No Sugar-Coatings

Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 2 Corinthians 1:7-10

“…but this happened so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:9b AMP

I wince every time I hear the phrase or read a meme that says, “God won’t give us more than we can handle.” Because if you’ve been alive longer than ten minutes, you probably know experientially that there are indeed circumstances that are beyond us. Circumstances that send us reeling or that bring us to our literal knees with their gut-punch of ache and pain. If you’ve never experienced it, I bet you know someone who has.

I appreciate how authentic God’s Word is when dealing with real-life issues. No sugar-coating reality. In today’s scripture, the apostle Paul admits that the trial he’s just come out of was “utterly burdened beyond his own strength to endure” in fact, he “despaired of life,” it was so difficult. He wanted his fellow Believers to know that he understood their trials because he had walked through many himself. And In fact, they were so bad he felt like dying. He knew that such intense pain can cause God’s people to question all they know about Him and His promises.

Then we read this crucial point; “But this happened so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.” Wait. Full stop. This whole trial was allowed, and then used by Almighty God, to reveal and uproot any trust/reliance that was not in God Himself. Used to literally teach/train the apostle to stop trusting in himself, but instead, “In God, who raises the dead.” If He can give life to dead bodies … He can give life to dead circumstances, dreams, marriages, hopes, heart-aches.… He wanted the reader to know this too.

When I overlay that truth onto my own life, I clearly see that such “shadow of death” trials have drawn me to my knees in dependance on the Lord. But first, the trial did its (very painful) work of causing all my other life-lines to fail. Teaching and training in the discipline of trusting Him, no matter the circumstance. Now, I wish I could tell you that this is a one-time, deep-trial event. It isn’t. This learning to trust when we have no strength to endure or when all hope is lost, or when we can’t see our way clear, is something we learn layer by layer, event by event. Until, one day we realize that our natural reaction has become, trust in God and not ourselves. Trust in God and not our ability, or our bank account, or our spouse, or good health, or _____________.  (And even then, refresher courses are needed!)

“The Psalms wrap nouns and verbs around our pain better than any other book.”

– Joni Eareckson Tada

I don’t know what trial is overwhelming you today, but He does. And He has promised to be with you, as He walks you through it. As He does, look for opportunities to purposefully trust Him along the way. Not for a picture-perfect, magazine-cover outcome, but to simply trust Him, whatever the outcome. He is good and He is entirely faithful. As always, let me encourage you to get out your Bible and read the Psalms or listen on a Bible app. Be proactive in your relationship with Him.

Don’t forget, there is more than one team on this field of life. The enemy would like nothing better than to discourage you and bring you to despair. Your Father God would like nothing better than to give you hope. Authentic hope. Found only in Him.

“True wisdom is found in trusting God when you can’t figure things out.”

– Joni Eareckson Tada

Father God, we sometimes walk through trials that feel more than we can bear. At those times, please remind us to trust in You and Your ability. To find our footing in You and not our own ability to endure. We love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

* Though well-meaning and usually used in an effort to encourage a person walking through a trial, it can have the opposite effect. Users often inadvertently misquote or misunderstand Scripture to make the point. It’s true that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to endure, that’s because in the midst of the temptation He has promised to provide a way of escape. Even then, He is the One providing a way for us. However, we must take the offered escape hatch or it will become more than we can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

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Flawed Clay

I went down to the potter’s house and saw him working at the wheel. But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay became flawed in his hand; so he formed it into another vessel, as it seemed best for him to do. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

Jeremiah 18:3-5   Berean Study Bible

As part of my night-time routine, I usually turn on the One Year Audio Bible and listen as I drift off to sleep. One particular night, as I listened and attempted to let go of the day’s headlines, I heard these words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, “The vessel became flawed in his hands, so he formed it into another vessel.”

The words jolted me awake, and lingered in my heart as I drifted back to sleep. “Became flawed… formed into another vessel.”

Flawed Clay. That’s me all right.

It spoke so loudly to me that I awoke the next morning still absorbing its meaning. To me. I realize the Lord was specifically providing an illustration to the nation of Israel, yet we are always to ask the Lord how His Word applies to us as well.

