A Thankful Heart: Why It's Time To Clean Up

The title alone scares me.  God has a word for me today, and I'm not liking it.  He wants me to get clean.  Outside of the normal house-cleaning stuff, He wants me to go deeper still.  There are hidden things deep inside that He wants me to get rid of.  Throw off the baggage that I lug around daily.  

If you are anything like me, you have to-do lists, parental requirements and daily life that dominate each waking moment of your day.  At the end of the day, the things that didn't get done get moved to tomorrow's list.  And it is never-ending.  

Add to that, the noise of social media clamoring for our undivided attention and cluttering our hearts and our minds.  It's a constant reminder that in ourselves, WE are not enough.  We can look at our friends pictures on Instagram and they appear to have it together.  "You need to get it together like them", you hear.  On Facebook, the happy statuses that tell of all the great things going on in lives around us.  "Your life isn't as perfect as theirs", you hear.  On Twitter, the community that hasn't gotten to know you yet feels so distant to you.  "You will never fit in, you hear".  

The thing is, nothing is ever as it appears.  And, though we may not ever be enough, God is.  And the other thing is, In Christ, we ARE enough.  The challenge God has presented to me is to clean out the clutter, physical, emotional, and mental clutter.  This is not just a clean your house kind of clean, but a clean your heart kind.  

It's time to clean out the noise and fill it with the peace and tranquility that can only come from time with the Lord.  He desires that for you.  He desires to be the One you seek when you are looking to fill those gaping holes with "something".  Clutter only happens when we don't feel like we have enough.  What would happen if we realized we have enough IN HIM?  

I encourage you today to seek Him out and ask Him to fill those holes in your life that you've been trying to fill with the clutter of social media, games, clothes, just stuff that can't fill the God-sized hole in your heart.  This is a big deal for me.  I've already taken Facebook and Candy Crush off my phone.  I'm limiting the amount of time I have on each social media site, and will not be playing anymore games (i.e. time wasters).  I will not even get on social media until I've had time alone with Him first.  Not only do I not want to fill myself with noise, but I don't want to add to it until I've heard from Him first.  

Will you take this challenge with me?

Father, I lay these things at your feet.  You are so good to me, and I don't want to replace you with the things that are not so good to me as you are.  I want time with you, and I want my focus and my attention to be set upon you, not on what other people have to say.  I ask for forgiveness in the areas where I have let my heart be set upon anything other than you alone.  Thank you for your mercy, which is new every morning!  Thank you for loving me with an everlasting love.  I ask you to change me and renew me as I set myself apart right now to be consecrated to you.  In Jesus Name, Amen!

A Thankful Heart: Knowing God's Will

Knowing God's will for my life has always been at the forefront of all my thoughts and actions.  Constantly questioning, is this where God wants me, what does God want me to do in this situation, or in the grander view of life itself?  I've struggled with knowing the perfect will of God for my life.  I want to know the "big picture" before I start.  I need a list and a plan.  But, that's not how God works.  

Romans 12:1-2 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

This verse was memorized by the discipleship class from my youth group days.  My youth pastor did a wonderful job of getting the word in us, growing us in God.  When I first memorized this verse, I was in a stage in life that I was trying to learn as much about God as I could.  I wanted to be transformed by his word as verse two says.  However, as I've been meditating on this verse over the past few months, I've focused on the second part of this verse : "that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."  

When we spend time in God's word, allowing it to transform us, then we will be able to discern God's will for our lives.  He's there, waiting for us to grasp on to Him and His word so He can lead us and guide us into His perfect will.  

We won't just accidentally fall into God's will by being at the right place at the right time.  We need to know His word to know His will for us.  Renew your mind, know your destiny.  This is going to be my word for a while as the renewing process takes time and effort.  I believe God's word is rich with vision, provision, instruction, life and hope.  

Have you been questioning God about your next step, future, or the grand plan?  Consider hiding the word in your heart.  Your spirit will be more in tune with the Holy Spirit when you have the word in you.  We know for sure that God will never lead us to do something that is contrary to his word.  We also know that He has given us spiritual gifts to be used for His glory.  What are your spiritual gifts?  How can you use them for Him, either at your local church, in small group, or even in your community?  That is always a good place to start. 

I guarantee, once you step out in faith to do something for Him, you will know if it's God's will for you.  This is my testimony on this subject.  About a year ago, I was really struggling with what God would have me "do".  I was faithful to going to church and small group, but I really wanted more.  I ran into a friend who is the director of a local non-profit.  She needed volunteers for their Christmas outreach, and I was available for a couple of days to do that.  Once I was there, I instantly knew that was where God wanted me to serve.  See, I'm not gifted in working with children, music, or many other church operations, but I saw the need at Lighthouse and knew I had a gift that could be used there.  

After my couple of days around Christmas, I started volunteering there one day a week while my youngest was in pre-school.  My "job" was to work the front desk, create flyers and other office related things, and it was right up my alley.  It was the first time in years that I really knew I was right exactly where God wanted me to be.  I wish I could explain all of this right in front of you.  You could see that I have tears in my eyes because of His goodness to me, and because of His faithfulness to lead me.  All I had to do was get in His word, be still and listen to His leading.

From the archives (before blogging) journal entry dated 2/1999:  

God has provided resources and the ability for us to make responsible decisions regarding His will for our lives.

1.  God has provided His general will through His word.  We know through His word that we are called to love and lead people to Jesus, not ourselves.

2.  Prayer is vital for knowing God's will.  Prayer time is not just us communicating with God our needs, but Him communicating to us His will.  When you pray, you must allow time for God to talk to you, too.  Matthew 7:7 - Ask, seek and knock and it will be given, you will find, and it will be opened.  

3.  Seek out godly counsel.  God has gifted men and women to counsel others in life.  This is not someone who will tell you what to do, but instead, someone who will help you see the wisdom in your own choice as you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

4.  Life circumstances will help you realize God's purpose for your life.  Sometimes we end up where we are by our own choices, but sometimes God is leading us right where we are.  We can look back and see His orchestration throughout our lives.

5.  The Holy Spirit will help you know the will of God for your life by the peace it brings.  

Be blessed friends!

A Thankful Heart: So Happy Together

Linking up with Lisa Jo Baker and a bunch of other fabulous bloggers today over at Five Minute Friday.  Please go check it out and join us.  You will be blessed.  Today's word prompt is "Together".  

Go.

I can't see me lovin' nobody but you
For all my life
When you're with me, baby the skies'll be blue
For all my life

Me and you and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice, it has to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together

(my favorite part of "Happy Together" by the Turtles)

A little over 12 years ago, we said "I Do" through good times and bad, happy and sad, we would do life, together.  We have been through the highest highs and the lowest lows together. We have laughed together, cried together, prayed together, worshipped together, parented together, grown together and loved together. 

There is not one other person in this world that could do life together with me the way Todd does.  He gets the deepest part of me, laughs with me (and at me), and loves me more fully than I sometimes deserve.  Nothing could define "together", for me, more than us... together.

stop.

A Thankful Heart: Waiting

Our computer caught a virus last week, so I've been unable to write here, check email, catch up on Facebook and other things I like to do on the computer.  I have been able to use my phone, but it just isn't the same.  Honestly, I won't write an email on my phone because it takes too long. Plus, my phone is having it's own issues lately, so I feel a bit disconnected.  During this, my husband has worked long hours, and has come home to try to fix the computer issues.  All of our microsoft office is wiped out, and he's been trying to reinstall it.  It has been a long wait.

"...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; 

they shall run and not be weary;

  they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

I was reminded of waiting this morning.  My 4 year old goes to preschool on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Every morning, he runs up to the doors and swings it wide open and holds it until everyone he can see has entered.  Most mornings I rush him saying "that's enough" or "let's go" or "hurry".  It's usually because mommy has things to do, people to see, places to go because I'm just that "important".  

This morning, though, God quickened in my heart that I needed to learn from Jacob's servant heart.  Too often, I'm so caught up in my own little world that I can't see the world around me that needs more servants.  Jacob is naturally wild and funny, exuberant is probably a good word to describe this boy.  He loves fully and is the most confident little boy I know.  

I realized this morning that I am an instrument in the Father's hands as a mother.  He has given this child to me, not only for me to teach and train him, but also for me to learn and grow from watching him.  God's hand is on Jacob.  I don't want to be so busy moving and going that I get too impatient or just plain forget to wait.  Waiting is not just sitting around doing nothing.  Waiting is also serving.  The definition of wait is "to stay in place in expectation of" and "to serve".  My prayer is that my heart will lean toward waiting both in service and expectation.  

Father, thank you for lessons in our daily life.  Help us to keep our eyes open for you moving day to day all around us.  Help us to see where you are teaching and correcting us and to make the right changes in our own lives to live more fully in you.  Thank you for giving us new hope and renewal of expectation in you.  Thank you for giving me my children and for using them to teach me when I need to lean into you more.  I pray that you would create in me a clean heart, and renew the right spirit within me.  Thank you for loving me so much to give me a lively boy such as Jacob.  In Jesus Name, Amen!

A Thankful Heart: For Discouraging Days

You're not good enough.

Your kids aren't well behaved.

Your words are worthless, you're blog will never be read.

You don't amount to much.

Nobody needs you.

Nobody has time for you.

You're not very smart.

Have you ever heard these words, whether verbally or internally?  These are words from the enemy.  They are dream stealers, life deflaters, hope hijackers.  There is so much discouragement in this world, so much that runs through our minds, and much that the enemy is ready to throw into our face.  It's not just these kinds of dialogues that can throw us off our faith-walk, but even every day circumstances.  A parent is hospitalized, a child is going through social issues at school, a spouse needs to have surgery, the car needs to be repaired.  It can be overwhelming.  This is what God promises for those days of discouragement: 

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."  Isaiah 59:19b (KJV)

The word standard in this verse is translated from the original Hebrew as "put to flight, to drive hastily, to cause to disappear, hide".  The standard that God will raise against our enemy is to drive him out, and cause him to disappear or hide.  I don't know about you, but that gives me hope.  The discouragement that tries to wage war with our hope, our faith in Him, has no ground to stand on.  

Don't let your hope get hijacked by a passing thought that you are not good enough, or that you aren't worth much, or any other lie.  Instead, feast on what God's word says about you.  You are a child of the Most High God!  (1John 3:1)  His word says He thinks about you. (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139:17, Psalm 40:5).  He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)  He loves you with an everlasting love.  (Jeremiah 31:3)  He will finish what He's started in you.  (Philippians 1:6, 1Thessalonians 5:24).  Find your promises in Him, find your worth in Him.  Your life will change, I promise.  As those doubts and thoughts try to creep in, you can draw on your reservoir of hope through the faith that you have built up in Him.

Father, I lift up every person going through discouragement and disappointment today.  We will bless you, Lord, with every thought and purpose our hearts to know you more.  We lay down our burdens at your feet, Lord Jesus, and choose to release all the wrongs done toward us, all the frustrations we've brought upon ourselves and give it all over to you.  We choose today to think on things that are true, worthy, honorable, just, pure, lovely and kind.  Whatever has virtue and excellence, Father, we will think on these things because they do not go against what you think of us.  I praise you and thank you for your goodness and mercy that continually follow us!  In Jesus' Name, Amen!

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A Thankful Heart: When You Get Quiet In Him

When I was about 7, my uncle got a chicken out of his backyard, and took an ax to it's throat.  I will never forget it because the thing that bothered me was, not that the blood was everywhere but, that the beak was still opening and closing and the body was still running around.  Hence the phrase, running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.  

From September through January, we are bombarded with back to school, birthday parties, class holiday parties, work holiday parties, visiting family, family visiting us, and the list goes on. On top of all of those requirements, life happens, the car breaks down, someone is sick, unexpected things that cause us to lose our focus.  It can be overwhelming because it's so easy to get caught up in the noise.  It's easy to lose our daily focus of time with the Lord over finishing a project or getting ready to go, go, go.  

It doesn't have to be that way for us.  No, instead, we can prioritize our day or our life around our time with God.  When we choose to get quiet with God, whether it's early morning or late at night, we can hear His still, small voice.  We can stay in step with Him, thus knowing which direction we are going.  In the midst of all the chaos going on, it's time for us to step back. Take a deep breath in God's word for you, and let it seep into every vein until it is so deep within that you have a quiet resolve that He is ordering your steps.

Sometimes it's our quiet submission to the Lord that echoes loudest. The quiet resolve to follow him that cause mountains to move. That shouts to people around us "I believe NOTHING is impossible for God."  That faith building assurance that he is in your midst.

