Posts Tagged: god

Patience Grows Love in the Petri Dish of Suffering

Posted March 3, 2017 | Karisa Moore

Day 16 (Originally posted on Facebook, 16 days after my son’s death)

Job 3:11 a, 26: “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?. . . I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”

Throughout my scripture reading I have always struggled with Job and other bearers of great suffering. Why would God allow Satan to test Job? He even goes so far as to point Job out. Can you imagine the God of the Universe pointing you out for Satan’s “special” attention? “Have you considered my servant …___________?”

No thank you!

“She has the patience of Job” is used when describing someone who is enduring great suffering. What do patience and suffering have to do with each other?

Patience: from the Latin word patiencia- “endurance”, from pati- “to suffer”.

  1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
  2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.
  3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience. (Dictionary.com)

Alright, so suffering is in the very meaning of patience.

Job suffered the loss of all his children, his livelihood, and his health. He even had to suffer through the speeches of three friends who have been nicknamed “miserable comforters”. The closest that the devil can get to having Job curse God is to curse his own birth. But, at the end of the day God had final say over even that. “Where were you when. . .” (38:4) In other words, I am God and you are not.

God doesn’t always tell us why we suffer, but he did not spare his own son, who was without blemish, and look at the results of Jesus’ suffering the cross. Many are saved. I have seen enough examples throughout scripture and in life to know that suffering comes, and that I always have a choice as to how I will respond to it. To truly love others, patience must be the first part of my response. 1 Corinthians 13:4 says love is patient,” . . . Without patience love doesn’t stand a chance. Patience, at its core, means that I am giving up my right to have my way; that I am “bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation or the like.”

Barbara Johnson, one of my all-time favorite humorists said, “Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.”

Today I practice idling my motor, accepting God’s will for my life. The result is ALWAYS that many are saved. Just ask fellow sufferers, Joseph, Moses, Job and Jesus. Our suffering produces good things when we obey the will of God.

Comment
Share

Emptying the Ex-Box

Posted February 3, 2017 | Karisa Moore

Zechariah 7: 9“Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; 10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’

Some of are still holding onto the Ex box. The Ex box is anything from our past, our old life that we do not let go of, or give over completely to God. It can be photos, notes, an object and ultimately it can be held tightly in our thoughts. I am pausing from sorting through Jonathan’s box of things to tell you I just threw away a bad memory I gripped tightly. Jonathan had many harsh realities to deal with, and he had some choice words he wrote down on paper about someone who was hurting him. Why keep such a note?

  • Because it feeds my own wounds
  • Because I’m angry
  • Because there has not been satisfactory justice
  • Because it vindicates me

These are the reasons I have held onto this sheet of paper. And even as I read it, I felt my heartache stirred. But, I declared out loud, “THIS DOES NOT HELP ME!” And, in a decisive move I balled it up and tossed the note in the trash.

  • Trust God’s justice
  • Acknowledge that God saw Jonathan’s pain
  • God alone is judge
  • Forgiveness frees me, and offers hope to the wrong doer

What do you have in your box? Is there one thing you can give to God that you desperately want solved, fixed, or don’t understand? Declare out loud the truth over the object and release it. Embrace the far better future God has for us and let go of the Ex.

My prayers are with you!

Comment
Share

Insomnia’s Lullaby

Posted January 19, 2017 | Karisa Moore

Sleep sacrifices itself,

nervously walking the halls of your

mind, jingling uneasy keys of security. Sensing

a breach, depression silently

intrudes, slithering around

restless souls, squeezing sincere

serenity from the sheets

of sanity. Until you surrender

to the venom of its lullaby.

 

P.S. I know insomnia well. Some of my earliest memories are severe nightmares and lying awake all night. I share this struggle with you because the desperation for sleep can lead to impulsiveness, and choices that a mind refreshed by sleep would not make. Even still my hope is in the Lord.

