Through every sorrow, trial, tragedy, storm, and painful moment I have traveled; God held me firmly in the palm of His Powerful, Righteous Right Hand. Safe! Never once did He let go. During those moments in which I ran after foolish desires or counterfeit joys; like the loving Father He is; He waited patiently, gently never letting me out of His sight. Knowing that I would sometimes fall as I learned to walk; He remained nearby to pick me up and to ascertain I would not be injured beyond repair. His unconditional love for me always drawing me closer to His side so that I might find in me His peace, His Joy, and His hope overflowing with fresh living water. By an act of His Great pleasure, He chose me, loved me, redeemed me and adopted me into His family. Saved, washed clean; because of His Grace toward me.
Jesus said,
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:24-25
Yes, this world will be filled with sorrows, difficulties and a cross to bear; if we want to be true followers of Christ. However, the wonderful Good news remains: He bore my cross, He lifts the yoke from off my shoulders to carry it with me every moment of my life. The difference as a Christian is not that the world around me changes because of faith. The truth is I change from the inside out.
CHRIST IN ME-THE HOPE OF GLORY
During my life, I faced severe physical abuse and widowhood. I have personally care for and watched my mother and my beloved husband battle the horror of mental illness with bipolar disorder. Battling aggressive cancer; while trying to support my teenage sons and completing a Master’s degree in Nursing at the same time; only to then face ulcerative colitis, surgeries and financial struggles beyond any hope of recovery. Yet, through it all; God remained ever present lifting me up, strengthening me, and guiding me closer to His bosom.
Life didn’t change; but, how I saw life changed drastically. My life overflows with hope, joy, and love; even when in the raging storms; because, God held me firmly in the palms of His hands. Precisely, that remains my motivation to write to you; because I want you to know His hope, joy and love. How I wish, that whatever trial you face today; I could help you understand–God IS Enough to make your heart leap with joy.
SAFE
Whatever trial I faced; I came to learn, I was safe; because of Jesus Christ. I learned to stand firm on these three foundations of truth which anchored my soul.
- GOD IS Supreme, Sovereign, Creator, All Mighty, Lord of heaven and earth, the being without whom no other being exists who chose to love me in spite of my own nothingness. In Him, I find being. Furthermore, He rewards all those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
- The purpose for which God created me: to shower upon me His love, to fill me with His joy, and to impart with me a piece of His Glory. God’s greatest display of glory is the salvation of one human soul: because of calvary. He does not need me to perform that act of grace; however, when He chooses to use my testimony to lead someone to Christ; He has shared a piece of His Glory with this underserving soul. (John 17)
- In Christ Jesus, I am God’s redeemed, chosen, blessed, beloved Child; heir of the Kingdom, servant by choice, and declared saint. (Ephesians 1-3)
Knowing all this, I stand firm no matter what storms may rage around me; because I God holds me in His own loving hand of grace. He anchors me firm to Him.
EPHESIANS 1: 1-9
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
So, my final question to you is: ” Do You Know You are Safe?” Have you ever accepted Jesus Christ as Your Lord, Your King, Your Savior?
[tweetthis]Safe in the arms of Jesus; whatever, sorrow or storm may come my way [/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”This one thing I have learned: In Christ Jesus, by faith: God is all I ever need to know hope, joy, peace & love” username=”effiedarlene”]
If you don’t know how to accept Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, email me by clicking here or comment here
This is an original Drawing by an amazing artist. Check out his work: http://roninron.com .
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featured photograph at beginning of post by permission of https://unsplash.com/@kfred
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.