This weeks Sunday message really hit home for me. It was a message about pain. I have been struggling with some things in the past week. I don’t know that I can really say I have been suffering but there have been areas of pain in my life that I have been dealing with and confronting. In today's message we were reminded that we can’t always control our feelings but we can control our thoughts. This past week I have been wallowing a little bit in my pain. In James we are exhorted to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of any kind because it develops perseverance.
There have been points in the past week that I have felt somewhat hopeless. In Romans 5:3-5 it says, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering develops perseverance; perseverance; character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because G has poured out his love into our hearts by the HS whom he has given us.” Wow... hope does not disappoint! We are not alone in our pain. Our Father has poured out his love in our hearts through the HS. Choosing joy is not always easy but once we embrace hope, it does not seem so difficult. Hope will not disappoint us. So, in the middle of the sadness or pain, I am choosing Joy.
“I don’t like my situation but G is in it and G is good!” John Stumbo
I really feel like the HS was speaking to me. Another way I felt this was through the songs we sang. This past week I had been compiling a list of lyrics in music that have been speaking to me. I have listened to these songs over and over again. This week, we sang several of these songs corporately. I felt like these songs were chosen with me in mind. Here are some of the lyrics from songs that have ministered to me this week.
There's no such thing as perfect people
There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scared
Lift up your heart and be amazed
And be changed by a perfect G
Who lived and died to give new life
To heal our imperfections
So look up and see out let grace be enough
--Natalie Grant - Perfect People
Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, G come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
J come!
--Shane Barnard - Vision of You
He is
He was
He always will be
Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
He is
--Mark Schultz - He Is
What a Friend we have in J, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to G in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to G in prayer.
What A Friend We Have In J
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My G is a G who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
G is my victory and He is here
--Hillsong - The Desert Song
There's a day that's drawing near
when this darkness breaks to light
and the shadows disappear
and my faith shall be my eyes
J has overcome
and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
And I will rise
when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my G
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise
--Chris Tomlin - I Will Rise
When peace like a river
Attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot
Thou hast taught me to say
It is well
It is well with my soul
It Is Well
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