Finds for Fridays: January 27

Finds for Fridays is my way of sharing some of the wonderful blogs posts I read each week. I am currently following close to 100 blogs and at least scan them as much as I can. Each week, I'll note and "set aside" some posts that especially speak to me for whatever reason. And each Friday that I am able, I'll share them with you. I hope you'll stop by and read the posts, and maybe even follow the blogs if you aren't already. A win-win, right?

And here they are!

White Knuckled Praying by Patty Wysong at Patterings (about how sin is like snow and ice)

Our Compass by Kristi Huseby at Broken and Redeemed (about trusting God rather than our feelings)

Your Writing Career, A Pencil in God's Hand, Part 1 by April Gardner at Reflections in Hindsight (about God's control and immenseness)

When Everything Stalls by Sandra Heska King at ACFW blog (about goals and life and stalling)

Hope you enjoy these posts - maybe even learn from them! I know I did.

Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

Guest Post - Good from the Dark - God Is So Good

Welcome to my Wednesday feature God is So Good. Here I will share stories - true and fiction, mine and others' - of the Lord's presence in the midst of trials, struggles, and difficulties.

 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33b

 Amy Michelle Wiley is an amazing young woman with incredible gifts in writing, encouraging, and so many other areas. I am privileged to call her a dear friend. She has several health struggles, and God has worked through them. This, however, is a struggle I was unaware of. And when I saw this post on the Jewels of Encouragement blog, I couldn't resist asking her if I can repost.

Good from the Dark

by Amy Michelle Wiley

During my early twenties, my happy-go-lucky, optimistic personality took a sudden dive. For unknown reasons, my brain snagged on germs and I plunged into a nightmare of OCD with an obsession of germs and a compulsion of cleaning. Within a few short months I was almost non-functional, spending hours in the bathroom showering, changing clothes, and cleaning. I freaked out over even the most minor of cross contaminations, tracking anything that touched something that might have brushed against something that was “dirty.” My hands were raw and bleeding from so much washing. Guilt overwhelmed me as I was convinced it was my responsibility to take care of anything around me that might possibly be contaminated. I no longer found any enjoyment in life.

My previously close and supportive family relationships were strained almost to the point of breaking. I knew in my head that the risk of illness from germs was better than the torment I was putting myself and my loved ones through, but I couldn’t escape the obsession. Nothing helped and things were so bad my family was almost considering bringing me to the mental hospital.

On the surface it seemed as though it could have been a spiritual problem, yet it wasn’t—it was very much physical (though that’s not to say all of my emotional outbursts were free of sin). Medical tests showed that my brain chemicals and hormones were severely out of balance. A friend summed up the spiritual aspect well when she told me, “Amy, never let anyone tell you that your anxiety is because of a lack of faith. What those people don’t realize is that it takes us more faith to get through five minutes than most people have to use in a week.”

After being put on a medication, I slowly pulled out of it. Today I am more aware of germs than I was previously, but I am no longer controlled by them. I know I’m blessed to have had anxiety for such a short time—many people struggle with it their whole lives.

I look back on that time as the worst in my life. Hopefully it will remain so. There’s something truly horrible about loosing every bit of your self worth and about a loss of control over your own self. Yet it’s even dark times like that which God refers to in the verse, “In all things, give thanks.” (1 Thes 5:18)

How do I give thanks for a time so damaging to myself and my family? Is that the type of trial James talks about when it says to “count it all joy”? (James 1:2)

I think it is. It’s not that we should be glad for the horrible times, but we can have joy because God has promised that “all things work together for His good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

We may never know what good is being brought out of our trials, but other times God gives us a little glimpse of it. In my case, He’s shown me several ways. I have at least two friends who struggle with agoraphobia. I know I’ve been instrumental in both of their lives in supporting them as they find the courage to step back into society where they, in turn, can be lights. I don’t think I could have had that empathy or been able to give that type of support if I’d never experienced anxiety or depression before.

A few years ago, we discovered that my young niece also has anxiety issues. We believe she has Asperger’s and possibly OCD. I think my family is far better equipped to be able to handle and understand her reactions and behaviors, because of what they’ve been through with me.

God can and does bring good out of even the worst and most hopeless of times. Whatever that valley is for you, hold onto the knowledge that God will still use you—and specifically that experience—to bring glory to Himself and to help others.

In order to truly help and support each other to make it through and find the goodness, it has to be two-sided. If you are in the hard times, you have to be transparent enough to let others help you carry the burden. Likewise, you have to be the type of person who others can trust enough to open up and confide in.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

On the other side of that experience I am even more thankful and aware of the blessing it is to find joy in life. I pray that each of you can also experience the fullness of joy we find in living for Christ our Savior.
 *******

Amy Michelle Wiley is a lover of words and people, and of languages and cultures. These passions have led to her becoming a professional sign language interpreter at her church and a community college and a freelance author. Amy dabbles in all writing genres, but especially loves fiction, believing God can use it to touch people's hearts in a special way. She's had many short stories and articles published and is looking for a book publisher for her young adult novel, Reaching Sky, and writing a suspense novel, Voices of the Dark. Amy's online nickname, Sparrow, is a reminder from Matthew 10:29-31 that God cares about each tiny detail of her life. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and though she is disabled and daily faces physical struggles, she's learning that joy is a choice. Check out her website at www.sparrowsflight.com.

Do you have a story you'd like to share about God's goodness in your struggles? Drop me an email and we can talk!

Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

Only Wondrous

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, 
who only does wondrous things! Psalm 72:18 NKJ 

from this...

This has not been a typical winter. Weather has been anything but steady. Snow one day, and 50 degrees (or close to it) the next. It has, in a way, made me more appreciative of the different seasons (even when they're happening in the same week!).

When I look outside and see the beauty of God's creation - whether it's grass peeking through the snow, or snow peeking through the grass -  I often pause in wonder. When I think about the incredible family the Lord has provided for me, I am again full of wonder. And, when I think of the amazing gifts He has given me, I am blown away by how wondrous they are - and He is.

But those are not the only times I should be moved by the wonder of my Lord.

to this!

Look at the verse I referenced above. Closely. The Lord only does wondrous things. Nothing God does is ordinary. Everything about Him is full of wonder. We should be in awe about everything our Lord does- whether it benefits us or not, because it is awesome, and wondrous, and part of His plan.

It's hard to think of, say, a brain tumor, a rejection slip, a death, a natural disaster, or a prodigal as a reason to bless the Lord. But that's exactly what this verse in psalms is asking us to do. Even the tough stuff is wondrous, because, if we look at it through God's eyes, we will know that He will make it all work out in His good, perfect, eternal plan.

No matter how difficult it may be, God can be trusted, and we (and our circumstances) are in His hands.

And if that isn't wonderful, I don't know what is.

Heavenly Father, I often think of wondrous as good for me and my selfish desires, but EVERYTHING You do is wondrous. Help me to see the things that cause us struggles and trials as wondrous, and part of Your plan. Because, Lord, I know this is true. In Your Son's precious name I pray. Amen.


**
Do you find it difficult to think of trials and struggles as "wondrous?" How do you "bless the Lord" when things don't seem to be going your way? Come join me at Living By Grace on Facebook and we can chat!


Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

Finds for Fridays: January 20

Finds for Fridays is my way of sharing some of the wonderful blogs posts I read each week. I am currently following close to 100 blogs and at least scan them as much as I can. Each week, I'll note and "set aside" some posts that especially speak to me for whatever reason. And each Friday that I am able, I'll share them with you. I hope you'll stop by and read the posts, and maybe even follow the blogs if you aren't already. A win-win, right?

And here they are!

The Whole Town Went to Meet Jesus by Arlen Yoder at Arlen's Living Water Springs (about the "buzz" about Jesus)

Door of No Words by Pat Guy at Pat's Porch (about Jesus and a child)

I Have a Dream Today by Rebecca Boschee at WordServe Water Cooler  (about a familiar speech and writing tips you can learn from it)

The Melt Down by Nancy K. Sullivan at Jewels of Encouragement (about our reaction to God's protection of us)

Thoughtful About...Waiting on Promises by Roseanna White at Writing Roseanna (about God's faithfulness) 

Failing Forward: A Guest Blog by Alton Gansky at Chip MacGregor's blog (about learning from failure)

Hope you enjoy these posts - I know I did.

Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

As Of Late: January (and a couple places to stop by!)

Today appears to be my "off-site" posting day. Not only am I at the Internet Cafe, talking about whether I should "Change or Wait," I also have a post at probably my very favorite group blog, Jewels of Encouragement. I talk there about how well I'm doing as an image-bearer of my Lord. Considering the title of the post is Funhouse Mirror, I'm guessing you know where I'm going with it ;).  Hope you stop by both places!

And yeah, I STILL want you to stay here and read this post, cuz it's time for As of Late! My dear, amazing friend Christy hosts this monthly meme (rhymes with cream) on the third Thursday of each month (and she has a new button for it this month. Pretty, eh?). It's a great way to look back and contemplate how things have been for you lately.

So, after you read MY post, be sure to stop by Critty Joy and read hers and the other participants' (they're generally VERY quick reads) - and join in yourself if you want!

And heeerree I go!

Lately,  I've been wondering if God wants me to be a novelist.

Lately, I've been debating what to do with a certain frustration. And I still don't know.

Lately,  kid car races have been on my mind.

Lately, "winter weather" has no meaning.

Lately, I've enjoyed learning more about writing.

Lately, I've appreciated several of my online BFFs more than ever.

Lately, I've been really looking forward to next month's Margie Lawson class and enjoying this book.

Lately, I've been trying to reign in my jealousy and self-centeredness.

Lately, most who know me would probably say I'm doing well on the  "as of late" above. But they'd be wrong.

Lately, my "out of the house" schedule has been lighter than usual. And I like it.

Lately, I've had lots of irons in the fire.

Lately, I've been loving our new mattress (10 inches of memory foam. What's not to love??)

So, what have YOU been doing as of late?

Stop by Critty Joy for more As Of Late

Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength