Life is Hard but God is Good
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Does God Work when you Hurt?
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God Never Wastes a Hurt
There are times when life hits us hard. We are just going along minding our own business when BAM out of the blue tragedy strikes us or someone we love. How do we handle life’s surprises?
I have lived long enough to know that we do have a choice about how we handle mishaps and misfortune. We have a choice. The choice to let life’s hurts make us better or bitter. The choice is totally ours. Life is hard but God is good
Something I have learned over time is that God never wastes a hurt. I was talking with my dear confidant and friend Kathy yesterday when she reminded me that I had taught her that very thing when she desperately needed to hear it.
"Make no Friend's with an Angry Man (person) " Prov. 22:24
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How NOT to Be
She then went on to rehearse ALL of the hurts of my lifetime. She mentioned the insecurity and abusive home I grew up in; she spoke of all of the financial struggles we have had all through our lives. She continued to list the painful occurrences that took place in the different Churches we served and ministered and then finally the most hurtful of all, when my son turned his back on us and walked away.
Kathy said “Mekenzie, look at your heart and the heart of your husband. God did not waste your pain and you are a living testimony to that. As a result of your troubled home life your heart reaches out to people in pain.. You give people hope for their future. Your struggles with finances have never kept you from giving to everyone you know.” Then she reminded me of our first Ministry to Youth. The Senior Pastor’s wife was jealous, spiteful and angry. She turned on me and did everything she could to tear me down. NOT exactly what I was expecting as I looked forward to learning from an older godly woman. She pointed out ... instead of turning from the ministry you determined that you had just been in life’s school to learn “HOW NOT BE” as a Pastor's Wife.
My Son My Son
As a young woman I had such hopes and dreams for our family. My children were everything to me. The home of my youth was filled with strife; I had no one to model what it meant to raise secure, healthy kids. I read every book on parenting I could get my hands on. I read them hungrily hoping to learn the secrets of raising my children well. My father had been what I call a rage-aholic and my mother was disconnected and cold. I already knew I possessed a different heart than my parents, I loved deeply, I just needed some parenting tips. I applied consistency, love, balance, structure and anything else I thought might be beneficial to my children's development.
Kathy then took me back to the time when my son entered the world of defiance and rebellion. She continued, “Mekenzie, though you felt you would literally die as you watched your son spiraling out of control and spewing such hatred, you never ever gave up on him .. not once ...” She was right. ...”but you continued to love him with tough love and hope in God … I watched you through it all Mekenzie; and I have also watched how God has used you in an uncanny way to encourage those who come behind you.”
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Loosing My Church Family
The last Church we ministered in almost knocked me down as I questioned my own emotional stability. We were with that beloved Church for 15 years. My husband is a gifted teacher and was respected all thoughout the years of our Ministry. Our Church was a place of peace and love. We opened our home to our congregation; so many memories of bonding, growing in the Lord, watching football together and more. One of the ministries I held in the Church was to work with children. I loved the children of our Church and took great joy in watching them grow spiritually as they grew up. We invested our hearts and souls in that Church and loved them well. After all of those years, we thought of them as family. Then that BAM, out of the blue, visited us once again. After about 13 years at the Church a battle took place ... it was a vicious battle that, in the end, God won ... a HUGE victory over evil ... Then another BAM ... one from which we are still not fully recovered.
My husband experienced such freedom after the evil influences were removed. His was hearing from so many people in the Church how his messages were spirit led and that they were ministering to them. There was a bond that was stronger than it had ever been. During the storm we had come together as a Church and were of one accord. We prayed and sought the Lord together humbling ourselves asking God to shine his spotlight on our own individual lives; asking Him to reveal any hidden motive or sin. We were bonded together in prayer to ask God to show us what to do. God answered and it was miraculous.
