If we could talk face to face I would tell you that I’ve missed you. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed normal. For two years I have had a new normal that has been everything but normal. It’s been a new way of life. Not understanding what is going on inside of me and in my circumstances is difficult. However, knowing that God is allowing it all is comforting. It can also cause a major struggle with patience, peace and my “big-picture mentality”. I would be lying if I didn’t say my faith has been tried, tested and shaken. It has. I wish I could say that it wasn’t, but it was, and is still. However, since I believe and am certain that God uses everything in our lives for good and it can be used for His glory then I cling to that. (Romans 8:28)
I can’t tell you all the ways my life has been challenging. I am not in the place to be able to understand all of it nor am I in a place to be able to put it into words. Maybe I won’t ever. What I can tell you is that our God is good even when life isn’t. God is good even when your health isn’t. God is faithful even when people aren’t. God loves you even when you feel others don’t. God is good even when you are faithless. God is faithful even when you are not. Bottom line; God is worth it. He is worth pain, sorrow, suffering, loneliness, helplessness, persecution and so many other adjectives I don’t have room to describe. He is worth the peace and joy that the Holy Spirit provides when life & health are reeling out of control.
His Word is Truth. Because this belief is buried so deep within me by the power of His Spirit then I can say– even when everything looked as if I was alone and without Him I could stand on His Truth. His Holy Truth that says:
I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
Nothing can separate me from His love. Romans 8:38-39
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Believe today my friend. BELIEVE, for this is Truth.
In His Love,
Lori
7-13-12
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No Gina, I am not leaving the ministry. At this time God has not called me away. I want to be faithful to serve Him in the hard times as well as the glorious times. I am sorry you have had a difficult time.
I pray you are depending on Him. I have an April 12-13th date set for Yukon. Thanks for asking!
Im sorry that you have been going through a rough time.I know how that is. You are not leaving the ministry? I sure hope not. When will you be speaking around Oklahoma City sometime soon?
Thank you Diane, Glenda and Debbs for your encouragement. He is a great God! Diane, I know you walk this daily. Blessings to you!
Lori, that was a much-needed word of encouragement today. I praise Him daily for being my Shelter, my Rock, my Deliverer, and I am grateful for the reminder, once again, that God has the big picture and is the actually the painter of the canvas that is our life. That is the comfort that holds us together when it seems only He can see the finished product. Thanks for your faithful life!
Thanks Lori …. Praise God His goodness and love for us does not depend on our circumstances. Thank you for your example of steadfastness even in the storm.
Thanks Lori for a great word of encouragement! He never changes. So what was true yesterday is still true today no matter what my circumstances look like!