~ Dr. Martin Luther
Do you ever wonder “Why Lord”? I know I do. I have asked Him the “why” question countless times. ‘Why, Lord, did my friend have to go through breast-cancer?’ ‘Why, Lord, did you call home a little girl that never experienced childhood without pain?’ ‘Why, Lord, did a seemingly godly marriage break-up?’ ‘Why, Lord to I have to go through valleys?’ ‘Why, Lord, do You not answer my prayers?’…
I don’t know why I was hoping for a crown of roses. God never promised me that life this side of heaven would be without suffering. God wants me to trust Him, no matter what happens in my life or in the life of my friends. God has His reasons for things to happen.
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ~ Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Paul put is so eloquently in the Romans’ passage, didn’t he? I think if I would not experience times in the valley, I would not raise my arms in victory on the mountaintop. Through His grace and mercy I grow closer to Him, so I will not forget the price He has paid for me.
“My” radio station has been playing a song by Caedmon’s Call over the past month and a half that has really struck a cord with me. The song “There is a Reason” has a very catchy tune; the words are stuck in my head. The chorus goes like this: “He makes all things good…He makes all things good…There’s a time to live and a time to die…A time for wonder and to wonder why…Cause there is a reason…there is a reason”
Yes, I might not understand the ways of my Lord at all times, but I know that there is a reason…a time to live, a time to die…and a time for wonders…
Lord of Heaven and Earth. I know that suffering produces endurance, endurance, character; character, hope. Lord, help me to never lose the hope You have given me—no matter what will happen this side of heaven. In the precious name of Jesus I pray ~ Amen.
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Thank you again for hosting. May God richly bless you with a steadfast hope and trust in all he has planned for you. Blessings…
Such a thought provoking quote – and one very appropriate for my past week of asking WHY?!?! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for choosing this quote, it somehow answered my prayers.
Bless your heart! 🙂
I am linking to the recent post I did about just this topic!
Such a great quote!
Blessings
Great quote choice for this week. Keeps my striving for the eternal prize!
Thanks for sharing. Indeed, God has a reason for everything.
Great post. I always try to remember these two things…1 God is good and 2 God loves me.
Come on by for your award.
Love this quote! It is timely, Jewel is studying Luther this week and I have been thinking on his sacrifices to follow God. Bless you!
Really enjoyed your post on this quote my friend, love you.
I love this week’s quote. It reminded me of a comment you left on my blog. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s great to be reminded when we ask the question why that God has a reason.
Thanks for hosting this week. This is my first time participating in IOW…the quote you picked drew me in.
The mountaintop doesn’t mean much without that valley, does it?
Thanks for hosting today!
This is an important reminder, or at least for me because I forget when I am in the heat of the battle crying “why me!”
Thanks for these wonderful thoughts this week.
Thanks for the quote….. and for your thoughts.
Blessings.
hello my friend…
i think our western world christianity gets a bit scewed sometimes. it’s not that God doesn’t desire blessing and peace to follow us where ever we go — it’s just that we miss moments of greater blessing that can overtake us on in those lonely, hard places that life is certain to bring us.
shalom and love…
I needed to think on this this week…what a wonderful quote! Those *why’s* are tough, aren’t they? But what a blessing to be reminded that “there is a reason”…always.
Yes, Paul did put that eloquently didn’t he? I’d love to sit and chat with that guy, he was such a faith filled man with a strong personality.
Beautifully written Iris. We had Joni Earickson speak at our church last week. She said that it is pointless to ask why. Some day we will be in heaven and we will be able to see all the answers and understand why. When I come up against one of those “whys” I just have to make myself look at God’s unchanging character and trust in Him.
Iris, you always speak to my heart. I am so blessed—-BEYOND words to try and express what reading these posts mean to me. I started on mine last night–finished it—to post today. Then when I opened it up from the office, all of it didn’t save. I was so frustrated. Part of me wanted to give up on it…just hit delete and get on with the business of the day. But something else said fix it. So between phone calls and “people” I tried to repair it. It is jumbled. It even looks a mess. But it’s there. Maybe only for me. But it’s there. God shows up in these posts of the faithful sisters and blesses me to pieces!!!!
Thanks Iris, for keeping things going! You are awesome to me friend!!!
Iris….not only did you bless me by posting the quote…your post did as well….doubly blessed…
There is always a reason…at 39 I am really starting to UNDERSTAND that…why did it take so darn long??
I am learning that in the middle of the storm…to shout “Bring it on…rather than Why ME!” whew…that is tough at times!!
I loved sharing and reading this week…well done good and faithful Iris..:)
peace to you the rest of the week..
lori
Yes, there is suffering in this life. :~( Although we’re not promised a crown of roses on this earth, we ARE promised a crown in eternity… which we will throw down at Jesus’ feet!
Lately, I’ve been meditating on one of my favorite verses: Rom 8:28. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” It helps me to focus on the big picture, and the ultimate hope we have in Christ.
Blessings!
For me, holding on to HOPE in CHRIST is a grip that becomes stronger as the seasons pass and the whys become more frequent. Thank you for hosting and as always for sharing God’s goodness.
It is great that during the rough times He has given us the promises in the fifth chapter of Romans.
Thanks Iris.
The Romans passage fits in perfectly with this quote, Iris. We have hope. Amen, sister.
I love how you see the hope even through the thorny situations. I love being able to look forward to the “time of wonder”
God bless!
Bonnie