How To Recognize God In All Circumstances (Grief Series – Part 2)
Last week, I shared my story with you, and ended with a promise to give you some tools that have helped me tremendously to deal with, and even overcome much of my grief. I would like to stress, though, that these tools are applicable in all circumstances of life. No matter where you are in life, or in the process of grieving, there are various ways in which you can recognize God and His footprints. I have no doubt that if you adopt and implement these thoughts, the chains of guilt, heaviness, and sorrow will be loosened around your heart.
Photo credit: DeeAshley via photopin cc
God Does Not Work In A Vacuum
For nine, long years, I believed that God allowed my mother, sister, and nephew to be killed. His will had been done. His ways accomplished. Now, that may sound as though I had it all together, and that my faith was where it should have been. But you see, there was another side to that coin that lay beneath the surface.
The way I saw it, was that God, in His Sovereignty, ordained the end of my family members’ lives, but it was ME who had to clean up the mess, and deal with the consequences and pain. It was I who was left to pick up the pieces of God’s will, so to speak.
Do I sound as though I was bitter towards Him?
Yes, I probably was! 🙁
BUT, one day the light went on in my mind, and I realized something amazing that left me stunned! My friend, God does not work in a vacuum! He doesn’t whirl into your life, as the tornado did in Oklahoma, cause destruction, and then vanish off about His daily business, leaving you behind in His wake to reap the devastating effects of tragedy.
No. God is not that way at all.
The God of the Bible did allow tragedy and trial into my life, and yours (James 1:2).
The eternal God of creation did ordain for that occurrence into your life for reasons that are beyond your understanding.
But He also intended fully, purposefully, and somehow even graciously for you to have to live with the scar all the rest of the days of your life. And believe it or not, that’s a good thing (Psalm 34:18).
Why Did God Allow Tragedy In Your Life?
It may sound cruel, but it’s not when you think of how perfect God is, and how His ways are so much higher than yours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
In order to be most greatly glorified, the Lord meant that the “you” with the pain, grief, sadness, and sorrow would be
- More useful in His Kingdom
- More God-glorifying in the way you live your life
- More mature in the Messiah
- More greatly resembling His beloved Son
Than the “you” without having gone through your loss.
In God’s inerrant summation, He knew before the Heavens and the Earth were created, that you would glorify Him more being alive with the hurt, than being alive without it.
The King of Heaven and Earth knew that you would be stronger and more equipped to face everything else that He ordained for your life with the heartache, than without it.
And with tears in my eyes, I assure you that He perfectly, thoroughly and wholly equipped you, my beloved friend, to be able to handle the event that He would allow into your life.
The Lord God Found You Worthy!
There is another facet that you may have missed, and that is that you are special! You are special because God found you worthy and capable of handling what you went through. He wouldn’t just have given that privilege to anyone. He chose to allow it into your life, beloved, because He knew that out of all people, you would be the one who would most glorify His Name on this Earth if you went through that event. You may or may not have used your grief in this way as yet, but He intends you to, and will make a way for you too as you seek Him. (Isaiah 48:11)
———————–
I have been where you are. I have endured it all. If I hadn’t, I would have no standing to pronounce these words to you.
Yes, God carried out His plan for my mother, sister and nephew. March 8th, 2000 came and went. And it may have seemed like the worst day of my life at the time.
But here I stand, 13 years later, and I can tell you with confidence and assurance, that that was the day…
That I truly started to grow in the Lord.
That was the day that glorifying God would take on a whole new meaning.
That was the day that all that God had prepared and equipped me to face, was brought out of the storehouses of my soul, and with God’s righteous and merciful right Hand, He used it to carry and sustain me.
March 8th, 2000, was the first day of the rest of my life.
Read the next post in this Grief Series titled, “Can You Really Trust God?”, here.
Tweetables:
God knew that you would glorify Him more with your hurt than without it (<–Click to Tweet)
God perfectly equipped you to be able to handle the event that He would allow into your life (<– Click to Tweet)
Your trial is the beginning of new growth in the Lord (<– Click to Tweet)
Do any of these thoughts resonate with you? How would these concepts change the way you perceive your trial or grief?
Such a beautiful encouraging post. I’ve had three friends who have buried their spouses and gone on to raise their children alone. Only they aren’t alone. God has been so faithful to bring them through!
Thanks for linking up to “Making Your Home Sing Monday” today!
Great post, Tehila.
I think when we really understand God’s love for us, his sovereignty, his power, his wisdom, his holiness, his greatness – then we can get to the point where we see even the tragedies in our lives as gifts from him.
