Living On The Edge

My monthly article written for: Intercessory Prayer Network SE

Pain, sorrow, disappointment, heartache, sadness -- these are a part of life. There is nothing we can do to escape the difficulties of life. At one time or another we will all experience a time of grief. Recently, I have heard more stories of sorrow than ever before. My heart sunk deep into my chest when I heard the most tragic news of the year. Steven Curtis Chapman's 5 year old daughter died after being struck by a car. I cannot imagine the depth of pain the Chapmans are experiencing. How does someone process such a devastating loss? How will they begin a new life? I have experienced enough sorrow to know the answer to these questions.

Eleven years ago, I was in the midst of what I believe was the most painful season of my life. I had fallen prey to the victim mentality, and I was surrounded by misery. I was struggling to understand God and why He was allowing so much suffering. Late one night, the Lord reminded me of the suffering He experienced on the cross. I could hear Him speaking these words to me: “It is through pain and sorrow that you will understand My suffering and grow close to Me.” My heart began changing. I realized that I was not a victim. The Bible says, as Christians, we are to be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1). How can we be imitators of Christ without experiencing some suffering? Christ's life was defined by suffering. He experienced every kind of rejection, pain, and sorrow known to mankind. Yet He embraced the sorrow and knew this was His Father's will.

God never promised that there would be no sadness. He promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us. In our suffering - if we seek God - the pain will bring us closer to His heart, and we will experience His loving embrace. It is in the valley that we gain the most valuable treasures. Just like a pearl gets its beauty from an irritant trapped inside the shell, our hearts are shaped and purified by the trials we endure. Compassion and mercy grow in our hearts during seasons of mourning, making us powerful intercessors.

Do you desire to find God's treasures in the midst of grief? When facing difficulties, we can either be a victim, or we can be a victor. Choose to live as a victor, and allow Christ's love to heal the hurt during seasons of sorrow. These simple steps can help us on the journey:

 
1. Join a support group. Healing comes faster through the love and comfort of others.

2. Start a gratitude journal - write a daily prayer of thanks. Thankfulness has a way of eradicating self-pity.

3. Resist the temptation of burying emotions - let the tears flow. The Lord has given us a gift of tears to cleanse our soul as we experience sorrow. Psalm 126:5 says, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."

To live in victory, we must know there is a purpose to our pain. The very pain we are experiencing today is possibly the ministry tool God will use in the future. He may need us to intercede and minister to a family like the Chapmans, who are grieving a tremendous loss. Trust that the Lord has a bigger plan, and begin embracing sorrow.

Live Abundantly!
~Amy

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