A couple of years after God's miraculous answer we found ourselves personally sinking into debt. The Church could no longer support us financiallly as they had; they were only able to provide half of what they had paid previously. On top of this I had been put on medical leave to which I was never released. I had worked full time and carried our medical insurance. We were quickly sinking into debt. We were experiencing growth in the Church yet we knew we could not continue if Gary could not support us.
Then the final blow happened, out of the blue - at least for us, when my husband’s inner circle and closest confidant’s turned on him. It was as if his world caved in. He was totally broken and I was beyond grieved. As the realization of betrayal sank in and our financial situation was growing more desperate .. it seemed the only option was to resign. Although we left on good terms we were personally battle weary and hurting. I can only remember one person who dropped by to check on us. After all of those years .. did no one care?
My friend Kathy brought this situation to my attention. She said, “Mekenzie, you could have become bitter – but you didn’t. You worked through your pain and you forgave each and every person who neglected, turned and left you feeling abandoned and alone. You are the one that has taught me that God doesn’t waste a hurt.”
Beauty Out of Ashes
After my friend and I finished talking I did a lot of soul searching and inner reflection. I could say with Joseph, you meant it to harm me, but God meant it for my good. I thanked God for working all that good stuff into my heart. Kathy helped me to see God’s handiwork as she walked me through my past. I see it and I lift my hands in Praise to the God who brought beauty out of the ash heaps of our life. Life is Hard but God is Good!
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a crotchety ole' fart (as my son-in-law Jon would say) when I grow old. I know the key is staying close to God and allowing Him to work goodness, love and His character into my life. He is all I need.
My heart cries out … Draw me close to YOU … never let me go. "He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother". "He will never leave me nor forsake me." Because He lives I can face tomorrow.
MUSIC THERAPY
Music is therapy. Music has a way of bringing out emotions that lay buried. Music is filtered through your subconscious, the place where a life-time of data (all you have experienced in life) is stored ... but perhaps not explored. As music filters into the senses an awakening of emotions takes place. Have you noticed that while listening to a song your senses fall into the sweet, dark, tense magic of its melody? A song will lead you into the depths inside. If that emotion is pain, allow your soul to linger and feel it. We cannot heal from a hurt we don't acknowledge. Music brings us to the place of acknowledgement; I feel sadness, pain, longing, joy, etc. Worship music has the ability to transcend ones soul from this human existence into the majesty of God's presence.
The gift of song takes us to the place of acknowledgement; a place we may never have reached apart from it. As music brings your emotions out of the subconscious realm and into consciousness you then have an opportunity to examine, wrestle, forgive, enjoy and deal with them.
I invite you to sit back and allow this music to fill you up and to soothe your heart. Let the words and the melodies be a balm to your soul's need. Bask in the beauty and be filled with healing.
May our heart cry be Draw Me Close to you. We know Life is Hard but God is Good and may we agree that Because He lives I can face Tomorrow.
MY HUBS CATEGORIZED
Categorizing Hubs I have organized my Hubs alphabetically and by topic. I did this to help reader's to find my articles easier. Thank you for gracing my pages with your visits and lovely comments.
Mekenzie
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My favorite ver is Jer 29:11 and I quote it often to myself. It reminds me that the things that happened to me, and the things happening to me are all part of His master plan. Sometimes you can't control the things that happen to you, but you can control your reaction and learn from the exprience. It takes practice. I admire you for your faith and how you have overcome the hardships in life that tired to keep you down. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hello dear heart, I continue to go through processes of healing too. God is faithful to take us to the place of healing where He and only He applies the Balm of healing and we find freedom. I am blessed to know that you were blessed by stopping by. Thank you for your sweet spirit. It is very busy around here .. I hope to be back soon! HUGS
Mekenzie
Mekenzie, This was such an awesome hub! Just recently, God has worked out some deep pains of my past. Your hub is so appropriate, for the inner healing that has been completed for me...after a lifetime of hurts:) Really enjoyed your first video, so goes with the timing of things! What a peace I have here, for stopping by:)
Thank you sweet Becky. God continues to bless and shepherd my life. He is Faithful! We can face tomorrow Becky because He lives.
Hugs!
Mekenzie
Mekenzie, thank you for touching on some of your experiences while taking up His cross and walking with the Lord. And yes dear sister and brother, we can agree that "Because He lives I can face Tomorrow." May God continue to bless and be with you always.
and thank you brother zzron for stopping by and leaving encouragement.
Blessings!
Mekenzie
These are great messages, thanks so much. http://hubpages.com/_1jlnpyoil2g4b/hub/Why-Are-Chr
By Grace, thanks for gracing my pages once again. I am happy to hear you were blessed by this hub. God uses it all .. the Good, the Bad and the UGLY. :)
God Bless and Keep you dear one.
Mekenzie
Another excellent hub, it is a real blessing to come and read your hubs, I hope that you recieve a rich harvest from all the blessings you have sown in your hubs. I will be back to read more. I am voting you up.
frogyfish, haven't been on the hubs much .. my summers are CRAZY BUSY and I miss them and my friends. I'm keeping up with the novel co-written with unchained grace .. but that's about it. You ask if I am now enjoying the blessings .. let's just say .. right now, in the fire .. I did have years of peace and blessings .. God is doing something through some tough times and I'm all ears waiting on Him to reveal what He is trying to perfect in me. Thanks for your encouragement. Yes, we must continue to 'grow.'
Mekenzie
jjmyles, Don't know how I missed your comment .. The Goodness of God at all times .. So true. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment.
Mekenzie
What a wonderful, touching hub. And you are now enjoying the blessings you so deserve because you made the right choices, following the heart/purpose of God. This is such encouragement, for we all must continue to 'grow'.
Wonderful Hub. It demonstrates the Goodness of God In the best of times and the worst of times.
Oh Micky you've hit my funny bone once again... You are transparent and though you deem yourself a crotchety ole' fart - the soft side of you shines through... you can't hide it ya know. You do speak your mind with truth and that's what I like about YOU! Thanks for the encouragement dear friend!
Mekenzie
I didn't want to be a crotchety ole' fart! But here I am. I'll tell it like it is until I die. That's all one can do. I'm a crotchety ole' fart! Sometimes this world is a big ole butt.
The truth and the Golden Rule is what I live by. Let everything else fall where it may. I do love your gentleness and kindness! Great hub. Hang in there! You're a jewel!
ang, funny, I never got it either. Thanks for coming around and writing another comment. Thank you for your encouragement .. God is Good All the Time .. All the Time God is Good! :0)
Blessings!
Mekenzie
Mekenzie, I left a comment here last night but apparently, it didn't register, so here I go again. I greatly admire your attitude in the face of many trials. I know that God is good all the time, even though life isn't. It's encouraging to know that you choose to triumph, instead of wallowing in self-pity or defeat. May God bless you and yours.
Mekenzie, I have returned and read the comments further as I often do, especially on hubs that I was struck by. The offer to write was one meant to all and any doubters, I don't believe you have any doubts Mekenzie but you are welcome anytime for just ant thing you wish as are anyone.
Hello sweet friend, So you needed to step away from the hubs for some soul searching time .. that tells me alot about you and your heart for God ... I see you have a listening heart to the things God speaks. I respect YOU for that! Thank you for making this your first read .. I am honored and so happy you sing praises with me. I'm sending you Love and HUGS dear one
Mekenzie,
I saw this post when it first published, and I hung on to it knowing I would return here as I made my way back into the pages of hp. God is indeed good, and though I am not quite ready to publish yet - I am ready to read again and I wanted to make this the first read. Life is hard, but I can sing those praises with you knowing God is good. I wasn't sure how long I needed to be away from hp, but knew God would show me when I was to re enter. He needed to show me a few things - hard personal lessons and also sweet refreshing times with Him and my hubby. anyway. I am gald you are praising Him and I sing Hallelujas with you.
