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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Waiting For You

There is always hope shining through.
Do you need proof of the power of love?  Have recent circumstances had you in a place of plummeting hope?  In the past year, so many have talked to me of stressed or broken relationships and of lives spiraling downward and out of control.  There is good news.  Not easy news...but good news.   There are ways to find hope and joy and fulfillment if you make the time and do the work and are diligent to keep the prize ever in front of you.

A woman spoke to me recently about her bitter hatred of a former colleague.  She is filled with so much hatred that her body is literally shutting down and she's had to go to the hospital and may end up having surgery.  She is not willing to keep her eyes fixed on her goals and her heart towards the people she loves, because of these bitter feelings towards another.  Everything else that is good in her life, is falling down around her because she won't place her shattered heart in the hands of God and let Him heal the broken places.

The only way to fully grasp the power of love is to turn inward where God is hiding in our depths. If you are willing to turn off the TV, step away from the computer and be alone with the One who loves you completely, then He can show you those broken places. Imagine, in your mind's eye, that His finger is touching the hurt places in your heart and making them whole.  And be honest with Him.  Cry out to Him.  Tell Him how you feel and own up to whatever you need forgiveness for.  The hard part comes in disciplining yourself to make that time to spend with Him.  Because He gives us free will, He will never force you to spend time with Him.  He waits for you to come.

Another difficulty is being honest and confessing whatever part you play in your heartbreak.  Even when another person has completely hurt us, somewhere in there, in our response, in our hatred back, we need forgiveness.  You see, we can only control our actions and reactions.  And when we focus on that, it takes our eyes off of the one who hurt us and opens up a way for God to touch and heal our wounded soul.

And the final challenge is to focus on those people and things that matter...the ones who are being hurt by our woundedness.  When we've been broken, we tend to lash out at those who are innocent and don't deserve to be neglected or attacked.  Those who broke us cannot fix us.  The power of God's love and healing touch is the only thing that can make us whole.  It gives us hope for a future.

If you are experiencing hurt and heartbreak, can you do what's necessary on your part, to get the healing process going?  Are you willing to do the hard stuff?  I promise, He will meet you there and touch you with the power of His love and begin to make you whole.  There is no better hope than that.

I'm joining with Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience.  Visit us over there to see what others are saying about forming spiritual habits that will help you grow.




 From His lap,



34 comments:

  1. Hi Erin - really encouraging post sweet friend.
    God bless
    Tracy

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  2. Thank you, Tracy. I see hurting people all around me who can't seem to do what they need to do to get better. They have to make a move!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  3. My husband was that person, racked with pain over being treated so poorly by his own mother. Until one morning in church when God told him to let go...and he has, maybe not 100%, but at least enough that he can logically step through the forgiving process. God, the Answer, is so clear to us, but not to those who is clouded with so much negativity. Let's show them the way!

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  4. Awesome post, Erin. I just approved a comment on my blog (one of my old posts)a few days ago from a woman who was complaining that she was tired of the "submit" crap in marriage. The tone of her comment screamed misery and brokenness. My heart aches for her because she might just be too consumed with her powerfully negative emotions to have an open and willing heart that allows God to take control with His healing and love. I've been praying for her.

    Love you,
    ~Rosann

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  5. Beth,
    I'm so glad that your husband heard what God wanted for him and is now set free from that pain! You are right about getting clouded by negativity.
    Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your story!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  6. Rosann,
    I'm so glad that your reader reached out to you. Praying that her mind be cleared of the clouds keeping her from the Sonshine is perfect.
    I love you, sister!
    ~Erin

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  7. Another good word, Erin. Thanks for this uplifting blog of yours. It's like a rest stop for me in and amongst all of the writer and reader sites, refreshing me and very often grabbing my attention. Even getting convicted isn't a bad thing, but a good one, if we allow Him to do a work and bring healing or change.
    Take care,

    -Jimmy

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  8. Nice post thanks for sharing!God bless you

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  9. Without a doubt, the first step to healing is admitting the bitterness exists. I have journeyed the long road from unforgiveness and though hard, it is a trip worth taking!