Thank you so much for linking up at my “Best Of The Weekend” party. 🙂 I am adding this in to wrap up my features which will post in an hour or so and talking about your eBook. 🙂
xoxo, Claire
It would not even be possible for me to express all the ways this spoke to me. Truly a message I needed right now! Thank you!
Thank you, Kasey. What a blessing to hear… xxx
You give such great nuggets of wisdom in this post. Although I have a hectic life right now, I am fortunate not to be experiencing grief or any “real” trials. But when I come against them, I just remind myself that they are necessary to get to the next level and I power through them looking for the lesson the entire time. I’m a huge believer that every test is meant to teach us a lesson and the sooner we pass the test, the sooner we can move on.
I like the way you are talking directly to me. All that you say is true and applies to my situation though no life was lost. Those years (for my situation) were ones that drew me closer to the Lord. Thank you for reminding me that it is within God’s purpose and plan for my life and not something He wanted to do to harm me.
Thanks for sharing this post over at WholeHearted Home, sweet friend.
Thanks for sharing at “Tell Me a Story.” You have given us a lot to consider. Adam and Eve might be to blame for all our troubles, but God will turn them around and bring us comfort. Due to the curse placed on this earth, we have an enemy who is the destroyer, thief, murderer and liar. He would try to convince us that God is our enemy when in truth it is the old devil. God is so gracious to use pain to bring us closer to him and works things out to bring glory to him.
Insightful and Inspriring. The problems and hurts will be there..but we always have to TRUST in God. The Lord is present in every trials we go through. Being a Godly wife, I am not perfect myself. During times of pain and doubts, I often ask myself, “Why do the righteous suffer?” And then I remembered Christ and some people who made it through. I answered my own question! “Why not?” They are the ones (like JC) who can take it.”
I can do ALL things through Christ. -Philippians 4:13
Visiting you from the Happy Wives Club Link Up.
I can’t even begin to imagine, but your faith is truly and inspiration. I think your story explains quite well how a Christian should respond. I am glad I found your blog, and I will be following you. I found you through the You Like Me blog hop. If you want to visit my blog, be my guest!
WoW! I’m so glad we found your blog!! Thanks for linking up with us at One Sharendipity Place this weekend!
Sue @thet2women.com
Thanks for linking up your second part! I get where you’re coming from. You’ve given us some valuable info here. I guess I just don’t look at the death or illness of a loved one as something that happened to me. Just a different perspective!
Thank you so much for your wisdom.It was something that I needed at this point in my life. Please feel free to stop by. I am going to be looking into reading .Blessings
O my! I LOVE your site. This is so encouraging. I will be back for sure. I found you via the Homemaking Party Blog hop. I would love a visit back!
Blessings & hugs to you!
God never promises that we won’t have trials and tribulations – but He does promise us everlasting life if we keep our eyes upon Him. This is a beautiful post that will bless many 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend.
Amen, Kathleen! Thank you for your input and encouragement. To God be the Glory!
Some of the things here do resonate with me, and it’s wonderful that you’ve shared this post.
Thank you, Rosey! God bless you…
Thank you so much for this post. Beautiful. Thought-provoking. Gave me chills!
I have been struggling with the ‘why does God let bad things happen’ thing for awhile now. I am so glad He led me to your site. I’m incredibly sorry that you had to feel such pain, but I rejoice with you in your victory over it. God is wonderful and merciful, and He does have a plan!
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Amen, Kelsey! I’m glad you were blessed by this post. May the Lord continue to use it in your life and the lives of others. xx
God brings “beauty from ashes,” doesn’t He, Tehila? I so get this! I’ve not experienced the kind of tragedy that you have, but I have had my own share of painful trials and that has been what I’ve rejoiced in–God’s redemption of my heart and impact on others. I’m grateful for how God has used these trials in your life to make you more like His Son as well. You shine brightly here in this place! Thanks so much for linking this great word of encouragement up at Wedded Wed. Love it!
Thank you so much my Bethy-friend! What kind words, and a loving heart behind them! Hugs and gratitude… xx
I believe that sometimes God causes things to happen and other times He allows them to happen.. Often I have to remind myself of what Paul said.. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
I can’t say that it puts me in a happier mood but it helps me to understand, ya know?
Great post!
Thank you for these great insights, Ren, and I love that verse you quoted! A real encouragement to me today! xx
Yes, we are NEVER left on our own whatever happens! I read the other day that God refines us through suffering in that He uses these devastating times to teach us how to trust and grow into the soil of His great love, grace and mercy. I have found that as long as I have something visible to turn to for love and encouragement, I would go there first. Through my own suffering He has taken away all those things and taught me to come to Him and trust Him and Him alone.
