When Life Has Landmines. How to Respond.

I look around, outside my life, and see a war zone. Families. Children. Marriages. Almost as if the world is walking around blind, unaware that they are stepping on….

Landminds.

I grieve the catastrophes.  My eight year old neighbor, like a son, having to move because his parents are divorcing. A mom struggling as her nine year old suffers
terribly with leukemia.  I see the pictures.  It breaks me..completely.

Where does life go wrong?

And yet we know, it is a war.  A war where rhythm, or time, or logic…cannot always be predicted, planned, prepared for…prevented.

I have been through my own wars.  In fact, my life has been a battle; dyslexia, early abuse, horrific things you wouldn’t believe if I told you.

Nothing in my life has been easy.

But I have found through all the suffering, there are always open valleys on the other side of our deepest trenches.

There is calm, sunshine after the darkest nights, the worst storms, the most pounding, fearful, heartbreaking circumstances.

I can attest to you….like Paul says in Philippines 1:2,

“The things that happened to me have actually 
turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.”

Don’t let the battle make you retreat inward. Starting to do things out of vain conceit and selfish ambition….Keep your eyes upward, on the author and perfecter of our faith.
Like Paul, that we might say….
“Let it be evident to all that we are like bond servants…
willingly chaining ourselves to Christ….
bound by love to do His will.”

Might we not forget 1 Peter 2:21….
“Christ also suffered leaving us His personal 
example so that we should follow in His footsteps.”
You mean willingly embrace suffering?  You mean running to, not away from our difficulties?  You mean rejoicing in persecution, hardships, obstacles, and whatever is hindering our race?   Absolutely!
To not praise hardships themselves…but praising through whatever it is we face.  Looking to…trusting continually….the God of all grace. 

Yes, I have found it worth it…this God-worship, uncircumcised faith, in leaning on His ways, despite the war we are in

Walking through this field from the trenches.  Anticipating landmines.  Yet keeping heads, hands, and eyes lifted high….looking solely to Him.

What can you praise Him for today?


(Linking with Emily @ Imperfect ProseProverbs31Barbie)

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10 Comments

  1. Hi Jen! It sure sounds like you have been through a lot in your life. And yet, you are so close to the Lord. I think I can praise him for that. For your fidelity in the harshest of times.

    You are a powerful witness to his love.
    So happy to know you!
    Ceil

    1. Ceil – And I feel so extremely blessed to know YOU my friend! Rejoicing with you knowing…Where would any of us be if not for grace?

  2. It is worth it! I am giving praise for all the faithful, like you, that are living out their faith in God, following Jesus. I’m you neighbor at Faith Filled Friday.

  3. Beautiful! There is such beauty in brokenness… and in the healing back to wholeness! It is a process and one that draws us closer, if we determine to lean in and praise through! Visiting from Barbie’s Weekend Brew today!

  4. Dear Jen
    Taking the risk of sounding flippant, I want to suggest that we praise our Pappa God for all the suffering He allows in our lives that make us draw deep into the Life of our Lord Jesus!
    Blessings XX
    Mia

    1. Mia – Your not sounding flippant at all. We do know God works everything for the good of those who love Him…and for that we can rejoice! Amen?

  5. Ah, Jen. Such a good word from you today. Yes, I am negotiating some landmines in my life right now involving family issues as my parents need more care. I continue to pray for wisdom as I walk through new and potentially *explosive* situations.

    I praise God for HIS wisdom and love, and ask that He pours both into our family at this time.

    GOD BLESS!

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