Day 28: Katie Ressa
“And the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you, and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10.
“We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character and character, hope.” Romans 5:3
As a teen and young adult, I remember holding onto these verses during various seasons. It was such a comfort to me knowing that know matter what I might face, suffering in big or small ways, that God Himself would make me whole again, strong, and able to stand firm. It was a relief to know it wasn’t all on me…but that Jesus would be everything I need. He walked me through and healed me in ways I know no one else could have. Even through my doubts and fears, and times I wasn’t as faithful to Him as I should have been…He was SO faithful to me and His love covered me.
The reason I share this with you now is because this year was one of the first times I needed to rely on these verses as a mom; praying these things over my child. Long story, very short, is that there was a tragic event that occurred in my child’s life that left many hurts, fears and deep questions that no child should have to think about. It led right into another season of loss, loneliness and anger.
As a mom, it was so hard to watch. I just wanted quick healing and quick solutions because let’s face it, no mom wants to wait when she sees her child hurting. I knew I had to trust that God had a plan in all of this to develop character, to bring encouragement and strength, and see that beauty would somehow come from ashes.
I wish I could say that I was full of this faith all the time…But no, I had my moments of impatience, anger and at times I was worn very very thin. I wish I had rested in the Lord more than I did. As a mom, I wanted to figure things out, control the situation, provide the wisdom and provide the healing.
But the Lord graciously showed me He does all of those things way better than me! He reminded me that He loves my kids more than I do, has a better plan for them than I do, can mold them and shape them better than I can and can protect them better than I can. I began to let go and trust that the Lord had a plan and purpose; that He would build character and restore and that one day God would use lessons learned to help others who go through similar things.
After months of waiting, the Lord began showing us what He had been orchestrating all along. The doubting and the anger began to soften and He began to heal and strengthen through His word and through new (very timely) Christian friends in the youth group. I couldn’t have planned that and any attempt by me to try and make any of that happen would have backfired, I’m sure. It was all Jesus in His perfect timing.
As a mom, I learned (and will continue to learn), that I am supposed to be His helper in raising my kids…not the other way around. I can help in the process but it’s incomplete without Jesus. He is our hope…the only One who can truly make us whole and strong again.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you so much for Your love, faithfulness and perfect plan. Thank You that You restore and make new. I pray that for anyone who is hurting, lonely, doubting, or angry, Lord, that You be their light in the darkness. Jesus, bring healing and strength in ways only You can. Amen.
“We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character and character, hope.” Romans 5:3
As a teen and young adult, I remember holding onto these verses during various seasons. It was such a comfort to me knowing that know matter what I might face, suffering in big or small ways, that God Himself would make me whole again, strong, and able to stand firm. It was a relief to know it wasn’t all on me…but that Jesus would be everything I need. He walked me through and healed me in ways I know no one else could have. Even through my doubts and fears, and times I wasn’t as faithful to Him as I should have been…He was SO faithful to me and His love covered me.
The reason I share this with you now is because this year was one of the first times I needed to rely on these verses as a mom; praying these things over my child. Long story, very short, is that there was a tragic event that occurred in my child’s life that left many hurts, fears and deep questions that no child should have to think about. It led right into another season of loss, loneliness and anger.
As a mom, it was so hard to watch. I just wanted quick healing and quick solutions because let’s face it, no mom wants to wait when she sees her child hurting. I knew I had to trust that God had a plan in all of this to develop character, to bring encouragement and strength, and see that beauty would somehow come from ashes.
I wish I could say that I was full of this faith all the time…But no, I had my moments of impatience, anger and at times I was worn very very thin. I wish I had rested in the Lord more than I did. As a mom, I wanted to figure things out, control the situation, provide the wisdom and provide the healing.
But the Lord graciously showed me He does all of those things way better than me! He reminded me that He loves my kids more than I do, has a better plan for them than I do, can mold them and shape them better than I can and can protect them better than I can. I began to let go and trust that the Lord had a plan and purpose; that He would build character and restore and that one day God would use lessons learned to help others who go through similar things.
After months of waiting, the Lord began showing us what He had been orchestrating all along. The doubting and the anger began to soften and He began to heal and strengthen through His word and through new (very timely) Christian friends in the youth group. I couldn’t have planned that and any attempt by me to try and make any of that happen would have backfired, I’m sure. It was all Jesus in His perfect timing.
As a mom, I learned (and will continue to learn), that I am supposed to be His helper in raising my kids…not the other way around. I can help in the process but it’s incomplete without Jesus. He is our hope…the only One who can truly make us whole and strong again.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you so much for Your love, faithfulness and perfect plan. Thank You that You restore and make new. I pray that for anyone who is hurting, lonely, doubting, or angry, Lord, that You be their light in the darkness. Jesus, bring healing and strength in ways only You can. Amen.
Posted in Boast in the Lord \\\'25 pt2
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