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Author Topic: God Has a Plan Even in Our Mess  (Read 2914 times)
Janet Easson Martin
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« on: May 31, 2016, 08:08:17 pm »

God Has a Plan Even in Our Mess


Our Father in Heaven has a plan for US, even in our biggest messes. If you are needing encouragement or just reassurance of his passionate love for you, watch this short video by Dr. Tony Evans. Tap the link below:


http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=W7DYKGNX
« Last Edit: June 01, 2016, 10:31:19 am by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2021, 09:58:53 pm »


Be Still and Know that I Am God



Have to write this after seeing the spec-tac-u-lar Sight & Sound Theater perform “Queen Esther” today. The scenery was over-the-top. There was more detail and delight all around than I anticipated. Some of the singing and acting was on par with Broadway. But, the greatest part was the sure hope that God brings to our not so hopeful looking lives and circumstances played out on the stage. The reality is that everyone has a story that is important to God. And, that his promises bring comfort and healing when we choose to be Still and believe them.

If you’re someone who is moved by encouragement of the heart, disappointment turned into comfort, ruins grown into gardens, and loss molded into gain then you would be inspired by the faith and account of Esther. Her real life story starts out with tragedy as she is born an orphan. Adoption.org says “Esther was born around 492 B.C. Jewish tradition states that her father died before she was even born and her mother died during childbirth.” She was taken in by her uncle on her father’s side. Perhaps she didn’t have a “mother” in her life. She may have felt disappointment and grief over this lost figure. Her uncle’s faith and devotion to God likely modeled and taught her through scripture to rely on God. In disappointments too deep for her uncle to mend, she probably built a relationship with The Lord that greatly comforted her. She may have been despised by more than a few as she was a Hebrew living in “pagan” city in Persia. So, she already had several “counts” against her which could cause others to belittle her - she had no real mother or father (with perhaps no mother figure), she was young, she was a woman, she was living in a “foreign” land, and she was a Jew.

Each of us has “knocks” against us. We may have been significantly disappointed by or lost a parent. Things may have deeply wounded us along the way. We might have caused ruins ourselves, perhaps in relationships or other things. Whatever our loss should be, God is always available to us for forgiveness, sympathy, consolation, reassurance, supernatural strengthening and glorious healing. He was there for Esther and she chose to trust him. She was not disappointed. She was gloriously rewarded. He is just as much there for us.


Jesus is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8


By the way, these Sight & Sound Bible Productions can now be seen around the world on their new “Sight & Sound TV” channel on ROKU. Here are some peaks into the artistry and essence from Jesus Calling:

https://youtu.be/-0Qplg9u_i8





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For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2021, 08:51:57 pm »


God Has a Plan Even in This Mess

When Disappointment Causes Us to Doubt



There has been a book sitting my shelf for many years now that I have never really read. I found it at a Goodwill Store where a lot of good' gently used' books seem to reside. It was in 'almost new' condition and had a title that seemed would be useful. Today I opened it and began to read. So far it is better than I expected; way more understanding and compassionate than I imagined. It is not timid about addressing an often confusing reality. This very empathetic book is titled, "When God Doesn't Make Sense." Actually, the smaller print that precedes the main title says, "Holding on to your faith even ..." That full statement seems to be the consoling aim of its contents.

The author, Dr. James Dobson, doesn't look down upon those with small or great loss who in their hearts ask, "Why?" He is sympathetic with their confusion and anguish. What's very cool is that Tyndale Publishing has made the first 21 pages available as a PDF which I have included as a link below. So, I have pulled out some excerpts from his head-on first chapter for our encouragement, and to give you a taste of what may be a very helpful and insightful book that you also may want to read. I have emphasized some parts in bold print.


When God Doesn't Make Sense

My chief concern at this point, and the reason I have chosen to write this book, is for my fellow believers who are struggling with circumstances that don’t make sense. ... , I have found it common for those in crisis to feel great frustration with God. This is particularly true when things happen that seem illogical and inconsistent with what had been taught or understood. Then if the Lord does not rescue them from the circumstances in which they are embroiled, their frustration quickly deteriorates into anger and a sense of abandonment. Finally, disillusionment sets in and the spirit begins to wither.

It is a logical deduction in the eyes of a child: "If God is all-powerful and he knows everything then why would He let such a terrible thing happen to me? He must hate me."

