Text: Acts 3:19-21, Romans 2:3-4, Lamentations 1:16, 2 Corinthians 7:5-12
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…
– Acts 3:19-20a, ESV
“It is not repentance that saves me;
repentance is the sign that I realize what God has done in Christ Jesus.”
– Oswald Chambers
I’m an avoider. I avoid uncomfortable topics and decisions. I avoid unfortunate feelings and situations. I avoid watching the news when I can get away with it, and I’ve been known to avoid eye contact with the homeless vendor selling newspapers on the corner.
I avoid grief and suffering because I don’t want to experience grief and I don’t want to experience suffering. I can’t solve them, can’t explain them away—I can only enter in, and most times I’d rather not. The only way to get to the other side of these unavoidable mountains is to walk through them—over, under, and around are not options.
I avoid acknowledging my sin for the same reason. It’s uncomfortable, it’s painful, it’s something I can’t solve or explain away. I fall deathly short, just like we all do (Romans 3:23, 6:23). The darkness I am capable of is shocking to the senses. Who wants to admit such a thing? Like it’s the nightly news, I look away and wait for it to disappear. If I don’t see it, it must not exist.
You and I might be tempted to skip over this next book of the Bible we’ll read together for these same reasons. Some of the language in Lamentations is uncomfortable, the images are upsetting—it puts a magnifying glass up to a reality we’d rather ignore. Written in response to the capture and destruction of Jerusalem, the book of Lamentations is exactly what its name implies—it is a book of 5 poems, or songs, of lament. It is a book dedicated to mourning, weeping, and crying out to God. Some historians believe it may have even been used for worship within the actual ruins of the destroyed temple.
Originally named for the Hebrew word for “Alas!” or “How?”, Lamentations reads like an unedited exercise in how many ways a person can describe destruction, devastation, and despair. But the writer’s words don’t just apply to Jerusalem—they are a picture of our life without Christ. No comforter, no hope, no life—only death. Lamentations provides a revolting visual of the destruction our sin brings.
Acknowledging sin and its consequences is a difficult, achy, and emotionally invasive procedure. But a beautiful thing happens when we take that hard road through the mountain: we do not travel alone. Jesus is with us as God’s Word convicts our hearts. Jesus is with us as the Holy Spirit reveals our desperate need. Jesus is with us as our knees buckle at the devastation around us and the devastation within us. He is by our side to administer the salve of grace the moment each sin-wound is revealed.
Somewhere in the thick of this ongoing heart surgery we begin to understand: only in seeing the depth of our sin can we see the unmatched grace and glory of the Cross.
Think back to that image of God’s people standing among the temple ruins, singing out painful poems of lament. The holy city—their lives, their families, their futures—destroyed. Imagine them there in the wreckage, crying out to God asking all the appropriate questions. Why, Lord? Where are you, Lord? How long, O Lord? The first two chapters build like a musical crescendo, leading up to the climax placed purposefully, meaningfully in the center chapter of the book:
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
– Lamentations 3:21-24, ESV
Standing there in the rubble, they worshiped. They repented. They claimed what they knew to be true — God is faithful, even here and even now.
You and I stand in the midst of wreckage today—broken churches, broken families, broken bodies, broken hopes. The consequences of sin are ugly and painful, and it hurts to look full at the darkness. We grieve our sinful state with honest questions and hot tears and loud lamenting—but this is the kind of godly grief that causes the apostle Paul to rejoice! Not because grief is painless or petty—it is anything but—but because godly grief leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:9-10).
Friends, we venture into the coming two weeks ready but not ready to face the sin in and among us. We take a somber step forward knowing only a bit of what is to come. But we walk ahead nonetheless because our Savior goes with us. Let us look on our sin, and let us look long at the Cross of Christ. Look to the One who does not avoid our suffering but enters in, who does not despise our brokenness but redeems it.
May our tears of grief lead us to repentance, and may we receive refreshment for our souls. Amen.
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167 thoughts on "Godly Grief"
Repent so that times of refreshing may come. We have to look at ourselves realistically,ask for forgiveness, and realize that sins, flaws, weaknesses, are paths to healing, growth, and renewal.
Wow! Nervous about the coming days but looking forward to seeing what God will place on my heart as we read Lamentations.
praying the hard prayer- that God would let me see my sin the way he does and be disgusted by it but cover me with his grace
A big take away for me from todays scriptures is that passing judgement on others is showing contempt for God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience. Wow.
I love Gods kindness…how he draws us to confess to him because He is so kind. He disciplines us like a child and reminds us of who we are and who He is. We don’t have to fear bringing things to Him because He is our Father.
I SO needed to hear this. Recognizing our sin is truly the only way it can be put behind us.
I have never been brought to my knees so much as this Lenten season. I am so grateful. I'm open. I'm in. Deep. I love You Lord.
This avoidness of all negative things is something I do. Everyone in my life knows I do not watch the news regularly, do not watch horror movies, and can’t even talk/listen about scary things because I’m a scaredy cat! I’ll literally have night mares over someone saying the smallest frightening thing. I seriously dislike halloween. I just think scary stuff is from the devil. Now, I know the news isn’t (well sometimes it might be) but just can’t stand all the frightening junk of this world! Everything this blog said is how I feel but didn’t realize I do this with my sin also until right now. My sin disgusts me. I hate it but I have to face it head on and lay my selfish pride down because my heart is full of sin- whether seen in my actions or words or just in my heart. I’m such a sinner and I hate it and will continue to make war against my sin because I know it is what put my Jesus on the cross. But thank you Jesus for saving me! That is not just good news but AMAZING news! He took my sin, my rebellion, and exchanged it for his righteousness on the cross. Forever thankful! Psalm 29:2
Y’all. I don’t even know what my sins are. It’s stinking frustrating. I don’t feel moved by the cross or convicted over sin- and I desire both, badly. I am a committed follower of Jesus and have been for almost 7 years…am I the only one who has encountered this problem?
