Effie Darlene Barba

Nothing stretches our faith or our knowledge of God more than when tragedy strikes. That is what Job and his friends were about to learn.  Amid the tears, it may appear that God is silent for a time; as our hearts yearn to find Him.  We want to hear His answer; yet, we cannot see the truth that He is there in the center of our tragedy.  It is hard to see His hand of love; because, we somehow think that He should answer us with the answer we want.  Instead, He is wiser and knows the answer is found only as we grow to know Him better.  God sees the very depth of our heart and knows what we need. Hidden within, He has a blessing.

As I pointed out in How Can Suffering Be God’s Divine Purpose for Good; hidden deep within the heart of Job was a thread of pride.  It had not yet caused him to sin; but, combining that with his belief in the doctrine of retribution, it would have been only a matter of time. Knowing this, God allowed Satan to bring tragedy into his life.  The pain and sorrow forced Job to rethink all he had believed of God and to ultimately recognize God’s Divine Purpose, His Sovereignty, and His Grace poured out upon this broken world.  Not only did God use Job’s suffering through tragedy to transform his life; but, also the lives of his friends who needed to discover the truth.  Let’s look at his friends and how their theology failed. We often face the same false theologies today.

Eliphaz-The Prosperity Gospel

Continue reading “Can Tragedy Really Be a Blessing from God?”

When facing extreme trials and sorrow in this world; how can we hold fast to integrity?  That is the word God uses when speaking of Job. God had allowed Satan to take everything away from Job in the course of a day.  His children and all his wealth gone in an instant. Job’s response?

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly (Job 1:20-22).

And so, when Satan returned as the accuser of the brethren before God.  God responded to him in this manner.  “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth (abstains from) evil? And still he holdeth fast his integrity” (Job 2:3); regardless of all I allowed you to take from him.

As he sat in a pile of ashes, scraping his sores; his wife asked, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity?  Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9).  In the depth of pain and sorrow, it is easy to let go of integrity; but, Job clung fast, even when he fell deep into despair.  So, what is integrity? And why is it a word we hear so seldom anymore?

INTEGRITY

Continue reading “How to Maintain Your Integrity During Sorrow”

Whatever trials you are facing today, let me assure you: God is in Control.  He has not allowed your suffering without there being a Divine Purpose for your good.  He will take all your suffering and broken pieces into His mighty hands of love to bring you to a place of perfect steadfast joy in Him.  Sometimes amid the suffering, that may seem hard to believe; but, nevertheless is true.  God does not merely look upon our actions; but, rather He sees our heart.  His eyes pierce deep within our soul, knowing every piece of chaff that must be removed so that we might see Him clearly.  Furthermore, He knows every blemish that stands in the way of our finding perfect joy in Him.  Job understood this in his mind; but, needed to really know this in his heart.  Therefore, God allowed Job’s suffering at the hand of Satan.

What Job knew about God at the beginning of his story was insufficient to write this truth upon his heart.  We are told in Proverbs 3:3 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.” Yet, God knows that we cannot fully comprehend of our own volition; therefore, He has promised to write them upon our hearts Himself. (Jeremiah 31:33).  This He covenanted to His people; that, after their days of suffering, He would write His truth upon their hearts. Suffering prepares our heart, cleans the slate; so He can write clearly.  All we must do is trust Him; even in the storms of life.  Ah, but even then; it is He who provides us faith to do just that when our faith fails us. He only asks that we keep our eyes on Him.

JOB’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE HEART

Continue reading “How Can Suffering Be God’s Divine Purpose for Good?”

Sorrow, pain, and suffering are certain to be a part of our journey on earth.  Jesus, as He told His disciples of the events that would come regarding His death spoke clearly, “Verily, Verily, I say unto you, ‘That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy…ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:20,22).  Their sorrow; and even later, their tribulations were for a greater good.

There is no pain or sorrow too great to bare; if only, we knew the purpose.  Yet, often as we go through this world; God does not tell us why suffering comes into our life.  However, we can be certain; He has a purpose and plan that is for our good.  We can trust Him, even when we don’t understand.

Certainly, that was the case for Job.  Never did God explain Himself to Job; yet, if we look deeply-Job’s own transformation of heart and his knowledge of God grew exponentially as a result of his suffering.  Furthermore, God used Job’s suffering to teach valuable lessons to his friends and to each of us.  One lesson God taught me through a lifetime of sorrow is this, as I often have said, “There is no sorrow too great to bear for the salvation of one soul.  No suffering too harsh to endure in this lifetime, if the eternity of one soul is changed.”  Of course; we may never know how God used our suffering for the good of another; but, He uses our pain to bring us His joy, by drawing us closer to Himself.

FROM SUFFERING TO JOY

Continue reading “Can Suffering and Pain Lead to True Joy?”

IN A NOISY WORLD OF TALK AND OPINIONS

We live in a noisy world, surrounded by 24 hour news. Non-stop talking and opinions pour forth, adding anxiety, despair, and fear.  How do we find truth and peace?  God has promised to provide us with hope, wisdom and discernment; if only we turn to Him and seek Him.  That is what triggered my writing this poem.  We need to turn off the gadgets, open His word and sit a while each day with Him in prayer.

How Can I Know What’s Really True?

I listened to the news today

My heart so heavy, now I pray

Dear Father, please, I ask of you

How can I know what’s really true?

 

They talk and talk incessantly

Until the truth I cannot see

But Lord, I know Your Word is true

And so, Your truth I do pursue

 

Turn off the noise, turn off the sound

Before in words my heart is drowned

So, let me sit here at your side

Safe in your love, I can abide

 

For all man’s talk can never heal

The hate, the sin that is so real

You are the only one who can

Transform the heart of evil man

 

And so, I humbly bow my head

Filled by hope, Your words I’ve read

Your Joy, Your love to fill each day

Protecting me along the way

 

The pains and sorrows You erase

Each time I gaze upon Your face

Your Glory shining oh so bright

Into the darkness of my night

So, fill my heart with You today

That I might know just what to say

To lead someone to see Your Son

The truth, the victory He has won

 

So, one by one help them to see

Their only hope to be set free

From all the hate and bigotry

Was purchased there on Calvary

 

And lift the darkness o’er this land

Your light to shine, that truth may stand

You are our only hope today

For this I bow to you to pray

Deuteronomy 4: 29-31,35,39

But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;  (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee

Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him.

Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Take time today to seek His word.  He is truth and light.  Spend time alone with Him everyday and let His peace, love, hope and joy fill your hearts.  Pray for our nation.  Our greatest weapon is prayer.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.

OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here

JUST RELEASED

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Recently released Books Available

ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY

A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.

 

 

 

WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”

Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.

You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.

©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 except for my own books. 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.

Credits and Footnotes

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