Saturday, March 5, 2011

Spiritual Sunday. Hard Places

Thanks Charlotte and Ginger for always being there...and hosting.....Spiritual Sunday

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.  I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.  ~Mother Teresa

I've spent the week with friends...listening to them share their hearts.....their struggles......their fight.  Some dealing with an illness or addiction....some worried about problems in their marriage or home...others afraid they wouldn't have enough money to pay the mortgage.  I heard the stress...the strain in their voices. I saw the worry in their eyes.

It seems no one is exempt from the the toughness in life....those things that pull and tug...trying to make us lose hope....and courage. Everyone's fighting some kind of battle.

When I was fighting the darkness....stuck in those things I thought I'd never be free of.....running scared....I didn't know life would ever get better. So many times I wanted to give up....let go....give in. I got angry at God...and challenged His claim of being loving...caring....

I think life ebbs and flows...the bad comes to everyone....so does the good. Things change...the darkness lifts....peace comes....and with Him in our corner....it's guarenteed....we'll be okay.  

In the darkness......I didn't know....joy....peace...even happiness could be possible. Everyone around me....family, friends....professionals said impossible....But something I learned - with Him....nothing is impossible. Battles aren't forever. Maybe someone else can't see where you want to go...what you want to be.....what you hunger to accomplish....

But I've learned never to let anyone limit what I want to strive for. What I lived has become my strength....and what I know for sure.....even in the really hard places.....flowers can grow. 

The struggles I'm facing...the chances I'm taking might knock me down...but I'm not breaking.....

39 comments:

Wanda's Wings said...

I'm glad flowers can grow in the hard places.

Mike Golch said...

I'm so there as well.

Renee said...

I agree with Wanda--love that line: "even in the really hard places flowers can grow." Thanks for visiting me at Doorkeeper. Blessings, Sarah!

Unknown said...

This is so encouraging and true! God bless!!!

Donnie said...

Sarah, that was so inspiring and you are a good friend to many. Take care.

Joy Libby, Facilitator said...

A life of trusting God is not a life without difficulties, just a life filled with hope. Thanks for the reminder that even in tough times, flowers can grow!

Finding Pam said...

My motto is "Where there is a will, there is a way." Your post is proof that we can over come the odds and live a life abundantely full of joy and peace.

I am so glad that you made that climb to the top. You are so inspiring to all of us that read your blog.

Peace and joy.
Pam

Mollye said...

amen sister. If it weren't for the hard places we would not have a safe place to fall. Praise God.

Cathy said...

A nice song ~ Thank God He is always with us to lead, guide and direct us to run the race. Blessings ~

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

What a beautiful song. I love seeing how the Lord works day by day.I give him all the glory when my worries are no longer worries.
God Bless,
Ginger

Anonymous said...

I am still learning, as I climb and rise above life's trials. Thanks be to God!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I haven't heard this song before, it really suits this post! I used to feel bad and guilty when life was good for too long, because it was like I was waiting for the axe to fall. I think this is a mentality that the devil wants us to have, to ruin our joy.

Lisa said...

Amen Sarah! You always hit the nail right on the head!

MTJ said...

Hi Sarah,

I agree, "life ebbs and flows" for all of us. No matter what happens in life, I must not allow it to define or limit my relationship and view of Almighty God.

Some may even want to define me, but I must not allow others to dictate who I am, or what I am yet to be. I'm learning that my identity and purpose are fulfilled in Christ.

Blessings and peace.

MTJ

Saleslady371 said...

Great inspirational post, Sarah. Thank you!

Renee said...

Very inspirational post. There is an ebb and flow in life...seasons come and go. Always enjoy reading your words Sarah.

Lisa notes... said...

Thanks for the encouragement, Sarah. Nothing is impossible with God. We can’t hear that too often!

Joan Hall said...

Encouraging post, Sarah.

Blessings,
Joan

Vintagesouthernlife said...

"even in the really hard places... flowers can grow" Thanks for sharing these encouraging words.
Annette

Dena E's Blog said...

Praise God He for sooo refining us Sis..
I'm going over to your twitter page now ..
And adding your button to my blog..
Thanks for all your encouragenments and notes...
They always arrive just when I need them..

May you wake each day with God's blessing,
and grace.
Sleep each night with His keeping,
safe in His loving arms.
And~~~ May you always walk in His tender care and mercy.
Prayers and Hugs~~~Dena

Loren said...

Oh Amen Sarah!! Amen! Going through the trials is never easy but seeing all that God did in us during that time brings about such amazement! When you are "in the middle of the pain" all you can think is why? when will it end? yet being on the other side you SEE clearly what God did and it is sooo worth it!

Bless you my dear precious friend! I pray your weekend fills you with joy and refreshment for the week ahead :)

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Dear Sarah,
I just want to thank you for inspiring so many of us!!! And in the midst of everything, you never cease to amaze me with your resilience.
Love and hugs,
Cindy

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Hello Sarah, Jesus always helps us walk the walk. Nothing is impossible and if flowers can grow in nothing we can be inspired wherever we are. xx

Amrita said...

This is an encouraging post. 1Pet 4;7 says -we are sheilded by God 's power in the midst of our truals.

Annesphamily said...

Beautiful post Sara! Everyone does have some battle in their life. Prayers are more help than anything. I know. I learned the hard way just trying to do it myself and not trusting the Lord. The Climb is a beautiful song Pry for Miley and her family. Fame and fortune is so destructive. Life is miserable for so many of these people. I think Miley's father is angry with her for turning to her mom. He is a self centered man and he needs much prayer! Hugs to you today and always. May the Lord's blessings surround you and yours. Anne

Janet Benlien Reeves said...

The Mother Theresa quote is priceless! Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts, too. Have a blessed day.

Musings of A Minister said...

Another great post. Very inspiring. I'm not a Miley fan but this is a very good song. I like it. Thanks.

Jan said...

Being with friends, one of life's great blessings, sharing the joys and the battles.
God Bless, have another great week.
Hugs, Jan

Terry said...

Thank You, Lord, for Sarah! Thank You for overcoming in her. Thank You that in Psalm 139 it says that darkness is as light to You. I pray You continue to use Sarah as an encourager in Your kingdom. May she write Your words of life, light, and health -- help her voice Your heart. May she be renewed and transformed by Your truth and Your abiding presence with her.

Janis Van Keuren said...

Sarah,
An encouraging post to know that God holds all of our times in His hands. Both the good times and the difficult ones. And that He has the power to bring us through every trial.

It is wisdom acquired through your trials that has shown you that God is indeed Almighty, and He gives us the strength to overcome--not just survive.

Great post, Sarah.

To God be the glory.

Blessings to you this week,
Janis

Pamela said...

Thank God, even in the hard places, flowers can grow. A encouraging thought for the coming week. Thank you for sharing it with me.

Blessings,
Pamela

Nana Jul said...

Thank you for inspiring me. Your post reminded me of a quote I just hear by Wintley Phipps. It is in the quiet crucible of your personal private sufferings that your nobalist dreams are born and God's greatest gifts are given in compensation for what you've been through. It is well with my soul.
God bless you huge!
Love,
Julie

Anita Johnson said...

Good post and a great new song for me...thanks!

Charlotte said...

Good insightful post, Sarah. It always amazes me when I see plants growing out of what seems to be solid rocks.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Dulce said...

Yes, here, in Spain, we have a saying that goes something like 'You need to sink and get to the very bottom to be able get the strength needed to come out..
This post reminds me of that

Hugs and smiles, Sarah!

Dulce

Wanda said...

So true Sarah. All of us find ourselves in hard places at points in our lives. It's at those times that it does us well to remember on what He had done for us in the past. Also listening to the testimony of other overcomers stirs our faith.

Dena E's Blog said...

Sayin HEY atcha again Sweet Sis...
Inspiration comes when we share with each other the LOVE of Christ...Hugs and Prayers Dena

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Hi Sara,
Thanks for the encouraging post and for praying for Eliana .
Blessings,
~Myrna

Anonymous said...

I breathed this post in. It feels SO good. Frame this! I mean it.