Yesterday was one of those days. One of those days where I cried. A lot.
It was one of those days when life just seemed to throw one curve ball after another. One hurt after another. One misstep after another. I felt so vulnerable. So human. So empty. I felt like I was standing in the middle of a storm, and everything was happening at once.
And that’s where God found me. That’s where He reached down, picked me up and I found myself in the shelter of His chest. In the shelter of His goodness. It is here where our hurt is cradled with compassion, our empty cup refilled with understanding. We can peer into those eyes that hold the oldest, deepest wisdom, and know that we are not alone. This is what He does for us. When we are cold, weary and feeling oh-so-alone, He draws us nearer, pouring out His abundant stores.
1 Peter 5: 10 says “But may the God of all grace who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered awhile, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.”
It’s never something we do on our own. We have no power to be perfected. No power to be established. No power to be strengthened, alone. It is all by God’s glory, His goodness, and His might that we are filled in those moments of feeling so very empty–a thirsty and weary traveler. He is what covers us from the cold, the rain. He is what pours His strength into our empty limbs. And out of the depths of our emptiness, bubbles a new life that can only come from the Lord. As you go about your week, I pray that in those times when you feel so human, so frail, that you would feel that ever-rushing of peace. That peace of being awakened, and awash in the love of Jesus. May He fill you this week. And every week after.
My prayers it that as you walk out there, into the world, and sometimes the unknown, that you will feel that ever-present shelter. That comfort of God’s arms around your shoulders and though at times you may feel weary and downtrodden, He is always there to hold you up.
He is our shelter in the storm.
Aw Joanne.
I wish I was there to fuss and bother over you. Do your dishes. Fold your laundry. Make you some hot chocolate and scones. Tell you silly stories and make you laugh. Oh, I have a few good ones. Ones I’ll save for when we meet someday. No need put anything incriminating in a comment, right?
Then we could go outside and eat Dairy Milks and tell the world to go away.
For me,shelter is the undying promise that God is on the throne and He loves us. No, we do not have the power to perfect ourselves. But we DO have the power to call on His mighty name and sink into His arms and hear His heart beating with the love He has for us.
Go and seize this day, know that God is THERE and He is more powerful that the hurt that claws at us.
Bless you, dear friend.
What a beautiful reminder that God is on the throne. Thank you for sharing that! Sometimes I think of the world as this weary place when we get knocked down, but truly, God IS on the throne. He is still King of all and He loves us and has us in the palm of His hand.
God IS there and He IS more powerful. Thank you so much, Jennifer for these great reminders. I hope you have a full day of editing and are encouraged through it all!
Aw, poor friend! I have definitely had those days. Definitely. And yes, sometimes the only place to find comfort is in His arms.
Lindsay, always comforting to know we aren’t alone 🙂 I was reminded yesterday of that, and also realized that perhaps those who hurt us, are hurting themselves. A wise friend reminded me that kindness is the key. Not always easy, but very freeing! 🙂
Joanne, thanks for sharing your heartache and healing with us! We all have those days, but if we’re honest, we probably don’t all turn to the true source of contentment and joy as our first-call. At least, I don’t. I might email my husband or call my mom, or indulge in some chocolate chips in a spoonful of peanut butter (if you haven’t tried that you are missing out!). But prayer should be our first move, not our last resort. I’m sure I don’t even realize when I’m skipping that step. Thanks for the excellent reminder.
Jocelyn, I am the same way. It consisted a weeping email to a friend or two and a pizza…and some cookies. 🙂 It was on the drive to and from the pizza place that I had this talk with God. I had been reading Acts and was struck by the lives the apostles led, how they were struck down, and they just kept getting up and keeping on fighting the good fight.
“And out of the depths of our emptiness, bubbles a new life that can only come from the Lord.”
So true, my wonderful friend, and your life is an exquisite example of life brimming with His love, even in the dark hours.
You’ve taken a day that was painful, and let it become a blessing for others through your words today– an encouragement for those facing storms, and that? That is a selfless, abundantly loving, totally-Joanne-ish, quietly beautiful thing to do.
How our Heavenly Father must be swelling with love and pride for you right now, aching right along with you, and wrapping you in His embrace.
Thank you for the blessing of who you are.
Amanda,
You are one of the dearest friends anybody could have. I am so thankful for you. For your friendship each and every day and for your wise encouragement when the going gets tough. You allow the Lord to use you and speak through you and those in your life are so blessed by it!
See what I mean? A complete encouragement you are. And I am so very, very thankful for you. Praying with every step right along with you! *Hugs*
Sometimes trials are definitively taking us down but remember once we are on our knees, there is only one way to go, and that’s UP!
Spring is almost here, hang in there and remember, He is with you always.