Michael, you got it .. our struggles and God's trimph in and through us. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings
Great hub about struggles & triumph!
Amen Sista, He certainly does!
God rocks!
My dear friend Mike, Thank you for your very encouraging words. I am always touched by YOUR wisdom and strength! Even if you don't always see it .. others do. :) Did you get to listen to any of the music? It so touches my heart. Thanks for stopping by and adding your kindness to my page. Love Ya! Mekenzie
Mekenzie, I don't comment as often as I would wish to on your hubs, but I do read them. Most of the time, you speak with such beauty and elegance that I don't know what to add...
I connected so much with the words you wrote here that I had to say hello, even if there was nothing of substance for me to contribute. Life has never been easy for ol' Mike here, but the last five years have been a wipe-out. I was touched and encouraged to read your words and see you address life's challenges with such wisdom and clarity. The answers may elude us, but I am inspired by your graceful approach to--well, to things that happen.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and understanding with us.
Mike
Yes it does Trudee! Welcome to my hubs and thanks for stopping by. :0)
Yes, life is hard, but God is good. It all makes us grow.
Quill, I know you've been off to the city on your own journey. Welcome back dear friend. It is sad to realize many people have experienced pain in the Church. It seems the Church is a great target for satan to roam about and seek whom he may devour.. I mean just think about it .. a whole housefull of believers, most of whom love God.
I can just see him with my minds eye whispering in people's ears .. so and so didn't shake my hand, Mrs. Peabody walked right past us, Mr. Carbunkle .. I think he glared at me .. he's so judgemental and did you notice Johnny Little bragging about his new car.
Yup, what better target to hit - it's like one stop shopping.
God's Glory is what it's all about Quill, as you and our sweet Mrs. have experienced.. We too have grown deeper in our understanding of God, ourselves and those we must forgive and show grace and mercy. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind words. Love and HUGS!
Hi Mekenzie...look at me coming at at the last minute as always, sorry for missing all the good stuff but just catching up.
Mrs Quill and I have seen much the same happen in a Church we attended for several years. We made the choice to step back because of some issues we had and a fast declining congregation. We experienced a period of grief and mourning over the loss of fellowship but what has resulted has been turned to Gods great glory.
God has a way of always bringing His children back into His fold and they come back stronger and much closer to Him...
Hugs Sister...we love you
Deborah, so you KNOW the pain of loosing your Church family .. and you know the comfort of running to God and being held and supported by His love. Thank you for sharing your 'knocked in the head' moment with me. That is SO cool! I've been 'knocked in the head' many times throughout my journey .. LOL He is faithful! Love Ya Sister!
Mekenzie, thank you for baring open your wounds. We suffer, so that we can offer compassion and Gods grace to others when they face similar trials. When we lost our beloved church family, I remember crying out to God, so full of anger and feeling lonely and abandoned. I asked why he had taken all my friends, my support, my comfort. Gently, in the bathroom stall of a new church, where I knew no one, but where He sent me, he replied, "I am your friend. I am your comfort, I am your support. Return to me." It was as if I had been knocked in the head. Suddenly I realized that I just needed to return to him for the comfort I was seeking. It was a powerful message.
Yours is a powerful message.
Namaste sister.
dearheart, you know He is Good! Yes he is!! Thanks for stopping by and leaving encouragement! Blessings
Life is hard, but God is GOOD! Yes, even in our deepest hurts, we can cry out to the one who can help:) Great Hub!
Brother Dave, Yes, I know the song and I immediately heard it in my soul when I read the words you wrote ... one of my favorites for sure ... filled with such PASSION!
I hope you are having a blessed day! Thanks for the virtual Hugs ... :0)
Mekenzie,sis ( " YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE " ) I hope you uderstand that this is the name of a song too. It's from a broadway musical. And yes, you will never ever walk alone, God promises.