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  10. Hey Erin, I featured you on my blog from Voiceboks. I love your site and wanted others to see it to. http://Hotsavinmama.com I currently have a blog hop going on to, feel free to join!

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  11. You post is so insightful. Christ has already suffered for the sins of all of us. It's not our place to hate. Our tender hearts can't do it and survive!

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  12. Jimmy,
    I'm so honored and encouraged by your kind words. I'm really glad that my posts bless you. Keep coming by because I love it when you visit.
    You are a blessing!
    ~Erin

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  13. Soraya,
    Thank you for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoyed the post!

    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  14. Shannon,
    It's a hard journey, isn't it! I've walked that road several times. Unforgivenss can completely imprison us. Thank you for visiting here!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  15. Holly,
    I just saw that you did that. Thank you so much for honoring me on your blog and on voiceBoks! I am really surprised. You have greatly blessed me!

    xoxoxo,
    ~Erin

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  16. Becky,
    Amen & amen! Christ bore it all for us so we can just turn it over to Him!

    Love you, sister!
    ~Erin

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  17. There are no burdens so heavy as the ones we place on ourselves through stubborn unforgiveness. This was a beautiful post!

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  18. Hi Erin. I really enjoyed this post. It's so easy to get caught up in negative feelings and to feel like we are alone. But we aren't alone. We just need to be reminded. I'm your newest follower.

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  19. Thank you so much, Kristen. I'm honored you stopped by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  20. Oh, thank you, Dree. I'm so glad you're here! You are right, we are never alone. Sometimes all it takes is the gentle reminder that He's waiting to fellowship with Him. Someone once told me, "When God seems far away, guess who moved?!"
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  21. Hi, Erin! These are such powerful words. I completely agree that the internal work that we must do is just that...work. It doesn't come easy, but then, growth is never easy. Thank you for sharing this moment of inspiration.

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    1. Somehow, I think the work is a little more rewarding when it's not so easy. Thank you so much for stopping by!
      ~Erin

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  22. Erin,
    Thanks for visiting our little blog. What an inspirational post this is.

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    Replies
    1. I really enjoy your blog! Thanks for stopping by.

      Blessings,
      ~Erin

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  23. Thank you so much for this encouragement

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    Replies
    1. Karen, I'm so glad you stopped by.
      Blessings,
      Erin

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  24. Replies
    1. Thank you, Pamela! Stop by anytime!
      Blessings,
      ~Erin

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  25. You always amaze me with publishing posts I NEED to read. This was a really good one that just reached in and gave me the exact message I needed at that moment. Thanks Erin.

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    1. Aw, thank you for that, Jacqueline! I write what the Lord puts on my heart to write, so it's nice to hear that it spoke to you!
      Blessings,
      ~Erin

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  26. Wow Erin! I just read this as if it was the first time I had read the post, not realizing it was an older one of yours. Then I saw my previous comment and realized as life goes on and our days are constantly changing, so is the way God speaks to us. What I got out of it this time was forgiveness. I've been so mad at myself for the way I treated my family when my hubby was out of work. The stress was so much that I often found myself lashing out {with words} at those I love, not meaning to, but doing so regardless. I've been trying to forgive myself for not treating the people I love with grace. Particularly my daughters who were completely innocent and were only acting their age. We tried to insulate them from our circumstances but the truth is they felt it in the emotional monster I think I was during that time. Or perhaps I'm just filled with all sorts of mommy guilt and they never really noticed it.

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    1. Rosann,
      You were under such pressure during those times. The Lord knows your circumstances and even better...He knows your heart. From what I observed, you walked with grace and peace. You probably handled things a lot better than you remember. And the Lord forgives for the times that you were stressed, worried, and scared!
      I love you, sister!
      ~Erin

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  27. You're so right, and I so struggle with this where my parents are involved. The constant stress of knowing they got away with what they did me is overwhelming at times, and other times I'm totally fine with everything.

    Survivors guilt...ugh...I need to really, REALLY work on this every day :)

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    1. We all need to work on this, Sharon! I'm sorry that your parents got away with things that were hurtful and bad. I pray that you are able to forgive them, so that you are set free and you walk in peace!
      I love ya!
      ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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