Tuesday, June 29, 2010

In Other Words Tuesday



We are linking up with Kathryn today at expectant hearts, please join us. Today's quote is: “Sufferers want to be ministered to by people who have suffered. They are suspicious of people who appear to live lives of ease. He (God) has given a role to messy, wimpy people like me. He has made us His ambassadors of reconciliation, and suffering gives us credibility with a hurting world, and demonstrates God’s sufficiency to meet our needs.”

by Stephen F. Saint in his essay,
“Sovereignty, Suffering, and the Work of Missions”: Wow, what a quote. One I feel I truly relate to. I am definitely a messy, wimpy kind of girl. I have had my share of trials, just like all of you have. No clean, untouched life for me, and I am so glad. What can you learn from a perfect, untouched life? Not much. But, take a life filled with pain, trials, walking in the fire moments, and what can you learn? Well, let me tell you a few things I have learned. Endurance, courage, faith, strength, and love beyond belief. Those are just a few things I have learned. I would not take anything for my life's journey. I praise God that I did not have a life of ease, for it was in the pit dwelling moments of my life, when I became the closest to my Father. When we walked in the fire together, we grew together. I want to share my Jesus with this hurting world,and show them that there is only one true way, and that is through Him. If I can do that by sharing my scars from all of my battles, praise God, that is what I will do.

18 comments:

Karen said...

You are a blessing and an ambassador for Jesus Christ.

Cranberry Morning said...

Amen. And we also have to be careful not to misjudge others who 'seem' to have it altogether, 'seem' to have that perfect life. Many are hurting on the inside who never show it on the outside.

luvmy4sons said...

Oh a sweet amen to this! And a great big hug for you!

Diana Ferguson said...

Amen, my friend!

Andrea said...

Blessings,
andrea

Karen said...

How wonderful. My friend before he died from his cancer said he thanked God for it because it indeed brought him closer to God. He was a great source of comfort for me when I needed it the most.

More Than Words said...

Another wonderful devotion. I'm so glad that the Lord is with me through all my trials.

Shelby and Bev said...

i am god's messy girl too...
xo

Grace on the Narrow Path said...

I agree with Cranberry Morning. It is often I look at others and say to myself Wow, they have it all. I often wonder how. God just deters my heart and I even though it all may seem perfect we all hurt and need the Lord.
I love you, Denise.
Your sister in Christ,
Bren

DJ at The Quiet Quill said...

"I praise God that I did not have a life of ease, for it was in the pit dwelling moments of my life, when I became the closest to my Father."

What a beautiful statement. And so true. It is in our darkest moments, that our heavenly Father is the brightest. When we are weak, He is strong.

Thank you for participating today.

Connie Arnold said...

Those who are suffering can certainly best be ministered to by those who also have suffered. Jesus knows so well what it is to suffer and can comfort as well as heal those who suffer.

Saleslady371 said...

You share Jesus very well with others. During lunch I was listening to Ruth Graham on the radio and she, too, said people want to read books by others who have suffered pain and can relate.

Rachel @ Finding Joy said...

Thank you for a heartfelt post.

Cathy said...

Beautiful, my sweet friend ~ Pain and suffering does bring us closer to the Lord. I wrote many songs during that time in my life. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness. Love you ~

Anonymous said...

Great post as usual sis. We each minister in the different areas of pain we've been through and they're all different. Some are more obvious in some people but others hide it better yet God knows what each has been through. I say pain is gain. If it breaks us it can make us better instead of bitter, then God can use it for His glory. I always say, "Don't preach to me from your soapbox, minister to me from your pain." That's where the true fragrance of the anointing is at. Like a perfume bottle that needs to be broken to let the fragrance out. The fragrance is the anointing. No brokenness, no anointing.

Loren said...

Amen and Amen Denise!

Love you

Gretchen said...

We never know how God will use our pain, do we? I am so glad that He does redeem the hardships. They seem worth something then.

Irene said...

How good!If only we could use our God given "skills" to help each other!