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Laura Story shares another devotional with us in this week’s episode of “Wednesdays In The Word.” Watch the video below as she talks about turning our questions of “Why?” with God into “How? inspired by John 9.
I think the point of the story isn’t so much the ending, as much as it is that so often we turn to that question of “why?” and for me it’s something that I can become bitter over. But what I’m learning is that as God softens my heart he’s turning my “Why?” into “How?” And rather than saying “Why are you doing this?” I’m learning just to open my hand and say “God, how might you use this situation in order to glorify yourself all the more?” -Laura Story
What is a challenge that you have faced in your life where God used it for his glory? Post your answer in the comments section & be entered to win a copy of Laura’s new book, “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?” and a signed copy of her album “Blessings!”
Don’t forget to get your copy of Laura’s Devotional Book HERE and her hit CD “Blessings” HERE!
With a blended family, I expected things to be much different, but God continues to teach me that the easy way is not the answer. If life were to be easy, we would learn little from our experiences, leaving us empty. I thank God for each new challenge of each new day, giving praise for his love and mercy. He loves me enough to keep challenging me. What a great honor that is!
Amen. Thanks for your comment!
All through school, until the day I graduated, I was always the smallest kid with the obvious “picked on” status that goes with the rejects and runts. All my life I was shy and introverted, and had a hard time speaking to anyone I did not know, especially women. About twelve years ago, I was convicted that my knowledge of my faith and the Bible (like many others in church), was superficial, not adequate for something I needed to prepare for, though I had no idea what.
I focused more on Bible study and began to grow in knowledge. Almost 9 years ago, reading Matthew 25:31-44 I was convicted by the story of judgment day that I was being called into a prison ministry. I had no interest in reaching the rejects and outcasts of society, but I told some friends, they and I prayed over it. I felt like Moses in front of the burning bush – “No God, not me, I have always been a bad speaker, uncomfortable around people, please send someone else.”
A little over a year later an opportunity opened, I went into a state prison to visit a man who had written to our church. The letter was given to me by our outreach pastor who knew of my conviction. In that time God had changed me, but I didn’t realize it. My prejudice was gone, replaced with compassion. I went in to visit wondering what we could talk about and how I would spend more than 10-15 minutes talking to a stranger. Three hours later the corrections officer announced that the visiting room was closing for the night. I never had much of a problem from that time on.
The ministry grew, I recruited volunteers to join me, we reached more and more men in one on one visits, and began a letter writing ministry reaching both men and some women as the men moved to other prisons. A few years later, I ended up moving to another state. I joined a church and immediately began looking for a prison ministry. Nothing similar was available nearby, but I met somebody in a city/county jail ministry. I joined that, and found myself out of my comfort zone once again, leading Bible studies with groups of anything from 2 to 10 inmates, standing in passages at the cell-blocks.
As time passed I was asked to consider becoming a backup, apprentice adult Sunday school teacher. I agreed to that, and also agreed to take over a two hour Bible study in the jail, on a different day than normal visitation. I had been asked to become assistant chaplain as our chaplain’s health was not good, then later asked if I would take over the role of chaplain, all volunteer roles on top of a normal job.
Now with all the teaching, my other challenge is exposed. A number of years ago, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Some people have told me I can’t have fibromyalgia, only women get that. I believe my rheumatologist knows more than they do, and I see the side effects – muscular pain, chronic fatigue, and one of the worst, fibro-fog, the short term memory loss known technically as cognitive dysfunction. I tell people I remember passages of text, but sometimes don’t remember the exact book, chapter and verse – not to use fibromyalgia as an excuse, but to show my frustration at the fibro-fog, and how I cope with it. Like Paul, I have heard and accepted “my grace is sufficient for you” as I prayed over this, and said if this is your will, take it from me, not my will, but yours be done.
I’m still a bit uncomfortable standing in front of 60 – 80 people to talk for an hour about the ministry, but I can do it without too much trouble. I feel more comfortable in a 2 hour study locked in a classroom with up to 15 men in jail than in front of an adult Sunday school class of 10 – 20 people I know well. God uses the weak things of the world for his glory, not always the confident, not the proud.
God is in the business of calling us to do the things we feel inadequate for, but He doesn’t call us to do it in our own strength! Joshua 1:9. Thanks for your comment!
At the age of 38, I experienced chest pain that led me to believe I was having a heart attack. I did NOT have one, but my doctor thought I had blockages and was sending me for a heart cath. Cath was negative, clear!!! Later, God revealed to me He had healed me. It took this to realize that His plan was better than mine.
Later that same year, I was having psiatica back/leg pain. Over a period of 6 months, as the pain increased STEADILY and I was at the end of my rope, it was then when God said, “Take your eyes off your pain, and focus on ME!!!” At that very moment, the pain became bearable! Only a few weeks after this revelation, I had back surgery for a severely herniated disc in my low back. It was a miraculous surgical healing.
God is so good… all the time… and His plan is perfect! Now, I can praise Him through WHATEVER I FACE, and point others to Him!
Praise God for His healing! Thank you for your comment.