My heart has been hurting for the past couple of days for a loved one. The Bible says with knowledge comes sorrow and that is very true. This friend of mine has been away from the Lord for almost a year now. This person is so near and dear to me, I would give my life for hers in a moment. I wish she didn't have to go down this path; but she has made her choices and is now living with them.
When I was informed a couple days ago of how she was choosing to live her life now, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had hoped for so long she wasn't living that way. I had hoped it was just a phase and she would come back to the Lord soon. (Ignorance is bliss.) But ignoring the facts won't change them. My heart breaks for her. I'm thankful I know because it has challenged me to pray more fervently.
It's only by God's grace, I am not in her shoes. I am not condemning her in any way. I too have gone down the wrong path and made choices that were against God's will for my life. I am so thankful that God took the mess I made and made it into something beautiful for Him to use. And for that, I can only give God the glory. I know God can do the same thing in her life as well. I have hope!
In Christ alone, I place my trust.
It's hard to see hope in a situation sometimes. But I refuse to give up on the God of Hope and Peace. I can't imagine how much God sorrows when we stray from Him. I know my heart is heavy, but how much more does God hurt when he sees His children going through unnecessary pain. I wish I could help her choose the right path. I hate knowing how lonely and miserable she is...
I believe she would not have gone down this path if she saw where it would lead her. I believe Satan slowly pulled her in, and before she knew it, she was in over her head. Stuck in a pit she slowly dug for herself. I have been there. Trapped in my own pit. It wasn't an easy climb to get out, but my Savior took me out step by step.
" Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him." Proverbs 26:27
I can't help but think of the prodigal son. My dream and hope for her is that she too would come running home into her Father's open arms. All is forgiven!
"And he arose, and came to his father,
( this part makes me teary eyed!) But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck and kissed him. For this my son was dead, and is now alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." Luke 15:20 & 24
If there is a loved one in your life going through what seems like a hopeless situation, may I encourage you to not lose sight of the cross of calvary. It's because of the cross, we have hope in every situation. Don't give up on your friend, but pray. Pray fervently. Pray believing. Pray without ceasing.
I believe the Lord wanted me to share this. Maybe in hopes to encourage someone. I know the Lord has lifted my heavy heart by simply writing this out and looking in the scriptures for comfort. I'm thankful I have a God who cares for me and takes my burdens upon Him.
May you have a great week this week!
From the Heart,
Amber
Isaiah 26:3,4
Thank you for sharing this burden. I will pray for your "friend". I understand some of this heaviness of heart in working here in Russia. I have a young lady friend who was saved, on fire for the Lord, and after her husband left her for another young woman her life spiraled downward. Thankfully, she is now back in church and can see where she went astray. I always think of the verse, "O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Ps. 34:8 If friends of ours like this could only get a taste of living by faith and trusting the Lord for ALL their needs they would be able to see personally God's goodness and grace in their lives. Once they have a taste it is often the turning point for many who then begin to trust God, giving their lives to Him fully and freely. I love you dear friend and I am so thankful you too took that step and are a beautiful vessel that the Lord can use in any way He sees best. He will bless you and your hubby's life as a result!
ReplyDeleteBeing in the ministry is especially hard! A lot of times we don't see the "fruit of our labor" right away and it's easy to get discouraged. But that doesn't mean God isn't working in their lives. Or when you have invested so much into someone just to see them walk away from it, like your friend in Russia. What an encouragement and blessing it is to see them return back to the Lord. It's such a rewarding feeling knowing you had a small part.
DeleteI love you too and am so thankful for you! I look forward to serving by your side in Russia soon!! You are a blessing and an encouragement to me :)
I understand your heart. I too have someone who is very dear to me that has strayed from the Lord. so thankful we serve a God is who greater than all!!! and HE IS ABLE to do above what we can imagine. :) Keep faith, sister.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister ;)
DeleteMrs. Amber, thank you for this encouragement. My father professes to be a Humanist and denies the existence of God. He attended a church-sponsored university and worked for a church-sponsored high school before he suddenly announced that he had been pretending all along. I get extremely discouraged in trying to witness to him and have been tempted to give up. I appreciate so much this reminder not to give up. Praying that God will continue to use you both as you stay sold out to Him.
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord! I am so thankful it could be an encouragement to you and a few others. Because it is a pretty personal post, I was hesitant to post it, but I know the Lord was in it. :) It's a blessing to my heart to hear that God could use my once heavy heart to encourage others! God is truly good!
DeleteIt's especially hard when it is your own family. I'm thankful the Lord has placed you in your family so you can pray for your father like no one else can. Thank you for your encouraging comment!