Wednesday, June 25, 2008

A REMINDER

We, as a family, are going through some trying times and issues in our lives.
I have spoken often about how God ALWAYS places before me the very words of encouragement, reprimand or insight that I need.
Such was the case this morning during our Bible reading and prayer time when our daily reading from MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, by Oswald Chambers was this:

Receiving One's Self In The Fires Of Sorrow

"What shall I say? Father, save me, from this hour? But for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name." John 12:27-29 RV

"My attitude as a saint to sorrow and difficulty is not to ask that they may be prevented, but to ask that I may preserve the self God created me to be through every fire of sorrow. Our Lord received Himself in the fire of sorrow, He was saved not from the hour, but out of the hour.

We say that there ought to be no sorrow, but there is sorrow, and we have to receive ourselves in its fires. If we try and evade sorrow, refuse to lay our account with it, we are foolish. Sorrow is one of the biggest facts in life; it is no use saying sorrow ought not to be. Sin and sorrow, and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them.

Sorrow burns up a great amount of shallowness, but it does not always make a man better. Suffering either gives me my self or it destroys my self. You cannot receive your self in success, you lose your head, you cannot receive your self in monotony, you grouse. The way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow. Why it should be so is another matter, but that it is so is true in the Scriptures and in human experience. You always know the man who has been through the fires of sorrow and received himself, you are certain you can go to him in trouble and find that he has ample leisure for you. If a man has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous, he has no time for you. If you receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people."

*************

I am so thankful for God's faithfulness to me, in the good times and in the trying times. HE is my ever present source of comfort and strength and truly HIS peace passeth ALL understanding. On the solid rock I stand - All other ground is sinking sand.

post signature

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Prayers going up for you and your family Susan.

Humble wife said...

I am so thankful for God's faithfulness to me, in the good times and in the trying times. HE is my ever present source of comfort and strength and truly HIS peace passeth ALL understanding. On the solid rock I stand - All other ground is sinking sand.
Amen Susan. I have been praying for you and yours. He is ever so faithful to us all.
Jennifer

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

If we had no sorrows or trials we could also not fully no God's great love for us. It is certainly not fun to go through such difficult times. I am going through them with you in spirit. Praying for you all.

Charlotte said...

Well said, and I say AMEN!

Anonymous said...

The last paragraph was beautiful. I hope things work out.

Unknown said...

Oh Susan I read this today as well. It really spoke to my heart and showed me a few things I needed to apply as I too am going through a trial with my first born. I plan on sharing it with him as well. We can pray for each other during these difficult days. I love you dear sister.

Momma Roar said...

What an awesome reminder!!!

Praying for you and your family!

Shirley said...

Praying for you in this challenging time - thanks for being authentic :)
Again, another great devo from Oswald - I am going to have to keep my eyes open for my copy of MUFHH when I go through my storage items.
Shirley

Anonymous said...

It is in the hard times that I seem to find Him right there beside me.

I know He sees your situation and pray that He is directing the paths to bring victory.

concerned parent said...

I will pray for you at this time.
Your comments are always uplifting to me.

Nadine said...

My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. I pray that God would continue to give strength.

Anonymous said...

I hope things are better today

Jean said...

Such good words. I just love that devotional book. He speaks to the very core of my being.

Dawn said...

Oh, the fire of sorrow - how often we have been there in the last few years! That fire burns out the flaws if we let Him!

Tammy said...

I will be praying for you and your family, dear Susan!
Hugs,
~Tammy

Anonymous said...

Oh Susan,

What a post from one who I know has had her share of sorrows and joy in this life. Oswald Chambers is an inspiration and so are you. You are in my prayers. May the Lord be ever so near to you as you walk through this time longing to know Him more and be who He is calling you to be.

May he bring you to the place of beauty again for ashes.

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

So sorry to hear that your family is going through some difficult times again.

Anonymous said...

Hope things are well and hope you update us soon.
Danielle

Jill said...

Praying for you and your family, Susan.

Danny Wright said...

I've learned that a trial is not a trial unless it is a trial. This saying came from the fact that there was a time when I thought that because I was who I was in Christ, suffering may come but it couldn't touch me; that in fact a trial would be no trial at all. I was wrong.