This is not where I belong....

Life....ahhh.....what daily struggles we face.  Remember Eden? Yes, you do, every time a voice whispers from within you, "I was not made for this."  Grateful to two different GFFs (gospel friends forever) for contributing to our gospel blog today.  I think we all hear our own voices as we read the heartfelt expressions below.  Thankful this morning for the gospel community that we share.

"What has brought me here has seemed so unfair

Not a life i recognize from my dreams

So much pain i have to bear

Alone or so it seems

Where is your face oh Lord? Don't hide from me!

With my heart its You i long to see

When the waves began to crash violent and loud

And the rushing waters roars

My heart lay prostrate on the ground

Trampled and  crushed-hoping no more

I clung and grappled-fingers curled tight

But one by one they loosed under tension

Total darkness-there was  no light

An eternity passed or so it seemed

Before He finally called my name

Gentle and quiet like water flowing in a stream

Then powerful and strong His voice became

It took but a moment for my heart to revive

Understanding was not mine but faith made me alive

Listen  now to the silence for the storm has passed

Only now can i have pure peace

It is only those who in conflict lose their grasp

That the Lord can teach

Though You shield me not from pain

I find freedom through my sorrow

This tempest is an honor only You can bestow"      

                       ~Brooks

"When God spoke His invention into existence, His good character was the order of the day. His love flowed unhindered, perfectly filling human hearts. Out of that overflow, Adam and Eve loved each other unashamedly. They were tenderly loved, perfectly beautiful, and wholly themselves. This is the world that we were made for.

When we hurt, it doesn’t just feel unpleasant or uncomfortable. It feels . . . wrong. It’s a soul misfit. And it is wrong. That’s because relationships are supposed to be safe. Life and health should last forever. Disease is a corruption, death an injustice, sin a perversion. Grief is an aberration. Our hearts were built for Eden.

Right now, your pain goes deep. The ache is real. But it is not permanent. No, it is not permanent. Because one day, your Father will close this chapter of human history. Forever. Child of the King, no matter how deeply you are hurting, your tears are numbered. Because one day you will be home."  

                        ~Laurin

For your journal...

Read the passages below and reflect...

Psalm 62:5-8

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 

On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. 

1.  What am I waiting for?  If only __________________ this would happen then my life would be better.

2.  Where do I not feel safe?

3.  What am I hoping for?

~Pray the Psalm aloud as a prayer to God.  Write your prayer out in your journal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

As we have learned, we will not experience a pain free life until eternity...all for His glory while we are here on earth.  Here's one of my favorite songs right now in light of this.