Uncategorized — Devotions — Kristine Brown, Author

“For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10a NIV)

The music blared from the cassette player.

I'm sure the lyrics brought tears to Jesus’ eyes. Not the good kind, either. In fact these band members spoke openly against faith. I knew that. I also knew they promoted a careless, disrespectful lifestyle.

But in my independent teenage mind, none of that mattered.

Looking back now, I realize the damage I was causing. I sometimes reminisce about the past and cringe at some of the choices I made.

I’m sure many of us have memories from the past that bring a heaping load of regret.

Sometimes when those shame-filled times pop into our minds, we quickly pray them away. We dig into God's Word to remind us who we are in Christ today. Because if we don’t, the enemy may try to grab onto those thoughts and consume us with feelings of defeat and discouragement.

Being able to take those thoughts captive is an important part of growing closer to God.

There are also times when the memories of past mistakes serve an important role in our lives.

Paul points this out in 1 Corinthians 15. Those sins of the past reveal God’s power and define our purpose.

Because of where I was and who God is, I am what I am. (Tweet this.)

Paul points out he is not even worthy to be associated with the apostles. Even so, he realizes it is God’s plan to use him, and God is able to do more than Paul can imagine.

Matthew Henry’s commentary puts it this way, “When sinners are, by Divine Grace, turned into saints, God causes the remembrance of former sins to make them humble, diligent, and faithful.”

Have moments of your past been burdening you?

Are you haunted by thoughts of a lifestyle you’d honestly rather forget?

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can take those thoughts captive. Then we can see them for what they are – a triumph for God’s goodness and grace.

Dear Lord, I am thankful to be rescued and renewed, yet still growing and learning with you each day. Help us today to see our past the way You see it, as a testimony of a life transformed. Allow our focus to be on the journey we are taking with You, and may others be changed by seeing the change in us. Amen.

Blessings,

Kristine

(This post originally appeared on morethanyourself.com February 28, 2015.)

There are times when we feel like no one understands what we’re going through. When we feel alone and long to talk to someone about the struggle.

If you’re in that place today - the place of deep yearning to have someone who will listen - I hope with all the sincerity in my heart you will know this. I understand how you are feeling right now. And even though God may seem a million miles away, He hasn’t left. Not for one second. He spoke this truth to you and me…

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 ESV

There are others who understand too. Who’ve walked the road you’re walking now, and they would be honored to pray for you through the struggle. I share about this in today’s devotion below. I share it with the hope that it will bring peace in your difficulty, hope in your troubled time. Even as I write these words, I am praying for you.

My heart hurt for days, and I knew it wasn't over yet. I faced a long, treacherous road ahead. But today, the clouds had lifted just a bit. What made the difference? Asking a certain friend to pray. She was the one who could honestly say she understood my struggle.

There's something remarkable about knowing someone else has walked this road and survived. (Tweet this.)

Something helpful. Something hopeful. Because when you are right smack-dab in the middle of the hurt, hope is the only thing that puts your feet on the floor the next morning and sets one foot in front of the other, over and over again.

When you feel the deepest hurts, God may bring to mind one person who’s been there.

You may see her every day, or she may be someone you haven’t spoken with in years, but one thing is certain. If you ask, she will be more than happy to pray with you every step. All it takes is a simple text.

“Will you pray for me?”

It’s difficult to understand how someone feels if we haven’t experienced it. But someone who's been on the same boat knows where to find the life vests.

And even if I’m afraid to reach out to someone, I can know without a doubt that Jesus understands. He bore every pain we feel. He identifies with every hurt, and our pain is not beyond His healing reach.

So the next time you find yourself in a situation with the kind of heart hurt that makes you want to curl up in a corner and hide from the world, remember God is right there with you. And if you need someone else to pray, send that text or email. She understands your struggles and can lift your name to the Father when you don’t have the strength. Those knowing prayers will make each step easier than the one before.

But know this dear friend, even if your request for prayer goes unanswered, Jesus can use the loneliest times to give us new hope. New joy. New life. Breathe in that truth today.

Blessings,

Kristine

Need prayer or help through this time of pain? Focus on the Family offers pastoral counseling services at no cost to you. Click this link to learn more.