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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL (don't write about the song) (04/02/15)
Suffering - how I
hate it,
avoid it,
deny it. . .
in all its forms.

At times, it comes as small
frustrations
irritants
inconveniences.

Things that disrupt my days –
a leaky dishwasher
computer virus
aching back.

These don’t
break my heart
nor devastate my soul
nor rob me of my next breath or footstep.

But, in anger, I swat at them –
grumbling
seething
murmuring.

Ugh. Why does life have to be so hard?
How long, oh Lord? I cry.

And He says,
But this is not your true life.

Yes, but then. . .
there are the moments when a different suffering
knocks at my door -

news that comes like a death blow and

steals my breath
freezes my limbs
kills my dreams.

And I cry out – loudly,
Why this, Lord?
Why must I lose this?
It was so precious to me.
And He says,
But it is not your true life, child.

I close my ears, harden my heart and
Doubt – “He is not good.”
Worry – “He is not present.”
Envy others – “He is not wise.”

And as I turn inward,
my suffering increases tenfold.

I fix my gaze on that place where my precious dwelled,
but see only empty darkness. . .
feel only loss and heartache.

How long, oh Lord? How long?

He turns my face toward Him and says,

Look at Me, beloved, only Me. I am
Good
Present
Wise
Unchanging.
Look at Me.
I am the way, the truth, and the life. . .
your life.
I will never leave you,
nor forsake you.
You can lose everything,
but you will never lose me.

But I hate this suffering, Lord, I really do.

I know, and it is natural that you hate it.
But, I will redeem it,
and I will redeem you.
This is not the end.
I will use this. . .
for good.
Fix your eyes on Me.

So, out of His great love,
He leads me to face
the hard reality of suffering,
and to meditate on His
goodness
presence
wisdom.

I begin to recognize the losses as
divine fingers –
pointing to His steadfast character,
and see Him using the heartache
to capture my heart.

Placed between the already of my salvation
and the not yet of eternity,
an understanding of what it means to
“rejoice in the bones which God has broken”
grows.

I catch a glimpse of wellness –
comfort
peace
rest
even joy. . .here, in the
Shadowlands.

When I truly look and listen
I discover His
beauty
strength
majesty
through all His creation. . .

Bird song and bouquets
Warm sun on green grass
Trees heavy with color
White snow clothing mountains.

I trace His footsteps over nature’s fields…
and it comforts me
in the midst of all that is ugly and broken.

His Word quickens my heart, infuses it with hope.

And the cross –
oh that blessed rugged symbol –
assures me that I will
never have to suffer as He suffered
never be separated from the Father as He was
never pay the unthinkable price for my sin.

Because, He. . .
already accomplished all of that…
for me.

He bids me to
choose wise companions for my journey -
those who have suffered well…
pilgrims from the past,
long dead,
but whose
legacy lives on.

Their stories. . .
give me courage to stay the course
nudge me to a deeper trust in Him
grow compassion for the hurting.

He also says,
Look around you –
there are others in this world
who are. . .
wounded
hurting
struggling
Some with unspeakable pain.

Pray for them, help them, love them.
Be an agent of comfort.

How wise He is.

My own
pain begins to lessen.
load seems lighter
heart grows hopeful

as He urges me to. . .
look around.

The moments of groaning
still cause me to cry,
How long, oh Lord?

And He is okay with that. . .
because He knows it increases my longing…
for heaven
for eternity
for Him.

And in the midst of the pain,
there is the hope,
that one day
there will be no more struggle.

Doubt will turn to trust. . .forever.
Worry will change to peace. . .forever.
Envy will dissolve into contentment. . .forever.

And the halls of heaven will never hear the words
How long?

But will echo with the glorious proclamation,

“All is well…to Him be the glory forever.”
Amen!
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This article has been read 845 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Janice Fitzpatrick
04/09/15
Wow! Truly this was a blessing! Thank you for sharing this God penned piece!! Heartfelt, raw and honest, this captured my attention and was so relatable. Although just a bit long, it flowed. Because of your vulnerability it engaged me to follow along to the end, where I could agree, personally, that through it all, God is with us and IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.
Lollie Hofer 
04/09/15
What I like about this poem is it shows your passion...the emotions are strong and raw...but it also shows His compassion. Thanks for sharing.
Dawn Eddy
04/10/15
Amazing. I love everything about this! You have a gift!
C D Swanson 
04/14/15
Absolutely powerful and engaging in terms of inspiration!

God bless~
Toni Babcock 
04/15/15
Inspiring, challenging, full of hope and promise for those who are willing to let go and allow Him to be All.
Lois Lewis
04/16/15
How long, O Lord, how long? I think most of us have related to that thought at one time or another. Thanks for all your hard work, and good luck in the Challenge!
C D Swanson 
04/16/15
Congrats!
God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/17/15
Congratulations on ranking 3rd in your level and 12th overall! Happy Dance!
Beth LaBuff 
04/21/15
Brenda, what a beautifully penned free-verse poem! Each trilogy of listed words was stunning. Many congrats on that ribbon that tops the page! (and you are a natural poet!!!)