Beauty Arises From Ashes

Sometimes the most beautiful lessons come after the longest Spiritual dry spells or periods of long-suffering don't they? Sometimes you grip things so tightly out of fear (and scars from past experiences) that you unintentionally crush and eventually lose them. It's only when you learn to loosen your grip, open you hands, trust in God and not in yourself or this world; beautiful things start to appear.

Trust, oh boy...that's a word that has held negative meanings & experiences for me throughout my life. Though it is what is most required in relationships, ESPECIALLY with God. For a period of time, I bought into the lies from the enemy that you really only can trust yourself, furthermore God had allowed so many bad things to happen to me He must not be trustworthy, or truly care about me...oh how wrong I was! I am so grateful to my Savior for patiently loving me throughout my life me despite my  many shortcomings and seasons of doubt. 
 
It has been in suffering and periods of silence from the Lord where my character has been  shaped to be more like Him. He was not silent, though it certainly felt that way. He was working in my life bringing things that I needed into it and burning away the things that were truly detrimental to my Spirit. Refiner's fire...it's a painful, necessary & beautiful thing. Though I don't welcome suffering or trials, beauty truly does arise out of the ashes of suffering. When in the mist of large and daunting trial, it's so easy to forget all of the things that He has brought us through, all of the prayers that He has answered. Thankfully He gently reminds me and strengthens me so that I can persevere, when on my own  I could not.
 
Sometimes the things of this world, demanding your every attention drown, out the sound of His voice and you experience what I like to refer to as "the fog of war" moments. Where the battle is so intense and drawn out that we forget to just be still and listen to Him. Giving my time to Him daily, I must confess, is something I struggle with. However when I stop giving my time to all the things of this world, and spend time with Him daily in His Word, in prayer and worshiping Him renewing my Spirit, "the fog of war " lifts and I see things clearly. I am then able to hear His voice, which often times comes as a sweet whisper that I am able to hear because I have been still and listened for His voice.
 
I walked many trials & fought many Spiritual battles before I was able to understand these beautiful lessons. Hopefully it will encourage you if you are in "the fog of war" too...
 
Remember....
 
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:9-11 

~Blessings & Peace
Larisa