Tag: Failure

What to Do When Feeling Alone, Afraid, And Ashamed

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord ,According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:1-4

In the quiet moments alone, do you ever look back over your life and cry? Have you ever felt misunderstood? With a heart full of love, you so wanted to do or say the right thing; but, every word seemed to be misinterpreted and in the end you feel alone and rejected. At the end of the day you end up with so many “would haves”, “could haves”, or “should haves.” Maybe, it has to do with a diet you failed again. Maybe, it had to do with a financial decision you now regret. Whatever the reason, have you ever come to the end of the day and wondered if there is any purpose for you? Have you ever wondered whether any of it matters? Your joy is gone, your hope is gone and your only prayer is that when the morning breaks, peace and joy will have returned. Yet, your sorrow is worse because you feel that you have failed God once more. You hope that “knowledge that you are loved” will once more fill your heart with song, if only you could feel that again.  So what do you do?

Sustaining love

 

My time in Springfield was a time to heal the brokenness inside. Beyond having met and known new friends who accepted me as I was; there was also the time alone to reflect upon my life. It actually was when I first began to write about my life. Writing was a way that I could reflect and writing pushed me even further to search the scripture to discover the promises of God. Promises that could restore my heart whenever I felt broken, lonely, unloved, and unworthy.  Too often, I would find myself in that state at the end of the day.  Yet, it was those feelings that drove me to the scriptures even more and drove me to my knees a lot.  One  scripture that can restore hope in those times is this one from 2 Peter.

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What Do You Do When You Get It All Wrong?

I awoke this morning with these ideas circling in my head.  As I began to write down some of the thoughts; I realized that I needed to share these with you today.  So, I filmed this video for you.

 

4 points to remember when you get it all wrong

1.  It is not about how many times I have failed God.  It is about how many times that God’s loving Grace has searched for me, found me buried in despair, and asked “Child, do you love me?”  “Yes, my Lord, with all my heart!!”, I reply.  “Then my Child, come take my hand.  We have work to do.  The fields are white with harvest.  Feed my sheep.”

2.  It is not about how many times Satan has sifted me and left me like dust on the board of life.  It is about how many times God takes that pulverized flour and makes bread to feed those who are hungry.

3.  It is not about how many dreams I have toward doing things for God—no matter how lofty they might be.  It is about how many times God picks up the shattered pieces of those dreams, then reflects His Glory through them to shine His light upon another soul.  Changing the eternity of another through the shatter pieces of what once was my dreams.

4.  It is not about what I can do for God.  It is about what He can do with a broken heart, and feeble weary hands when that heart has come to realize that He is my greatest treasure.  He is my Joy, my hope, and the love I have so longed for.

So, dear friend; if you think that God can not use you to shine forth His Glory.  Think again.  He loves you and His mercy is new every morning.  I needed to tell you that today.

I wrote and published my book A Broken and Contrite Heart in 2011 which was an in depth look at what do you do when you get it wrong.  Although, I have grown spiritually since it’s publication; it remains a good place to begin or continue your journey of Grace.  Whenever, I forget (as sometimes we humans do); I have to return to that place in which I realized that it has always been all about Grace and Grace Alone.

If you wish to purchase a copy, you may click the link or go to Amazon.com or BarnesandNobles.com to order one.

If indeed, you wish a copy and cannot afford it; please email me.  Depending upon the response, I will try to honor you with a copy.  Understanding that in the modern book market; I, the author,  must purchase my own books from the publisher. So, as I am able and God permits, I will try to fulfill those requests.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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 with of course the exception of my own book for which I receive a small commission from Authorhouse, the publisher.   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.