I understand, it’s good to pray psalm 139, if you’re in the word and seeking him in prayer he will begin to reveal you heart. Be consistent and persistent and by no means give up! He’s with you and loves you.
Thank you, Kayla! Good reminders.
I understand too! Sometimes when I do something wrong & I know it’s wrong, but I don’t necessarily “feel” the guilt. I think it’s more important to acknowledge sin as sin and repent and turn away from that sin rather than feeling a “feeling”. Look in the Bible for what sin is :) 10 ccommandments of course & when we are not loving (1 cor 13) & when we practice deeds of the flesh vs fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-26)…. just a general idea :) The Bible is full of guidance as nd direction! :)
I totally know this feeling. I started praying a few months ago that God would reveal my sin to me… It’s a scary process. He is so faithful to change us, but it’s not easy. The process has led me to needing to confess and apologize to many people for things I hadn’t even remembered. But change is happening, and that gives me hope.
For years I was sure I believed but didn’t act that way nor explored getting to know our saviour. I knew when I was unkind but I just got over it. Through dark times my sin was revealed to me and the conviction in my heart was massive – this I’m so grateful for… I look now and can’t believe my ignorance to what a bad heart I had. Selfishness, Gossip, Criticism of others, being self centered, not helping when I knew I could. It was insane how inward I was thinking only of myself … It helps me to think like this. If Jesus treated me the way I treat others.. If Jesus acted the way I did…. Then none of us would have salvation. NOW THAT IS SCARY! Praise God that we have Jesus. Spend a week writing down moments of yours that were not loving or Jesus like – pray over them and ask The Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart and open your eyes to your dishonouring ways … Be patient but give this worry of not seeing your sin to God. … He will sort it out xx
This is so true. I avoid my sin. I avoid the hard times. I avoid anything that’s painful. But thank goodness God doesn’t avoid me!
I’m a missionary and feel the overwhelming pressure to pretend to ‘have it all together’ but who really does?!
Thankful God calls me into the secret place and lovingly exposes the sin in my life. I can sit it tears and heart ache over my sin knowing that God does not identify me with that but with His son!
What a great God we serve! I cannot tell you how blessed I’ve been through these studies! thank you SRT family! xo
tomorrow I am burying my father. this message fills me with hope.
So sorry to hear that Sarah. praying for you and your family at this time xo
I’m sorry Sarah…what an awful ache.
Sarah, I did this a month ago….and while the heartache is still there, God has been so faithful. There are good moments and hard moments, but He has never left me. Losing a Dad is so so hard, but God is still our Father. I’m so sorry for your loss. Feel every moment, now matter how it feels.
May God wrap His arms around you and hold you up today, Sarah.
I have been very heavy burdened with my past lately, and this gave me a new outlook on how to move on. I so needed this. Jesus is so good and gracious to deliver. Praise be!
“only in seeing the depth of our sin can we see the unmatched grace and glory of the Cross.” I don’t understand exactly what they mean by seeing the depth of our sin because we can’t see the whole depth of our sin. any feedback is appreciated
I think that they mean we need to look inward before we judge anything that others are doing. We need to spend some time and reflect on the things we are doing wrong and realize how rooted we are in our sin. Once we realize the amount of sin we are in and realize what a hold it has on us, then we can begin to understand the glory of God’s grace. I think it’s a call for self reflection and a chance to humble yourself at the feet of the Lord.
Hi Maddie- I like to think of it this way: the deeper we plumb into the depths of our sin and our sinful nature, the more we realize how far we were separated from the Father and how in need we were of a Savior to bridge that gap for us. The Cross, and the grace of God through the work Jesus performed on it, becomes bigger the more we understand how much it saved us from our sin. I hope that helps!
Yes! Well said, Amy. Great questions, friends! -Amanda
Just keep praying for truth. He reveals truth and understanding to us.
I needed this today. All the broken things around me weigh me down and cause me to shrink away from my own brokenness within that can only be redeemed by the One who made me, knows my true ugliness and longs to make it new. Such grace. How can it be?
“Standing there in the rubble, they worshiped. They repented. They claimed what they knew to be true — God is faithful, even here and even now.” In that time of loss, they saw they lost nothing, they still had our amazing God who loved them, and never left their side. It’s so easy to fall into self pity. In the midst of the storm it’s hard for me to always see that He never left me. It is my attitude that darkened my view. I am so thankful for the Cross and what Jesus Christ did for us all.
“But the writer’s words don’t just apply to Jerusalem—they are a picture of our life without Christ. No comforter, no hope, no life—only death”. Over the last month I have seen myself in so many ways – as the prodigal son who has wandered far from God … as the older brother who thinks “if I could just keep the rules it would be ok” … as the Pharisee who mocks and scoffs at God and His Word, even as I pretend to love and serve Him … as the rebel who just wants to go live my own wild and crazy life … desperately searching for some sort of meaning and purpose in life. Wanting the pain and sorrow of life to MEAN something. And so lost … and hopeless. And. And. And. I just don’t know. I don’t!
Hi friend… Your post stood out to me and I’m praying for you right now. You might enjoy some of the articles / life stories on heaven4sure.com … Whether you’re searching for true peace with God or finding your way back to your Saviour…it might be helpful.
Oh, sister. Have I been there, and still am somedays. Please know that Jesus is on your side. He wants you, all of you. He is for you! I am praying for you and that He makes His presence evident in your heart.
This is the best one yet!
I agree!
Wow. So many sentences that rang so true for me today! Thankful for all of the connections and meaningful words and learning.
I think something that hit me hard today is worth sharing.
2 Corinthians 7:10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." NIV
What my self-study notes say on this: "The former manifests itself by repentance and the blessing of divine grace; the latter brings death because, instead of being God-centered sorrow over the wickedness of sin, it is self-centered sorrow over the painful consequences of sin."
As someone who has spent time dealing with depression, only now that I am on the other side of it can I see how so much of that was me living in worldly sorrow. I was so consumed with the pain I was experiencing, and the painful consequences of sin. So self-centered. I absolutely see how remaining in worldly sorrow can lead to death – during those times, I wasn't focused on Him, and grew farther away. So so so thankful for His grace and His work in my heart.
I pray that God will always make future sorrow in my life Godly sorrow and not worldly sorrow. Continue to change my heart Lord and give me a heart like Yours! Set my heart on fire for Godly sorrow, one that produces the earnestness, eagerness to clear myself, indignation, alarm, longing, concern and readiness to see justice done, as talked about in verse 11.
Thank you Lord for ALL You ARE. How Great is Our God…!
Thanks for sharing, Margret! Amen! Glad that God has brought you some healing.
Wow. This is exactly how I am. I avoid sin. I think "Okay, Jesus knows about it and I'm forgiven. Let's move on. In some ways that could be healthy, but it is so important to look at your sin and realize the magnitude of the work Jesus did and how deep his grace really is. There is nothing more humbling. Great message.
So needed this today.
Have a blog at the following link:
http://hisforeverredeemed.blogspot.com/?m=0
A great way to spread the Gospel.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in his wonderful face.
And the things if Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his Glory and Grace.
I feel I have messed up so badly today, yelling at the kids, all my selfish angry proud self on display. I can feel the weight of my sin, but I pray that instead of pointless shame and feeling bad, I can repent and rely on God's faithfullness…that my repentance is real and not just a bad feeling instead of it.
Your repentance IS real, and so is His grace and forgiveness! I've experienced those long days of motherhood, too, where I felt like such a failure at all of it. He has so much grace for you, Lenka – more than you have for yourself. Lean into that and trust His love for you AND for your children. Saying a prayer for you. xo, Amanda
To be honest, I have a hard time not staring at my failures. However, these Lent devotionals have been so helpful. I need to look to Jesus while and after mourning over my sins. Thank you for reminding me and pointing me to Jesus!
Ack I lost my comment. Summarise to say, I so easily like to pretend that my confession and repentance is all taken care of, thank you very much. This repeated message of repenting and returning is slowly melting my cold heart. May it find it’s true home. As usual, the hymnal says it better than me:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
God have mercy on me…
I’ve been avoiding confessing an ugly truth to my husband, that could ultimately end this bond in marriage. I feel the nudge if God telling me to confess this sin to my husband or I will never be restored. I pray God strengthens my husband and allow him room to forgive me- even if he decides to walk. The least I can do is tell the truth and give my husband the right to choose his destiny. I messed up!!!!
Praying for you Brenda, right now. We have a God who specialises in reconciliation. Confession and repentance is the start. May He guide both of you back into the close & intimate relationship He intends for you. Believe in Him who restores – not just your marriage, but you. You are a loved and dear child of God. Cling to the Cross in this time. Repent and return – to your husband and to your Heavenly Father. The prodigal receives an amazing welcome home. Sending you much love as I write this, my heart overflows for you. Bless you, sister.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." James 5:16
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
Dear Brenda,
I can't tell what exactly what will happen if you confess your sins but I can tell you that the Lord has PROMISED to forgive and bring healing through the confession of sin.
Choose to fear and obey God above all trusting that his promises are true.
I will be praying for you!!
Brenda, sister, I am praying for you right now as I sit here in my pyjamas. I am praying that you come to God knowing He specialises in reconciliation and restoration. I am praying hope over your marriage. May your confession be the beginning of closer and greater intimacy – with your husband and with God. O prodigal daughter, may you know how the Father welcomes those who turn to Him! Bless you dear one for being so brave in posting.
Brenda, I am praying that God will give you the wisdom, humility, and strength needed to take this difficult step. This is a path I've had to walk and know the pain and difficulty it caused in my marriage. By God's grace, I also experienced the freedom of bringing my sin into the light so our relationship could be restored. Praying you and your husband will experience a restored relationship that is a testimony to His amazing grace.
I’m praying earnestly for you and your husband. I’ve seen this happen too many times, and it is ALWAYS better to get it out in the open as soon as possible. I’m praying your marriage can be saved and even stronger from this trial you will go though. Stay strong girl
Praying for you and your husband, Brenda!
Praying for you and your husband, Brenda! God can do anything, soften any heart, overcome any obstacle. He turns broken, ugly things into lovely ones! May God give you courage and strength as you walk with your husband down the road of truth…
How do you guys deal with sinful areas (or faults you have) of your life that haven’t changed–ever? I’m well aware that I’m grossly sinful. I’ve lamented and cried out for change in the past. I have a hard time feeling covered by grace. How do you interpret Romans 2:3-4? I focus on the “do you suppose that you will escape the judgement of God” and I find that thought terrifying.
NoJoy, I pray you will find joy, and peace, and deliverance. In order to properly understand Romans 2:3-4 you have to look at the context. Paul specifically is speaking to those who judge others. Jesus said "do not judge and you will not be judged". Unfortunately we live in a society, and especially in Christianity, where the norm is to judge others. I have found in my own life that when I do not show grace to others, I struggle with feeling covered by grace, but that does not mean that grace is not there. The truth is without God's grace we could never truly show grace to others. Ask God to open your eyes to the underlying cause, and I will pray this for you as well. It could be difficulty forgiving others, or forgiving yourself even, but keep in mind the latter part of verse 4, "that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance". Don't stop lamenting and crying out to God for change, and ask Him to show you whether you have judged others, and if there is difficulty with forgiveness to help you to forgive. Sometimes the most difficult person to forgive is ourselves, but God is faithful, and he sees our tears when we humble ourselves and cry out to Him.
I have a hard time too, accepting his grace. Until someone told me that was just the enemy keeping me from running to God, as David did, to repent of sin and to His forgiveness. I know I would sometimes try to “punish” myself for my sin and stay away from the Lord. But that’s exactly the opposite of what the Lord wants. Ps. 51:17 says “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” He wants us to run to him not away from him. And we must also remember that “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”(Romans 8:1 NLT) Like the Israelites who continuously sinned over and over(sound familiar) he tells them through his prophet Joel “Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. (Joel 2:13)
I know being apart from the Lord is terrifying so instead, let’s run to him as he desires. Like a daddy with outstretched arms who already knows what we’ve done but is to ready to forgive and make things right between each other.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:38 NLT)
I just came out of a conference with Dannah Gresh from which I was deeply convicted in this area. I seem to never grow past some sins and truth is some sins require us to wave our flag of surrender and take hold of the community God has put us in. Pray to God for deliverance but also recognize that this sinful areas shouldn't be battled alone.
Find godly friends, confess to them so they will hold you accountable and pray for you!! (What's better than having a friend cover you in prayer as you struggle!?)
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." James 5:16
I left the conference on Saturday and met with a friend Sunday afternoon (i literally just texted her "I have to tell you something"… before I could even regret my choice to confess)… she comforted me, we prayed together and I can already tell there is a great victory to come.
-Adriana
NoJoy, I think I will always struggle with some sins….until I am in heaven. But, the bottom line is that I could conquer every one, and even that conquering would not earn me anything. I am totally dependent on God’s gracious gift of righteousness through Christ’s shed blood.
The best guidance I can pass along is this: surround yourself with people who will speak life into your life. You may have to renegotiate some relationships. Maybe you need an accountability partner.
Know in all of your struggles, you have been declared worthy by your faith in Christ, not through anything you do or don’t do.
NoJoy this may help http://www.gracenotebook.com/pub/2.html
Thank you, Amanda. I am an avoider too. This is good.
Wish we could chat about our avoiding over coffee today. Love you, friend. xo, Amanda
God’s love is incredible. He sees the ugly wounds & broken areas of our lives, yet doesn’t disown us, but covers & heals us. He wants us to come to Him with the realization of our sin & brokenness so He can heal us. Thank you, Jesus!
Today is my grandfathers funeral. How in-sync is this plan with my life?
Oh, friend. Praying for you today. Love to you and your family!
xo-Kaitlin for SheReadsTruth
In a season where those closest to me have been confessing and revealing Earth shattering, heart breaking secret sins and in that confession bringing light and redemption…it is only fitting that God works the same in my own life. May this study loosen the ground and the Holy Spirit do the harvesting!
thank you for this Truth, and for leading us into this next journey together. This is everything I need to focus on.
I remember one time I felt godly grief. I mean to the point of tears. I’ve felt it before and since this particular time but not quite to this extent. I was living in the flesh, doing what I wanted to do. I hadn’t even prayed in years. But rummaging through some old books at my grandmother’s, I found a Kay Arthur bible study on the Sermon on the Mount. Even though I had pushed God away, I felt Him calling me to do this study. When I reached the week we talked about the verse “blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” I truly did start to mourn. I was in tears over my sin. I could see my sin on the cross and the wrong person paying for them. That should have been me. I felt His love more than ever before. Once I realized my sin, I felt it’s crushing weight, but I also felt God taking that weight off of me as I repented my old life and became transformed. Godly grief is hard, it’s raw, it’s honest, but it’s so so enriching and life changing. I’m ready for this again.
This is so beautiful Lori. Thanks for sharing. Your story makes me think of similar, painful but beautiful, times with The Lord in my own life. God bless you sister!
Amanda, I love your authenticity in this post. You give us permission to get real about our own uncomfortable sins. Thank you! I was struck by the Scripture from Acts 3 that mentions the refreshing which comes from the Lord. My ESV study Bible notes say something so interesting. It is a personal refreshing when we repent, pour out, change our ways and the Holy Spirit does His thing in our hearts. ALSO! It is a refreshing act on the world around us as we, operating in the work of the Holy Spirit, affect and restore God's creation. Whoa. This reminds me how crucial it is for me to get on my knees and not just confess my sins, but repent so that I might be more effective in the Kingdom. Looking forward to reading through Lamentations as a community. It's like we can all hold each others hands and do the tough stuff together!