Blessings,
Noelle,
It’s so true how prayer is the key to unlocking that feeling of impossibility. God is always just one moment away, waiting to scoop us into his arms, isn’t He? 🙂 I hope you have a blessed day!
So well said, my friend!
A poignant and lovely reminder of our Great God’s constant Presence. Thank you!
Love and hugs to you,
Mona
Thank you, Mona <3 And thank you for your sweet words. Love and hugs right back!
Joanne I needed to read that this morning. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Hannah, I am so glad it encouraged you. That is always my hop! I hope you are doing well. I thought of you as I was writing this and all that you walk through each and every day. Hugs!!
We all have those days, where we can hardly verbalize the depth of hurt we feel. It helps to have friends to vent to (so our poor hubbies don’t get the brunt of everything!). But supportive hubbies are such a blessing, too. Sometimes it’s hard to “feel” those loving arms of our heavenly Father around us, but I think He often uses people to step in when we’re so low. Praying you have a blessed, enjoyable REST of the week, Joanne!
Yes, Heather, so true! There are days when finding the words are just near impossible. It is sometimes hard to feel those arms. I think He definitely uses people in our lives. For me it was those people who helped point me in the right direction and offered encouragement, I felt stronger, and then it was that time with the Lord that was a true time of refreshment. It has been a process! had a lovely chat with my hubby last night that was just wonderful. So nice to have those sweet, listening guys. 🙂
So sorry to hear you’ve had one of those days. 🙁 I know that cloud of lonely gloom too well. But God is so good and He knows exactly how to comfort us when we turn to Him in our need. I finished BSMS, and wow, wow, wow! I was sure you couldn’t possibly change my mind about Gideon, lol, but I was wrong. Such a beautiful story, Joanne! Thanks so much for sharing it with me.
Gwendolyn,
I’m so sorry for what you have experienced 🙁 Rejoicing with you that it’s in those times that often, God is the nearest and that in itself is always a comfort. Gideon is such a tough character! He is so horrible to begin with and having him grow throughout the book, while also having it feel authentic was tough. I’m so glad you walked away with that feeling. Thank you for reading it. 🙂
Joanne, I have had days like that. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling when we finally ‘let go and let God’? The peace……May God give you the peace you need each and every day, my friend….God Bless!
Oh, Debbie, it really is such a wonderful feeling! It’s been a process, a few slow steps at a time, but I feel my feet back under me a bit and am going to continue to cling tight to Him. 🙂 Thank your thoughtful words! God bless you too!
I’m so sorry you had a troublesome day, Miss Joanne. No one likes those. Though like you I’ve found those can be my closest times to Christ. 🙂
Oh how happy I am that you have discovered this lovely song – it’s one of my favorites! 😀 Such a comfort.
Love and Hugs!
~Rachel~
Exactly, Rachel. It truly is those times when we are closest to Christ. I love that you and I share a fondness for Sovereign Grace music 🙂 I adore this song and love their albums. We got the “Age to Age” Cd a while back and I listen and think this is my favorite song…no wait, it’s this one! And on and on. It is just such great music. 🙂
Joanne, your post was honest and beautiful. Many prayers and hugs, my friend. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have Jesus as my shelter in the storms…or winds…or even a little rain! 🙂
Thank you Jessica 🙂
I was thinking the exact same thing! What would we do without Jesus? I am so thankful, too. I hope you have a blessed week!!
Dear Joanne…bless your heart. I’ve been thinking of you and praying since I read your post but didn’t get a chance to comment yet. You have a gracious heart…thank you for reminding us to turn back towards Him . That particular verse is a conundrum isn’t it? He sees us suffer..knows it…and then will finally settle us. It’s all a mystery…but His faithfulness is not. I’ve had a painful fibro week and been holding on to His strength and faithfulness. I’m weary and His shelter is what I’m seeking. Thank you for sharing this…it blesses my heart.
Amy, and I have been thinking about you since reading your comment and I hadn’t had a chance to comment back, either. 🙂 Thank you so much for your sweet, sweet words. You have blessed MY heart. It really can be a trial, to wait out the storm like this–doing no more than simply trusting. I am so sorry that you have had a painful week! Pain can really wear one down, especially if there is no hope of it truly going away. Your attitude and faith are drawing you closer to the Lord and as you ride these waves with Him, I pray it will bring you comfort and just know that your trust in God, will bless those around you!
I’ve recently needed to cry out a few hurts, too. And I know what you mean when you say ‘awash in the love of Jesus.’ So blessed is that love, so real and tender.
Bless you while you rest against that heavenly chest. xx
Dorothy, I feel just what you mean. Sometimes we really do need to just cry those things out. I think sometimes we forget that love really is “tender” because we are in the storm, but that love IS always there and it really is, always tender. Thank you for that reminder! 🙂
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