{From My Heart Link Up} But God.

I like to tell stories, with all the information from start to finish. But I know most of you are simply too busy to follow along in a four thousand word description of the last thirty days of my life, which has been awful and amazing at the same time.

See, I want you to show you both the beautiful and the ugly of what I’ve been through to demonstrate the reality of life. I want you to know that this gal on the other side of screen doesn’t have it all together. Nope, not at all. As a matter of fact, the way I’ve been responding to the trials has even been a bit messy.

But has worked through my mess to press my soul into a new form and life into a new purpose. <–Tweet This

I want you to see the before and after, because it is a simply amazing testimony of God’s work. So may I steal a few minutes from you to share a bit of my story and a HUGE God lesson? The training ground for my sanctification (that’s one of those big theological words that means to be made holy, or conformed to God)  journey, seemed to kick of with the low-tide debacle, preceded by a few unimportant mishaps (captured here). But then, life God a little chaotic with a  tree-limb falling catastrophe (you can read about it by clicking here). Toss in the mix a severe sinus infection that left me bed-ridden, a squabble with two loved ones, and a computer dying all within a five day time-span. Oh that was all before the tree-limb issue.

August was a no good very bad month.

It would have been nice for life to settle down at that point, but the worst was yet to come. A beloved family member experience a heartache loss compounded by our own family’s deep grief as we put our dog to sleep. I never knew I was an animal person until now.

In the midst of all of this, I’ve been working on getting Impact My Life available on Amazon and have faced one technical glitch and unforeseen delay…one after another after another.  It is has simply been too much, leaving this  emotional woman sobbing, laughing, and having a temper tantrum all at the same time.

While these situations may seem average to you, the pounding of each one right after another (and many more) felt like getting caught in a rip-tide. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so weak and worn down in my flesh.

But God.

But God provided all that I needed in each and every one of these circumstances. He knew they were going to happen before I did and had prepared me for the response I would need.  Sometimes I learned quickly. Sometimes, it took a bit longer, as I soaked in and mulled over new truths. For example, through reading a strange and powerful little book,  “Let Us Pray” by Watchmen Nee, I learned that the enemy’s plan is not only to steal, kill, and destroy us, but to also wear us down.

The enemy used this tactic of wearing me away this summer. Once I recognized this, I began to actively refuse his stronghold on me anymore. Through prayer, I proclaimed God’s praises. Out loud, I claimed God’s authority in my life. In my heart and mind, I decided (yes, a choice) to stand firm trusting God fully.

We must realize that every attack from the enemy is an opportunity to see God’s redeeming work.<–Tweet This

That has become my new perspective this month — to search beyond the moment to glimpse God’s redemptive power touch in on the most difficult parts of life.  To see Him make beauty from ashes. To see the Lord use what the enemy intended for destruction for His good.

Even after all the drama and chaos of this summer, I can honestly say I’ve never experienced such peace in my heart.

The more I yield to Him, even in the trials and suffering of life, it seems the more steady I become as His strength courses through me. <–Tweet This

I feel His faithfulness around me. I am confident in His plan, even though I have no idea what lies ahead.

So as I write to you from my heart today, I am simply stunned by the work God has accomplished in my life through the mess of so many things.

I’m wondering, do you see God working in your mess?

Have you found yourself worn down and discourage?

Maybe it is time to look beyond the circumstances and into your Father’s heart. He loves you. He has a plan for your life. He is holding you close and holding you up when you think you can’t stand any more. Turn to Him, sister, and give Him your heart of praise and thanksgiving. Let Him accomplish His sanctifying work through you and in you while you wait on the story He is writing. It is for His glory, friend.

You might like to read: Suffering Well and Story Hearts.

A Monthly Dose of Realness Link Up

I encourage you to link up an already-written-post from the last month that resonates with purpose of this keeping it real gathering of writer hearts.

Your post should share a story, a confession, a lesson learned, or a God-truth, in which you reveal you don’t have it all together, but are striving toward the cross and desire to glorify God, even in your mess.

If you have any questions or ideas to make this meaningful, share it with me  in a comment below or email me at lisa(at)moretobe(.)com.  In the meantime, grab the button and invite your friends to keep it real, from the heart.