I wrote this on my Xanga blog a couple years ago on
Thursday, April 28, 2005 after going
through some really tough things in my life and thought maybe it would
encourage others going through rough times in their life now. God is still working in me in similar ways,
just different circumstances. (some taken from the book I was reading)
Perfect Pruning….when gardener’s skillfully cut away
some branches, they are not removing beauty from the rose bush, they are
redistributing strength. Each cut helps the plant’s health and makes it
even more beautiful.
Pruning – it’s subtracting to add, wounding to heal.
That’s what God has been doing to me. He’s been taking parts of me away
(parts that aren’t helping me) so that He can grow me into something even more
beautiful, more beautiful than I could have been with all the unnecessary
parts. Although, it’s a painful process, and changing me is not easy, He does
it because He loves me. If he did not wound me so that He could heal me,
I wouldn’t grow to be the best He has for me…I wouldn’t be the beautiful plant
He intends.
God decreases our fullness to increase our
fruitfulness. Submitting to God’s pruning is painful. Yielding
requires persistent faith. We must hold tightly to God’s character with
tears in our eyes, while letting go of all else that we hold so dear. With
each cut,
God thins our lives in order to thicken our character.
And the neat thing is, He is trustworthy- we can trust Him to trim the ugly
edges- we can trust Him to hold tight to us when it’s hurting…
we’re in good
hands when we trust Him.
God’s been teaching me a lot, about
pruning, growing, and trusting.
“If God doesn’t
remove an obstacle, He’ll help you find a way around it.”
There are times when our hurts and fears can close our ears
to the hopeful words of God. But the Lord doesn’t stop speaking to us
when its’ hard for us to hear. He continues working on our behalf just as
he did in delivering His people from Egypt.
“When we
experience God’s compassion and His loving care, we begin to hear again, even
as the hurt continues to heal.”
“When we are wholly His, we will be more ourselves
than ever.” In this book I’m reading,
Strong Women, Soft
Hearts, God has speaking directly to my heart. Although, it’s been a
slow start, that’s what it takes for God to help me sink it in and truly make
it real in my life.
“Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give
you the desires of your heart.” I like how she explained the verse,
because at first it seems as though God is promising to give you anything you
want and to fulfill all your dreams – and in a sense, yes, but no. She
explains it well. A careful reading brings us closer to reality. If you
bring your heart to God, He will place His desire in you to such an extent that
your desire becomes His desire for you.” I love the thought of that,
although, it can be kind of scary too. Because that means you have to
trust God – trust Him completely; something I’m struggling with big time right
now. Each day, I let go a little more. Each day God brings me just
a little more of what I need: He brings a friend to me with encouraging
words; He brings a big hug from someone special, and a shoulder to cry
on. He brings songs with lyrics that speak right to my heart as if they
were written just for me, forgiveness and unconditional love. Just when I
need it, He’s there.
“How we see pain determines, in large part, the
life of our hearts.”
Desire
….so what do you want? That’s
a scary question, but at the same time hopeful. God wants us to desire
Him, but take a step back and look at what we really want….not in a selfish
way, but by looking at the desires that God has placed in our hearts.
Our
desire is not too much for Him to handle, too dangerous for us to explore, or
too petty to concern Him – He wants us to explore our desires – it’s
incredible!
What promises and encouragement God offers:
(And these are just a few of the many verses)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you
with my righteous right hand.” Is.41:10
“Now to Him who
is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his
power that is at work within us.” Eph.3:20
“If God is for us,
who can be against us?” Rom.8:31
“And we know that in all things, God works for the
good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His
purpose.” Rom.8:28
“Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving in
your heart, present your requests to God.” Phil.4:6
“…for I have
learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Phil. 4:11
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me.” Phil.4:13
“Since the day
we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill
you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and
understanding.” Col.1:9
“My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor.12:9
“…for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2
Cor.12:10
“He heals the
brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Ps.147:3
“He gives
strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths
grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the
Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they
will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Is.40:29-31
