What 'Feels' True vs. What IS True!

Greetings, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a comment, share a story or insight, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend! I'll announce the winner for November next week.

As most of you know, I have a radio show,Live the Promise with Susie Larson The program now airs 6 days a week! Join us every weekday from 2:30-3:00 CST, and on Saturdays from noon to one, KTIS AM 900, on the Faith Radio Network, or listen online at: www.faith900.com We've had some amazing guests and some powerful dialogue. Hope you can join us!

Also, I want you to have the inside scoop. Be sure to check my Facebook page for a heads up on my weekly giveaways (that way you'll know when to call for a book you may want). I'll also post daily questions and may read your comments on the air.  

Now on to my topic...

Yesterday on my show, we discussed this topic: 'When the Holidays Aren't Happy.' For some reason, there is sort of a false expectation that everyone should be without pain and heartache during the holidays (and if you have pain, you really ought to keep it to yourself lest you dampen everyone else's mood). But the truth of the matter is, almost everyone has some kind of ache in their heart at any given time, and for some, this particular season just might be a significantly heart wrenching one. Still, there is a way to embrace joy and perspective this holiday season without feeling like you have to wear a happy mask for everyone else's sake (check out yesterday's show. I think you'll be encouraged). 

Anyway, lately (for the past two weeks or so), I've been battling exhaustion, joint pain, especially loud ringing in my ears, and a little vertigo. It will pass and I'll feel better again soon, but right now, especially in the mornings, I feel crummy. This morning as I read everybody's exuberant Tweets about their holiday festivities, I felt bummed that I was too tired to get that excited.

But then I opened up the Word of God...

The first verse I read was this one:

1 John 2:20...But you have an anointing from the Holy One...and you know the TRUTH.

Time and time again, when I find myself in a funk, God brings me back to a certain fork in the road: The one where I decide which perspective to walk in: What Feels True or What IS True.

It feels like my cup is empty - but the TRUTH is that my cup runs over! I have a very deep well from which to draw!

It feels like everyone else is having more fun than I am (smile-sigh) - but the TRUTH is, I am blessed beyond measure and I must not compare my moment with someone else's moment (you can't assess the whole truth from a momentary snapshot, unless you're looking at it from Heaven's view).

It feels like I am under my circumstances - but the TRUTH is I am very much above my circumstances and my soul knows this very well!

I hesitate to share such personal struggles with you, and I certainly don't want to sound like a whiner, but if it helps you to gain a more accurate perspective and to fight for the TRUTH that overwhelming provision and victory are YOURS, well then it's worth it. 

If you have an ache in your heart this season, that's okay. Embrace grace and joy right in the midst of it and give yourself permission and room to make the holidays work for you. Don't over commit, don't fake your way through it (be real about your need), but don't isolate either. 

However, don't allow the ache in your heart to define your state of mind. If Christ is in you, you are anointed and you know the truth. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. God's love for you is more powerfully able to deliver you than the loss, or pain, or trial is able to bury you.

Step back, find the fork in the road, and go down the road less traveled. The one that is true. Even amidst pain and heartache, we have every reason for thanks and praise; and it is possible to find a joy that will mark this holiday season as one to remember. You know why? Because we are not of this world; we have the Living Lord Jesus alive in our soul and in every situation, we are more than conquerors through Him.  

Blessings on your Thanksgiving holiday. 

~Until next week.

Comments

[Liesl]

Oh my goodness, I knew this was going to be a good post as soon as I saw the title from your Facebook link :) This has been really convicting me lately. I've been struggling with the whole comparison thing regarding our long wait to be parents, while seeing everyone and their sister (it seems) get pregnant and/or blessed with their adopted child...some even multiple times in the past several years while we continue to wait. But God spoke to me that their stories are not my story. His plan for me is so different, and I need to thank Him for that instead of wish for someone else's. It's changed my whole perspective (I still faulter, but overall it's so much better). Job 34 talks about how God is at work behind the scenes and "doesn't play favorites" (I love that translation in The Message). Now when I am tempted to agree with what I feel, rather than what I know is TRUTH, I have an awesome passage to reflect on.

Great post. And so timely!

Love you!

