Only the Potter knows how we should look, because He chooses our purpose.

I think sometimes we forget that only the Potter knows how to fashion us to suit His purposes.  We think we know our purposes here on this earth, and what we need to fulfill them. But the Lord says in Jeremiah “I know the plans I have for you” (emphasis on the “I”)  (Jer 29:11).

Or maybe we get some great ideas and plans, run off to implement them, and then ask God to bless them.  But Corinthians says that the thoughts of the wise are futile (1 Cor 3:20).

Or perhaps God has revealed some of His plans for us, and we think we know how to bring them to fruition.  But He says in Isaiah His ways are higher than our ways (Isa 55:9).

I think that we rarely know what God is up to.  Only He knows the intimate details of the plans, the step by step journey that He has planned for us.  Only He knows the upcoming battles we will face.  Only He knows the current state of our heart, and His desired state of our heart.  Only He knows what equipping will be required.

He loves us so much, He is so fiercely protective of us, He will not send us into battle unprepared.  The battle is the Lord’s, and His plan is victory.  Our equipping is critical if we want to partner with Him in victory.

Does it frustrate you, or bring you comfort, that God is the only omniscient One who knows how to shape us to fit the plan?  

Wrestling with God's Sovereignty

As I wrestle once again with His sovereignty, I realize the deepest question my heart is asking:  Can I really trust that He knows what is best for me?
When life is smooth, it is easy to give lip service to believing that He knows what is best.  But our commitment to God and His plan is challenged when life is not so smooth.
So what exactly does "smooth" mean?  Smooth means life is going according to my plan.  And that's the crux of it.  Deep down in the darkest corner of my heart, the place I don't want to admit exists -- much less allow God to penetrate it with His Light and Truth -- deep down in that horrid corner I see what I really want is life according to my plan.  Control, rebellion, and pride all wrapped up into one big mess.
Bowing to His sovereignty means that I surrender my "good" plan for my life (and the lives of those I love), to His perfect plan.  It means humbly acknowledging that He knows best, that He is the only One who is infinite and eternal and knows all -- the past, present, and future.  It means realizing that I certainly cannot predict the future, much less control it.
I can bow to His sovereignty kicking and screaming . . . or, I can come to more deeply know the One who died so I could live.  In knowing the depth of that love, I cannot help but to trust that His perfect plan, His plan that is colliding with my plan, does indeed have my best interests at heart.
Are you wrestling?  Tell me about it.

What Does It REALLY Mean to Surrender?

Does surrender mean we wave the white flag in defeat?  Come out of the castle we have been defending with our hands high in the air?  Lie face down on the ground praying we won't be killed?

I have often wrestled with surrendering, alternatively angry and fearful.  Angry at Him for demanding it, requiring that I walk on His path and not my own.  And afraid of the unknown.  Although the current place may not be perfect, at least I know it.  I am familiar with the ropes.  No surprises here.  I can keep everything under good control.

But surrender is a leap into the unknown.  Will He really catch me before I hit the bottom?

Yes, surrender means we come out of the castle we have been defending.  The castle of idolatry of our plan, our way.  And no, we don't need to pray that He won't slay us in anger, for He is all grace, and His mercy triumphs over judgment.

To me, surrender is laying aside my plan -- which seems good and comfortable and right -- for His better plan -- which is completely obscured from my eyes.  I mean, if I knew a better plan, wouldn't I be on it? Can I really trust that there could be a better plan?

The most fascinating thing about surrender is that surrender to the Lord is actually victory.  It is His triumph of lordship in my heart, and it is always a vastly better path than I had chosen.  Sometimes, the "vastly better" about it is not obvious for a while.  But the deeper and deeper I surrender to Him, the more I am able to trust that His way is absolutely for my good.

What are your thoughts on surrender?  I invite you to share with me.

Has life thrown you a curve ball?

Does the world seem more painful than peaceful?   Has life thrown you a curve ball?  Is someone you love crushed with suffering?

               Together let's explore what God teaches us in His Word about suffering and pain.  As we take this journey together, we will ask God to give us some understanding of why we suffer here on earth.  We will seek to draw nearer to our Savior through our pain.  My prayer is that God will reveal His purpose to you through your trials.  And above all else, my passion is for you to come to know Him deeply as the God who really does care.

            God really cares?  Are you sure?  For that is not what the world tells us.  That is not what culture tells us.  That is often even not what our churches or other Christians tell us.  We are more likely to hear comments such as these: 

“You must have done something to rouse the wrath of God.  God uses these things to punish us.  What is God punishing you for?  What is God trying to tell you?”

“God never wants anyone to suffer.  Just believe it, and claim the victory over your suffering!”

“The Bible says to be joyful in everything and to give thanks in everything.  Are you thanking God for this situation?”

“You are suffering because your faith is just not strong enough.” 

“Cheer up.  It could be whole lot worse.”

            What sorts of comments have you heard?  Have they been helpful – or have they driven you further from God?  I would love to hear from you.

Has suffering crushed you? Does God even care?

When I look at the devastation of this world, at the suffering of others and the pain of my own life, I ask, Where is God?  Does He even notice?  Does He even care?

My first step in this journey of seeking answers to these questions began when I realized that earth is not my true home.  I am just visiting here.  I am just passing through.

God did create a perfect world, and mankind shattered that perfection with our sin.  Pain runs rampant, seemingly unchecked.  But we don't belong here! We are built for eternity!  We are strangers, aliens, foreigners here!  Our citizenship is in heaven.

Okay . . . so then why are we still here?  Why don't we just head on up to our true home?  If God loves us so much, why does He leave us down here groaning with all of creation? 

I believe the answers to these questions are uniquely tailored for each one of us.  I think the answers may come as we seek to know God more and grow in our relationship with Him.

Welcome to Triumph Over Suffering Blog.  I invite you to join me as we together seek answers to the toughest questions.  I will be blogging weekly starting the week of January 19, 2014.  Let's get to know each other. I would love to hear your questions, thoughts, reactions, and comments.  And I welcome you to share your struggles and pains, as well as how God has touched you and spoken to you on your journey to healing.