Don’t Waste Your Pain
This weekend was a significant reminder for Sandie and I.
There are two ways to deal with pain, two kinds of sorrow. One brings things associated with death and the other brings about a change of mind and heart that leads to life. The difference between the two has to do with where you aim your emotions. You can aim them at people, yourself included, or toward God.
When we aim our sorrow toward people anger, bitterness, resentment, regret, and a host of other unpleasant things are given opportunity to gain a foothold in our life. It’s possible to allow others to control us through our response to their attitudes and actions, how they treat us.
On the other hand, when our sorrow is directed toward God something amazing happens. The pain or sadness doesn’t miraculously disappear in that instant, but God is big enough to handle our emotions and as we are oriented toward him in the midst of our pain we can hear his voice and sense his presence. Read any number of the Psalms. Many of them you could easily set to some gritty blues and sing in a club. The interesting thing to realize as you read the lyrics to those songs is that you discover the sadness, frustration, rage, and pain is addressed to God and is almost always ended with something of a turnaround that declares his goodness and a reaffirms the writers love for him.
We have a choice in the matter.
C.S. Lewis said, “Pain is God’s megaphone.” It’s amazing how God is able to use the pain that enters our lives to get our attention. He is able to take something that has the potential for bringing destruction and death, and speak to us in the midst of it in order to bring us towards life.
It takes regular recalibration to be oriented in the right direction. We would ask that you continue to pray for us that we would be properly oriented in this season so as not to waste the pain and miss God’s voice. We firmly believe that God will use this to make us more like him as we listen. He didn’t cause it, but he can redeem it.
Kyler’s next chemo is tomorrow (Tuesday Nov. 7th). He will be in the hospital two nights barring any unforeseen complications. Thank you for your continued support and prayer.
One of Sandie’s friends in the Lincoln Mom’s Club, Angela Turner, has initiated a fundraiser for Kyler. The details are below.
"Support Kyler" Bracelets are NOW AVAILABLE to help raise funds for Kyler's ongoing treatment as well as his continued fight to beat cancer. The bracelets are a beautiful yellowish-gold color (representing childhood cancer) and are embossed on each side with KYLER and HOPE.
There's something to say about keeping a friend in your thoughts and prayers. These bracelets are a wonderful way to keep the spirit of HOPE alive, even in the youngest of children. If you would like to participate in this very special "member to member" fundraiser, a suggested donation of $5.00 per bracelet is appreciated. YOU MAY GET MORE THAN ONE BRACELET. All donations will go directly to Kyler Haskins.
If you have would like to purchase a bracelet, or have any questions or comments regarding this special fundraiser, please contact me directly by email at turnar0und@hotmail.com or by phone at 543-9321.
There are two ways to deal with pain, two kinds of sorrow. One brings things associated with death and the other brings about a change of mind and heart that leads to life. The difference between the two has to do with where you aim your emotions. You can aim them at people, yourself included, or toward God.
When we aim our sorrow toward people anger, bitterness, resentment, regret, and a host of other unpleasant things are given opportunity to gain a foothold in our life. It’s possible to allow others to control us through our response to their attitudes and actions, how they treat us.
On the other hand, when our sorrow is directed toward God something amazing happens. The pain or sadness doesn’t miraculously disappear in that instant, but God is big enough to handle our emotions and as we are oriented toward him in the midst of our pain we can hear his voice and sense his presence. Read any number of the Psalms. Many of them you could easily set to some gritty blues and sing in a club. The interesting thing to realize as you read the lyrics to those songs is that you discover the sadness, frustration, rage, and pain is addressed to God and is almost always ended with something of a turnaround that declares his goodness and a reaffirms the writers love for him.
We have a choice in the matter.
C.S. Lewis said, “Pain is God’s megaphone.” It’s amazing how God is able to use the pain that enters our lives to get our attention. He is able to take something that has the potential for bringing destruction and death, and speak to us in the midst of it in order to bring us towards life.
It takes regular recalibration to be oriented in the right direction. We would ask that you continue to pray for us that we would be properly oriented in this season so as not to waste the pain and miss God’s voice. We firmly believe that God will use this to make us more like him as we listen. He didn’t cause it, but he can redeem it.
Kyler’s next chemo is tomorrow (Tuesday Nov. 7th). He will be in the hospital two nights barring any unforeseen complications. Thank you for your continued support and prayer.
One of Sandie’s friends in the Lincoln Mom’s Club, Angela Turner, has initiated a fundraiser for Kyler. The details are below.
"Support Kyler" Bracelets are NOW AVAILABLE to help raise funds for Kyler's ongoing treatment as well as his continued fight to beat cancer. The bracelets are a beautiful yellowish-gold color (representing childhood cancer) and are embossed on each side with KYLER and HOPE.
There's something to say about keeping a friend in your thoughts and prayers. These bracelets are a wonderful way to keep the spirit of HOPE alive, even in the youngest of children. If you would like to participate in this very special "member to member" fundraiser, a suggested donation of $5.00 per bracelet is appreciated. YOU MAY GET MORE THAN ONE BRACELET. All donations will go directly to Kyler Haskins.
If you have would like to purchase a bracelet, or have any questions or comments regarding this special fundraiser, please contact me directly by email at turnar0und@hotmail.com or by phone at 543-9321.
| 8:55 PM
1 Comments:
Hi Darryl. This is your old friend (student) Gini Bittner(Atkins). If there were a time to be thankful for "My Space", this would be it. I was so excited to see the beautiful family God gave you, and how he led you into ministry.
I am so sad for the battle your precious Kyler is facing, but encouraged by the hope, faith, and strength you exude through your blogs. I pray and think of you and your family daily and at bedtime my son Max(4) and daughter Ruby(3) ask God to help Kyler "feel better". We would consider it a blessing to wear Kyler's bracelet. Please give us the details on how to send our donation. Thank you for sharing the pictures on your blogs.They bring joy and light to the dim but hopeful journey you are on. May God continue to strengthen your spirit, and embrace your family with His faithfulness.
with much love, Gini Bittner & family
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