Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: HONEST (05/31/18)
-
TITLE: Should I Speak or Should I Not? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Bonnie Kronberger
06/04/18 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
But this I know: “ ...the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” II Chronicles 16:9
Lord, can You see me? I know You do. I need wisdom.
She is hurting badly. She vents, she cries, she fears. I hurt too, longing to take away her pain.
Suffering is not a stranger. It comes to all of us at one time or another.
An insult, a lost opportunity, a fractured relationship, a broken dream.
Not really big, like death, disease. But big enough to hurt.
I am unsure of my role in her trial. She needs me to come alongside her as the storm rages. She fights the waves of bitterness and hurt that roll over her, soaking her, rocking her. The currents of life try to drag her away from what her spirit knows.
My instinct is to charge into her thunderclouds and blow them away with words of Your will, Your victory. Speak for me when I open my mouth. Keep me silent when Your Spirit is all that is needed.
I want to look her in the eyes and speak Your words, “This suffering will pass and God will turn ashes into beauty, mourning into joy. Don’t cling to your own understanding.”
But I know her too well. Though the words may be true, the heart is not ready to hear. She wants to be supported and comforted in her distress. She longs to hear words of agreement that she was wronged.
My prayer cries out the words of Psalm 23. I long to spout platitudes, bible verses. But I hesitate, listening for Wisdom. If I speak out of turn, I may push her in the wrong direction. Her heart will shatter at my perceived disloyalty.
She’s in the right, technically. Her anger is justified. But when we claim You as our Shepherd, we need to give up our rights to lead. Let Your grace do its work. Let Your truth be enough. Can I remind her she was bought with a price?
She has been painfully hurt by peers. Made to feel invisible, expendable. Her identity in question, overlooked, under appreciated. Should I remind her that her identity is in Christ Jesus? Can I caution her to beware of the stranglehold of the world’s lies? Do I point out how easily we can make an idol out of our successes and failures?
Perhaps I should just hug her, embrace her story, and be still. What if I keep silent, never encourage her to surrender her will? Will You remind her?
Oh Father, I see pride and pain squeezing the strength from her. My spirit tells me to trust You to draw her to Your side. Show me how to love her through this crisis.
She is your child much more than she is mine. I love her completely, but You love her perfectly.
Many years of living has taught me to trust Your will and Your plan. Let me not expect her to know You in the same way. But because she knows You and You care for her, I am confident peace will come, anger will subside, and hope will return.
So if I speak or remain silent, let it be with grace and truth.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
You developed an MC who is strong in the Lord; both humble and obedient. I could only hope to be so faithful and true a friend when put in the same situation.
I think you came to the conclusion of it is just best to pray and let God speak through you, waiting for Him to give you the words when the time comes. It's so hard to do, but, really, the only solution is to trust Him.
Great, great job. One of my favorites this week.