One of my favorite things is to hear people tell their story on how they came to receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior and what God has done and is doing in their life. Each story is different and I’m always moved by the goodness of the Lord. It’s amazing to hear what depths God brings us from.
Recently, I had the opportunity to hear people share their salvation story. One of the people shared how as a teenager they felt like they didn’t fit. As they talked it brought back some painful memories of my own teenage years and beyond when I didn’t fit in. It brought back things I hadn’t thought of in years.
As I laid my head on the pillow my mind wouldn’t shut off. Instead scene after scene of those painful years kept coming to mind…like a slideshow. Sleep evaded me as painful memories took over and I questioned God, “Why did you let that happen?”
Of course there were no answers to my why question. I did a lot of wrestling with God that night. I wasn’t able to sleep until I got to the point where I said, “God, You alone are God and I am not. I don’t know why You allowed those painful situations in my life. I don’t like it, nor do I understand it. But I am confident in this…You are good. You are wise. You are working out a plan in my life, far greater than I can understand. Perhaps You allowed the rejection and pain to bring me to an end of myself so that I might turn to You? Perhaps, without rejection I wouldn’t have ever have come to know You Jesus? So Lord…I surrender. I surrender the pain and hurt from those years into Your loving hands.”
Once I got to the place of surrender, I was able to fall asleep. Morning came far too quickly and I was tired that day from a lack of sleep, but I wasn’t haunted by painful memories.
As a teenager and young adult, I didn’t have the perspective I have now. These days if I don’t fit in…I’m not overly troubled by it. Especially when that disapproval or rejection comes from someone whom I don’t know, like or respect. If it’s from a friend or loved one…it may hurt deeply and I need to examine myself before the Lord. But I’m able take my hurt feelings to the Lord…He’s able to heal my heart and emotions. He brings an eternal perspective to life’s hurts.
How do people live life without knowing Christ Jesus? I am so grateful I don’t have to.
Recently, I had the opportunity to hear people share their salvation story. One of the people shared how as a teenager they felt like they didn’t fit. As they talked it brought back some painful memories of my own teenage years and beyond when I didn’t fit in. It brought back things I hadn’t thought of in years.
As I laid my head on the pillow my mind wouldn’t shut off. Instead scene after scene of those painful years kept coming to mind…like a slideshow. Sleep evaded me as painful memories took over and I questioned God, “Why did you let that happen?”
Of course there were no answers to my why question. I did a lot of wrestling with God that night. I wasn’t able to sleep until I got to the point where I said, “God, You alone are God and I am not. I don’t know why You allowed those painful situations in my life. I don’t like it, nor do I understand it. But I am confident in this…You are good. You are wise. You are working out a plan in my life, far greater than I can understand. Perhaps You allowed the rejection and pain to bring me to an end of myself so that I might turn to You? Perhaps, without rejection I wouldn’t have ever have come to know You Jesus? So Lord…I surrender. I surrender the pain and hurt from those years into Your loving hands.”
Once I got to the place of surrender, I was able to fall asleep. Morning came far too quickly and I was tired that day from a lack of sleep, but I wasn’t haunted by painful memories.
As a teenager and young adult, I didn’t have the perspective I have now. These days if I don’t fit in…I’m not overly troubled by it. Especially when that disapproval or rejection comes from someone whom I don’t know, like or respect. If it’s from a friend or loved one…it may hurt deeply and I need to examine myself before the Lord. But I’m able take my hurt feelings to the Lord…He’s able to heal my heart and emotions. He brings an eternal perspective to life’s hurts.
How do people live life without knowing Christ Jesus? I am so grateful I don’t have to.
4 comments:
Hi! Susan, great post! you see how God works is that from one thought to another He speaks through us! I just love that! and the word says that we are to encourage one another...and you shared:) Have a great Sunday~ Praising the One that gives us Life!
I am grateful that I don't have to
live my life without knowing Jesus
too. In fact, I can't imagine life
without Him now. He is the healer
of our broken hearts.
Blessings~
Hello Kay and Sandy,
I am so grateful for the Word of God and the Holy Spirit within and for fellow believers, all of which our heavenly Father uses to strengthen us in our inner man.
Praise Him...the One who gives us Life and the One who heals those hurts that life can bring.
Thank you both for being that bright and shinning light of Jesus to your readers.
Blessings in Christ...Susan
Oh precious surrendering...and yes it brings peaceful sleep. Will I ever understand all that any of us go through...No, will I always see how the Lord turned it to good...I probably will not see that without His insight...but His character is still true and He is still God. You have said it so well...Amen
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