 “God wills to do something quite definite and particular through us, here and now, something which no other person could do at any other time” “…use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” Past Questions of the Month:
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Hope and AssuranceThis website was created for those acquainted with mental illness and in need of hope and assurance. Question of the MonthIf you have a question that you would like addressed, or have comments or suggestions, please let me hear from you. Contact: carolyn@hopeandassurance.com Dear friends of Hope and Assurance, My dad died on September 5, 2008. He was 93 years old and still lived with his wife, my Mother, of 62 years. It doesn’t matter how old your parent becomes, it can still be hard to let them go. Even in death, there is much to learn and memories to cherish. During the five hour drive to the hospital to visit my Dad after his surgery, I understood there were no guarantees for his recovery. Although I was going to visit him, I brought everything I needed to attend his funeral. I didn’t know what the future held. I just knew I wanted to be part of God’s plan – whatever that may be – for my Dad, myself and my family. Every situation, every relationship, every moment of time, every condition we have, we have been given for a purpose much greater than ourselves. The purpose is greatly influenced by how we choose to receive what we have been given. The purpose becomes much greater than ourselves when we believe these basic foundational truths that never, ever change: Our Heavenly Father is a loving, merciful, forgiving and utterly trustworthy God, even when we cannot understand what He is thinking and doing. This is now a sin filled world. It is no longer what God created and declared to be very good. Consider how a loving parent will do whatever it takes to bring their only child back who has become entrapped, knowingly or unknowingly, by sin’s alluring promises. Sin puts it’s ugly handprint on all of us in some way; but God is here to rescue and make us into the beautiful person he intended when He formed us in our mother’s womb. Whatever we are given has been carefully sifted through His loving, caring, and compassionate hands and is intended for our spiritual good and to bring God praise. God yearns to help, save, and change us to impact the lives of others for good. God wants to make sense out of our confusion and hurt. Suffering can be the quickest way to get us to turn our face toward God and say, “Help me; for I am not capable of doing what needs to be done. I’ve made a mess of things and I need Someone much bigger and better than myself. I thought I knew it all; but I was wrong.” We were not meant to carry burdens that overwhelm us physically, mentally and spiritually and we are not capable of changing anyone. We can partner with God and willingly cooperate in allowing God to heal, teach and transform. Trust Him today to resolve the past, meet today’s needs and handle the future with perfect Wisdom. He will not fail us or let us down. No way, dear friend! |