FINDING GLORY Wednesday

As always, today’s scripture and discussion question are taken from the Finding Glory in the Thorns: Group Discussion Guide. As we did last week, we continue to dig deeper into this challenging but rewarding issue of sharing our stories and lives together.

"To keep me from being conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10

How much did Paul share about the specifics of his "thorn?" How do you maintain an appropriate level of privacy (or respect for family) while sharing your struggles with transparency and authenticity? The following verses are helpful in discovering God's ways in this: Ephesians 5:33, Ephesians 6:1-4, Romans 14:13.

Instead of giving testimony about what God is teaching us, we can all have a tendency to fall into the trap of telling our stories like a droning novel. What is the difference between talking about your life's circumstances and sharing your faith story?

For more information about Finding Glory Groups, visit http://www.findingglory.com/findingglorygrou.html.

Today's reflections are copyrighted excerpts from Finding Glory in the Thorns: Group Discussion Guide.

Who has Walked in Your Shoes?

Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about kids having seizures. Larry and I deeply empathize with parents facing the horrifying moments, hours or even years watching their child suffer with uncontrolled seizures. We are very thankful that our daughter Carly’s seizures have been well managed for several years now and we never take it for granted. Even the non-seizure episodes she has are so similar to a seizure that they serve as a regular reminder of how helpless, scared and lonely a person can feel when watching a loved one suffer.

I got to thinking about the first time Carly had a seizure and what it meant to have a neighbor walk through that shocking and overwhelming situation with us. We knew nothing about seizures at that time and it lasted well over an hour so you might imagine we appreciated a quick education and the good deal of comfort we got from having someone there who had been through it before us.

That night in the emergency room, our friend stood in the wings offering reassuring words and prompting us with questions we might ask the doctors. In the 11 years since that night, we have reminisced frequently and fondly about the treasure it was to experience her empathy, prayers, and quiet, respectful guidance.

Over the years, we’ve had friends come alongside us in remarkable ways, especially when we’ve been in the midst of adversity. There have also been times when we have felt quite forgotten, and sometimes even abandoned, by our friends. For as wonderful and important as it is to have someone come alongside of us when we are feeling hurt, confused, scared or tired, people will never fully satisfy us. Only God can do that.

And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

I know there are others reading this today who, like me, need to review God’s promises frequently. We need to remember that Jesus has walked in our shoes. Not only does He perfectly understand our situations and our needs but also, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God is present and available to us at all times to empathize with us, guide us, strengthen us and give us His peace. We don’t have to earn that accessibility — it’s simply a gift to be received.

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

COME, LORD JESUS! Help me to trust in your presence, power and great love for me. Cause these promises from Your Word to sink into my soul and become deeply personal to me. Give me godly friends to encourage me through life with but teach me how to rest my heart and life completely in my relationship with You, Lord God. AMEN

It's "Marriage Prayer Friday!"

These weekly marriage prayers aren’t usually so personal but this time I want to dedicate a prayer to my precious husband — he’s an absolutely beautiful man who lives well his passion to love me and our family while honoring God.

Larry and I are celebrating our 23^rd wedding anniversary tomorrow! We are those people who can truly say, “I married my best friend.” We’ve put up some fierce fights over the years, as any good friends sometimes do. Thankfully, those battles haven’t always been targeted toward each other. Most of them were battles we had to dive into with our elbows linked hard together and our hearts inclined toward Christ. So while this prayer (based on Colossians 1:9-14) is one of my own heart today, I hope many of you can join with me before the Lord bearing the same gratitude and hope.

A prayer for your own marriage—

GRACIOUS JESUS, it amazes me to consider how you chose me and my spouse especially for each other. From before either of us was born You knew what we would face together — hardships, joys, sins, consequences, dreams, and celebrations. Though we are often surprised by our life together, you are not. Lord, you know I have prayed for my spouse often since the day we first met. Today, I ask you again to fill him/her with the knowledge of Your will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that we may live a life worthy of You. We want to please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of You, being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that we have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks always to You Heavenly Father. How can I adequately thank You, Jesus, for weaving us together the way you have over the years? Through our salvation, You have qualified us to share in the inheritance of Your holy people in the kingdom of light. Lord, you know we have not always lived in the light of Your grace and love toward each other. Yet, in Your great mercy, you claimed us out of the pit and rescued us from the dominion of darkness and anchored us in the kingdom of Your Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Thanks be to You, most awesome God, for this is a day of rejoicing in the Lord. And may the joy of the Lord always be our strength. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN

Something to pray for a friend's marriage—

GRACIOUS JESUS, as I pray for the marriages of friends and family that I love, I am amazed to consider how you place people in relationships with such great wisdom and vision. Before any of these couples were born, You knew what they would face together — hardships, joys, sins, consequences, dreams, and celebrations. Though they are often surprised by their life together, you are not. Lord, please prompt them to pray for each other regularly (even when they are not in the mood). Fill each of them with the knowledge of Your will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that they may thrive in a marriage worthy of You. Thank you for my married friends who want to please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of You, being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that they have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks always to You Heavenly Father. How can I adequately thank You, Jesus, for weaving them together the way you have over the years? Through their salvation, You have qualified them to share in the inheritance of Your holy people in the kingdom of light. Lord, you know they have not always lived in the light of Your grace and love toward each other. Yet, in Your great mercy, you are willing to claim them out of any pit and rescue them from the dominion of darkness. You alone can anchor them in the kingdom of Your Son in whom they have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Thanks be to You, most awesome God, that the gift of marriage is reason for rejoicing in the Lord. And may the joy of the Lord always be their strength. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN