My Facebook status was : You can rise from the ashes again You can rise to the morning that breaks in your eyes For what looked like your heart's demise Has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Susan Ashton
It is really neat how God will get across to me a point from several different sources:
In “My Utmost for His Highest” July 16 (sometimes I read ahead!) Jesus said there are times when God cannot lift the darkness from you, but you should trust Him.
Then in, "God Calling" July 15th-
Many of My disciples have had to stay on in the dark, alone and friendless. They struggled on, singing as they went.
I recently read this in another old treasure I found, “The Disciplines of Life” copyright 1948 by V. Raymond Edman:
Reflections by Florence White Willett
I thank God for the bitter things;
They’ve been a “friend to grace”;
They’ve driven me from the paths of ease to storm the secret place.
I thank Him for the friends who failed, To fill my hearts deep need;
They’ve driven me to the savior’s feet, Upon His love to feed.
I’m grateful too, through all life’s way, No one could satisfy,
And so I’ve found in God alone, My rich, my full supply!
And finally, in E. Stanley Jones, “Abundant Living” copyright 1942; Where I’m at in the book, he’s been talking about, “Making Irritations into Character”, “Making Calamities Serve”, “Gaining Grace in the Dungeon” and “Great Movements Born Out of Troubled Times” Like what I said before in a status; “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” (Friedrich Nietzsche) This is only true if we choose to make it so, you choose! No matter how bad it was! Were you abused as a child? Choose to let it make you better and not bitter! You have to forgive and move forward!
If we trust in God in the “darkness” as Oswald says He can and will bring beauty from our ashes!
Oh my Father, Thou has shown me the indomitable way, even in the hell of frustration and pain Thou art there, inspiring, creating, and making victorious Thy surrendered children. How very grateful I am that the dungeon can do for me what the fire did for the Hebrew children- only burned off their fetters! Free me, even by fire. Amen
E. Stanley Jones