... Many others come to believe the same satanic lie. In fact, the majority of us will someday feel a similar alienation from God. Why? Because those who live long enough will eventually be confronted by happenings they will not understand. That is the human condition. Let me say it again: It is an incorrect view of Scripture to say that we will always comprehend what God is doing and how our suffering and disappointment fit into His plan. Sooner or later, most of us will come to a point where it appears that God has lost control—or interest—in the affairs of people. It is only an illusion, but one with dangerous implications for spiritual and mental health. Interestingly enough, pain and suffering do not cause the greatest damage. Confusion is the factor that shreds one’s faith. ...

It is the absence of meaning that makes their situation so intolerable. As such, their depression over a sudden illness or the tragic death of a loved one can actually be more severe than that experienced by the nonbeliever who expected and received nothing. It is not uncommon to hear a confused Christian express great agitation, anger, or even blasphemy. This confused individual is like a little girl being told by her divorced father that he will come to see her. When Daddy fails to show up, she suffers far more than if he had never offered to come.

The key word here is expectations. They set us up for disillusionment. There is no greater distress in human experience than to build one’s entire way of life on a certain theological understanding, and then have it collapse at a time of unusual stress and pain. A person in this situation faces the crisis that rattled his foundation. Then, like little Chris, he must also deal with the anguish of rejection. The God whom he has loved, worshiped, and served turns out to appear silent, distant, and uncaring in the moment of greatest need. Do such times come even to the faithful? Yes, they do, although we are seldom willing to admit it within the Christian community. ...

Eventually, however, Job reached a point of despair. This man of towering strength who had coped with sickness, death, and catastrophic loss soon faced a circumstance that threatened to overwhelm him. It emanated, strangely enough, from his inability to find God. He went through a time when the presence of the Almighty was hidden from view. More important, God wouldn’t talk to him. ...

And most of us don’t handle our difficulties as well as Job or David. When the heat is on and confusion mounts, some believers go through a horrendous spiritual crisis. They “lose God.” Doubt rises up to obscure His presence and disillusionment settles into despair. ... This sense of abandonment is a terrible experience for someone whose entire being is rooted in the Christian ethic. Satan then drops by for a little visit and whispers, “He is not there! You are alone!”




'When God Doesn't Make Sense", First 21 Pages PDF from Tyndale
https://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-0-8423-8227-4.pdf

Link to Book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/When-God-Doesnt-Make-Sense/dp/1414371152



« Last Edit: October 04, 2021, 07:38:39 am by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2021, 09:18:26 pm »


God Has a Plan Even in Our Mess

Tragedy is Unexplainable from Our Perspective



As I thought about Dobson's book, "When God Doesn't Make Sense," today I recalled one and then another "famous" believer who have suffered unspeakable tragedy in their lives. Both involving beloved immediate family who were suddenly and accidentally killed. I shudder to even put in simple sentences what singer and songwriter, Steven Curtis Chapman, and the Chapman family has survived. Probably most know that one of their older children driving a sports vehicle accidentally killed their youngest child in their driveway while two little sisters watched. I cannot imagine the pain and confusion and potential chaos they experienced. I've not understood things God allowed in my life, but no things to that extent.

Another similar story is of Christian author Ann Voskamp, whose little sister was accidentally killed by a delivery truck near her home while her mother watched. The grief and despair her parents devastatingly suffered, and the apparent depression even Ann experienced seemed to motivate her to seek and practice trusting God in the absence of visible "answers" or "miraculous" healing. As a result, she eventually published her journey in her book, "One Thousand Gifts." Then, this past spring Ann's father was killed. She wrote on her Instagram, "My dear Dad was killed this past week the same way our sister was — both killed under a farm tire in the same farmyard."

These two people’s experiences cause us sadness in just reading about them. Living them is beyond words. Some faithful and astounding words of Jesus to Peter come to mind:


"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat."

Luke 22:31    



The word "sift" in the scripture above means 'to shake in a sieve by inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow' according to Thayers Greek Lexicon. This does not appear to fit into our envisioning of God's good plans for us. That is why you and I must walk by faith and not by sight. This is something I too often forget when facing very difficult trials. Let's not let Satan insidiously deceive us into believing his lie that 'God doesn't really care about us or he hates us.' The truth is:



Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

Isaiah 40:11



You may also be lifted up by this music:

I AM the Good Shepherd - Fernando Ortega
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCquvT9W5sk



« Last Edit: October 05, 2021, 06:47:47 pm by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2021, 08:24:06 pm »


God Has a Plan Even in Our Mess

Encouragement from the Experienced



This Christian author has wealth of authentic encouragement on her photo art website and in her books. Her deep and uplifting writing seems to arise out of suffering she has walked through and the deep and real consolation she has experienced from trusting God when faith didn’t come easily and brokenness became her friend. This particular article was written about the “underground” comfort from church family after her dad was accidentally and tragically killed under a farm tractor. The hope and strength she received from church friends with their support is an indespensible benefit we all need in good and bad times. Here’s a clip from her article on her website and the link to the full below.


