wear & tear on our hearts
Hey friends! Happy Monday! I hope you are enjoying the warm week we are having here in the PNW if you are local.
Over the last few weeks, the I have been contemplating the concept of worldly sorrows, change, loss, & grief. In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul is writing a letter to the Corinthians and says,
8 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 12 My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us. 13 We have been greatly encouraged by this. 2 Corinthians 7: 8-13
I was processing this chock full passage in the concept of seasons of life. Job changes, family trials, relationship & friend ups and down, & our physical bodies that are always lacking His infinite ways. I find that when I face trials, change, or continue to walk through daily life, I am inspired knowing the Lord can use these things to glorify Him.
My heart craves this heavenly sorrow as it lacks fear or uncertainty. Our steps are so secure when we trust in the Savior. I am not an individual that lives in regret or wishes things were different. I make decisions while seeking wisdom, prayer, reading God’s Word, and taking action. I daily battle to surrender my fears, trials, & sorrows to Him, knowing He cares for me.
I feel peace placing my confidence in the Lord’s ways. I get to surrender my trust & future to His sovereignty & glorious will. I don’t believe the cliche that the Lord doesn’t give us more than we can handle. Although, I know the Lord allows these hardships & sorrows, as He promises to walk alongside us, providing everything we need to endure these hard times. What an amazing God we get to serve.
Sometimes, I think we are tempted to lean on our own fears or worldly ways because our hearts are tired. We are all sinners, none of us perfect. We have all suffered sorrows as the result of our sins or the sins of those around us. The temptation to stick to what we know, what’s comfortable, & what feels simple or hold less risk is a powerful temptation. But we have an even more powerful God. He heals the wear & tear on our hearts, & renews us to carry on, move forward, & turn our sorrow to joy.
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
Take heart, friends! It is a privilege to rest & trust in Him, never needing to rely on our own understanding. He knows all of our days.