[Pam Carlsoln]

I agree, such a great message today.2 things. I have been reading Victory over the Darkness by Neil T Anderson and this morning's bus ride reading was about our emotions, thought life and the TRUTH. "Expose the lie, and you win the battle" and "You must be real to be right" How perfect. I find myself wallowing quite often, especially at work, and I become blind to the real situation. I have been trying to focus on what the TRUTH is,outside of what I think is the situation. It has been helping immensely.Second, the Holidays, as my sweet hubby has observed for years, have always filled me with melancholy. Even the joy of our current lovely family situation does not shake my blues. I know it stems from the past experiences (I wont bore you with the details) but what a great opportunity this year to ask "What is the TRUTH about all of this?" What is the lie I am believing? What baggage am I carrying? We shall see how the holiday goes this year.Love you Susie!

[Kate]

Susie....THANK YOU! I came to your blog & website after hearing the Focus on the Family broadcasts. I thought that was great and what I needed....but no, I was wrong! This topic here is even more poignant. I have been struggling because this year, I find my son and I are far away from family (I am a single mom.)....I have not been into the holidays upcoming and not wanting to get "into the holiday spirit". BUT, the TRUTH is this: God has me right where I am supposed to be. We have a wonderful church family and couldn't be more blessed right now! Even though we are 'in the land in between' God is holding us in his hand. Thank you, Jesus!! And God, thank you for Blessing Susie!!!

[Bert Jermain]

Dear Susie - Yes, this comment is from a guy and I noticed many do not comment on your blog, but here goes… This week I was listening to your visit to Focus on the Family and at twenty-six minutes into the show, you said something that almost escaped my attention. You said, “A thousand people wait on the other side of my obidience.”

Here’s my back story…two years ago my unhappy wife decided it would be easier for her to be the “happy” woman she envisioned if she left our marriage and home. Needless to say, the last two Thanksgivings have been painfull.

I am an entrpreneur and businessman in the hotel, lodging and hospitality industry. Throughout the last two years during this season of loss, God has been giving me a crystal clear vision of “ Homestead Lodge at Caleb’s Rest Farm”…God wants me to see a lodging facility and a bio-dynamic farm as a for-profit endeavor and as a vehicle to reach inner-city and foster kids. In my minds eye, I am able to picture the Inn, the restaurant, the farm and the kids as if it existed today. Also included is Caleb’s House for foster kids.

I have lost my home and family and I believe God has another he intends for me. Just as I have spent this Thanksgiving in sorrow and loss there are many at-risk and foster kids that spent this same Thanksgiving in sorrow and loss without any reassurance it will ever be any different.

With only a vision from God and no finances or partners or backers, I have chosen this Thanksgiving, November 25, 2010 as the official launch date to begin casting this vision for Homestead Inn at Caleb’s Rest Farm. The sole purpose of this project will be to reach out and minister to foster kids and at-risk children. It will become a reality because in my own season of loss I heard this lady on the radio remind me, “A thousand people wait on the other side of my obidience.”

[Nena Harvath]

Hi Susie, Thank you for being transparent. You are so right - there is so much pain around us, even in the body of Christ.

In her book, JESUS CALLING, Sarah Young points out that God wants us to come to him when we are weak and weary and rest in his everlasting arms. He does not despise our weakness, it actually draws Him closer to us, because His strength is made perfect in our weakness! Isn't that a great thought!

I have been praying this scripture over my painful circumstances: Isaiah 43:1-3But now, this is what the Lord says-He who created you, He who formed you:Fear not, for I have redeemed you;I have summonded you by name;When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;When you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; The flames will not set you ablaze.For I am the Lord, your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

It's so easy to let the enemy breathe lies into our ears about how terrible our circumstances are, but the TRUTH we know will set us free (John 8:31).

Love you, Susie!

Nena(I was on your show on Nov. 1st)

[Lorilee]

This is such a great reminder to not stay focused on "me" but to remember all of those that actually do hurt more than me. I need to always be reminded to reachout and help the hurting...just as others have and continue to reach out to me.What a wonderful reminder that I am not alone in the pain that goes with the past memories and times lost with divorce and other painful days gone past!

[Susie Larson]

Wow, Bert,

First of all, please forgive me for taking so long to reply to your post. I'm so sorry for the loss of your family and home. May God comfort you as you grieve their absence. But wow, your vision for the future sounds amazing! God bless you for turning the tables on the enemy and leveraging your own pain for the greater good of mankind. I think that's one of the most powerful things God does with our wasteland experiences. May He fulfill your heart's desires and restore everything the enemy has stolen from you! Blessings to you this holiday season!