Much love from Beth’s linky.
Mia
Thanks so much for stopping by, Mia! I couldn’t agree with your beautiful comment more, and rejoice to hear of God’s faithfulness to you, my friend! xx
Hi there! I am co-hosting this week on Friend Connect Blog Hop. Thanks for connecting up!
I also host a TGIF Link Party over at my place — A Peek Into Paradise… http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/ Would love for you to link up, Opens on Fridays and stays open until Wednesday at midnight. Thanks again for visiting the Friend Connect Blog Hop!
Have a terrific week!
Hugs, Cathy
Thanks, Cathy! Count me in 🙂
Esther Stuart likes this!
I second that idea Tehila, Already I have forwarded this post to one of my writer penpals in America, and I will certainly be sharing it with many more. As much as I have loved your blog posts, this may be the most powerfully used one yet.
I only hope that those who read it will be compelled to read the earlier ones too as they are all challenges that we need.
I love you, and can’t wait until Friday!
Thank you so much. I am truly humbled, Esther… May God use my feeble words unto His greatest glory!!! With my love to you.. xx
Wow!!! Thank you for this reminder! The scars are so painful, but yet necessary to glorify Him! My husband equated some trials we’ve been going through the last 5 years as God (as the Great Physician) performing surgery on my life. It hurts and I’ll have scars and healing, but it’s done out of infinite love with precision and a purpose.
Thank you so much, Rachel. That is a wonderful and insightful way of seeing God’s work in our lives. Appreciate you sharing… God bless you, dear sister!
I just have to tell you…Few can write about grief from the place of Victory you have found! The world too often doesn’t want to face “the hard stuff” and often prefers living in offense than bravely working through their sorrow with God’s Word and His truth. You are clearly called and anointed to write on this, as your words from Part 1 penetrated my mind all week. I shared them with my husband. And I meditated on the truth that God DOES see, He DOES know, and He DOES allow bad things to happen…..Knowing what will happen even before hand.
I got a call from a friend this week whose neighbors, the mom, dad, & two girls all died in a car crash a few days ago. Our friends were grieving so. I can see how sharing your story could be a doorway to healing for many! I would love to see an e-book or hardbound book when you are ready! Keep writing! Bless you friend! Thanks for UNITING!
Jen
Wow Jen! I am taken aback by your powerful words, encouragement, and support. Honestly… THANK YOU! I also feel shocked about the family who were killed this week… In a way, it’s a blessing in disguise that they were taken all together. Yesterday my family and I all flew on a plane, my hubby, our four children, and myself. The thought crossed my mind several times, that if the Lord chose to take us all together, that would be a merciful thing, so that none of us would need to grieve and miss the others… So even though it is a shock, no doubt, to all those around them, to me, I see the Hand of God’s Mercy in sparing this family the grief and pain of losing those closest to them. Will be praying for other family and those that knew them, though.
On another note, Jen, I am so exhorted by your words to put these thoughts and experiences into an some kind of a book. When I first wrote my story last week, I fully intended for it to be a part 1 and part 2 thing! But in writing this last part, I realized that I need to take my time with it, and lay out patiently and systematically what the Lord has allowed me to learn on my journey. So a few more installments are yet to come 🙂
Thank you, Jen! I may just take your advice yet 🙂
God bless you, dear friend!
A huge AMEN to that Tehila,
I love the way you have expressed this.
During my own trails I never had the same struggle to ‘pick up the mess’ myself that you have, so I am very glad that you have shared this struggle and the wonderful moment of your enlightenment.
People think we are crazy when we talk about our trials and griefs as being unbelievable blessings, and yet they really are. I too count my period of Spiritual growth from the time when I lost my Father and then each fresh grief that happened after that was like a renewal of focus and deeper dependence on my precious Heavenly Father.
May our dear Lord use this blog to comfort and convict the hearts of many precious people out there that God’s plan for their grievous circumstance is NOT malicious or indifferent to their pain, but He is faithful to his promise to use all things to work together for good for those who love Him and who are called according to His promises… (Romans 8:28-29).
Once again, thank you for writing this.
<3 Esther
Thank you so much, Esther. You’ve summarised alot of what I’ve been trying to convey so well! Blessings, and thank you so much for your faithfulness in reading and participating in this blog (and my life! :-))
God’s blessings to you today and always xx