How Certain Questions Bring Life...
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 8:41PM
Happy Wednesday, Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post most Wednesdays and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
On my last blog post I offered to give away 2 copies of my new book, ‘Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You’ to a couple of you who posted a comment. Well it’s time to announce the winners…
Sundee Bickler
Lindsey Givens
Congratulations! Email me your mailing address and I’ll get you a copy of the book in the mail. Email me at: Susie@FaithRadioNet.com - Thank you and God bless you!
Now on to my topic…
Do you ever find yourself asking God questions that leave you feeling more despair than hope?
Though God has done some amazing things in our midst over the past year, we’ve also experienced our share of heartache and despair. Certain battles raged, the enemy flaunted our disappointments in our face, and the sense of loss threatened to swallow me alive.
While I don’t want to go into the details of my heartbreak, I will say I learned something very valuable that I never want to forget. Perhaps it’ll help you too.
When in the midst of my disappointments I’d stare at the barren field that was supposed to be flush and fruitful and wonder aloud, Why didn’t this field produce fruit? How did this happen? I planted seeds. I watered them with the Word. I lived by faith. Why am I not seeing the results I pictured in my head? What happened, Lord?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve realized that those kinds of questions suck the life right out of me. Though God invites us to pray all kinds of prayers in every situation because He delights in every detail of our lives, for me, at least, certain kinds of prayers leave me feeling more burdened, not less so.
In fact, maybe they’re not really prayers at all but more so misdirected questions.
On the flip side, when I step back from my barren field and I look up; when I remind myself of whose I am and Who He is, something in me changes. The Spirit-life within me flutters and awakens once again.
When I let go of my ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions and I realize they’re not for me to ask right now, I’m able to find my place of peace once again.
Years ago my son Luke said these wise words to me, “Mom, I’ve learned that the ‘how’ question isn’t ours to ask because it isn’t ours to answer. The how is always God’s to perform as He will. It’s our job to show up and to do what He says. And the why question is for young children who don’t know how to wait or trust. At some point we have to grow up and trust Him with our whys.”
Okay, so his wise insights left me dumbfounded. J
I’ve found that the questions that bring me life are these…
Will you remind me again, Lord, who am I to you?
Jesus, will You reveal Yourself to me in this place?
What does obedience look like here, Lord?
What are You saying to me right here, right now?
What am I clinging to that I need to let go of, so I can lay hold of more of You?
Is there any anxious way in me? Point out anything in me that offends You, Lord.
What impossible thing do You want to accomplish in and through me, Lord?
I’m telling you, what! The Lord makes strong and secure promises to us. He loves us with an everlasting love. And He loves to reveal Himself to those He loves.
He also promised we’d experience hardship during our time on this earth. He warned us that we’d have to live and walk by faith (which means we’ll at times need to go forward without having all the answers). He knows we have a tendency to lean on our own understanding and logic so He asked us to trust His heart more than we trust our sight.
Maybe these thoughts don’t resonate with you, but I pray they do. Are you asking certain questions that God doesn’t intend to answer right now? Are those questions holding you back when God beckons you forward?
Maybe it’s time to let go and let God. Maybe it’s time to ask some different questions. Jesus says that things are proven right by their fruit. You’ll know you’re asking the right questions when peace and perspective return. You’ll know you’re on the right track when your disappointment takes a back seat to your divine appointment.
May the Lord lift your chin and give you a new perspective today.
God bless you!
Reader Comments (15)
The question, "What does obedience look like here, Lord?" really resonates with me. Asking this question will help me focus on healthier reactions to to my mother's dementia and my own difficulties as her caregiver, and my bitterness toward my siblings for their disinterest. It really zeros in on what's my job, and what's God's job. Thank you, Susie.
Thank you for your encouragement. It's so easy to give up when we can't see. It's so easy to let go of the dream we once felt God put on our heart when the lying voices seem so much louder than the call. I recently asked the Lord why is it so easy for me to listen to the condemning voices when it feels so desperate there, in that hole. His answer to my heart was simple, but convicting. "That is where you feel at home" ... I must fight that draw toward my "old home" ... I must resist.
The Bible says that our righteous acts are the linen we, Christ's Bride, wear. Satan loves to throw mud on them, making what we do look filthy. He loves to fling dirt in form of questions that stir doubt.
God will show us. He will finish what He started. I pray He finds us standing firm!
Please keep going... your encouragement is a balm to the soul.
Thank you for the post Susie. God is surely using you in ways you can never imagine. When I read the questions you feel we should be asking, I felt the Holy Spirit pour out. May our Lord continue to bless you and your ministry. Over a month ago I was talking with my son who was very depressed. On the way home from visiting with him, I heard on the radio a study which said to read the Bible and contemplate it during the day will change you and your surroundings. It is not enough to just read the Bible, you need to think about it. So everyday I send my son an email with a Bible verse and what it makes me think about. Over time this has changed and challenged my perspective on life in a positive way. All the glory to you oh Lord! Blessings to you and your readers always!
Dear Laura,
Thanks so much for your comment. I know what you mean about that suddenly moment when you sense God's presence because you've shifted your focus and started asking the life-giving questions! May God help us all renew our minds and keep our eyes on Him!
Blessings to you!
