(Some of you have asked for an up-date on our house situation … Here it goes!)
Since April this year, we have been dealing with (according to our insurance) a “catastrophic claim”. Last year’s ice and snow caused our roof to partially collapse and a wall in our living room to push out. In late summer our house turned into a construction site with workers coming and going. The end result is here: a complete new roof structure is in place and our living room wall is secure.
A few weeks ago, when the workers were hitting the wall in the living room and hammering away at the structure, I overheard a conversation between the main contractor and the workers.
The contractor said, “Looks like the studs that are supporting this wall have permanently bent under the pressure of the roof.”
I suddenly felt a deep emotional response. It was as if the Lord had me listen into the conversation to make His point.
Many of us have to deal with things in our lives that cause great pressure. The weight of the problems we face can press into our souls, even to the point of leaving us permanently bent. What used to be a strong structure is now only a bowed frame. Lacking finances, fractured relationships, weak health, broken marriages, all have the potential of pressing into the very core of our being. We feel weary under the burden.
If you are hitting a wall today, keep in mind that it might be God’s way of building a stronger structure. It might be the Lord trying to tell you that He is in the business of restoring broken things. We can trust Him in the process of restructuring, rebuilding, and providing. He uses the weak things of this world to show Himself strong. Hitting the wall might not be a bad thing after all.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-11
Wise words. It reminds me of a song by Keith Green that really ministered to me when I was at a stage of maturity (immaturity) where I thought I had to FEEL something for it to be real. I had watched some friends fall away from the faith because the feelings weren’t as intense as they were at the beginning. As Keith sang, “Nothing lasts, except the grace of God by which I stand.” I would play it and close my eyes and meditate on what it was saying, and sometimes it helped me feel better ( 😉 ), but even if I didn’t FEEL better, it still helped, because the words were true.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=keith+green+grace+by+which+i+stand&form=EDNTHT&mkt=en-us&httpsmsn=1&msnews=1&rec_search=1&plvar=0&refig=77a47e101b6048dae407ff888534d21f&PC=LCTS&sp=1&qs=AS&pq=keith+green+grace+by+which+i+stand&sc=4-34&cvid=77a47e101b6048dae407ff888534d21f&cc=US&setlang=en-US
Thank you, Ann, for this!!! I am listening right now. Thanks for reminding me of Keith Green. I love his songs and the depth in them. My feelings are such an unreliable compass. Thanks for always pointing us to True North, namely Jesus 🙂
Such balm for a bowed soul. Thank you!
Someone said to me yesterday, “We are all just a little wobbly!” Yep, that’s me!
You and me both, Sister! But you remember the Weeble Wobble song? They don’t fall down. Grin!
😍Yes!
Absolutely, the Lord is in the restoration business. 😊
Indeed!
1 Peter 5:10
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Thanks for your visit, Tina 😊
😊
AMEN, Heidi! “We never arrive at any spiritual inheritance through the enjoyment of a picnic but always through the fierce conflicts of the battlefield”–John Henry Jowett. Spiritual strength is part of that inheritance–well worth the struggle to develop. (You have permission to remind me of this when overwhelming difficulty seeks to buckle me under!)
Thank you, Nancy, for this great quote. I want that spiritual inheritance 🙂 I appreciate our community here in which we remind each other of the real strength of our lives! Blessings to you, my friend
Oh my goodness, Heidi, you hit this one out of the park! I admit, I was so anticipating a “and they lived happily ever after” report that when I read the words of your contractor my heart sank. But then as your words so full of wisdom and perspective challenged me to go deeper as I thought about how God has caused me to go deeper in my faith through brokenness and disappointment. In the end I have to say, after learning valuable lessons through those difficulties I would never have chosen for myself, I wouldn’t change a thing. Giving thanks with you for a faithful God who continues to draw us closer to Himself as the Shepherd of our hearts. ❤️
Yes!!! I am so grateful that He is patient with me in the process of rebuilding. I want to find the expert, the one-thing solution, the “hurry-up-and-get-it-done deal”. But that’s not how God works. He knows that we need a humble heart and desire for Him. I am so grateful for your continued encouragement to my soul, dearest Kathie! ❤️
The feeling is mutual dear friend . . .😘
Very timely post. Blessings
Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you SO much for encouraging us with the truth of who God is and how He works. Blessings and love!
Thanks, Deb, for stopping in 🙂 Blessings to you as well 🙂
Thank you my Friend, for this reminder! God is doing the construction and building stronger walls here!
Yes, He is indeed, sweet Friend! Sending hugs your way 🙂
Great analogy. Our true strength comes from God.
It does indeed. Thanks for always reminding us of that at your place 🙂
A great comparison of God’s strength and presence in the physical and spiritual realm. Glad to know things are being restored. Blessings for your week.
He is the great Restorer, isn’t He?! Blessings for your week as well, dear Fran
What a rich and timely analogy.
Hoping you are seeing Him build your house with His strength today, Jacquie!
Thank you Heidi.