14/02: Esther - Week Eight - A Time of Happiness
Category: Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman
Posted by: Luann
Ok, this is probably wrong on my part, but can I just say -
It was refreshing to hear Beth Moore say she has the same struggles we do???????
On page 193 she said:
Keith and I have a good marriage, but we still have fights. I still get my feelings hurt. Brood over something he said. Wonder if he'll always love me. We have terrifically serious and demanding extended family problems. Our lives also collide regularly with several close loved ones who battle mental illness. At times I feel stressed beyond human capacity and other times profoundly lonely. Sometimes I feel so frustrated I could scream and other times so ill-tempered I could panic. And those are only the things I feel free to tell you. The far more challenging conditions are too private to share.
WELL, SLAP MY MY BACK AND CALL ME GIDDY!
No, I'm not giddy that she has struggles, I am thankful that she was 'real' enough to let us peek under the hood of her life! Here is a woman who's face is plastered all over the shelves of LifeWay. Who pops up on the internet smiling from ear-to-ear. Who visits Israel to do video lessons that are life-changing....and yet, she has her moments.
That should tell us all that everyone struggles. Even those who appear to have it all together. If you have ever thought, 'if only' I could get my act together things would be better ~ even when you're act gets together, you will have your moments.
Her challenge to us was 'life is hard' - but - we all have windows of happiness! And when we do
TAKE IT AND RUN!!!!!!
Happiness means 'lightness' - woo hoo! No darkness!
We are women and FEELINGS are important to us. So when God gives us the joy and tops it off with happiness too, CELEBRATE!
LOVED THIS LINE:
Times of happiness are glimpses of heaven until we get there.
Mourning turned to Happiness
Fasting turned to Joy
Weeping turned to Gladness
Wailing turned to Honor
God reversed every negative into a positive for Esther's people. He will do the same for you and me.
What 'reversal' would you like to see God do in your life? Did you write the four words down that best describe your circumstances right now? What words would describe a reversal to you?
The Jews did nothing to earn it. Neither do we. Wait and watch for it.
And when it comes
CELEBRATE!
It was refreshing to hear Beth Moore say she has the same struggles we do???????
On page 193 she said:
Keith and I have a good marriage, but we still have fights. I still get my feelings hurt. Brood over something he said. Wonder if he'll always love me. We have terrifically serious and demanding extended family problems. Our lives also collide regularly with several close loved ones who battle mental illness. At times I feel stressed beyond human capacity and other times profoundly lonely. Sometimes I feel so frustrated I could scream and other times so ill-tempered I could panic. And those are only the things I feel free to tell you. The far more challenging conditions are too private to share.
WELL, SLAP MY MY BACK AND CALL ME GIDDY!
No, I'm not giddy that she has struggles, I am thankful that she was 'real' enough to let us peek under the hood of her life! Here is a woman who's face is plastered all over the shelves of LifeWay. Who pops up on the internet smiling from ear-to-ear. Who visits Israel to do video lessons that are life-changing....and yet, she has her moments.
That should tell us all that everyone struggles. Even those who appear to have it all together. If you have ever thought, 'if only' I could get my act together things would be better ~ even when you're act gets together, you will have your moments.
Her challenge to us was 'life is hard' - but - we all have windows of happiness! And when we do
TAKE IT AND RUN!!!!!!
Happiness means 'lightness' - woo hoo! No darkness!
We are women and FEELINGS are important to us. So when God gives us the joy and tops it off with happiness too, CELEBRATE!
LOVED THIS LINE:
Times of happiness are glimpses of heaven until we get there.
Mourning turned to Happiness
Fasting turned to Joy
Weeping turned to Gladness
Wailing turned to Honor
God reversed every negative into a positive for Esther's people. He will do the same for you and me.
What 'reversal' would you like to see God do in your life? Did you write the four words down that best describe your circumstances right now? What words would describe a reversal to you?
The Jews did nothing to earn it. Neither do we. Wait and watch for it.
And when it comes
CELEBRATE!
(RSS)
Joy wrote:
"Windows of happiness". I had one just this past Thursday. As I explained here: http://ponderinginhispresen... For the last little while, God has appeared to be taking a silent sabbatical in my life. Although I've been listening for His voice, there's been a nothingness and void. Thursday, though no word was spoken, something changed. Clouds parted.
His purpose was explained.
His presence bathed my quiet time in His Word.
His pleasure gave companionship as I walked.
His peace filled my heart as I shared concerns with a friend.
His plan was opened through an invitation.
His promises rebirthed hope.
His power infused me with excitement.
His pursuit took my breath away.
His pulse beat within my heart.
As A. Gregory writes, silence can act like "a pretty accurate barometer of whether we really have faith in God."
Thursday happiness reigned where doubt and dismay had been. As Beth said, "The day never seems brighter than when we walk out of a pitch-black room..."
I think too often the word "happiness" receives harsh analysis. We are taught that happiness is based on circumstances and joy should be our pursuit. To some degree I agree, but it's like we're almost afraid to be happy...like it's wrong or something. When situations are such that we are filled with happiness, let's enjoy and treasure it as a gift from God. Beth said we should allow ourselves to feel blessed and seize the happy moment.
As I wrote down the four words that best describe my life right now, then their "reversal", I made an alarming discovery. As Beth suggested we take it a step further and list a few ways God could be glorified by accomplishing what I was asking for, I realized I want the reversal more for my own personal benefits than for God's glory. I'm going to have to spend a little more time on that one. Need the desire to be there more for His glory than my purposes. I think until I can be content with the situation as is and surrender to His purposes right now, I'm just looking for a way out and an opportunity to see myself succeed. Wrong motivation.
Well my friend...five more days to go. Thanks for doing this study.
Love ya,
Joy