Hugs,
Brother Dave.
brother Agua, Yes, so true .. ALL things DO work together for good to those that love the Lord and are called by him. Thanks! Blessings
Brother Unchained Grace, You said "satan works through those closest as he knows the impact is potentially more devestating" went back through a read above - and YES every case involved those closest to me .. I see the test .. with God's amazing grace I will continue to pass it.
Kinda a Romans 8:28 type of hub!....and so true!
Thanks Mekenzie,
John
Throughout life, we'll always run into those who appear focused on creating difficulty for us on all levels and their relationship to us makes it worse, sometimes. It's why satan works through those closest as he knows the impact is potentially more devestating. As I tell everyone, it is a test. Pass it.
You're storm's passin' over, hallelujah!
My Buddy 50 Caliber, did I tell you that you could come out of your room yet? Come on out buddy but try and behave yourself o.k. lol lol lol
I know your life has been riddled by BAM'S ... I also know your love for God shines through like a beacon that offers hope to the lost and the weary.
Yes, we pilgrims long for a land where all will be made right and peace will reign forevermore.
Thanks for the offer to write you. I just may do that someday. Love and Hugs! Mekenzie
Whidbeywriter - You know first hand the message of this hub. Thanks for your kind words.
Amber sweet girl .. thank you for your encouragement.
Saintatlarge Thanks for your wise comments: I LOVED the song, never heard it before. In the beginning when the camera's zoom in on Chris, he lights up with a smile that penetrated my heart and I found myself smiling from ear to ear before I even heard the song ... and what a song ... thanks for the gift.. and I do mean GIFT. "His Love never fails or changes and JOY comes in the morning." Blessings!
pryan4u, I'm glad my Hub blessed you. Thanks for stopping by. :0)
UlrikeGrace, you have graced my hub with your kindness. I LOVE your heart. You are a sister who has walked through deep pain too .. I don't the details .. but you've said enough that I know. I see the Potter is shaping quite a beautiful piece (YOU) out of the Ashes of your life.
Love Ya!
Dave, tragedy is brought into the light when God applies the balm of His truth and love. You said "a good song and a heartfelt prayer is almost all you need to snap you back to your loving self." You are soooo right about that .. hee hee. Thanks for the song .. I'll never walk alone .. this I know! Have a GREAT day brother Dave. HUGS to you!
Faye, thanks for dropping by, I know that you have learned this through your own life .. have you not? Love Ya!
Ann, Glad to know this touched you!
Ken, Yes God is always, always, always Faithful!
Mekenzie, can I still come in, after My dragging Mickey into a bad boy hub?
Life is hard and it gets easier if you drop the serious tones now and again. I say it gets easier 'cuz as you hit my age and your ready to go and be freed from this world of troublesome souls and have learned the face of Yahweh and feel sure he has learned yours as well, you can feel free to lay down for the peaceful rest that comes between heaven and earth. I for one am ready to go and rest, to awake and stand the pain of the judgment I've got coming, and feel that my face will be accepted as one of familiarity, from having to seek forgiveness so many times as well as looking his way for thanksgiving of seeing me through the hard times I've put myself through that required his strength to help me stand. Yahweh is great as well as good and if you doubt that just mail me and in private we can discuss what's on your mind. I'm always open for a new friend.
What matters in life is how we deal with the challenges we encounter. You are an inspiration.
Amber:)
I love your hub! I too have experienced some really tough times in my life. It was during those times I was able to see God work in a mighty way and teach me what I needed to know. By those experiences my faith grew and I am now able to encourage and give hope to others around me. By keeping our focus on God he will never leave us nor forsake us we can be certain of that. God Bless.
Oh MeKenzie...what an encouraging word..."God never wastes a hurt." and He doesn't there have been times when I thought I wouldn't make it....when the only choice I thought I had was live in darkness or end it all...well God was there and the sun rose the next morning and He brought me to real life, Light and joy! And now He uses that very pain to bring life to another. God indeed,never wastes a hurt.
