience to help someone else overcome a hurt. He will redeem this situation.
My heart is still heavy. That's okay -- God knows I will have trouble. My choice is to rejoice in Jesus. My choice is to trust in Him and experience the peace that only God can give.
Thank you, friends, for helping me climb out of the pit! Thank you for living out God's plan for friendship! I thank God for each and every one of you.
Love,
Karen
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4 comments:
What a blessing to have received encouragement from the Lord by way of a friend!
Praying your heart continues to be strengthened, day by day, and even when the pain rears it's ugly head, there will be friends surrounding you, ready with the soothing balm of the gospel. :-)
Thank you, LouAnne.
I can't imagine going through this life without the love and support of Christian friends. Real friends who point me back to God when I have trouble looking for Him myself. Friends who lift me up and intercede when I find it too hard.
My husband & I are going thru a painful time in our life-being falsely accused by "Christian" friends. It is so painful. I know forgiveness is the key & we do forgive but the hurt is so deep. We will pray with you & ask you pray for us.
Thanks for reminding me that forgiveness is something we have to choose to do and something we have to actively work at. It's not just something passive that happens on our own accord, we need to be seeking Jesus' strength.
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