Thank Sue for your words of encouragement.
l have also found myself in the wondering desert, asking if God really hear my prayers because of the disappointments and rejection l am going through right now. My husband left home 2 and half months ago. We have been communicating, he promised to come back home last Friday the 11th of Jan but he didn`t come. Then on Saturday afternoon he just started not to respond to my sms and he doesn`t pick the phone when l phone him.I have been praying, fasting, waking up at midnight to pray but was getting tired and questioning if God is really hearing me. Going through Sue`s post today has reminded me that l have been in the expetation mode not the expectancy. Today l put all my burden unto the Lord for he is merciful. He is a God of impossibilities he will turn this situation of mine into a testimony. God is saying we are not ready to be together yet but he has already started a good thing ,(My husband has confessed by his own mouth that he wants to come back) and he shall complete it.I have to be like Paul and Silas though they were in prison the praised God and prayed.They didnt look at their situation and sweared God they choose to pray instead even if they didnt want to,and God heard them.Job was tormented for days but he held on to his God , even the nearest person to him his wife told him to swear God so that he dies but he held on .Oh God how marvelous you are,give me the persistence of Job.The wisdom you gave to Esther to fight for her tribe, the faith of Ruth. Woman in my situation dont give up, hold on to the word.The Lord said to Sarah when she laughed in Gen 18:12 "Is anything too hard for the Lord".MY MARRIAGE WILL BE RESTORED.
Hi Susie thank you for the encouragement. I am currently in this very situation of finding my purpose and wanting so eagerly to hear from God. I know we have to walk in faith, but I am not sure the things I want to do is what God wants me to do. How do I discern what God has for me. This very thought stops me from doing what I am passionate about, and I keep thinking will it come to pass, is this where God wants me to be. I will try and get a hold of your book.
God bless
Charleston
Susie...... I hope the fact that I am a man doesnt disqualify me from commenting on what I heard from you this morning on "Life Today".... awesome ! I know of the trembling of which you speak, the inner impoverishment, powerlessness, etc;ect; "add nauseum ! I have been an "infintesimal' part of six World Championships" and was bankrupt in my soul throughout.....I have gone through a major "deconstruction" over the last 12 years and I'm learning to live all over again, or perhaps for the first time with my "new identity"...... what you said resonated deeply with me and I felt you were "touching my soul", gently, but firmly ! Keep on keeping on Susie.... never, never, never, look back...... "God speed in your every endeavor !
Thank you for your testimony today on Life Today. I started sobbing when you told about fear of exposure and the roots of it and how God told you He exposes the wicked but protects the righteous. I identified so much with this. It also meant so much to me how God taught you of His love for you. I have struggled so much with illness which has now put our family in a financial crisis and often the enemy bombards me with telling me how worthless I am, how surely God does not love me. Anyway, thank you for your honesty...to see how God is raising you up gives me hope. Melanie
Thank you for your testimony today on Life Today. I started sobbing when you told about fear of exposure and the roots of it and how God told you He exposes the wicked but protects the righteous. I identified so much with this. It also meant so much to me how God taught you of His love for you. I have struggled so much with illness which has now put our family in a financial crisis and often the enemy bombards me with telling me how worthless I am, how surely God does not love me. Anyway, thank you for your honesty...to see how God is raising you up gives me hope. Melanie
I have listened to your interview on Life Today at least 3 times as we have Dish Network and Life Today comes on a lot of channels. After hearing you this a.m. I determined to listen again and heard you twice tonight--took notes. Wow, you nail it! Fear and the accusations of the enemy are torment! You express it so well! I'm getting your book and I'm glad I ran in to you today! MLambert
I have listened to your interview on Life Today at least 3 times as we have Dish Network and Life Today comes on a lot of channels. After hearing you this a.m. I determined to listen again and heard you twice tonight--took notes. Wow, you nail it! Fear and the accusations of the enemy are torment! You express it so well! I'm getting your book and I'm glad I ran in to you today! MLambert
I have listened to your interview on Life Today at least 3 times as we have Dish Network and Life Today comes on a lot of channels. After hearing you this a.m. I determined to listen again and heard you twice tonight--took notes. Wow, you nail it! Fear and the accusations of the enemy are torment! You express it so well! I'm getting your book and I'm glad I ran in to you today! MLambert
Hi Suzy, I just saw your interview on Life today. Every word that you spoke ministered to me from illness to debt to the fear of exposure to truly knowing and believing that God Loves Me. Thank you so much for allowing the Lord to use you. So many questions that I had I now know the answers, may God continue to bless you and keep you in perfect peace as you continue to encourage, affirm and exhort the children of God. Thanks again.
What does obedience look like here, Lord? This is a question I am going to continue to ask myself in all situations. I loved the words you wrote because you can tell that they are from the Lord. God has used you and your story to minister to me on so many levels. I am thankful for the new book and DVD series. I just began both of them and I am learning so much.
Susie,
My daughter and I were walking into Starbucks, this morning, when we met a dear friend of ours from our parish. During our conversation, she went on and on about "Susie Larson! Have you heard of her? I've watched her talks -- she's great." Then she paused, looked at me and said, "But you won't like her. I think it's kind of a 'woman thing'. Almost everyone in her audience was female and besides..."
"Besides what?"
"She's Evangelical."
Perhaps I've done too good a job of sensitizing my friends to the differences between Catholic and Evangelical theology.
"Well," I said, turning to my daughter, "I'll bring her right up on my smart phone and I'll try my best to keep an open mind."
"Dad," she responded, "that's what you say when you're about to excuse yourself for being close-minded.
See, you're not the only one with a kid whose wise insights leave you dumbfounded!
I must say I was quite pleased that you pointed out that certain prayers can "suck the life" out of you and "leave you more burdened, not less." Sometimes the questions we ask the LORD come out of our expectation that we're being groomed for His job!
There's really only one prayer: "Thy will be done." As you will see, that's the issue I've been writing about http://reflectionsofacatholicchristian.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/not-so-fast/
Blessings,
Paul a.k.a. 'Captain Catholic'