Love Wins!

Isaiah 61:3 says, “and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”  I have thought much about this scripture.  To be honest, I have had a love/hate relationship with it.  Here is what this verse has taught me...

1)  God provides what we need when we need and how we need it.  Many times I don’t even know what I need, but thankfully my Master does...especially when I grieve!

2)  God takes the devastating ashes of my hurt and pain and transforms them into a crown that sits beautifully on my head.  Only God can redeem the hurt, pain, sorrow, and agony of loss.  Only God...and thankfully He does!

3)  God reminds me of happy memories with Allie.  And those happy memories with her are thick like oil and just like oil, can’t be easily removed!

4)  God clothes us with hope.  In the lowest valley, He is still there wrapping us in hope.  Hope for the present and hope for the future.  The result?  We praise Him, even in pain and grief!

5)  God likes to show off His children...and He does it best when His children go through tough stuff and still trust Him.  Honestly, Jane and I don’t always feel like He is shining through us, but we know He is, even in our dark times.  And honestly, we don’t always feel like we are solid as an oak, but we know that we are in Him!

I guess it is true that love wins out over hate - every time:)!

Loving and Leading,

Jeff Powell

Mad At God

James 5:10-11 says, “Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.  You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

I don’t want to be that person.  I don’t want to be known as blessed because I have persevered.  Sure I want to be known as blessed, but not because I have persevered.  A few weeks ago I wrote the following in my journal...

“Who am I mad at?  I am mad at God.  I am mad that this happened.  I don’t want to drink this cup.  I want to resist and rebel. I want to shake my fist at God and cry out to Him.  I want to pick a fight...a fight with God.  How arrogant is that?  Very but that is the vile and venom that is in my heart right now.  I am angry.  Someone is to blame.  He is the creator and able to do anything that pleases Him.  Why does this have to please Him?  Why?  Why?  Why?  This is not the cup I want to drink.  This is not the path I want to walk.  I can’t faith it and I can’t fake it.  I either rebel and go my own way, which is futile OR I surrender to His way.  I don’t like it.  I despise it.  I hate it.  It hurts.”

I went on... “I want to get to the bottom of this pit and find Him there.  I need you God!!!!!!!!!!!!  I need you like never before!!!!!  Take the hurt and pain I do not understand OR do I understand and just don’t want to accept it?  I don’t care.  I am a raging man - make me raging for you.  Let me see you in this depth.  Let me feel you I pray.”

I share this with you because we think perseverance is “pretty” and “nice,” when the reality is it is “raw” and “hard.”  Walk the road God has placed before you and walk it honestly, for that is where you will find the power to persevere and when you persevere, it will be said of you that you are blessed!

Loving and Leading,

Jeff Powell

More Thoughts About Suffering

Lamentations 3:32-33 says, “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.  For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.”  Did you read that?  God does not WILLINGLY bring affliction or grief to any of us!  So that begs the question, then why does He if He does not do it willingly?

Lately, I have pondered much upon that.  Here is what I have concluded.  There is simply no other way for true, authentic faith to be seen.  It is easy to believe and trust when you know everything will turn out like you want it to turn out.  But the moment life throws us a curve ball, we are tempted to doubt, to complain, to be angry all because things have not gone the way we wanted them to go!

Scripture backs up my conclusion.  1 Peter 1:7 speaking of grief in all kinds of trials says, “These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  

So here is the deal:  God does not bring affliction, nor grief on us willingly, but He allows it because it is the only way to show true faith in Him resulting in glory being given to Jesus.  So the next time you are wondering “why me????” just remember, it is because you have true, authentic faith.  The question then becomes “will you let it shine through so that Jesus is glorified through you?”  I pray so.

Loving and Leading,

Jeff Powell

Why Do We Have To Suffer?

Suffering is a part of following Jesus.  I have experienced times that I would describe as “suffering.”  Why do we have to suffer?  What does it produce?  Here is what I know...

1.  Suffering Perfects - we are refined by it and humbled by it.  It reveals the areas of true belief and true doubt in us.  It shows us pride.  It uncovers anger.  It gives incredible opportunity to grow. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

2.  Suffering gives Power - when we are at our weakest, it is then that Jesus can be at His strongest through us!  When we suffer, we realize how powerless we are apart from Jesus.  When we suffer, we can surrender like never before to His living power! (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

3.  Suffering allows Perseverance - life is a marathon, not a sprint.  It is a long journey in the direction of following Jesus.  It is not always easy.  Suffering separates the true followers of Jesus from the false. (1 Peter 1:7)

4.  Suffering reminds us of Promise - this life is not all that exists.  Eternity is real.  We have hope for tomorrow in what we cannot see today.  He never promised to keep us from the valley of the shadow of death, but He did promise to walk with us through it! This life will pass away.  Better and lasting things await us.  (James 5:7-11)

None of this makes suffering easy, but it does give fresh eyes to it.  May we see as Jesus sees and live as He lived...that is what the world is waiting to see!  Will it begin in you and me?  I pray so!

Loving and Leading,

Jeff Powell