In times of sickness and suffering our hearts can cling to fear, worry, anger or a slew of other emotions. Fear can easily be my first reaction! I've been that way since I was a little girl. The "what ifs" come crashing in on my mind and my heart so quickly. I can reduce to tears and worrying and make myself sick. These are the moments when I have to re-group, breath and pray.
This year has been a year like no other. I've lost two foster babies from my life, had a miscarriage and now I'm dealing with a tumor and other health issues. Just when I think I can take a deep breath, the wind seems to get knocked out of my lungs even further. At least that's how it feels as I'm living it. It all feels like a bad dream.
I'll be the first to admit that I don't handle thing correctly when a tragedy hits. I don't automatically have my heart tuned to Jesus. The correct view of my situation isn't always there at first. Anyone reading this a musician? I am. Tuning an instrument is an absolute must before a performance. If you've even heard an orchestra warm up before everyone is tuned correctly you know exactly what I mean. That's like my heart and yours too. How do we get in tune with the Lord? I have to sit in His Word and compare it to what I'm facing. Fear is my heart being out of tune. I need to turn my fear into faith. Faith that God knows what's best for me. That He will only allow things in my life to make me more like Him. Is it fun? Not at all. Not even a little.
Daily or even hourly tuning my heart to Christ has become a big part of my day. Sometimes it's tears. Sometimes it's leaving the room to go pray on my bed. Often it's reading my Bible. Reading a book that is focused on God's attributes. Music. Just as an instrument can go out of tune for many different reasons, so can our hearts and lives. Our flesh and our heart certainly fail us so much and aren't trustworthy. Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." What's my favorite part of that verse? BUT GOD.
Does your heart need a tuning fork? Do you need to Conductor to play middle C so you can tune your heart to His voice? I don't know what life is like for you right now, but for me it's just plain hard. It's not a walk in the park or coming up all roses. It's pain, hurt, suffering and tomorrow is unsure. The only way I can keep moving forward is by tuning my heart to Him and trusting that He has my song from beginning to end written as a beautiful masterpiece. He does. He promises that to me in His word and to you too if you are in Christ. Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." I hope that encourages your heart today like it does mine. Sit with Him, my friend. Tune your heart to His. It's the only way to get through the day with peace during a trial.
4 Responses to “Tuning My Heart to God in Suffering”
comments are closed
Trackbacks and Pingbacks:
-
Empty Arms | A Home with Purpose
[…] For more encouragement in times of suffehring: Tuning My Heart to God in Suffering. […]
About Jennifer
Hello there! I’m Jennifer and Welcome to my website – A Home with Purpose. My passion is sharing Christ’s Love and recipes with my Trim Healthy Mama friends. Learn more about me.
Dear Jennifer, I love the words you shared and the message. I had and still have hurt, pain, and the suffering. Not the same situation I know, but still hurts so deeply, like what you shared you are currently facing. Turning to God and reading his words, especially the Book of Psalms, even taking screen shots with my phone, to glance at during the day, and reread them over and over, helped (and still helps) with me to get thru the day with peace. I came home from work one day to my street filled with police officers and TV cameras, only to be told my wonderful husband of two years and 19 days, had been attacked, stabbed and killed in our front yard, while he was washing his truck. It took three trials to finally get a conviction, of a man who finally admitted he only did it because he was having a bad day and wanted to hurt someone, a total stranger. He’s in prison now, serving only 25 years. Now, still four years later, the only way I can get thru, is to turn to God, sit on my bed, read my Bible, pray, and thank God for the strength and courage he gave me and still gives me everyday. Through God, I can say, I’m a survivor and not a victim. And through God’s strength he gives me, I can share my story, like you did, to inspire others, to turn to God in your darkest hours, and he will help you get thru. I pray God fills your heart, mind and soul with his love, compassion and healing. That from this day forward, life gets a little easier each day for you. I wanted to share my story with you, as I always find it amazing hearing other people’s stories, that the same words in the Bible can bring peace and healing, in such different situations. God Bless you 🙂
Thank you Michelle for sharing your story. You are such an encouragement that God can be trusted and to focus on truth when you are overwhelmed with grief and sorrow. I am so very sorry for your loss. Praying for God’s peace to continue to comfort you and Jennifer both.
Thank you for sharing from your heart. I am so so sorry for what you’ve faced. I’m thankful that the Lord has given you so much comfort and care. He is so good.