Lessons from a Summer Storm: Finding Joy Again

 

Life can be like stormy weather. Instead of “living the dream,” you feel like you’re living the nightmare.

He broke up with you. She disappointed you. You got fired. Or, for whatever reason life hasn't turned out as you planned.

You never thought you'd be ______. (Fill in the blank.)

You may be asking yourself, “How did I get here? How will things ever change?”
 
Whether you’re overwhelmed, sad or downright depressed, hold on. Hear this and have hope:
 
It was a hot July day, and from my patio door I could see ominous gray clouds gathering. It looked like the end of the world.

Suddenly, the sky released pelting rain. Lightning cracked like gunfire, and thunder rolled and rolled.

Hours passed.

Finally, the clouds broke, revealing a luminous blue sky. Bright sunshine sparkled on wet grass like dew diamonds. It was clear again—so clear.

Sometimes life feels like a tumultuous summer storm. It’s dark and scary. Things change around us suddenly, swirling like the unpredictable winds of a tornado...and the sadness--like the storm--seems to stay forever.

But thankfully storms pass.

Just like a strong wind clears away storm clouds, the Holy Spirit blows a fresh and purposeful wind of hope through your soul storm.

After the rain, sunshine; after life’s storms, renewed calm and joy. 

Prayer
Lord, it feels like a storm in my heart, a hurricane of emotions swirling about. I am so sad; I feel defeated. Where has my hope gone? Yet, here I am. Thank you that You hear my cries, even my unformed words. Please help me. Please heal me. You are my strong hope. I take comfort knowing You are near and You care. You have the power to blow away the storms in my life, and be my steady anchor in the midst of them. I ask for Your help. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
 

When You Feel Discouraged: A Prayer for New Joy

"May you rise up today with a JOYFUL heart
because God is moving on your behalf,
even when you can't see what He is up to.

May you walk forward in faith, knowing
that He's got your back and He goes before you.

May you refuse to focus on your doubts and
points discouragement because you are
blessed beyond measure and called
beyond your wildest dreams.

Amen."

-- Susie Larson (author, speaker, radio host)

The Power of Forgiveness

 

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable,

because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.

C.S. Lewis

 

Henri Nouwen once said, “When a wound is healed, there still can be some leftover pain.”

Left behind pain comes in all sorts of ways. It could be due to a divorce (your parents or your own), a death in the family, a family member’s illness, a rape, or abuse (physical, sexual or emotional).

Even if it wasn’t a traumatic experience, people hurt each other all the time in large and small ways. Often, because men and women tend to see life through completely different filters, we end up hurting each other without meaning to or knowing it. Even little hurts and repeated disappointments can pile up and turn into a mountain of resentment.

Forgiveness is the key to healing

A major key that heals brokenness (of all kinds) is forgiving past pain, either forgiving the person who hurt you or forgiving yourself—or both. 

When you feel wronged, you think the other person owes you something. They owe you an apology, an explanation, a childhood, a relationship or a marriage. Whatever it is, you are holding them prisoner, but you are the one with the pain.

Andy Stanley says that when you do not forgive, it’s as if you hold that person hostage in your heart. You take them out once in a while, beat them up, and put them back. Instead, he says, we are to, in a sense, release the person and say, “You don’t owe me.”

Easier said than done, right?

Here is the key. Forgiveness is not acting like everything is okay. It does not mean that you condone what happened, agree with it or like it.

You are not overlooking the offense or excusing it, and you are definitely not letting the offender off the hook for their words or actions. Instead, you’re putting them on God’s hook, and trusting God to deal with it fairly because He said He would.

Oh, that person is still on the hook for what they’ve done. They’re just not on YOUR hook for justice—they’re on God’s hook.

As you release the person who’s wronged you to God, He ensures justice is served; not you. “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

Indeed, the God of unconditional love is also our advocate for justice.

Forgiveness comes in time, not always right away. Sometimes we have to grieve it first, and pray that we can feel it. How do you forgive?

 

* Acknowledge you have been hurt. “I have been wronged.”

* Receive God’s forgiveness. “I have been wrong, too. I need forgiveness.”

* Choose to forgive. “I’m wrestling with why I should I forgive him?”

* Release to God in prayer—and forgive. “Because God has forgiven me, I will forgive him.”

Because God has first forgiven us, He commands us to forgive others. Ephesians 4:31, 32, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Forgiveness is an act of your will; it is a choice. And doing so releases you!

What is binding you—bitterness, anger, resentment, or offense?  Perhaps it’s time to release your vice grip hold and forgive. Give God your thirst, your ache, and your needs.

As you choose to forgive and release, you will find freedom and peace.

 

(To find out more about forgiveness, check out "When Love Ends and the Ice Cream Carton Is Empty" by Jackie M. Johnson. Also available in Kindle format.)

 

 

 

 

happy thoughts for a summer day

It's Saturday and it's summer. Okay, almost summer. In three more days the we'll flip the calendar and it will be official. But today it's warm and sunny.

Don't you wish it was summer-like in your heart every day? Instead of clouds, perfectly blue sky. No pain, no tears. Instead of fog, always clear. You always knew just what direction to take and exactly what to do!

If only.

But even though the weather changes--outdoors and in our hearts--we can still CHOOSE joy. We can still take steps toward feeling better and living better even when life is hard.

There will always be disappointments and trials in life...confusing days and broken times. Love can hurt and life is messy. We can cry and be sad. There is a place for that. But then, after grieving, we can press on--trusting God--and choose what we will do next.

As for me, I want to choose joy...be kind...lend a helping hand...listen to others...be heard...celebrate!...be at peace.

Today I will trust God. And make better choices.