Today, I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday…
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (N.K.J.V.)
They shall be comforted. Those are four powerful words. The text doesn’t read, “They might be comforted.” It says, “They shall be comforted.” Those words are absolute truth. Doubt resides nowhere within them. They are a promise.
Over the course of the last year I have lost more than 20 pounds. Tonight I went shopping. As I walked into the store, and over to a rack of clothing, I immediately went to the bigger sizes. The size I used to wear. I began to think about how sometimes it is all too easy to see a picture in our minds of who we used to be rather than who we are now. It’s hard to move forward.
Sometimes we live with grief or shame of some kind and we refuse to be comforted. We don’t allow God to pick us up and do a work within us. We don’t allow Him to move us forward. We hold onto the grief. It becomes comfortable. We aren’t sure who we would be without it. We almost become comfortable where we used to be. It is what we know, but it isn’t comfortable… it’s complacency.
I lived with my share of grief for longer than I should have. Instead of focusing on what God was trying to do in my life through the struggle, I kept holding tight to pain. I was afraid to let go. Afraid to let her go. Afraid I might forget the daughter I carried for more than 34 weeks but would never hear cry. I would never feel the warmth of her skin.
As time went on, even before I received my miracle, I learned to allow God to comfort me. I realized I had to receive His comfort, His mercy, His grace, and only then would I be free. I didn’t have to completely forget the sad girl I was in the past; I just had to finally allow God to bind my wounds. I had to live through it, so that I could help others live through it too…
Receive your comfort today. Allow God to move you from where you are to where you need to be! It takes faith, but you can do it!
This is my first time here, but somehow, your words are precisely what I needed to hear. Thank you so, so much!
Thanks for reading, Dara! Welcome!
I can’t imagine what that pain is like. I can only know that I too have held onto deep pain….for much much too long. Not realizing that I needed to heal before I could move on. The pain was like a disease eating away. It’s so hard to let go, but I know that God works within us with each trial, each pain, each event in our lives. Hopefully we learn and grow from them.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Leigh!
Amen, speak on.
“I had to live through it, so that I could help others live through it too…” those words..do you know how brave they are? so glad to read part of your story today. stopping over from Five Minute Friday 🙂
Thank you, Crystal! 🙂
What beautiful encouragement, Jennifer. His comfort is something we can depend on…when we come to the end of ourselves!
Thank you, Eileen!
Why is it that learning to accept comfort He has promised so hard ? Thank you for so bravely share encouragement for us each to move on and see us as we are now, redeemed. Bless you !!
Thank you, Amy. Have a wonderful weekend!
Beatuiful! Love it when we can lean in on God and let Him comfort. He’s loving arms are the best.
Yes, they are. Thanks for reading!
Powerful… truth. And a wonderful promise. Thank you.
Thanks, Sharon:).
“Live through it.” I love that Jennifer. LIVE. THROUGH.
I felt your pain. But I also felt your joy. Your release. Your love.
Bless you dear blogging friend.
I am so glad that we connected.
-Heather
40YearWanderer
Thank you, Heather.
Oh, friend…I love this. What a reminder that we need to allow Him to comfort us…too often, I look for those other things that might provide comfort, when He is all I need. God is using you and your story…your words blessed me today. Thank you!
Thanks, Mel:).
I think that may be the point of it all..that your survival (living through it) might ensure the survival of others. Bless you as you stand strong as a beautiful example for others – sharing your story so that others will be able to do the same. Blessed Mother’s Day to you!
Thanks, Lisha! Happy Mother’s Day to you as well!
So beautiful Jennifer! I just completed a study on the Beatitudes…such comfort found there. All we need to do is trust in Him and we will be blessed. I’ve been here a couple times now and you always touch me heart.
Thank you so much, Beth.