Amen , Sarah!
yes! Love this and agree. Thanks for this reminder, Sarah. xo,Amanda
I have found this quite difficult this morning… Have had a very joyful weekend celebrating the baptisms of youth in our church and have felt incredibly joy-filled! It is then, difficult, to try to acknowledge sin and move into grief when this is the case. I pray that God would show me how to do it!
Praying with you, friend. It IS difficult! So glad we are in this together.
xo-Kaitlin for SheReadsTruth
After reading this scripture this morning. It really made my mind go back to some of the terrible sins I’ve done in the past. I am not proud. Some of them caused me so much grief that I wanted to punish myself for. But it was those same sins that reminded me that “godly grief” happens to remind us to turn away from the sins. I know I am not perfect but the act of trying to stay from sin is not easy but worthy in the end.
I woke up this morning with that empty feeling you have when something bad or difficult has occurred. In this case, yesterday our pastor announced his resignation after four years of service. Godly sorrow and grief overtook many of us. I am heartbroken that our church didn’t do better by this dear man and his family. It is so awful when the church wounds it’s own.
Reading this this morning (what a word!) was encouraging. I, too, run from my sins. I don’t want to face how broken I truly am. The next few weeks will be a bit scary but needed.
Isn’t it just like our nature to avoid looking at our sin? This morning, I found myself half heartedly praying that the Lord would reveal my sin to me that I may grieve it, not expecting Him to meet me whole-heartedly by doing so. It’s true that he wants us to experience godly grief so that we will repent, because only then can we live in the light he’s called us to and be fruitful for the kingdom. I know I have a lot of lamenting to do this season, examining my sin in a way I’ve never done. But praise God, I am covered in grace throughout!
This is going to be hard. I like to pretend that I don't have sin. That I've taken care of my repenting. But I know that's not true, and I'm praying that God would help me focus, grieve, and repent of the sin He reveals to me.
Without Christ we would have no relationship with God because our sin would always separate us.
I had heartbreaking news this weekend that brought me to my knees asking God, “Why?!” This post is a gift from a loving God who knows exactly what I need, exactly when I need it. Thank you STR for delivering His message so beautifully.
Ali, just reading this and though I don't know your circumstances I know that God does! I am praying for you right this moment. Father God, I lift up my sister, Ali. I know with out a doubt that YOU know her heartbreak and that YOU hear her cries. Lord, show her in a special way today that Your hand is guiding and leading her and that YOUR love is steadfast. In Jesus' name, Amen!!
Hugs!!!
sarah
Ali, praying for and with you, friend. Grateful for the way He loves us!
xo-Kaitlin for SheReadsTruth
So true and applicable to my life at this very moment , thank you for sharing! I’m truly looking forward the Lamentations study. Praising God in the rubble, such a difficult but beautiful experience.
“He is by our side to administer the salve of grace the moment each sin-wound is revealed.”
I love the picture these words paint for me. Like a medic on a battlefield, but way better than anything earthly medicine can do!
Thank you for the reminder that it’s only in seeing my sin that I am able to catch a glimpse of the fullness of His grace. So thankful this morning that my sins are covered and forgiven!
I think there have been a lot of decoys set out these past two weeks. Little spots of sin making me think that I've been hunting down my indwelling transgressions, but all the while I've been feeling like I'm not really seeking — I judge those who practice such things and yet do them myself.
I have caught myself in judgement yet have scarcely bothered to look if the reason I'm so caught up in this judgement is because it is myself that I'm looking at.
I pray that the Word over these next two weeks would illuminate "my" sin and my sin ONLY…
This has been my journey also….Lord, show me my sin and may it grieve me as it grieves You!! Open my eyes to Your truth and set me free,
Beautifully put Valanne. Thank you so much for sharing this, as it has been on my heart too. It is so incredibly easy for me to point to the sin of others and immediately compare myself. Lord, help us look inward and look at Jesus, not at others with self-righteous comparison. Speak to the inmost parts of our hearts and bless us with Your Word.
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord… - Acts 3:19-20a, ESV
Yes!!!! So good! True refreshment for sure!
Amen!
But a beautiful thing happens when we take that hard road through the mountain: we do not travel alone. Even though I'm in my 20s, I have gone through a tremendous amount of loss through death, and the Lord continues to allow death to have an affect on the lives of those near and dear. I have found that the Lord is so gracious and does indeed walk through it with me each time.
Rscapen, thanks for the encouragement today. It means more than you know! He sure is gracious, isn\’t He? :)
xo-Kaitlin for SheReadsTruth
Woooo! That was A WORD today! Ugly, teary truth, but praise Jesus! What hope we have in Christ!
So beautifully written! Thank you!
I love that if you continue reading in Lamentations verses 31-32 sum up all of what we read today.
“For the Lord will not cast off forever, but though He cause grief, He will have compassion according to the abundance of His steadfast love.”
I pray that we all will have souls that cry out that our hope and portion is in Him, even in the midst of darkness.
I think it’s very true that we have to get to the bottom of our sin before we can truly see the wonders of God’s grace! Thankfully he walks with us through every situation and brings us out to the other side!
As a mother to young children, I have found that I have to return to this verse daily. It is a truth that I simply cannot repeat enough. His love never fails. His mercy is new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Every morning and again and again throughout the day. Loved this today. Looking forward to Lamentations!
Amen! To the devotion. Thanks for today's photo, from a Northeasterner. Looking forward to the next lessons.
So thankful He walks with me through my acknowledgement of my sin.
Maia, I love the “Yadda, Yadda Prayer Group Series” by Anita Jackson. I learned a lot about prayer from them. Karen Kingsbury, Francine Rivers are both great authors too!
Ok thanks
There are two phrases I hear often in this world that just drive me batty, they are "Follow your heart" and "No regrets". I have had this conversation a great deal with my kiddos, especially my eldest. It's so important to lean on a leading that won't fail us, that won't make us falter and that is most definitly not our heart. Our hearts want us to follow emotion and I know, from my own experience even, that emotion can set us on a sin path in a big way. Second to that, regret, Godly regret is necessary in refining our hearts and drawing to God. There is a dangerous way to see regret. A worldly regret in which we despise our choices because of the outcomes, the perception of others or that we were "caught" by those around us….but Godly regret brings about redemption, it shows us that what we have done is wrong and helps us to feel the need to not repeat our behaviors. It forces us to stand in the midst of the brokeness and cry out to God for salvation…..it is a very necessary pain on the journey to wellness.
I don't want to focus on a world that encourages us to do this our own way, to cast our lines on emotional seas and that tells us the things we've done don't need to be examined. There isn't eternal growth in living that way. I don't want to shake off my sin and go down a road that leads me away from my Father. I want to stand in the ruins of my life and weep at what I've done because of the love I have for Jesus, the desire to do better and out of gratitude for all that He has done for me. I want to remember where I've come from, the work God has done, to look at it with the conviction of the Holy Spirit and cry out knowing that I do not deserve the mercy God lavishes on me, but that in His great love of me, He will always lavish it, that He will always pluck me from my own wreckage. ~ B
Tears. So, so good. Thank you. ♥
Love you N! ~ B
B, we must fight for this biblical worldview! It is counter-cultural to have godly sorrow over sin. The enemy has saturated the emerging generation with lies like, "No regrets," and "You only live once." This mindset allows one to live according to their whims and desires without consideration of consequences. Once we step into the cycle of living where our black heart leads us, the enemy shifts his lie,shaming us into believing we are no good, worthless and broken beyond repair.
You speak Truth, today. The Truth in God's Word stands firm against the lies of the enemy that saturate our culture. Sin leads to consequences, to death. But, godly sorrow leads to repentance. It leads to times of refreshing in the presence of the Lord. God doesn't shame us, but loves us and lavishes His mercies on us. We must fight for this Truth. Thank you for your words, B and Amanda!
It IS counter-cultural Kelly. It's so hard to hear, but I know that the only thing that will overcome evil is truth. Prayerful that God continues to grow this in my heart, in yours, in those around us, so that the norm becomes truth and these selfish and dangerous leads fall away. ~ B
Agreed!
It's so true that it can be so easy to follow our emotions in all things. I know my emotions are up and down everyday, but Jesus is always constant. May He help us keep our eyes on Him instead.
Katie, I hope things are getting smoother for you and that you are feeling the love of Christ for you in abundant ways. ~ B
Whoa! So good B. I wish I would have had that kind of advice when I was raising my kids. Thanks for this perspective. I raised my kids with the notion of follow your heart and no regrets. I thought it sounded like good advice, (and I was raised in a Christian home and tried to raise my kids in a godly home). I see now, looking back, that you are absolutly correct in your analysis. My kids are paying the price for taking that advice. I will be passing on your thoughts to them, so they can have a better perspective while raising my grandkids. Thanks so much.
Ironically I grew up in a home that didn't encourage these perspectives, but in my teen years I found myself leaning this way. I am thankful that God was able to open my heart to Him earlier than later and saved me from a plethora of horrible decisions. Have confidence that God will cover any area you feel you didn't parent well……I know I need this reminder daily. Your children and grandchildren are even more God's and He will ensure their steps righted. :) ~ B
B, what truth, so beautifully said…I love it!!!. Thank you….Love and blessings, dearest one…to you and yours..xx
Love you T! ~ B
Such grace seasoned with salt – thank you for writing with Truth, B. Always love reading your wise insights and thoughtful perspectives. I've even read a parenting comment you posted once to my Husband. :)
Thank you for sharing your heart with us!
Thank you, Beverly, for your kindness over me. God never ceases to amaze me the encouraging women He places here. ~ B
Amen, B. Grateful for this community. Such a sweet blessing, daily.
Wow my church Sunday sermon was about this very topic Godly grief and repentance! I am most definitely an avoider, the second anybody brings up dating or my marriage I catch myself subtly change the subject, I've gotten so good at it it comes natural by now. I just finished chatting with my siblings and with good intentions once again they were pressuring me to date already mind you I am not even legally divorced! I don't have the funds to pay a lawyer and if im really honest I do stall.. No 27 year old wants to have a divorce after 1 year of marriage on their plate. I was raised with "follow your heart" and "no regrets" my mother is the sweetest and most encouraging person in the world and she has had the best intentions but I've felt the weight of deciding to "follow my heart" I married after pastors advised against it since my husband didn't have a relationship with God and we've had a bumpy 10 year relationship & now I am facing the darkest time in my life because I let my emotions to lead me into packing up and leaving him. I've avoided this entire situation for a whole year now and I do not know what step to take but I know God is telling me it's time to repent! Let go of the pride and face it hand in hand with my amazing God. I need to remember I am not alone.
I don't know what step to take to move forward and I feel God telling me the waiting season is over and I need to move But how? Please pray for me sisters! Pray that I listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and nothing else! I do not want to rush but when God says move I want to have the courage to move! Thank you so much for your insight B, I needed it! <3
Maxine! Reading your comment was like reading my own story years ago. Oh my heart hurts for the season you are in. It's such a hard world to endure seperation or divorce in. So many people throwing opinions and ideas at you. I will be heavily prayerful over you as I know specifically the days and moments that hurt, the constant pings of self doubt and fear. I have to run, as I'm already really late this morning, but know that you are not alone and that I will stand the gap with you Maxine! ~ B
Sis! I feel your pain. The journey you are going down is going to be hard, but God will bring you through it. I am a living testimony. But you have got to talk to Him every single day even if all you can muster up is "help me Jesus". Maybe try journaling as that was very helpful for me. Just know you will here a lot of opinions and suggestions. You are not obligated to accept them. Separated is still married, so do what is right in God's eyes regardless of what anyone else says and no matter what your soon-to-be ex does. People questioned why I wasn't dating during the separation and divorce proceedings and my response was "because I am still legally married and I do not want to start anything else before I am fully released and HEALED." Prayers have gone up. You will be OK! :-)
Thank you so much for your prayers and replies ladies! I'm so grateful for you! SO grateful to God for bringing me to this community to connect with women who have been right where I am right now! It is so comforting to know I am not alone and I have likeminded souls praying with me, sending hugs to you both! <3
I agree. The passage from Romans, and the contrast Paul draws between godly grief and worldly grief resonated with me. I saw the movie "Wild" this weekend. For anyone who hasn't seen it, it'a about a young woman who "copes" with the death of her mother, and other things, by getting into heroin and cheating on her husband (a lot). She finally gets to an emotional bottom of sets out to hike the 1,000-mile Pacific Crest Trail in order to try to reconnect with her goodness. Anyway…I kind of think that worldly grief is the kind of grief that causes us to run away from our problems and our mistakes, and especially to run away from the unpleasantness of looking clearly at our lives and the choices we've made. "Godly grief" is the sorrow that leads us to look at ourselves honestly and to try for something better.
I also like that Paul says very specifically that it's not the grief that pleases him, but the desire for change that it creates in us. The grief can be its own trap when I get caught up in thinking about how bad I am and how I always mess everything up, etc…..that's not productive, and I'm not even sure it's real repentance.
Sounds like a great movie! I will have to look for it. Thank you for sharing that Cecile! Grief can be a trap …. it can actually be somewhat prideful to remain in and is sinful if we stick. We have to humble ourselves and seek God. Only He can provide real relief from sin and in true repentance. ~ B
Thankful for the Grace that is greater than my sin.
Enjoy this song which is so appropriate for today's lesson. Brokenness Aside by All Sons and Daughters. The first line says, "Will Your Grace run out, if I let you down?" His mercies are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness! Be blessed…
"I am a sinner, if it's not one thing it's another.
Caught up in words, tangled in lies
You are the Savior, You take brokenness aside and make it beautiful…" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTYeEtXIODg&i…
Beautiful lesson today, Amanda. God's richest blessings on all of my SRT sisters today. ♥
Love this!
Amen! Such good words ♥
I have missed your comments, Candacejo. Hope everything is good with you!
Thank you so much. I have been lurking in the shadows, lol. Had a terrible bout with the flu for a week…again. But I'm fine now. So many good comments I have just been gleaning!! Love to you…
I love that song! Love to you. -Amanda
Me too!! They are awesome. I was hoping to go see them when I was in Murfreesboro a couple of weeks ago. My son and DIL live there, he is the worship pastor at the experiencecommunity.cc and he told me they went to a church in Nashville. I think they were on tour when I was there. And to top it off…the night I arrived my DIL said, "I forgot to tell you Kari Jobe was at World Outreach Church tonight…" they live a mile from there! What!!! Next time….♥
I love that Amanda is so honest about how hard, awkward and painful it is to think on our sin. At the same time our sin does not have the final word. This world will end and we will go on with our Father for all eternity. To think that the mourners at the temple held that same perspective and were able to rejoice amid brokenness.
Can anyone reccomend a good Christian book for me to read I’m 13 and I really like Karen Kingsbury if that helps :)
This app/study has been amazing before all I did was read the bible, because well that’s all I had available to me so it was v hard to go deeper God brought me to this which has made us closer
Francine Rivers is good (Mark of the Lion trilogy!), I loved loved loved the Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn when I was your age. She wrote other series too, but I didn’t read them. Frank Peretti is really good, too, but it’s sort of intense, lots of spiritual warfare and it gets quite dark at times. I liked Randy Alcorn’s Deadline, as well.
Hey Maia!
I have a couple suggestions for you.
Chop Chop – L.N. Cronk
-This book may still be available for free through Amazon if you have the Kindle reader app
A Lineage of Grace – Francine Rivers
I like Francine Rivers as well, Redeeming Love is another good one by her. Beverly Lewis's Abram's Daughters series is one of my favorites.
Francine rivers is great, by I think Redeeming love book is too intense for a 13 year old.
Thanks for your suggestions
Maia, I agree with Cathy. I read Redeeming Love when I was 17 and it was too intense for me at that age. It’s a great read, but please wait until college to read that one ;)
Ok
I do not have a suggestion, Maia. I just wanted to say I love when young people seek to go deeper in the Lord. Be blessed and may the Lord use this study to help understand the Word better. Every single day I learn something new and I’m amazed at God’s love and forgiveness. Be blessed!
Thankyou for your prayers I really needed that today the Lord has shown me a lot in these past hours and it’s quite hard to come to terms with his unfailing love because it’s so u relatable!
