Unbolt The Door To Your Heart

Tag: hope

  • The Pain is Unbearable

    “The Battle is not yours, But God’s” 2 Chronicles 20:15 KJV

    What awesome meaning this has for us today.  In every aspect of our lives if we would just remember these few words.

    These words were originally spoken to King Jehoshaphat when the whole country of Judah faced a vast army that was going to overtake them.  They were in an impossible situation. They were not going to survive this battle. It was hopeless.

    If we would just remember in every situation, in every circumstance, that we are children of God and are His to protect and bless.

    But, like the previous email that was sent.  We are also on God’s time. Not on our own time of healing and deliverance.

    The Disciples were in their boat, rowing and straining against the oars to make any headway against a very strong storm.  They were afraid that they were going to die and be swept away.  The sky was dark, the wind was ferocious, and the waves were breaking right over the boat. It was miserable.

    In the fourth watch they looked up and saw someone coming across the waters. Their hearts did not jump with delight about being saved. They assumed it was an evil spirit. They were already in a very dark and dangerous situation, and now an evil spirit was going to make matters worse.

    Then in the midst of a very great storm, a warm soft reassuring voice said “Be of Good Cheer”.  In the midst of pain, suffering and near death, Jesus tells them to smile and be of good cheer.  His very next words were, “It is I, be not afraid”.  The storm was not affecting Jesus at all. He is the Rock. You have nothing to fear for the God of your salvation is here.  

    When did Jesus come? You remember that the disciples had been rowing all night long. They had been in a storm that they thought was going to destroy them.  Their darkness was immense. Jesus did not come until the fourth watch. The early morning. They struggled in their battle all night long. Yet, when Jesus did come, He just said be of good cheer, smile, keep dancing. God rescued them on His time, not when they thought they should be delivered.

    Jesus did not remove the storm when the disciples saw Him.  The Storm only ceased when he was allowed to step into the boat.  When God is allowed to live inside your heart, be at home in your heart, no storm of any circumstance will ever be allowed to keep you from eternity.   Put a Smile on your face and keep on Dancing.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry

  • Bloom in Pain

    Blooming in Pain and Every Pinch of Pain is for a Purpose.

    Two of the most beautiful statements that have got me through the last year.  I shared this example at church yesterday as a testimony and help to a grieving family.

    Every Year at this time Donna and I must do something to our vegetables and flowers that I personally don’t like.  But the Lord has used our garden to teach both of us so many life lessons. Everyday we give praise to Him for a new lesson learned.

    Every Pinch of Pain is for a Purpose.

    In the early growth of plants, you must go through and pinch off the best early stems.  Both Flowers and Vegetables.  I have about a dozen Jimmy Nardello pepper plants. They are by far the best peppers ever, (my opinion).  Once the reach about 10-14 leaves you pinch back to eight leaves.  Even if the top has little pepper shoots already coming out. We do this to all the vegetables and many of the flowers Donna grows.  I fully believe that plants talk. Our ears may not be able to hear, but they are talking to each other and God above. So, I know they scream out in pain when the top is pinched off.  Their most beautiful bud is gone.

    But the greatest lesson of life is now going on display for us to learn about Pain. How does the plant respond?  You see you all know people that have had tragedies happen in their lives. Death, Abuse, Affairs, Illness and Chronic Pain. Some respond with depression, curling up and giving up on life.   Withdrawing from friends and family and society.

    But you see that the Plant does something much different.  I had pain given to it even though it was a good plant. Amid producing a beautiful flower of pepper. It had done nothing wrong. Yet it was Pinched. How did it respond?

    Within a few days the pepper plants responded with Blooming in a manner that only can be explained by God. Each plant went from one or two buds to 8 buds or more.  It responded by blooming more than it was ever going to do before the Pain.  It did not curl up or go into shock or depression.  It bloomed to show the Glory of God in the best way it knows how to.

    It did not ask why I got pinched.  It did not complain to God about its treatment. It accepted Pain for what it is. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all”. 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV

    It is a lesson I have learned the hard way.  Some of you know that I have and am experiencing pain that made walking extremely difficult.  I wanted to just lay in bed and moan. But from growing in my walk with God and being watching what the flowers do.  I changed my whole attitude about Pain.  I started thanking God for the Pain and getting up anyway to go about my day.  Did the pain leave. NO! You see I was put on this earth for only one purpose. That is to bring Glory to God and to share with others.  The plant blooms more so it has more to share.  Nobody saw God in my wallowing of suffering and pain.

    God is not glorified by your negativity and depression. Some people will say they are just being “real”. Well, that is a very harmful form of negativity.

    No matter what “Pain” has happened in your life. Stop asking God Why and Start Blooming from the pinch of Pain. Tell God Thank-You.

    Bloom in Pain.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry