Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Sometimes it Takes a Storm

Why does God move so quickly for some and not for others? Why does He sometimes come as a “still small voice” and at other times “in the midst of a storm?”

Not too long ago, my life was a very different thing. One broken relationship followed after another and I was left cold, downcast, and unable to pray. Rather than “seek up,” I had chosen a course for myself that I knew was wrong. It had become an idol for me. In spite of various warnings, I was determined to have it my own way. I was fortunate that God had better plans, even if it took a storm to reach me.

I had been too stubborn to head the whispers, and in truth there were plenty of shouts I also disregarded. Yet, although I’d given up on God, He’d not given up on me. In the end, it took having my heart broken for me to be healed in the way I’d been seeking for so many years. Everything that I’d been holding on to, every past regret and resentment, was ripped away from me in one fell swoop. The lesson was great, but I was not a willing student. Though the method of instruction seemed so harsh, I was grateful once I understood its purpose.

Sometimes we have to fall in order to find the strength to stand.


I was grateful that God lifted me up from those trying times and am grateful still that I stand stronger now in faith. God rewarded my faithlessness and used my adversity to redirect my path. He taught me that I had to love Him first – and myself – before I could love somebody else. In spite of my impatience and strong will in the past, He was quick to bring someone into my life who I could share my faith and life with. There isn’t a day that passes that I don’t thank Him for being harsh in correcting me, though it certainly took some time before I was able to.

When things are going well in our lives, it’s easy to forget God. In the beginning, we thank Him for providing for us in whatever way we desired, but over time, we focus more on our provision than its source. And if that provision gets taken away, we are the first to accuse God of being faithless. (I know, because this was my initial reaction to the turmoil that I so vaguely described above.) We take issue with Him though we seek to understand the greater purpose. We ask “why?” Sometimes the answer is obvious and we ask only to express our frustration and other times we ask from the depths of our doubt trying to make sense of what we cannot comprehend. Sometimes we won’t get an answer. We wait for God.

Yet, I’ve no doubt that in these times of trouble, God is present and is speaking. Whether as a still small voice or a raging storm, He is working. All we can do is remember His faithfulness and trust that in every adversity there is some lesson He is crafting, if only we would be patient to receive it. We need only prepare our hearts.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

"The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord… A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:1&9)

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love you so much baby.. "Blessed the broken road" You are my blessing and I cant thank God enough for bring us together during such trying times. I pray that we will always find the strength to stand together. I couldn't imagine a better plan for my life than sharing it with you. MWAAAAAAAA!!!!

Martie said...

Wow, powerful post and thank you. I'm hoping that is the case with my son right now.

Nunzia said...

I love you too and I will never have any regrets for anything that happened to bring us together. All things did work together for good and I couldn't imagine it being any better or being any happier. you are my angel!

Nunzia said...

martie - sorry i responded to M before I saw and approved your comment. I replied at your blog, but in case you see this first, know that God is still in control and He will work through this situation in your family even if you can't see how... you and your son will be in my prayers. please keep me updated!

Michelle said...

Hugs Nan! This is a beautiful testimony and one I understand all too well.

Kristi B. said...

Nan, what a much-needed reminder for me. I have been going through a rough couple months involving several different family/friend relationships. Honestly, there have been times when I wanted to quit on God; to give up my faith, because it was just too hard and I couldn't handle it anymore. But as you remind us, God is Faithful! He keeps His promises, and He is working to produce good results in these situations, though it may be hard to see right now. Thanks, girl! You're a blessing.

Tim said...

That's a great post. I'm so glad things are working well for you in your life right now. God is good.

BTW, I'm not quitting blogging for the summer, just cutting back a bit, in order to attend to other things more closely....

Michelle said...

Nan, did you not receive my comment or did I say something offensive in it?

If you didn't....
Nan, what a beautiful testimony. One that I can relate to all too well.

Cheryl said...

It took a storm for me. The song "Jesus Take the Wheel" tells a lot about my life. And I knew better than to try to drive the car myself. Some of us just need to get down pretty low before we'll give God our attention!

audrey` said...

Yeah!
Whenever we stumble, He'll pick us up.
Our good Lord is very faithful and merciful.
He loves us very much :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome post! His ways are always the bests; therefore we should trust in Him and rest.

Rebecca said...

Great post Nunzia..... very powerful. :)

Godwyn Lim said...

Sister Nunzia,

Jesus heals the brokenhearted as it says in Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted & saves those who are crushed in spirit."

I been through it, it's this verse that heals my heart though today I still feel the scar. I thank Jesus for it, without my fiasco in love life, work etc, I would not think I will walk with Christ, so close, I boast not of my love but His loves for us Amen?!

Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing! Have a bless week ahead!

Godwyn Lim said...
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Godwyn Lim said...

Sister Nunzia, Psalm 34:18 says in the Bible, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. And saves those who are crushed in Spirit."

It's through this verse I was healed emotionally. The scar reminds me of Jesus loves for us! I boast not of how much I love you but how much Christ Loves us! Amen?!

Beautiful writting, you are never alone, the Lord is always with you...Have a good week ahead!

Godwyn Lim said...
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Godwyn Lim said...
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Deb said...

Sometimes as they say, we have to crash and burn before we can repair and rebuild ourselves again. The worst thing you can do is be 'independant', and what I mean is, not needing God's help. We need to be more dependant on Him and rely more on Him.

Your heart will heal with time and patience. I know mine did when I went to God after my awful break up.

What a powerful post! It's just a reminder that we need to 'be still' and listen for that small voice. Be aware and know that God is there--even if it is stormy out.

{{{sending love your way}}}}}}

audrey` said...

Hey Nan :)
Did you hear the very good news that our beloved Corry, KC and Kristi are meeting on this Friday?
I'm so excited for them =D

Unknown said...

Since I started reading your blog to date I have seen a great change in your perspective to God - I am praying for you earnestly that you will continue down this path with God. A friend of mine once told me, he is around 50+, after I asked him how he was doing, that it was ROUGH but he wouldn't have it any other way because it keeps him alert and young.

Nunzia said...
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Nunzia said...

Thanks so much Damian... you were one of my first readers nearly a year ago. And thank you to ALL of you for your encouragement. God bless!

scott jackson said...

your post reminds me of a quote by a famous basebell pitcher satchell page.. he said "dont pray when its raining if you dont pray when the sun is shining"
scotty j

clew said...

Wow. I could have written this.

(((Nunzia)))

<)))><

Corry said...

Great post, Nan!
I think it's necessary sometimes to hit rock-bottom in order to realize Who to have faith in and let Him do His perfect work.

God's Grace.

audrey` said...

Hey Nan :)
Just drop by to see how you are.
Please take care, sis.

prolix said...

I just thought I should ask you a Question: "Are you Born Again?" John 3.3

If you are truly born again and have received the Spirit of God, you will get to know God.

Thank you for visiting my site. But did you visit borax.wordpress.com?

Regards
Procyon