I appreciate sympathy, but I don't know what to do with it.
When I miscarried, the most encouraging conversations were with women that listened, didn't try and give advice, and then said, "God used it, didn't He." Not a question, a statement. Wow. Talk about coming alongside me and knowing how to align my focus, reaffirm what I had seen God doing, and then gently use that simple statement to say, "I love you, and I see God working in your life."
I guess what I really want to say is this:
As a Christian, my perspective should be redefined.
Jeremiah 29:11 comes to mind a lot:
("For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper and not harm you, to give you a future and a hope.")
There's more to it than that. The entire chapter talks about a people who were exiled, in captivity, and who suffered. And God still said His plans were not to harm them.
To me, that says that God allows things for a reason. It also tells me there is a reason I don't see the whole picture: Faith.
I want to have faith for each day, faith that says, "Lord, whatever you ask of me, I know You have already given me the strength to accomplish it."
God doesn't say I will never hurt, struggle, or ask why. However, He does know the plans He has for me, and sometimes He will allow rough stuff to happen, so that I will seek Him and know Him more.
I've shed tears over not seeing my baby here, but I've also seen God glorified and a whole-ness come into my life through it.
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:12-13
When I miscarried, the most encouraging conversations were with women that listened, didn't try and give advice, and then said, "God used it, didn't He." Not a question, a statement. Wow. Talk about coming alongside me and knowing how to align my focus, reaffirm what I had seen God doing, and then gently use that simple statement to say, "I love you, and I see God working in your life."
I guess what I really want to say is this:
As a Christian, my perspective should be redefined.
Jeremiah 29:11 comes to mind a lot:
("For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper and not harm you, to give you a future and a hope.")
There's more to it than that. The entire chapter talks about a people who were exiled, in captivity, and who suffered. And God still said His plans were not to harm them.
To me, that says that God allows things for a reason. It also tells me there is a reason I don't see the whole picture: Faith.
I want to have faith for each day, faith that says, "Lord, whatever you ask of me, I know You have already given me the strength to accomplish it."
God doesn't say I will never hurt, struggle, or ask why. However, He does know the plans He has for me, and sometimes He will allow rough stuff to happen, so that I will seek Him and know Him more.
I've shed tears over not seeing my baby here, but I've also seen God glorified and a whole-ness come into my life through it.
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:12-13
Thank you for sharing! That is just what I needed to be reminded of. It has been almost 7 months now of constant pain. I know God has a purpose in it and that He allowed it for a reason. I am truly grateful for the lessons He has taught me through it. At the same time, I am really ready for the pain to go away. Yet, even now, His timing is best and I must trust that if it is His will that I never be pain-free, then I must accept it cheerfully and gratefully, giving glory to God in all. Your reminder that He has plans for hope for me and NOT for harm was such an encouraging reminder. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis was really encouraging for me to read! God has a plan that bigger than our own. What a great reminder!
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