I second Lauren on Francine Rivers & Robin Jones Gunn. I’ll add Lori Wick, Janette Oke, Debra White Smith and Gilbert Morris. I was introduced to them all in high school. If you like Jane Austen, I’d recommend Elizabeth Gaskell too.
Redeeming Love is great, but I wasn’t allowed to read it until I was older (: lol
I really like Denise Hunter books – they’re along the same lines as Karen Kingsbury. All the girls in my family LOVE them (:
I am a big Lynn Austin fan. I love the characters she creates and usually end up crying through the last few chapters. You can mix in a few non-fiction books to keep growing deeper in your faith. Lies Young Women Believe, Girls Gone Wise, and Becoming God's True Woman: While I Still Have a Curfew are a few to get you started. Solid teaching for the 7-12 grader. Keep reading, Maia!
You might want to try Melody Carlson. She writes a True Color series that deals with issues teens deal with today from a Christian perspective.
If you are willing to branch out into other genres, try out Hinds feet on high places, Til we have faces by CS Lewis. Lewis also wrote 3 science fiction books, like Narnia. One is called Perelandra, another is Out of Silent Planet and I forgot the third. I've also grown to love biographies of amazing Godly women too (Corrie Ten Boom, Helen Rosevear, Elizabeth Elliot, Amy Carmichael, the list goes on!) I hope this helps!
Robin Jones Gunn is good, and Jenny B. Jones has a couple of teen series that are cute and funny. :)
Frank Peretti has a youth series for MS age kids. And there is a Left a Behind youth series too.
Hi Maia!
I’m so glad you asked this question, I am getting a good book list fron the responses on here too :)! Like the other Lauren, I highly recommend the Mark of The Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers. The first book in the trilogy is called “A Voice in the Wind”. I also recommend the Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker, the first book in that trilogy is called “Black”. I hope you have a wonderful time reading these books! Be blessed sweet sister♡!
Thanks it’s so nice to have a family here (my entire family are atheists)
I agree with the "Mark of the Lion"! I've read the whole series twice. So good. I also would recommend "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom.
If you like to read things that aren't narratives, "Passion and Purity" by Elisbeth Elliot, or "Captivating" by John & Staci Eldridge are great.
Gilbert Morris House of Winslow series. Fantastic! And there’s quite a few so they’ll keep you busy for awhile :)
This was supposed to be attached to the girl who was looking for good books to read! :)
Hi Maia! So glad you're here. :) She is not a fiction writer, but I love Annie Downs' books for young women – specifically Perfectly Unique and Speak Love. Both of those are great for connecting the truth of God's Word to everyday life. xo, Amanda
Ok thanks
I definitely recommend CS Lewis. Start with the chronicles of Narnia (I’m in my 20s and they are still my favs), then move into his others (mere Christianity, the great divorce, etc.) when you are older :)
The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis is also good, funny, provoked me to faith.
Hi Maia!
I definitely second a lot of these book and author recommendations. I just wanted to suggest, however, since no one else did: a teen study Bible. I had one when I was in middle school and high school and it definitely helped break down some tough passages with stories and examples I could related to as a teenager. Plus, it gave some space to journal my thoughts and sometimes even gave quizzes at the end of a book to make sure I really understood the "big picture". The Bible is tough to read regardless of how old you are — I'm 27 now and still find the Bible very difficult to read and appreciate having the second opinion of the 'study portion' at the bottom of each page.
Hope this helps,
Erin
Can you reccomend a study bible? I have one but I find it hard to read because it gives little to no annotations I want a fun one with activities and quizzes
Hi Maia! This is the one I had 10 years ago. But don't worry, it's been updated since then. :) http://www.amazon.com/Teen-Study-Bible-Lawrence-R… (In case the link doesn't work, just google "NIV Teen Study Bible" by Lawrence & Sue Richards.)
Blessings to you, sweet child! I'm a big Lisa Wingate fan and recently enjoyed her book "Dandelion Summer", It's about a girl about the same age as you.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
– Lamentations 3:21-24, ESV…
I am loving these words…written so long ago, and yet mean so much to one, such as I…for such a time as this….
Lord God..May I, Tina, recall to mind..your steadfast Love, that never ceases, your mercies that never come to an end, that are new each and every morning..your faithfulness, which is greater than great, You are my portion…You are my HOPE,.. in YOU, Lord God, I find refreshment for my sad and sorry heart…my grief stricken heart..full of ugly sin, which has lead me to brokenness, I struggle to see clearly the hope, though I know you are there…Lord God…you are, that I know…
Lord, I come, crying out to you…this wet and windy morning, to the cross (as I will do everyday, in these next week's) ., and as the tears of grief fall down my face, in repentance…Lord God., I pray, I totally understand…and see, the unmatched GRACE and Glory of the Cross ..to my sin… Thank you Lord, that in hitting rock bottom, I found you, Lord God, thank you…most especially and gratefully for Jesus and the Cross, that brings us the hope, we so don't deserve, and yet…have,..because of…Thank you Lord God, thank you…
Lord, hear my prayer………Amen..x
Amanda, thank you for this…a much needed reminder of who, what and where I have come from….and the HOPE, the Cross, holds and has for us all…Blessings to you Amanda Bible..x
Praying God turn His face to shine on all you do and are today, Sisters…bless you..x
This Devo. His word. Thank you Jesus!
praising God with tears right now. This heart ache is good. This acceptance is important. Thankful for all Christ has done x
Anxiously and eagerly anticipating these next few weeks and the peace and freedom that comes with repentance!