Honesty
A recent conversation with my daughter went something like this:
“Seriously Mom, thank you for not thinking awful things of me when I express how I’m really feeling and it’s not good.”
She also thanked me for allowing her just to “vent” about everything and the emotions she was going through, especially since some pain in her heart was front and center – rearing it’s ugly head and taking over much of the day.
I assured her that no matter what she ever said or even did that I would always love her.
I then took the time to remind her that isn’t it wonderful that we can come to God and pour out the hurts that are killing us, pour out the anger that is eating at us and pour out the many other emotions that can seem to be so overwhelming that we can’t think, see or even feel anything but what is running through our heart at that very moment.
Often when we pray we “clean up” our prayers and “nicely” come to God asking for help through our situations. May I remind you that God knows what you are screaming in your heart?
God KNOWS and even better than that – HE CARES and loves us anyway!
Be real with the Lord.
July and August 2013 were the beginning of some awful months in my world. After a wonderful event – an answer to a lifelong prayer, several horrid & unexpected events took place. The tears were streaming daily, deep awful sobs of pain escaped from my heart daily and then, in a weekend of a moment of peace, I called a friend (friend of over 25 years) after seeing her on Facebook. We chatted, caught up and had a great time laughing. I needed that more than she knew. Did we discuss my problems? No. We laughed. We discussed what she was doing and how our kids were and how crazy it was that we were parents of adults. We made plans for dinner for the following week and hung up.
My heart was refreshed during a difficult time of pain.
Then it happened. A few days later, I get the message that my friend had just had a massive stroke and died. Did I hear that right? That was it. Even though I never mask my feelings with God and we have some “very frank” conversations I was in shock kept thinking/praying “Seriously Lord???” This on top of everything else? I was devastated even further. The only thing I could keep praying is:
God, I don’t understand – but I trust you
Over and over I prayed. and then I reached out. Nothing specific, just reached out and was comforted by the prayers that I knew was being poured out on my behalf.
We don’t always understand and that is ok.
We don’t always come to God with poetic prayers and that is ok.
Sometimes we come to God with “Where are YOU?? I NEED YOU” and that is ok.
Satan would have us fear that God gets angry with this kind of prayer but He doesn’t. David, in the Psalms, over and over cried out “How LONG Lord?”
It’s ok to come to God and just pour out all of your hurts that have you broken at your very core. He knows and He cares.
It’s ok to be completely honest with God. He knows in your heart you are screaming and the pain is killing you physically and emotionally.
It’s ok to do nothing and say nothing more than “God I need you” and then rest in Him. Let him refresh you just like Elijah had to do.
Don’t let guilt move you from the Lords presence.
Be honest with the Lord and watch how he refreshes you. Your trials and situation may not change in an instant, but God’s grace will be sufficient and carry you through.
Things WILL get better. Seasons DO Change. The tears will slow down and stop. God IS Faithful!
Your turn. Who or what has God used to refresh you during a difficult time in your life?
What verses do you turn to for comfort?
Thank you for leaving your comments below! Thank you for encouraging others in their walk of faith!
Don’t miss a single encouraging article!
Subscribe to Spreading Joy by Email:
© 2014, Spreading Joy. All rights reserved.
Marie, thank you so much for this post — I love it! I love the transparency.
I am very honest with God about any and everything but I used to not be but I cannot hide anything from Him and it feels good to release it all to Him.
You have been such an encouragement to me during difficult times and the verse that I love and is always my go to is Romans 8:28 and I love it in The Voice Translation:
We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.
thank you Angie. It truly is freeing to just be yourself in front of an almighty God doesn’t it?
That is such a go to verse – one that many of us cling to. Satan tries to keep our eyes on the issues and troubles that surround us and make us ineffective for the Lord.
You encourage me so much! your love, dedication and spirit in spite of so many health issues is amazing! you always bring a smile to my heart!!
love ya girl
Marie
Spreading Joy recently posted..20 Easy Ways to Encourage your Spouse
I LOVE this post Marie. Thank you for being transparent about your feelings and how God loves us even when we are not in the best of moods.
Four years ago I was visiting a friend at her garage sale, 3 weeks later her husband called saying she had a massive stroke and was in intensive care. Then 3 days later he called and said she experienced more bleeding in the brain and was not going to make it. So I was back in the same hospital where my husband passed, saying a final goodbye to my friend and Joe’s former boss. Then her funeral was held on what would have been mine and Joe’s 17th wedding anniversary. You better believe God heard from me. His response was to send a lady who looked and acted like Linda Evans but dressed like Joan Collins and had Tammy Faye Baker eyes. She and her husband sat next to me and we even managed to chuckle during the service.
I do not have a specific Bible verse I turn to as God sends a different one to get me through whatever major crisis is going on at the time.
Thank you Michele!
I know we often try and “clean things up” when we come to God because HE is Holy and we want to bring our best, but sometimes we just have to crawl to Him just the way we are. Doing that allows us to be filled with His love and grace!
It amazes me that even during the most somber of moments how God can orchestrate a chuckle. thanks for the smile of remembrance.
HUGS
@spreadingJOY
Spreading Joy recently posted..Be A Chain of Support
Thanks for this honest, heart-felt post, Marie. What a special moment with your daughter. 🙂 I think those people that let us “vent” are few and far between, so they are true treasures. What wonderful reminders of what our God is like and the importance of us sharing our honesty with Him. (Something I need to work more on.) When I had a health issue two years ago, it shook my faith, but I tried to keep reaching out to Him, and with the support of some others, made it through….made some difficult decisions, but am so blessed to say all is well two years later. And, Romans 8:28 is my favorite verse to hold on to during difficult times. God bless, Marie!