HEAVENSREEF

It is not in the equation for me to write a sermon anytime soon.  I leave that for the experts!  But did you know your life of suffering can be a sermon to someone watching you?  I’ve come to believe that our suffering has a purpose and is necessary.  How in the world would we ever cry out to GOD for any kind of relief?

LAMENTATIONS 3:  56   “YOU HEARD MY PLEA: DO NOT CLOSE YOUR EARS TO MY CRY FOR RELIEF.”

Some people have a lifetime of suffering and some don’t.  But I am always impressed with those who walk that road with such grace and joy.  How do they do it?  I’m sure for some it is just great will power, but for others they walk so very closely with GOD that they know HE is carrying them through it.

My husband and I both are walking our separate roads of cancer.  And what a road since 2022 it has been!  Somehow in the middle of all of it, I have found those joy moments, those small GOD details that are so evident that GOD is touching me right then.  You would think that we both would just want to curl up on the bed and sleep as an escape from the world.  I could have become bitter and sad and fearful at every turn……..but because of GOD and I give HIM all the credit, we are still living each day, finding purpose in the pain and even looking forward to the future.  

My hope has always been in JESUS.  I think because I know I can count on HIM.  With HIS hand upon me, HE has satisfied my fears and then given me peace of heart.

PSALM 34:  18   “THE LORD IS NEAR TO THE BROKENHEARTED AND SAVES THE CRUSHED IN SPIRIT.”

John Piper said once:  don’t waste your cancer.  That small statement made such an impact upon me.  Wasting would be living in the cancer world 24/7 and being consumed by all of it.  But truly living looks like walking with the LORD, being HIS, serving when I can, loving when possible those people around me and my neighbors too.  Caring for someone, like the good Samaritan story gets me out of my head and into………life.

What kind of sermon is your very own suffering speaking to those around you?  Are you angry, bitter and sad all your days or are you finding the joy that only the LORD gives?  HE never leaves us or forsakes us. 

OUR SUFFERING CAN WRITE A SERMON OR IT CAN ALL GO TO WASTE. 

Each of our sermons is a story about JESUS and how HE has transformed us and changed our thinking and our lives.  We all are just mini – sermons in a way that contribute to HIS body of believers and are a light to the world.

Sometimes our suffering can go on too long and I get that too.  I would encourage you to press into HIM even more.  JESUS always is the relief and healing balm to our wounds.

ROMANS 8: 18   “I CONSIDER THAT OUR PRESENT SUFFERINGS ARE NOT WORTH COMPARING WITH THE GLORY THAT WILL BE REVEALED IN US.”

Today submit to JESUS and HIS wisdom for you and let HIM manage your suffering in HIS time, in HIS way and watch HIM turn it into a sermon for others to see.  WE never know who is watching us.  But when they do see, they will glorify our gracious GOD in heaven who carries us through.

MATTHEW 5: 16   “IN THE SAME WAY, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.”