Most of us spend a good amount of time trying to understand our life experiences. If we are being honest, many things haven’t made sense. Unexplained paths. Dashed expectations. Disappointments. Shattered dreams. There are times in our lives when we have looked back over our shoulder and thought, God what in the world was that all about? But instead of trying to analyze them through a lens of good or bad, right or wrong, perfect or imperfect, God’s will or my will, maybe we need to look at them through the lens of holiness. Have a wonderful day as you remain in His presence.
“Be holy because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
The definition of holiness–in a nutshell–means being set apart to purity, to be like God. And the result of holiness, of God transforming us to make us more like Him, is outrageous joy, amazing peace, overflowing love—and all the other things that are embodied in our Perfect Creator. So what does holiness have to do with trying to understand life’s painful, meaningless, or seemingly pointless experiences?
When I understand that God’s goal is to make me holy, not to always make me happy or grant all my desires, then every imperfect situation, every struggle, every disappointment, every heartache, every experience I can’t understand, and even my sin become means for Him to accomplish His goal to make me holy. Everything (and I mean everything!) has divine purpose(even things that in our finite minds can we imagine how it can accomplish His goal to make us holy). But for those who belong to Christ, no experience in life—good or bad—is ever wasted! God uses everything. Unfaithful mate? An opportunity for holiness. Broken dreams? An opportunity for holiness. Unemployment? An opportunity for holiness. Financial struggles? An opportunity for holiness. Lost loved ones? An opportunity for holiness. Since we don’t exactly understand how God transforms us to make us more holy through life’s struggles, we have to cooperate with Him and do what He asks of us. And, we have to take Him at His Word.
Isn’t this what Romans 8:28 promises? It’s His guarantee that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to His purpose.” He is always at work to transform us into His likeness–and that means greater joy!
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Jesus is a safe harbor
I am a follower of Jesus. I am a grateful delivered woman who was once an addict, but now God has restored me and renewed me. I have been redeemed and remade by our Creator through salvation of His Son, Jesus Christ! I just want to share what God has done in my life that you may have the opportunity to experience the same joy He gave me. I give God all the glory for everything in my life for I couldn't accomplish anything apart from Him.
If ye shall know the truth, the truth shall set you free, John 8:32.
He puts people in my life that help me and gives me the opportunity to help another. I am never surprised by his love and blessings. God has placed a confidence and love in myself that I have never had before… so "Thank you God".. for the many True Blue Christians you have put in my life and for all the blessings you bestow on me daily. I have not come this far without lots of prayers and the help and love of my true friends and family and I thank you God for those special people in my life. You are 100% my Savior! I will forever have your name on my lips.
I realize now with lots of prayer and reading of the Word… that all the answers were here for me and I never asked the questions. Although I still struggle daily with other life’s daily cards that are dealt, I have an attitude now of “NO MATTER WHAT “– I will praise You, Lord~~~through my storms and my triumphs! I have much more to share and would love to answer any questions anyone may have for through all my trials what has come to be is that I want to help others to see what I didn’t see and hopefully prevent the same hurts, guilt, shame and woes that I had to deal with and give them the best gift of all… JESUS!
I believe it's important that we know who we are in God ... We are a one of a kind and God has made us like no other for a purpose- His purpose. Yes, bad things happen and yes, we make poor choices, but we don't have to continue to make them. God's mercies are new each day. Once we realize, know and most importantly believe who we are in Christ, that we are a child of God, we are not an accident, and whatever the circumstances before us each day no matter what they are... God gives us the choice and the power of Him to choose right and live right. We no longer have to live in the past, but in the present and look with expectation to the future with God by our side guiding us and directing our steps. He is our strength and our hope needs to reside in Him. Let his power and love work in your life today and see that life does not have to be the way you are living now. He wants to help you, but you have to let him. He can't make us come to him, he is not lost - WE ARE!
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A Safe Harbor is Jesus 
This is an excellent way of explaining the hardships in our lives. Thank you for this, I really needed it this morning. 🙂
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Beautiful and timely for me. Thank you.
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Thank you Fran. A great reminder that everything is in my Father’s hands!
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Hugs
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