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Saturday 17 October 2009

Spiritual Sundays

Hello friends~ I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!
Once again I am joining my friends Ginger and Charlotte and the other participants for Spiritual Sundays. Please click on the link http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ or the Spiritual Sundays button on my sidebar to visit all these wonderful people.

Something has been grieving my heart for quite some time. Have you ever noticed how many Christians out there are disillusioned with life and church in general? They are those poor souls who are seeking a magic wand solution to their problems and if the answer does not come in the way they want, they get angry with God.
They don't trust God and some have unfortunately walked away from their faith.
Life has become too hard and they blame God for all their problems. Sadly, they have joined the thousands of hurting and lost souls who question God's mercy and compassion. They wonder about the times in which we live and the bad things that happen to good people.......

Some examples:
A father is sitting by his little girl and watches her slip away because the drunk driver who hit his little girl was not thinking about what he was doing and got behind the wheel of the car. The grieving father questions God about why He didn't protect his child.
Another questions God about why He allowed his child to be molested.
Still another wonders why God is allowing breast cancer to claim the life of his beloved wife and the mother to his three children. The little family needs her!
All they can think about is their loss and their pain, and their faith is like a pendulum, swinging back and forth. Some will raise their fist at God and threaten to live life without Him if He doesn't change their situation.

We are all sorely tested at one time or another. The earth is filled with violence, sickness, and disease, and will continue to be until Jesus comes back! As long as we live on this earth, there will be war and rumors of war. Now more than ever, we live in a society where man is totally self-centered; it's each man for himself. I shudder to think that there are those who actually live by that motto!

No matter what happens in our lives, the Lord wants us to trust Him. But sometimes, that is easier said than done when you are going through uncharted waters!

I came across this conversation in 'Hinds Feet on High Places,' a wonderful allegorical story written by author Hannah Hurnard, which I just finished reading again for about the fourth time. This conversation which takes place between the King and His child after her journey to the high places, is her explanation to all she had gone through. It went like this-

" Every circumstance in life, no matter how crooked and distorted and ugly it appears to be, if it is reacted to in love and forgiveness and obedience to Your will, can be transformed.
Therefore I begin to think, my Lord, You purposely allow us to be brought into contact with the bad and evil things that you want changed. Perhaps that is the very reason why we are here in this world, where sin and sorrow and suffering and evil abound, so that we may let You teach us so to react to them, that out of them we can create lovely qualities to live forever.
That is the only really satisfactory way of dealing with evil, not simply binding it so that it cannot work harm, but whenever possible overcoming it with good."

I liked this explanation and thought it worthy of sharing with all of you.
"Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." ROMANS 12:21

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

17 comments :

  1. Hi Sandi,
    Such a great post, I went and read it twice. Just so much thought here. Romans 12, is a very favorite chapter of mine. I agree it is how we react to situations that matters.
    Enjoy your Sunday.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  2. Yes. Overcome evil with good. That is a lesson for all of us, isn't it?

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  3. I love the way you ended your post with Romans 12:21..."Overcome evil with good"...It is sad when people turn away from their faith when they had already tasted how good the Lord is...This world offers nothing but selfishness...Have a great weekend and God bless you. Thank you for the reminder today!

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  4. Hi,Sandi:
    I read it so long ago, I enjoyed the passage you shared. What a great book.

    Thank you for your prayers for me in my drive home!

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  5. Thanks for those thoughts. So sad that some would turn away from God like that ~

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  6. I know so many people who blame the Lord for different things in their life. This would be a good book to give to someone as a gift. Thank-you for this great post today.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  7. Sandi,
    This is wonderful, and so true.
    But, as you said, sometimes hard to grasp in the middle of things.

    I'm glad we are here to remind and support each other.

    Thanks for your visits. I always love seeing that you have come by.
    blessings

    barbara jean

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  8. This was a really good post with many things to think about. Sometimes in the midest of our deepest pain we react in ways that are only harmful to us in the long run. How wonderful to know that the Lord loves us in spite of our reactions sometimes and waits patiently for us to return, rejoicing when we do. And how sad when some turn away and their hearts only harden. Thanks for sharing this. Blessings to you, Debbie

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  9. I too love Hinds Feet in High Places and have re-read it many times. He places us in, or at least allows, the circumstances of life and once we fully grasp that truth we enjoy that peace that passeth understanding because we know we are in the palm of His hand. No safer place than that!! Regardless of what is happening around us.
    Susan

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  10. I like this explanation too, Sandi. Thanks for sharing. I hope that you have a happy Sunday.

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  11. Yes, this is something that is worthy of being shared. I thank you for doing so. I am often tempted not to read the devotions if they are as long as this one. I'm so glad I read this one. This is good "stuff." We all need to hear it.

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  12. Dear Sandi,

    Just happened to stumble upon your blog and so glad I did. It's like walking into a comfortable and welcoming tea room. Love it!

    His Blessings,
    Lee Ann

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  13. Yes, it seems to be the only way to overcome with gladness instead of anger.

    Good points you brought up with good messages.

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  14. What a wonderful post, Sandi, and so timely. Yes, I think some people think that if they love God, he owes them a life without pain. It just doesn't work that way as you so beautifully pointed out. I think we all need to be reminded of this from time to time. Thank you for doing that.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  15. Sandi,
    So sad that there are people who blame God for their problems instead of letting God in their lives and then knowing the "peace that passes all understanding." Thanks for this inspirational post today.

    Blessings,
    Jean

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  16. Great post Sandi.
    I everything thing give thanks for this is the will of God.

    Have a great week.
    "Regina's Spiritual Sunday Post"

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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