I don’t know why he has allowed this thorn in my flesh to remain. Maybe it is to encourage you in a moment of hopelessness! Even while I suffer I will turn this page, and remember that God makes each day new. You too are longing mind, body and soul for rest and may be tempted to, or, already are attempting to self medicate to attain sleep. Do not fight this battle alone. Turn the page on this night, with me! Lean hard into Christ, who was so tired he fell asleep on a boat in the middle of a storm. Like him, trust God to get you through this storm. My prayers are with you. Here are some scriptures to meditate on as we lay our weary heads on our pillows:

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are
steadfast, because they trust in you. …

Mark 4:39… waves, “Silence! Be still!” The wind sank, and a perfect calm set in. … He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still …

Further Bible Verses

 

 

 

 

Comment
Share

New Year’s Renewal of the Mind

Posted January 2, 2017 | Karisa Moore

Matthew 22:34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?

37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’c 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’d 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

These are the verses that are shaping my new year. What are yours?

Comment
Share

Thankful Thursdays: We Have Such a Cloud of Witnesses

Posted October 27, 2016 | Karisa Moore

How did I go from complete isolation, to this cloud of witnesses cheering me on to the mark God has set before me? Some of you were already there, but my depression became blinders to the help you offered. To my newer friends, or strangers who plant seeds in my life as we pass each other in our journeys, thank you for listening and acting on the Holy Spirit’s counsel. My life is changed because of you!

You all matter so much! Don’t think for a split second that I don’t see you. More importantly, God knows your kindnesses to me! Matthew 25:40 And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me. Do you think that I could withstand the onslaught of this storm alone? Do you think that the living room full of people the day my son died was just a tiny blip on the radar? The effect of their presence is still with me. There are many days, when the darkness draws tighter around me, but God brings your hug, your card, your touch to the forefront of my mind and reminds me that I am not alone!

Today I am thank you for YOU! For your love, support and journeying with me. I’m thankful for my friends encouraging me right now towards better health. I’m grateful, though all that I have may crumble to the ground, God you are faithful. I praise you that my kids are learning this in a mighty way. I’m thankful for Compassion’s pray list that is teaching my children to pray for others around the world. Thank you Lord for your word, that reminds me of who I am, your sovereignty and grace, and who my neighbors are.

Thank you for opening my spirit, mind and body to a new path towards health. Thank you Jesus for not fitting into my box!

Comment
Share

Thankful Thursdays: My Basement is Flooded and I Still Choose to Praise

Posted October 20, 2016 | Karisa Moore

So I was thinking Job today and God gave me Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving instead.

1 Samuel 2:1-10 Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2“There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 3“Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed. 4“The bows of the mighty are shattered, But the feeble gird on strength. 5“Those who were full, hire themselves out for bread, But those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, But she who has many children languishes. 6“The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7“The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. 8“He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap. To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, And He set the world on them. 9“He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. 10“Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”

This is a woman who knows God’s sovereignty and our freedom to walk humbly with our God. She is barren, despised by her community, but she prays and God gives her a son. She gives that son right back to Him! Her son Samuel will one day anoint David as King, and ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus! To know that what God will do in our lives is far greater than our suffering, our circumstances even our accumulated wealth, and our kingdom is a rare wisdom.  Do you and have it? Are we willing to humble ourselves, submit to God’s authority and wait on his answer? Do we accept that he is limitless?

I raise my hands to the heavens and declare: You Lord know what you are doing! Wow! Oh Father I give you praise that my husband, kids, and I are drawing closer in the midst of our storm. I praise you that we can laugh! I praise you that the sun rose again. I praise you for keeping Brian and Natalie safe as they drove through the flooded streets last night. I praise you that my house is still standing. I praise you that we are still standing! You are a good God. I praise you for the friends who love and support us. Thank you for making our path straight.

Thank you Jesus for our salvation! Amen

 

Comment
Share

Testimony Tuesday: The Most Exhilarating 5 Minutes

Posted October 18, 2016 | Karisa Moore

Luke 10 …40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” 41“Martha, Martha, the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. 42But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”…

This morning was getting away from me. I was dressed to care for everyone else, but as I removed my bike from the van to put it away, I hopped on instead. As I peddled up our street, hair blowing in the wind, I praised God. The chaos that sought to control me was blown away by the fall breeze. I was smiling as legs stretched and I became winded. A quietness settled my anxious heart because I took 5 minutes to remember, my body matters to God. Because I took 5 minutes, my day looks a whole lot different.

Comment
Share

Testimony Tuesday: The Relationship between Pain and our Spiritual Health

Posted October 11, 2016 | Karisa Moore

In a previous post on perseverance I spoke about pain as a necessity so that we pay attention, change, and care for our bodies. Some of us, have pain that goes above and beyond the norm.

I just found out that my discs are deteriorating and my hip sockets were not formed right so my cartilage is wearing away. The orthopedist called me a “tween” I am in the teenage years of hip replacement. Right now the goal is pain management but I have surgery in my future. Daunting prospects, because I’ve cared for patients who have the level of pain I currently have and watched their spirits deteriorate along with their body. But, I’ve also watched spirits increase and abound in other patients who chose to open themselves up to Christ being enough in their pain. So how do we meet pain with the balm of spiritual discipline?

1. Acknowledge the pain and our needs

2. Put it in right context: believe

3. Repent of any sin contributing to our health

4. Surround ourselves with a cloud of witnesses

5. Act on the opportunities given for health and wholeness

6. Bless others who are suffering

 

I know I’m only scratching the surface today, but I’m working through this as I go. We’ll talk more as

I journey through.

Matthew Henry’s commentary on 2 Chronicles 21;12-20, a rather gruesome prophecy given to King Jehoram, but unheeded, is contrasted with  very good news for those who believe even while they suffer.

Good men may be afflicted with diseases; but to them they are fatherly chastisements, and by the support of Divine consolations the soul may dwell at ease, even when the body lies in pain. To be sick and poor, sick and solitary, but especially to be sick and in sin, sick and under the curse of God, sick and without grace to bear it, is a most deplorable case. Wickedness and profaneness make men despicable, even in the eyes of those who have but little religion.

 

 

Comment
Share

Monday Mood Ring: Strangely Peaceful

Posted October 10, 2016 | Karisa Moore

Mood Colors: I’m Yellow today–I feel open to the possibilities of the day.

After an indescribably severe headache last night, I feel strangely peaceful this morning. Today will be what it will be. What color is your week starting with?

E-motions are a part of our transportation system, meant to take you to new places, but not meant to carry you away. God in heaven feels, and Jesus in the flesh certainly felt emotions. God would not have placed emotions in us, if they were not as important and as vital as our physical functions. Don’t ignore them or elevate them to god status. Let emotions join wisdom and reason in decision making. Logic without emotion tends to become cruel, and emotion without logic becomes lazy.

John 11:33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

There is so much to learn here! How differently this miracle would look if Jesus had arrived, dismissed the emotions of the grievers and preformed the resurrection of Lazarus. That would have been to glorify himself. Jesus knew what he was about to do and yet his emotions matched the sisters and mourners grieving for Lazarus. Jesus’ emotions were just as logical as his knowledge that his heavenly father was about to do a great thing! His emotions made him relational to mankind and his logic puts our circumstances in the context of God’s perfect will.

We want to know: DOES GOD REALLY CARE ABOUT OUR PAIN, AND WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

God chose to become a baby, who smiled, giggled, and cried at the often painfully stimulating world. He had moods, and yet he chose to place those moods in a broader context of God’s will. You and I may struggle with our emotions, but as we place our experiences in the context of an all powerful God who is relational, our emotions and logic become a powerhouse of love.

 

Comment
Share
Suicide & Prevention Hotline

National Suicide Hotline

If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call the National Suicide Lifeline at 988 or go to the website at https://988lifeline.org/