S
Simca
Guest
Dear Joybearer,
God knows your heart, how you have been a faithful servant of his; He knows your hurt, your sufferings, your anger. I pray that you can look deep inside and feel some of that love he has for you, and yes, some of the love you have for him, which is now buried deep within you.
I know that you are familiar with the following scriptures from St. Paul, but I would like to note them, for they tell of suffering, hardship and endurance.
“Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;”
II C cor 11:25
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Phil 4:12
I pray that you may begin to see your sufferings as a sharing in Christ’s sufferings: all creation shares in his sufferings-you are not unique. I pray that you will see that God is not against you.
I pray, that along with the Psalmist, this too may be your prayer:
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
And if you should say, I have never known the joy of salvation, then your prayer to God might be to give you that joy, His Joybearer, who at the moment is the Burdenbearer, but to whom God says, take my burden upon you and learn from me, for my burden is light, and you will find rest for your soul.
:grouphug:
God knows your heart, how you have been a faithful servant of his; He knows your hurt, your sufferings, your anger. I pray that you can look deep inside and feel some of that love he has for you, and yes, some of the love you have for him, which is now buried deep within you.
I know that you are familiar with the following scriptures from St. Paul, but I would like to note them, for they tell of suffering, hardship and endurance.
“Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;”
II C cor 11:25
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Phil 4:12
I pray that you may begin to see your sufferings as a sharing in Christ’s sufferings: all creation shares in his sufferings-you are not unique. I pray that you will see that God is not against you.
I pray, that along with the Psalmist, this too may be your prayer:
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
And if you should say, I have never known the joy of salvation, then your prayer to God might be to give you that joy, His Joybearer, who at the moment is the Burdenbearer, but to whom God says, take my burden upon you and learn from me, for my burden is light, and you will find rest for your soul.
:grouphug: