The Big Picture
“The Lord can turn your testings into a testimony.”
— Charlyne Steinkamp, Rejoice on the Radio, http://www.rejoiceministries.org/god_heals_hurting_marriages.html
Category: God
10 Posts
Guidance
“Ask God to help us think. Every morning, I ask Him to give me the right thought, word, or action. I ask Him to send His inspiration and guidance. I ask Him to help me solve my problems. I believe He does help. I know He does. But He expects me to do my part and think. Some days go better than others.”
— Melody Beattie, Codependent No More, p. 152
Pouring It Out to God
“One of the wonderful things about God’s immutable character is that we’re not going to tempt Him to sin when we take our negative feelings to Him…. Pouring whatever is in our hearts out to God dramatically decreases our tendency to grow bitter.”
— Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word, p. 235
Breaking Free
“I wanted to make sure we addressed the importance of praying about someone who has hurt you because it is such a vital part of breaking free. Be honest with God. Pour your heart out to Him. Tell Him the things that hurt you. Tell on the one who injured you. Search the psalms to receive further permission to speak your heart, then practice it — from your own heart with your own words!… and don’t stop until all the bitter waters have been poured out before God, and He’s had a chance to begin pouring living water back in. ‘Trust in Him at all times!'”
— Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word, p. 239-40
Poison to Medicine
“So what will happen with the poison that spoils God’s good gifts? God will either turn it into medicine or remove it completely. The gifts will remain – which are we ourselves and everything that surrounds us.”
– Miroslav Volf, Free of Charge, p. 32
Letting It Go–To God
“Forgiveness is not defined by a feeling, although it will ultimately change our feelings. . . . Forgiveness is our determined and deliberate willingness to let something go. To release it from our possession. To be willing and ready for it to no longer occupy us. God is not asking us to let ‘it’ go haphazardly into the black hole of nonexistence. Forgiveness means letting it go to God. Letting it go from our power to His. Forgiveness is the ongoing act by which we agree with God over the matter, practice the mercy He’s extended to us, and surrender the situation, the repercussions, and the hurtful person to Him.”
— Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word
A Paradox
“God works against evil and suffering. But God, in immense divine power and inscrutable divine wisdom, also works through evil and suffering.”
–Miroslav Volf, Free of Charge:Â Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace, p. 30
God’s Steadfast Love
“Regardless of whether we feel strong or weak, we remember that our assurance is not based upon our ability to conjure up some special feeling. Rather, it is built upon a confident assurance in the faithfulness of God. We focus on his trustworthiness and especially on his steadfast love.”
–Richard J. Foster, Prayer:Â Finding the Heart’s True Home, p. 212
Prayer of Healing
“Second, we ask. This is the step of faith. As we come to clearness about what is needed, we invite God’s healing to come. We speak a definite, straightforward declaration of what is to be. We do not weaken our request with ifs, ands, or buts.”
–Richard J. Foster, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, p. 211
God’s Job
“We can’t forgive: that’s the work of the Spirit. We’re too damaged. But we can be willing. And in the meantime, try not to break his fingers.”
–Anne Lamott, quoting a friend in Grace (Eventually), p. 194