Encouragement When You Wonder Who You Would Have Been

[Lori Jane]

When You Wonder Who You Would Have Been

“So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days.” John 11:5-6 (NLT)

proverbs31.org

My favorite quotes from this article:

Whatever the hurts of our lives, our meandering minds aren’t shy about chasing illusions, wondering who we would have been had certain chapters been absent from our stories. How easily we question whether our insecurities and struggles might be exchanged for confidence and calm had suffering not inked itself upon our yesterdays.

We may not sense it amidst suffering, but the experiences written on the pages of our lives aren’t random. Each chapter influences the next, shaping our passions and compassions, our understanding and wisdom in ways that also would not have been had we not known the sorrow.

When we look beyond who we woulda, coulda, shoulda been, surrendering our scars to the Savior, our imperfect stories testify to the power of God to resurrect seemingly dead things for His glory.

TRUTH FOR TODAY​

Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (NIV)

Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (NLT)

 

[London]

Beautiful thoughts! Reminds me of Romans 4:17- God creates new things out of nothing...or calls into existence things that don't yet exist...

Romans 4:17, ISV As it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations.” Abraham acted in faith when he stood in the presence of God, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that don’t yet exist.

Romans 4:17, NLT That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

Romans 4:17-18, MSG We call Abraham “father” not because he got God’s attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn’t that what we’ve always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, “I set you up as father of many peoples”? Abraham was first named “father” and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing.

Tim Noble and Sue Webster – Art Works for Change

www.artworksforchange.org

I posted a link to artwork that comes to life when the light shines on it. We may feel that we are "trash" or not valuable but as we follow Christ the light of the world our beauty becomes revealed. Each human has the beauty that the Creator gave them.

 

[Lori Jane]

Wow @London those are great thoughts love the artwork reference! My mom used to love Kinkade paintings - he was called the painter of light because his artwork looked different depending on how you lighted it.

I appreciate the reminder it was Abraham's belief and faith that counted him righteous - not his works.