How often I am that flawed lump of clay. Feeling like I’ve blown it or am of little use because of past failures or past wounds or lack of ability, etc. Yet, like that flawed lump of clay, He willingly puts me, puts us, back on the wheel, to reshape, rework and remold. Such patience and tender love as He reshapes these lumps of flawed clay.  His ability to take a mess and turn it to something beautiful is beyond me.

Have you ever felt like you’ve blown it? Gone too far? That maybe you’ve somehow missed God’s will for your life? Perhaps, like me, you have lost count at the number of times you’ve felt like that flawed vessel on the potter’s wheel. A lump of clay, marred by imperfections, feeling beyond use to the Lord or those around you. But. Oh how I love this…He reshapes, He snips and molds and personally reworks these lumps of clay into vessels of honor. Lives transformed by the Master’s hand, ready for use.

If you’ll let Me, I’ll use your trials to make you into someone I can use in the lives of others to show them that no matter where they’ve been, no matter how deep the hole, no matter how painful the trial, there’s hope. There is victory.

–        Kay Arthur

Father, I am so thankful…so grateful… that You are willing to rework and remold and cause this flawed vessel to be of use to You and Your Kingdom…for the glory of Your great name,  and in His matchless name – Jesus. Amen

Written by Becky White for my Lord Jesus

According to God’s Word, He is more than able to toss us back on the wheel and reshape us until we are all He created us to be. Let’s be willing to stay on the wheel and let Him do His work!

Brevity of Life

All my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:16b Berean Study Bible

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Luke 12:25 Berean Study Bible

“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Psalm 39:4-5  NLT

The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad. Psalm 126:3 NKJV

Nearly three years ago, I almost died. Almost. Coronary artery disease. Widow maker. Near total blockage. Emergency open-heart surgery. Phrases that were foreign to me, are now an everyday part of my vocabulary. On that day, in that moment, the only thing that mattered was my relationship with Jesus Christ. With that as my focus, God enabled my husband and me to walk through the near panic and what if’s, immersed in His peace. Not a peace based on an assured outcome (there was not), but His peace based on His goodness and utter faithfulness, whatever the outcome.

Through that experience, I was reminded of the obvious – eating (fairly) healthy and exercising several times a week does not carry any guarantees. In the end, the stats don’t lie, ten out of ten people die. I was no exception. And neither are you….

In an era of the twin global pandemics of fear and viruses, some of us have behaved as if we could add an hour to our life with a few Clorox wipes. We cannot. God’s Word assures us that the days ordained for us have been established before even one began. The enemy cannot steal our life away. God has the final say. What we can do is make certain of our eternal destination (1 John 5:13), then live every moment for the glory of God (Isaiah 43:7). And in the end, rest in His faithful goodness. Whatever the outcome.

The goal of our life is not to arrive safely at death. Yes, we should do our best to stay healthy so we can serve our Lord by serving those He places in our path, but our goal isn’t simply old age. Our aim is to honor the One who willingly paid the payment for our sin, every day He grants us. Leave no change on the table. Serve Him with gusto. Our Lord mingled with lepers, I think we can attend church in person or volunteer to feed the hungry. In the end, He holds our lives in His hands, and the lives of those we love. Our days are but a breath or a puff of hairspray (in my case).

The goal of life is not to arrive safely at death.

Billy Graham has said that the one thing that surprised him about life is its brevity. So today, as I give thanks to my Lord and reflect on the year that’s gone by … as I reflect on the fragileness and brevity of life, I am moved to remind you as well. Live life to the full. If fear has become an unwelcome guest these past two years, push it back by inviting the Holy Spirit to have His way with you.

Father God, I am so thankful for the gift of life, for the gift of eternal life and for the gift of another year to serve You. I love You so and am so very thankful for Your goodness toward me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Please check out Stony Paths, the devo borne out of the difficulties He’s faithfully walked me through. He’ll do the same for you, dear one.

Ministry of Thorns

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

God did not take away Paul’s thorn; He did better—He mastered that thorn, and made it Paul’s servant. The ministry of thorns has often been a greater ministry to man than the ministry of thrones.  – Streams in the Desert 12/18

God has given me a ministry of thorns. Graciously taking all the pain of my life (self-inflicted, other-inflicted or just the ache of real life) and given me the great honor of using it all for His glory.

This truth was brought home to me recently, as I stood in front of a podium before several hundred ladies at a correctional facility. I have no great skill as an orator, no degree on the wall or social station that would open such doors. My thorns provided the invitation and thorns were what I spoke of. Oh, I called them by their real names of regret, abuse, addiction, grief, betrayal, depression, divorce and hopelessness. Wrapping it up with God’s promise found in Romans 8:28, that He is able to cause all things to work together for our good and His glory, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

I have found that when I share the thorns of my life, in an authentic way, it frees others to share theirs as well. Releasing them from the formality and pretense and self-protective stance that often shrouds our lives. It’s then, when the pain is on the table, that the Great Physician can begin His work.

He may or may not remove the thorns of real life, but He is entirely faithful to use them. That’s what I desperately wanted those precious ladies to know that night. If placed in His hands, He will use our thorns for His glory. He may even grant us, a ministry with those thorns.

We have a choice. The same heat that melts wax, hardens clay. And the same thorn that pushes one to lean hard into God, may cause another to run from Him.

What will you do with your thorn?

Suffering in life can uncover untold depths of character and unknown strength for service. People who go through life unscathed by sorrow and untouched by pain tend to be shallow in their perspectives on life. Suffering, on the other hand, tends to plow up the surface of our lives to uncover the depths that provide greater strength of purpose and accomplishment. Only deeply plowed earth can yield bountiful harvests.

– Billy Graham

Father, I am in awe of Your faithfulness and ability to use my mess for Your glory. My thorns for Your kingdom. As we prepare to launch into a new year, I hand You, once again, all of me. Thorns and all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for my Lord Jesus

My God, I have never thanked Thee for my ‘thorn!’ I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my ‘thorn;’ I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross as itself a present glory. Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my ‘thorn.’

George Matheson

From Eating Cookies to Counting Calories

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

I can do nothing on my own.  John 5:30aESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians s 4:13 ESV

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

You know the New Year is just around the corner when advertisements boomerang from images of whipped cream-topped hot cocoa and a mouthwatering cookie, to aisles of treadmills, ellipticals and tax prep packages. Yep, we’ve turned the corner from “The most wonderful time of the year” to a season marked by resolutions of weight loss, getting out of debt or ending a bad habit. A season that’s brimming with the determination to try harder, or take advantage of the clean slate in front of us. Yet, before we see Valentine candy on the store shelves, many of us are already filled with despair at our lack of ability or willpower to maintain the desired course correction. Or worse, peering into the future brings thoughts of hopelessness mingled with emotional bankruptcy.

I promise not to add to your list of what you must do or change or what you must do better in the coming year. No guilt trip here. What I will do is remind both of us of the foundational truth that we are all a broken, lost, hot-mess people, unable to change ourselves. Willpower, determination or positive thinking, will not (alone) do the trick, though those are definitely our allies in the process. As with the salvation of our soul, He alone is able to change us from the inside out, and enable us to become all He has planned for us.

That plan may include reevaluating our health (or lack of it), reevaluating relationships or how we spend our resources of time, talent and money. It most certainly includes an honest assessment of our relationship with Jesus Christ, the One who has provided our time, talent and treasure. What it doesn’t include is an end-of-our-rope striving to be better, do better and work harder to be “good-er” (as if…).

We can do nothing on our own, but we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. We are His workmanship, His masterpiece. And as we see treadmills filling store aisles or popping up on our phone screens, refuse to despair. May they serve only as reminders that we are His workmanship. Rely on His wisdom, strength and ability to put His finger on areas of needed change and provide what’s needed to live out the life He has given us.

If you wait until you feel like taking action, you’ll never make progress.

Don Howe

Father, Please put Your finger on areas of my life that need changed or reevaluated. As I honestly acknowledge them, enable me to make whatever course corrections are necessary as I lean into You as my Strength to accomplish what I cannot. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Amazon review please?

I would be so grateful if you would be willing to take a moment and leave a review on Amazon for my devotional, Stony Paths.  If you’ve not read it yet, click this link for a free pdf or to purchase a hard copy. Thank you in advance!  ~ Becky White

Stony Paths – Learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.

May I take Your Order?

Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133 Berean Standard Bible

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 Berean Standard Bible

I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. Jeremiah 10:23 NLT

Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow. Proverbs 3:6 CEV

Four jalapeño cheese burgers with mustard and pickle and a large onion chip. That’s my standard White Castle order. Mmmmm, I can almost smell the grilled onion aroma… I order my meal the way I want it, pay the cashier to receive it, and off I go. As I read today’s Scripture in Psalm 119, my go-to Castle order came to mind.  What does God’s Word have to do with a fast-food order you ask?

In a way so much greater than any drive-thru order, God orders our steps. The way He wants them. Yes, I realize the analogy breaks down quickly. God never makes a mistake in His ordering. In addition to being lousy listeners, we are often unwilling to trust His ordering options. Choosing instead to grab the menu of life choices and tell Him what we want, how we want it, when we want it. After all, we live in a “have it your way” world, don’t we?

I can’t speak for you, but in my own life, that didn’t work so well. Making life choices before asking Him for His will, His wisdom and His direction, has led to a multitude of bad menu choices. I’ll spare you the details, let’s just say, that I have learned that if He chooses the liver and onions of trials and challenges and I would prefer the Krispy Kreme donut of ease, I’m going for the liver and onions every time. I continue to learn that He knows what He’s doing in ordering my steps, all He wants from me is to submit my will to His and trust Him. He’ll make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Always providing just what we need, at the moment we need it. And just because He’s good, a golden glazed Krispy Kreme once in awhile.

Let’s bring this back to you and your life.  Are there areas where you’ve grabbed the menu and not allowed Him to order your steps? Choosing life options apart from His will? That’s okay, we’ve all been there. Recognize it. Tell Him about it. Ask for forgiveness. Hand the menu of life choices back to Him through prayer as you ask Him to order your steps. Then, open His Word and ask Him for wisdom. Proverbs everyday or the NT book of James is a good place to start. Then, choice by choice and moment by moment, your “taste” will change as you grow to appreciate His menu choices for you!

“Affliction is often that thing which prepares an ordinary person for some sort of an extraordinary destiny.”

C.S. Lewis

You are a good, good Father, forgive me for the times I’ve not trusted You or allowed You to be Lord of my choices. Please order my steps for Your glory and my good. Even when that means hard places, I choose to trust You. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

www.DevotionsForDifficultDays.com

Lord, If You Had Been Here…

The sisters sent word to Jesus saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” John 11:3

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. John 11: 5-6

Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:20-21

When Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:32

Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:43-44

If you’ve never read the Biblical account of Lazarus (or it’s been a while), grab a cup of coffee, open your Bible to John 11, and prepare for emotional whiplash. And questions. Lots of questions, and possibly a whole new perspective on the “dead” things of your life.

Let’s take a look at the cliff-note version. Jesus, given news that a friend, whom He loved, was near death, chose to wait two days before even beginning the long journey to see him. In fact, the Word tells us that because of Jesus’ love, He purposefully waited. Waited while the sisters, who had sent word of the illness, longed for a miracle. Waited until death had occurred. Waited. Until there was no hope. At all.

Only when the situation was a complete impossibility, did Jesus show up on the scene.

On the outskirts of the city, Jesus was met with the heart wrenching, I-can-feel-your-pain guttural cry by Martha, “Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” The other sister, Mary, uttered the exact words, guttural ache and all…. Can’t you just feel the pain reverberating from their question?

In their pain, it never occurred to them, even for a moment, that this Jesus, whom they sought in order to bring healing for their brother, would instead, raise him from the dead. That He would allow such tragedy as a vehicle to bring such glory. That He would risk being misunderstood and misjudged as uncaring, in order to grant them the gift of seeing God’s miraculous power first hand. On their behalf.  To be shared for all time – to encourage others in their “dead” and impossible circumstances.

Truly, I don’t know what has “died” in your life or how impossible it looks right now. But He knows. Has a marriage or a dream or a relationship died? Has a literal death occurred and your hopes for the future died as well? Maybe, like these two sisters, you’ve cried through tears, “Lord if You had been here.” Maybe you’ve reacted by turning your back on the One who loves you, hardening your heart as you’ve secretly cried, “Lord, how could You?” 

No judgement call here, I’ve done it myself a time or two or ten… I cried out as I buried two children and as I struggled through other chasm deep trials – some of my own making and some not…But in the end, I clearly see how He has faithfully used my pain, or done the impossible by bringing life out of a “dead” situation in my life as He walks me through it. Learning firsthand that if He has allowed “it”, He has a purpose and a plan for it and I can trust Him. And so can you dear one. So can you…

“If it is to be a great miracle, the condition is not difficulty, but impossibility.”

Streams in the Desert  10/14

Oh Father, I admit that I have thought, even if left unspoken, the words – “If You had been here…” I am ashamed at my lack of trust in You Father. When difficulties happen, what makes me think that You don’t have a plan? That You have lost control? That You can’t bring life from what has “died”? You are good and You are faithful…and You are for me… I love you. In Jesus name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Christmas Movie Suggestion

The Nativity Story

I admit it – I absolutely love Christmas movies. Everything from the original Grinch cartoon to It’s Wonderful Life and even, A Christmas Story. I know, I know. These have nothing to do with the real meaning of Christmas. To be fair, neither do Christmas cookies, mistletoe or snowflakes, some of our traditions are just for fun.

But there is one movie that (almost) perfectly captures the real meaning of Christmas, it’s the 2005 movie titled, The Nativity Story. If you are able, I highly recommend you find a way to watch (or rewatch) it. While there’s not a reindeer or mug of eggnog to be found, there is an extravagant Christmas Present. The writers have found a way to stay true to the Biblical account (Matthew 1 & Luke 2), while adding just enough extra dialog to make the story come to life, even adding a bit of humor along the way.

Recently, as my husband and I rewatched The Nativity Story, I was struck at the calling/gift God gave to Mary and Joseph. And that although they were blessed beyond any other couple, the amount of pain they were forced to endure for their faithful, trusting obedience was immense. It was a reminder to me that faithful obedience to God or even a call He places on our lives, does not ensure an easy ride. In fact, it usually ensures the opposite. So, why do I (maybe you too?) so often fall for the lie that pain or hardship means I am out of His will or that His calling will always lead to earthly blessing/success? As David Wilkerson was quoted as saying, God has called us to obedience, (earthly) success is up to Him.  

Because we love and trust Him, we obey Him. Regardless of the outcome of that obedience.

This Christmas, as we enjoy all the extra trappings that tradition has created, let’s be sure to stop and remember. Remember the sacrificial Gift that was given for us that first Christmas morning, wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Lord, enable us to honor You with trusting obedience. Come what may. Thank You for sending Your only Son those two thousand years ago, to be born in a stable and die on a cross –The Spotless Lamb slain before the foundations of the world. For me. For my sin. And three days later, to be raised to life, never to die again. Thank You Precious Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Songs in the Night

The Lord will send His goodness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life.  Psalm 42:8 NASB

…My God, Who gives songs in the night.  Job 35:10b

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God (while in prison), and the other prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25 NIV

Lean hard into him bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name. Why are you in despair on my soul put your hope in him I will yet praise him the help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 103

The thick night darkness hid the emotional ache that permeated me as I mentally surveyed my life’s circumstance.  My throat sore from stifled tears, in a near whisper, I sang as my declaration … “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name… (Psalm 103:1) The whispered Scripture turned prayer, fell from my lips as I sang to the Lord, and to my own spirit.

That painful, yet powerful, decades-old memory surfaces as my eyes land on the scripture that speaks of “songs in the night.”

The apostles sang songs in the night as they lay shackled in a Roman prison cell … singing God’s praises in the midst of their painful circumstance. Right there in the ongoing unfairness and cruelty, simply for doing the right thing. And Scripture tells us that “the other prisoners heard” the praise songs, and most importantly, they listened.

There’s something about a person walking through pain and trial,  who still turns to God … in trusting praise. Maybe through tears and a cracking voice, perhaps, but turning to Him anyway. Others take notice and stop to “listen” as we sing our song in the night. Not a life that never encounters a night, but those who choose to “sing” in the midst of it all.

From a bad hair day to the death of a loved one to an all-encompassing loneliness and everything in between, whatever our night season looks like, if we turn to Him, He will provide a song in our night. An authentic song that others will stop to listen to, and perhaps turn to The song Giver.

If God would make manifest the fact that “He giveth songs in the night,” He must first make it night.

—William Taylor

My Father, as “night” swirls around us, enable us to turn to You rather than away, to Your Word and Your soul-deep Comfort and Peace. We love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus