ALONENESS

I am traveling as I write this.  Please forgive the different format.



From the book Gaining Through Losing by Evelyn.....Page 60

Aloneness--the result of one of the greatest losses we can experience--that sometimes sudden and ever-deepening realization that we have been deprived of human companionship.  The loss may come through death, separation, divorce, rebellion, or distance.

From the book Gaining Through Losing by Evelyn.....Page 61

There is the hope of actually gaining through the losing of human companionship.

God Comes in Proportion to Our Needs
Theologians tell us that God is omnipresent, that is, He has the ability to be everywhere at once. But does this mean He is in all places at all times in the same proportion?  It does not appear so.

An amazing characteristic of God's nature that I have observed is:  He always comes in proportion to our needs.  The deeper the sorrow, the more comfort He gives; the larger the voice, the more God fills it; the greater the need, the more we have of Him.  "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.  (Ps. 34:18)

As I have shared before, I have been going through a very difficult time in my life.  When I read about 'gaining through losing' all I can do is trust God because when I read the words, they are just words that I want to believe.  The hurt is so real right now, all I can do is remember how God has been with me through the past difficult times in my life.  I know he is there and that he loves me more than I can imagine.  This gives me hope and helps me to keep pressing on.

This past week I was "thinking too much" about my situation instead of doing what helps me the most.  I was not getting into the Bible and REALLY praying about my situation.  When I do this, it transforms me, it gives me hope.

I have also experienced several things that were totally out of my control.  I knew it was God encouraging me.  He sent several people into my life who had lived through similar circumstances.  They told me, "Don't give up!"  Satan will try and rob you of your joy, but do not let him." (Honestly, he had been doing this.)

What has been happening in my life?

When I have my eyes on Jesus, I believe he will turn losses into gains. 
When I have my eyes on Jesus, joy surrounds me in the midst of my storm.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Dear God,
Thank you for all you have showed me this week.  Please help me to find the time I need DAILY, to spend with you.  Please encourage me as I wait upon you.
Jesus name, Amen.
 

What You Can Bear—Your Potential

Quote from the book Gaining Through Losing. Evelyn: page 51
 
The Expert Pruner Recently my friend Jane brought me a small purple passion plant which she had started from her own. While I was anxiously waiting for it to grow in its new environment, it suddenly shot straight up, resembling a purple and green bean pole. Common sense told me to pinch off the top, but I could not master the courage. For several weeks I approached it, fingers all poised, only to lose my nerve and retreat. I could not bear to hurt my little plant. Finally I steeled myself, gritted my teeth, and pinched. To my surprise, in just one week many new shoots appeared on the stalk, filling out the ugly leafless spots.

This plant would not do one thing until it was cut down, but once it was, it began to blossom. The same is true in my life. The cutting down process must occur before I will blossom, but it is not easy. Nobody likes the pruning process.

Quote from the book Gaining Through Losing. Evelyn: page 52
 
Since pruning means “purging by removal,” “cleansing by separation from,” and “cutting away living part,” we must ask, does God just allow or does he actually do something that hurts his own?

Quote from the book Gaining Through Losing. Evelyn: page 55
Jesus explained that God’s reason for pruning is never to hurt us but to produce more fruit. That glorious season we love so much. Fruit-bearing! Accomplished by God’s all-loving, all-wise process.

Gaining through losing…..Gaining through losing…. This is not an easy concept to grasp. In fact, when I think about it, I realize what it all means.  I can talk about it to others, but it can be hard to believe it way down deep within my soul. The only thing that can keep me going in the midst of my storm is remembering who God is and that he loves me. He can do anything. Yes, in the blink of an eye, the storms can disappear and the sun will shine through, but the waiting can be hard

The only way I can ever survive the storms of life is by getting alone with God and opening up the pages of my Bible. He always speaks truth and encouragement to keep me going. I cannot imagine going through the storms of life without God.

Dear God,
Please go before me and give me strength and peace in the storm that I am facing today. You know all about it. Thank you that I am not alone. Show me how I can truly Gain something valuable through my losing times. Please guide me to the end of this storm in your perfect timing. In Jesus Name

What You Can Bear--Your Capacity

I have lived the “Cinderella Story” life for many years. Each day, I would wake up to my blessings and praise God. My life was wonderful. The past two years have been extremely hard years of learning. I believe God has brought this book into my life at a time when I needed to understand the principles about Gaining Through Losing. Page 33 As we, like Job, experience testing and trials of varying degrees from time to time, we too feel we cannot bear another minute of the suffering. We ask ourselves what possible gain could come out of these horrible losses. Seeing the immediate or eventual gain is not only difficult but often impossible. However, as with Job, there are astounding gains for the believer because of his trials and testings. Honestly, I have not had the best attitude in my Losing time. It has been so hard, but God brings people into our lives to help us along the way. God brought the words of my son to me. When I read them, I immediately asked God’s forgiveness. I was so used to the good life, but when the hard times came I was not praising God in the storms, like I had encouraged many people to do. His words are still working deep within my soul. Quote from my son: You only really can impact people when you show strength and grace through adversity... don’t know if that makes any sense but the normal response would be to be sad and depressed...people expect it...if you can be abnormal...I.e. positive through it all...that's when people can notice and say he or she has something I don't and something I'd like to have... ..people don't relate well to a cushy life...but they relate to problems...and when you can shine above them that's where people are inspired....You have an opportunity to put your faith to the test and people are watching whether you realize it or not...these are the times where a difference is made. Page 45 It has been many, many years since I have asked God “why” in the trials. With a shocking report from a doctor, a calamity in a child’s life, or some shattering news in the family, I find myself searching for that “more of my God – my Who.. I, with Job have heard much of God, but it has always been in those difficult times of my life that I have seen Him –ready and eager to reveal more of Himself to me. What a fabulous gain through my losses! Have your “whys” Turned to “Who” I am so sorry that this blog has poor formating. This is all my computer would let me do. My own computer is out of service. Please forgive the format of this post.

Chapter Two: Paul's Gaining Through Losing

Page 25

If you are losing what you think is best for you by getting an apparent “no” answer from the Lord, take heart.  It was because Paul’s thorn in the flesh remained that the Lord could show him His mysterious dealings with His own—how He equips us through our seeming-losses.   How much more powerful, effective, and fruitful Paul was because of that “no” answer!  Enough grace and enough power!

Wow, I have been down this road more times than I want to admit. In fact, I am in the middle of yet another, “letting go” in my life.  God has been saying “no” for awhile, but at first I did not hear his voice because I was so wrapped up in my plans.  I did not want to let go.  I am a strong-willed woman and when I have a plan in my mind, it is hard to hear God’s “no” to what I consider his plan. 

Over the past five years, it seems like over and over, I have had to give up my plans because nothing was happening with my plans.  God was saying “no”, but I did not want to hear it.

So I have a choice, I can trust that God knows what is best for me, and follow him immediately or flounder around striving after my plans.  With God, I can strive at after something I want, but eventually I will have to submit to what God is speaking to me.  There is no way I will convince God to do it my way.

What is the good part in giving up my plans and going with Gods?  God’s plans are always the place where we will experience the greatest joy.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Dear God

Please go before me and show me the steps in following you.  As I take them, I might experience pain, but help me up and go with your plans for my life