He desires that relationship with you, and it really puts all of life's chaos into perspective and brings the ultimate peace.  Let me encourage you to make time in your day to spend with Jesus.  Read a devotional, memorize a scripture, pray, study His word, whatever you can do to draw near to Him, do it.  Friend, He loves you and longs to quiet you with His love.

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

Father, thank for rejoicing over us with gladness and giving us quiet assurance by your great love.  Thank you for loving us through our chaos.  Teach us to do your will, to stay in step with you and go in the direction you would have us go.  Open our eyes throughout our crazy day to see the people around us who need to see you through us.  Thank you for choosing us!  Thank you for your Spirit, which bears witness with our spirit that we are your children, Father God.  I love you, Lord!  Thank you for your quiet love.  In Jesus' Name, Amen!

A Thankful Heart: Anything But Ordninary

Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker again today for Five Minute Friday.  Go check out her page to get more info on the whole linking up bit!  Today's word prompt is Ordinary.

Go.

This week, this month, the past few months, they have all been anything but ordinary.  They have been extraordinary in ways I couldn't have imagined in both good and the not so good.  Through both extremes, and extremes of emotions, I have felt the presence of God, and seen His faithfulness.  

For the past 4+ years, I have met with a small group of ladies for bible study on Friday mornings.  I love my little group.  There are days when we share our battle stories and cheer each other on, give advice or whatever is appropriate for the mood that day.  It is anything but ordinary.

God's word is alive and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.  That is anything but ordinary.  But here is the extraordinary thing about it.  He wants His word alive in you.  He desires for us to be so acquainted with His word that it is our first reference point for whatever good or bad life throws at us.  

Here is the best part.  Sometimes God's word comes so alive in us that we start to share it.  He speaks to us through His word, and we dwell on it, and it becomes like our very breath.  In order to live we must breathe, and in order to live more fully in Him, we must breathe in His word.  And you know what?  Sometimes, when we start to share what's so extraordinary inside us, it can sometimes feel very ordinary.  The thing is, it's anything but ordinary.

Stop.

Please join us for this weekly link up!  You  will be challenged and stretched beyond your wildest dreams.

A Thankful Heart: Such Grace

I have had a heavy heart for a couple of weeks.  The difference this time around is that I have hope.  God has been stirring up hope in my heart at the same time.  I'm not going through depression with all of life's overwhelming issues, instead, my heart just feels heavy.  

I learned of the passing of a former church friend.  She was older than I, actually, older than my parents.  I knew her, but did not know her well.  I knew her children well.  This was probably the 5th person I knew this week who went to be with the Lord.  None of them close, but still affecting me in some way or another.  At the same time, a dear friend of mine made a decision to have proactive surgery, a major one at that.  Another friend was in crisis mode and needed some sound advice.  My father-in-law has been in and out of the hospital for the past few months.  My husband had outpatient surgery today, and I had to have a second physical exam after the first one was insufficient.  On top of all this, I haven't had girl time since I don't know when.

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.  

2 Peter 1:2

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.  Titus 2:11

The point of all this is that life feels overwhelming sometimes.  There was a point that all of this would have drowned me because I tend to take on the burdens of others.  Now, though, I have learned to God's grace has covered me time and again.  I have come to confidently believe that He is always with me, never leaves me, nor forsakes me.  

Such grace is freely given, all we have to do is believe it and receive it.  What is overwhelming you today? Why don't you let His grace wash over you, and rest in the knowledge that He is right there with you.  Lean into Him and let His arms cover whatever is worrying you.  He holds you in the palm of His hand.  The Holy Spirit gives us gentle reminders to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus.  It's not always easy, but once we learn to do it, a tremendous weight is lifted off our shoulders.  We are not meant to carry the weights we sometimes like to pick up.  Leave them there at His feet today.

Father, I lift up all of my sweet friends to you today.  I know some who are dealing with things that seem impossible.  Thank you, God, for the promise that all things are possible with you.  I ask you to take their impossible situations and turn them around for your glory.  I pray for peace to wash over them right now in the midst of their chaos, and I thank you for the Prince of Peace. Lord, let our bad circumstances and heaviness of life be used to glorify your goodness and faithfulness.  In Jesus' Name, Amen!

A Thankful Heart: M.A.S.H.ing It Up

There was a game that we played as young girls.  I'm sure a lot of girls from the 80's played it.  It was called M.A.S.H.  It stood for Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House.  There were different versions, and some would add more categories than others.  We played it so that it included boys, jobs, cities and cars.  All the important things in life... or were they?

 

 

Of course, now as an adult, these things are trivial - will you live in a mansion, apartment, shack or house?  Will you drive a corvette, Mercedes, Jaguar or other luxury car?  Those things are all extras in a life that is determined to live for God.  In the grand scheme of life, what we drive, wear, do for a living or where we live are not matters of eternity.  It takes growth to realize this.  We can strive and strive to fill our driveways and homes with the finest of things, but until we surrender it all to God, we will never really fully enjoy them.

To understand the difference of this fantasy game with God given dreams requires us to spend time with Him.  I believe immature Christians are not just new believers, but believers with a "me" mindset.  Their prayers often revolve around "God give me..."  Maybe our greatest blessings come in the midst of serving God.  We find our greatest joys in serving Him, worshipping Him, spending time with Him.  There is nothing like being in the presence of the Lord, and nothing can substitute for it no matter how hard we try.

How many times have we tried to substitute God's presence with our goals, our dreams, our fantasies?  We just can't do it.  Nothing else fits the God-sized hole left in us when He's not filling it.  Let me encourage you to evaluate your M.A.S.H. dreams and determine if they are bringing you closer to God or pushing you further away.  What if we changed M.A.S.H. to mean something more?  Ministry, Adoration, Supplication, Hymns.  Wouldn't it be something if our prayers shifted from fulfilling our selfish desired to filling God's desires for us?

Let's try to forget our fantasies, and instead, ask God for His dreams for us.  God, what would you have us do?  Where would you have us serve?  Not everything lines up with my M.A.S.H. dreams today.  We can choose to dwell in the disappointment of those failed dreams, or choose to align ourselves with the One who gives us dreams.

Father, there are areas in our lives that are discouraging and disappointing to us.  You know those well.  You know us for you formed us, and knitted us together.  We lay those disappointments and discouragements at your feet.  We ask you to take those things and redeem them for us, and give us dreams and vision for our lives.  We pray that you would ignite in us a passion for serving you fully.  We desire You, God.  We desire to spend time in your word, in fellowship with you.  Father, heal our broken hearts, mend those places that seem irreparable.  We love you, Lord.  We honor you today, and we thank you for your goodness and mercy.  In Jesus' Name, Amen!
 

A Thankful Heart: Life Through God-Lenses

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39

God doesn't see us through rose-colored glasses.  Instead, He sees us through Christ colored glasses.  He sees us justified, in Him.  He doesn't see us sin stained, but blood washed through the blood of Christ.  The cross' shadow covers our deepest and darkest sins, regrets, mistakes or whatever we think keeps us from God's loving grace.  

The truth is that we don't have to earn His love, His grace, or anything.  There is nothing we can do to merit God's mercy.  The only thing required of us is to trust Him fully, love Jesus, and leave the saving part to Him.  Nothing we do will save us.  That is the great gift we have in Him.  

The works of our hands are only in response to honor Him and show others how wonderful His grace is.  We don't live a certain lifestyle because it's what makes God happy.  Rather, we live that life, the God honoring life, because it honors the One who saved us and redeemed us.  

I think about when my kids draw me a picture.  They aren't trying to earn my love.  Instead, because of my love for them, they respond by the work of their hands.  It's the same way in our relationship with God.  When we understand fully that God loves us, and sees us as forgiven, as washed with the blood, we will serve Him more fully.  It's not because we are trying to earn our way, but in response to His love.  We want to show love to those we believe love us.

And, we know He loves us.  Oh, How He loves us.  His love goes deeper, wider, longer, higher and further than anything we could imagine, and nothing can separate us from His great love. Friend, what if we dared to believe God for that kind of life?  To see others as God sees them? Could we do it?  I believe we can.  Who in your life needs a little extra TLC?  Who is the most difficult person for you to love?  Dare to believe that God can work through you to love them and see them as He does.

Father, how we love you.  We honor you!  We choose to believe you and take you at your word.  We know you have loved us, first.  You love us with an everlasting love.  You have removed our sin as far as east is from the west.  Thank you for your mercy and loving-kindness.  Thank you for loving us past our transgressions and through Christ.  We know nothing can separate us from your love.  Help us to show that love to everyone we come across.  Give us merciful hearts, kind words, and remind us of your love for us so we can see others through Christ-colored glasses like you do.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

A Thankful Heart: Ready to Write

Linking up with Five Minute Friday once again.  Every Friday, a group of brave bloggers join together at Lisa-Jo's place for a link up party.  We write for five minutes flat without editing.  The word prompt for this Friday is "Write".

