There is Purpose in Your Pain

There is purpose right where you are, although you may want to argue against such a statement. Whether raising a child with special needs, caring for an elderly parent, mentoring a suicidal teen, or enduring personal chronic pain, most will pass through a lonely tunnel which leads to what I call “The Cave.”

Think of “The Cave” as a word picture. How would you describe it? I picture a damp, musty, and dark place, with sharp rocks all around. Why on earth would anyone choose to go into such a place! Not many of us would. However, some of us feel like we’ve been thrown into a dark, long-forgotten cavern without hope of rescue. What can we do when we find ourselves in a cave?

The three timeless truths that follow can be found in Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll. These words from Chuck help us to see that a cave can actually be a birthing place, providing you an opportunity to change and be freed from whatever has bound your soul. Recognize caves for what they are, but also remember that at the mouth of every cave, you can find light and relief. Chuck writes:

First, when God prepares us for effective ministry, He includes what we would rather omit—a period of waiting. That cultivates patience. As I write these words, it occurs to me that I’ve never met anyone young and patient. (To be honest, I've not met many old and patient folks either.) We’re all in a hurry. We don't like to miss one panel of a revolving door. Patience comes hard in a hurry-up society. Yet, it’s an essential quality, cultivated only in extended periods of waiting.

Second, as God makes us wait, hiding us in His shadow, He shows us we’re not indispensable. That makes us humble. One major reason the Lord removes us and has us wait in His shadow is to remind us we’re not the star attraction. We’re not indispensable. That realization cultivates genuine humility. I’m convinced Saul never once questioned God for having His hand on Peter and Barnabas, rather than on him. In a time when most gifted individuals would have been volunteering at the revival headquarters, Saul willingly remained behind the scenes. All the while waiting for his time—correction, God’s time.

Third, while God hides us away, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding ministry. That makes us deep. What we need today is not smarter people or busier people. A far greater need is deeper people. Deep people will always have a ministry. Always. God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him.¹

Discovering True Beauty

Too often as women we rely on our physical appearance and material possessions to provide us with the confidence that Christ intended us to gather solely from Him. We become either so insecure or prideful about the way we look on the outside and don’t spend nearly as much time working on our inner beauty as we do on our outer beauty. With the constant barracade of photoshoped magazine ads, plastic surgery crazed celebrities, and a societal obsession with all things physical, it is no wonder so many women struggle with finding their esteem in how they look. I recently read a study that reported that the average woman spends $15,000 on cosmetics in her lifetime, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that number continued to increase each year. What is more frightening is that girls are learning at a young age from their mothers and role models that it is looks that gather attention, not intelligence or a beautiful heart. As women who are raising the next generation, it is our duty to instill the biblical principles of beauty as according to God, and warn other women of the dangers of falling prey to the lies that Satan tells us about beauty of this world.

Ezekiel 16:14, 15 explains how physical beauty leads us into deception and away from His Will:

“And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD. But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his.”

I felt extremely convicted of living the life of a woman who spends way too much time thinking about how I look and not nearly enough time focused on the beauty through Christ that God intended for my life, for all of our lives. While I don’t think it is a crime to enjoy makeup and fashion, as far as I am concerned, it IS a crime to neglect the real beauty that God graced me with and that is a heart of compassion and love for others by way of Jesus. I've heard mentioned that if we spent nearly as much time praying or reading the Word as we do fixing our hair in the mirror, we would be a lot closer to the biblical standard of beauty, the kind of beauty that doesn’t fade. I have seen women who on the outside are physically close to perfection but once they open their mouths, their cold hearts and conceit instantly turn them ugly. In comparison, I have seen women who radiate goodness and grace from the inside out, and that is far more attractive any day than a good hairdo or stylish ensemble.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter3:3-4)

I never want to pervert or misuse anything that God has so graciously extended to me. In my heart of hearts, I truly believe God created us all in His image, exactly as He wanted us. Who are we to become prideful, or even insecure, in His beautiful creations? As women, every single day we must prepare ourselves for the spiritual battle between what God says is beautiful, versus what the world says is beautiful. I don’t know about you, but for the rest of my days, I want to pursue the beauty that God originally created me with and live with the confidence in knowing until we have been made over on the inside, we really are of no use to The Kingdom.

Instead of looking into the mirror to fix the flaws on my face, I want to look into the Bible as my mirror to fix the flaws on the inside. Instead of spending countless hours obsessing over perfect celebrity bodies, I want to spend countless hours obsessing over the message of God. Instead of wasting my money on material goods that I think will make me more beautiful, I want to spend my money on good deeds for others that I know will make me more beautiful in the eyes of God.

Being Happy

Should you not be in a happy state of being here’s what you’ll want to do immediately, at once, right now, quick fast and in a hurry.
Write down three things you’re grateful for, should you be inspired to write more then do so. Being happy!
Write down three happy memories, should you remember more write them as well. Being happy!
Write down three ways you may put a smile on someone’s face. Being happy!
Do you think these brief and simple exercises will help you in your being happy? It works for Me;) it's all in your attitude & how you handle your circumstances. Truth is in the world today we all are facing life changing circumstances that are a lot of times out of our control. In order to get thru them you must be proactive instead of reactive. You must believe all things are possible to them that believe. When one door closes another one bigger and better will open.. Have Faith!  I look forward to reading your comment