UlrikeGrace
And Saintatlarge...thank you for the song...it blessed my soul deep...
May the Lord Bless you and Keep you always...Love your hub!!!
Hi Mkzie, Jesus did warn us... "In this life you WILL have trouble." None of us are exempt, but as you have said, it is how we individually handle it. Jesus wept over Jerusalem for what they had done. Paul's writings give us the best insight into ALL the troubles one could have and how to endure. i know that every reader would have a similar story to tell.
i remember hearing someone say, "I can't wait to see what awesome thing God is going to do in the midst of all of this?" Be Blessed, you have a beautiful heart and spirit. St. L. PS i added a song for you.
Mekenzie my precious sister, you know my thirst and passion for great spiritual music. Knowing who was writing, I hurriedly scrolled down and lovingly discovered the music first before I started reading. I clicked on the music and then sat back to read the story. Even the tragedy was brought into a different perspective because I knew that you were listening too as you wrote, and it was giving you the same loving comfort it was bringing me.
As one song would finish, I had to stop my read and click on another one,because it eased the pain I was feeling in my heart from the word I was reading.
As I have gotten to know you my sister, I know that you are stronger than you might think you are and I also know that a good song and a heartfelt prayer is almost all you need to snap you back to your loving self. You will never become some "crotchety old fart" it's just not in you to do that sis.
Hugs, with a song ("You'll Never Walk Alone")
Brother Dave.
Thank you for sharing. Life IS hard, people WILL disappoint/betray us, relationships WILL breakdown, children DO rebel...BUT God is indeed good. And God is always, always, always FAITHFUL. Blessings.
Amen and Amen, Mekenzie! Beautiful message!
Thank you Mekenzie,for a wonderful and uplifting hub, I thank you foe sharinbg it. Godspeed. creativeone59
Sandra, thank you for the encouragement and truth. You got it .. it's all about choices. God offers us His way to deal with pain and simply put; it WORKS!
God has a way of bringing you through the fire if you make up your mind to stand fast. Life is about choices and you can choose to learn from your difficulties. I thank God you were able to keep his love in your heart. Blessings! Sandra
thevoice, yes all here. Bless YOU!
God Jesus heaven and hub
Putz, hello my friend. Oh you know the goosebumps of hearing about a life touched by God. Isn't it Awesome! Thanks for the encouraging note. You bet I'm really glad He's the captain of my ship. Love Ya! Mekenzie
Hi poetlorraine, welcome and I'm so glad you enjoyed the hub.
Pamela, It's a good thing the Lord is never changing because everything around us can change in an instant. I'm glad you got into the music. It's such a balm to my soul .. I love music. Thanks for your sweet comments, you always encourage me. :0)
This is so blessed, I got goose bump reading it and aren't you so glad we have One that sticks closer than a brother and will steady us in the ship even when the waters are troubled.
msorensson, I will google her name. Yes I want to take on the "likeness of Christ" and help those who follow me by example and love. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts! Blessings
thanks so much for your hub, i so enjoyed it,
You seem to have walked through the fire and come out on the other side with grace and peace. We'll probably never understand what makes some people tick but the Lord is never changing and your music is wonderful.
There is a book by Sasha Xarian, you can google her, which parallels what you had just described.
The purpose of our lives is to help each other evolve "to the likeness of Jesus Christ."
I am glad you are keeping your faith.
A touching hub. Thank you for sharing.
Mekenzie Hub Author 5 weeks ago
teaches, Jer. 29:11 reveals the heart of God for His children and I quote it often myself. Yes, we can control the reaction we have when bad things happen. He is the potter we are the clay and as a potter He constantly shapes and refines us.
I must admit that I staggered for quite awhile ... but God never staggers. It is so important to have faith in the love and goodness of God in our lives. When we have that foundation our stability remains in trusting that He is in control and has our best interests in mind.
Thank you for your encouragement. I am glad that you stopped by to leave such a lovely comment.
God Bless you!
Mekenzie