Go.

Since I was in my late teens, I enjoyed writing.  I helped some of my fellow students write their big papers for our Senior English class because I enjoyed it so much.  In my early twenties, I started writing poetry.  That poetry meant a great deal to me, and I miss it.  Somewhere along the way, I got married, had kids, and the writing fell by the wayside.  In 10 years time, I had about 15 journal entries, countless other journals started and lost, and two small journals for my boys for when they grow up.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” 

― Maya Angelou

My heart longs to write.  It longs to draw the reader in.  But, I've felt empty for words most days. The in and out of life tugging at my heart, my mind and my soul.  The ups and downs of having two young boys.  The day to day struggle to fully understand my worth in Christ.  I have stories, but I have no editing abilities.  Once I start editing, I end up with a blank page again.    

There are probably 10 "draft" stage posts in my blog that I haven't been able to finish.  I am inspired, but the words seem to dry up as I start writing.  When I'm feeling empty, sometimes, I can start writing letters to friends and it stirs up that fountain.  Writing encouragement to others is what I do best.  That is what I want my blog to be.  That is what I want my life to be - an encouragement.  Even when I feel like my voice is not heard, I want to write.  

Dear Lord, let my writing be pleasing to you, and point every reader to your Grace.  Let me honor you in all I write and say.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Stop.

A Thankful Heart: Hope Does Not Put To Shame

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Romans 5:3-5 

Heartbreak, illness, disappointment, discouragement are all forms of suffering.  There are so many other ways that people suffer.  The verse today leads us to hope.  Hope is the word of the month for me.  And, it seems as I dive more into realizing how much hope God desires for me, the bigger the battle has become to hold onto it.  Circumstances all around me try to shift my focus off Him, and I've had to really press in to avoid the distractions.  

The promise here is that through these sufferings or hardships, we learn to endure.  The definition of endure is "to remain firm without yielding; to not give in; to bear with patience."  We grow in patience, and learn to stand firm in our faith through hardships that life brings.  I know there are some people who don't believe we will have hardships or suffering in life, but the Word of God is pretty clear on the subject.  

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

The truth is that God is not burdening us with suffering.  We live in a fallen world, we make poor choices and deal with the consequences.  Sometimes, it's by the choices of others that we suffer, but God is the giver of life.  I believe He can still do amazing things through the ruins in our lives if we would just yield ourselves to Him.  

Our character is then developed through learning to have patience, and remain firm in our faith without yielding.  Some of the most beautiful women I have ever met in my life were women well into their years that had developed godly character.  They had lived many marvelous years in the Lord where their faith was strengthened, where they endured.  They had character that was beyond the norm.  I loved watching them as they endured hardships, but still gave thanks and loved the Lord with all their heart.  It was from watching them and recalling their stories that I realized that their character produced hope.  Hope that would say this is not your home; you are not of this world.  Hope that would say to them that God loved them deeper still.  This kind of hope is not learned, it's earned.  We can't obtain this hope through reading about it, but experiencing the amazing grace of our precious Lord and Savior.  

Hope does not put us to shame.  Matthew Henry's commentary words it like this:

"it is a hope that will not deceive us. Nothing confounds more than disappointment. Everlasting shame and confusion will be caused by the perishing of the expectation of the wicked, but the hope of the righteous shall be gladness, Prov. 10:28. See Ps. 22:5; 71:1.  It is in a good cause, for a good Master, and in good hope; and therefore we are not ashamed. Because the love of God is shed abroad. This hope will not disappoint us, because it is sealed with the Holy Spirit as a Spirit of love. It is the gracious work of the blessed Spirit to shed abroad the love of God in the hearts of all the saints. Sense of God’s love to us will make us not ashamed, either of our hope in him or our sufferings for him."

Friend, hope is around the corner of your suffering.  Don't despair, He is right there with you in the pits.  He never leaves you, nor forsakes you.  Let me encourage you to study Romans 5, and find the God of hope, the One who wants to fill your cup up with hope again and again.  Your hope in Christ will not put you to shame, but it will redeem you!