“Though we are daily facing our own hardships, though we may feel like the dreams and hopes for our life, our calling, our relationships, may have been unexpectedly cut down, sense it right now, wherever you unexpectedly find yourself, THIS IS TRUE:

You are not alone. No matter what things look like, no matter what looks dead, no matter what seems like a stump of all kinds of dreams: You are going to be okay, you are going to thrive, you are going to flourish, you’re going to rise from this floor.

Christ grafts Himself to you to steady you, stabilize you, sustain you through His Word and through all the gloriously real resources of Christ, the God-Man who hung on the tree, all of His resources are available to you.”



From. Ann Voskamp’s Blog, The Miraculous (underground) Secret We All Need to Get Through Pain
https://annvoskamp.com/2021/09/the-miraculous-underground-secret-we-all-need-to-get-through-pain/



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For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2021, 10:30:54 am »


God Has a Plan Even in Our Mess:

CALM from Max Lucado




Searching ‘Max Lucado’ on YouTube this morning I found this extremely helpful message. He seems so much like Jesus in his humility, patience, and care toward God’s people. There is no proud pious attitude. There is no talking down. There is no condemnation. His biblical message is delivered as if Jesus were sympathizing with our givenness to anxiety and worry, but so desiring to deliver us from a continuing state of disturbance by it.

The premise throughout is lifting your eyes up to your help rather staring at and meditating upon your mess. Max Lucado expounds on Philippians 4:6-9 to administer God’s practical prescription for anxiety that continually harasses us. He summarizes each step with the useful acronym CALM. Here is his message of deliverance:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j8TCYIZ7gbo



6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9


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For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2022, 10:29:47 am »


Crushing Pours Out Christlikeness



I have had seasons where I was resistant to even God’s wrinkling of my schedule or strategy. I have had too many seasons of resistance to his divine splintering of my mapped out program; altering or sometimes crumbling of my visions. Other times when I have faith that he has something better and higher when my schemes are thwarted, I am rewarded with that supernatural peace that passes understanding and closer Christlikeness. I am never disappointed with the divine master plan he works. I must remember that momentary crushing is necessary and far worth the glory that is poured out.

This very uplifting and rich message on bowing to our temporary troubles assures us that God is truly working behind the scenes to lead us to our greater purpose, and that he hasn’t abandoned us.



Your Suffering Leads to Your Purpose / Crushing / TD Jakes

https://youtu.be/MicG5m0EdJU


« Last Edit: February 22, 2022, 06:54:20 pm by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2022, 08:14:50 pm »


Grateful Musings



As my sister and I are now less than a decade away from the age one of our parents declined significantly in short term memory loss and comprehension, we are looking at the beginning of what may be a similar pattern in our own strange experiences. We were comparing notes of self-examination to analyze what realistically may be ahead for us, and how long we might have left to have to live with a normally functioning memory. We started discussing some proactive measures like writing a letter to our loved ones while we can still think straight.


The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.

Lamentations 3:22



Then, my sister shared a great point of view -instead of focusing on being fearful or sad about the very possible shrinking number of cognitive years left, we should concentrate on the abundance we have been given throughout our lifetime - of time, relationships, people, gifts, experiences, places, etc. What a solution to what appears to be current and future loss! To concern ourselves with the tremendous gain we have received. This is what I will be intentionally recalling - thinking on the infinite blessings for which I can thank the One who sent them. I can redirect those thoughts of a “diminished future life” to grateful musings of my past and present.


Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

James 1:17


As I meditated upon this pivotal mindset I feel God has been laying upon my heart (in different ways) to pursue as I face an unknown and future (short of my perfected memory for all eternity) I was reminded of Ann Voskamp’s life-changing pursuit of recognizing abundance, in response to her experience and memories of great loss and pain. Her book that has helped thousands of people is called, “One Thousand Gifts.” A list that began as a friend’s challenge became a healing direction and path that lifted her out of a seemingly hopeless pit. The link to this book and her blogsite is below:


One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live...

https://annvoskamp.com/one-thousand-gifts-book/


« Last Edit: March 23, 2022, 04:59:38 pm by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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