The heartbreak...

I'm glad we covered that He is present with us at all times.  But when we feel like we're alone for a moment, isn't it just the most gut-wrenching thing you've ever felt?  And doesn't you heart just break in two?  And in all the other hard times in life, don't you sometimes feel like giving thanks would be impossible?  For a few days now, we've been discussing this theme, and it must come to this today, because we must remember to give thanks (1Thessalonians 5:18).  In all things we must remember where to place our trust (Proverbs 3:5-6).

"I will not be shaken by the troubles up ahead.  I'd rather trust Your goodness instead.  Thank You for the heartbreak."

"For the Heartbreak" by downhere

Tough times come, folks.  There is no way to avoid that truth, and no amount of positive thinking that will erase the fact that we, as Christians, are called to suffer and serve.  (Besides, our reward is not in this earthly life, anyway, right [2 Timothy 4:7-8]?)  But, just as we must go from protesting to praising God, and we must acknowledge that He is with us, we must also give thanks in ALL THINGS!  I challenged my high school small group to look into their course of life and see where God had caused a turn at times, and if in retrospect it seemed clearer than it did at the moment.  Each one said that they were mad when "whatever it was" happened that changed the current circumstance of "whatever was happening," but in looking back on it, they are glad it happened the way it did. 

Hang on, because this one is a toughie... God knows what He is doing... always (Romans 8:28).

"I won't trust my senses over anything You say.  It's harder, but it's better this way.  Thank You for the heartbreak."

"For the Heartbreak" by downhere

We all tend to think, from time to time, that we know better.  Here's another tough point... ready?  We don't.  I don't.  You don't.  We don't know better than God, and trusting in ourselves brings only ruin and pain (Proverbs 16:18).  And that discipline of correction is a blessing, which is why we should give thanks for it (Hebrews 12:6). 

And here's the real meat and potatoes of this, so pay close attention.  God has to save a remnant, but you and I don't have to be a part of that remnant.  That means that He didn't "have to" have the Spirit urge you to accept salvation and eternal forgiveness at all.  And if He didn't "have to" one time, He certainly does not "have to" many times over until we finally get it.  So if He shows us this love through correction and bringing us always closer and back on a path to Him each time, why would have any other response than to give thanks each time we experience a heartbreak?  Because, if you think about it, I would bet that a vast majority of those hurts helped you to rely less on the world and yourself, and more on Him.

"What if the road to the goal were the easiest road... and I never learned what I know?"

"For the Heartbreak" by downhere

Imagine if it were just handed to us... would that be the same?  We have to learn and grow and change and adjust and re-adjust and re-adjust again and again!  And again!  Otherwise, what would be the point?  If we never learned through our experiences, both good and bad, how to rely more and more and more on the Father, what good could we ever accomplish in His service for the Kingdom?  The question is, what are you relying on now?

Remember: Thank You for the heartbreak.

God bless you all!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abghc_WYBN8