A letter from heaven
Dear Friend - I heard a story yesterday about a man who was a successful entrepreneur. He built up a business and then one night there was a fire. There was no insurance and he lost everything. He went into a canatonic state for months looking inward. Eventually, someone was able to reach him. He came back out and started reading his bible and going to church and rebuilt the business but was leaning more on God this time. Then, an employee did something wrong on the floor and another fire took his business. He lost everything again. There was an insurance but not nearly enough to cover the cost of having to rebuild. He could have looked inward and asked, "Why me? Again?" But this time, he looked at it differently. He remembered what God said - you brought nothing into this world and you can take nothing out of it. He focused on finding his employees jobs (and almost all did within days) and then the Lord blessed him financially for his faithfulness over time. And he took his grandson to a park to play and just thought, in the grand scheme of things, what is important is still very much in place.
Many times, I have doubted God's love for me and felt sorry for myself and my circumstances. I have blamed others and been unkind to myself. I have been angry at God. I have demanded that God tell me what I did to deserve my plight. My inward focus always creates depression and a loss of hope.
Many times, I have also had faith that God was in it for me, despite my circumstances. I have KNOWN that He will work it out and for my good - whatever that may be. I KNOW He is making a kingdom difference through my life and molding me into being someone who He can really use. It is during these times, that the contract has come through or the child has smiled or the friend has called. Faith always produces action from our Lord. Doubt usually doesn't (at least for me - but even then, He seems to send someone to pray for me or lift me up!) He's such a great dad!
I share this with you today because I know you have the right perspective. Keep working the problem and leaning into it. Stay close to God. He promises that He will not leave us nor forsake us and He really is our only hope. And He has control over everything in this world - every bank, every client, every person. He can do anything. And if He is withholding it from us, then there is a very good reason. We just need to stay close to Him and ask Him to lead us to the best decision. He always will.
Keep listening to Christian radio. Keep loving your wife and friends. Keep being wonderful. Your spreadsheet never defines who you are. This I know although every now and then (ah - yeh - Tuesday of this week - ha!) I still think it does too. And then the Lord gently and lovingly pulls me back to the truth.
One of the things I do when satan tries to pull me back or cast doubt in the shadows is that I will stop and say out loud all of the things I am thankful for. This one thing has stopped the devil from defeating me more times than I can count.
Be encouraged and always know that if you need extra prayer, you can ask.
For Him always,
Laura
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Comment
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Comment by Mark Schmidt on August 5, 2011 at 10:05pm -
"Take up your shield" - Christian music is mine. God protects:)
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Comment by Matt Thiele on August 5, 2011 at 10:40am -
One of my favorite passages: Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Thank you for your message Laura!
© 2012 Created by Laura Gallagher.
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