There has been quite a bit of discussion lately on this forum about spiritual abuse, and I want to address this issue with how the Lord dealt with me to bring healing into my heart about these situations.
The Lord has given me a perspective and an outlook on some things that have completely changed the way I view my God, since going through all of the "abuses" suffered at the hands of the ministry, and those involved in ministry, and this of course could be applied to any situation by which you feel you were wounded, and hurt in a spiritual or even physical way.
This is a view that I believe is completely supported by scripture, but is very, very hard to swallow, especially when you have huge gaping wounds in your soul, yet with more clear understanding, then you can have that "peace that passes understanding".
Deuteronomy 32:39 "See now that I, even I, am He and there is no god with me. I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand."
Isaiah 45:7 "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things."
And after these two verses, I would like to ask this question....
WHO created evil? Who created Satan? Who allows Satan to do the things he does? Who kills, and then makes alive? Who wounds, and then heals?
Who takes everything away from a perfect man named Job, including his family, his home, his possessions... everything? Who indeed?
Who allows rape, murder, incest, martyrdom, torture, pain, suffering, betrayal, sickness, cancer....????
Who indeed?
Are we to acknowledge God for these atrocities? Are we to acknowledge that the Lord himself created the evil Holocaust? Are we?
According to scripture, yes is the answer to these questions.
I make peace, and create evil
I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal
This is an extremely difficult concept to grasp! Indeed, is not God a God of judgment, and fear, just as much as He is a God of love, and peace?
If we lived in a perfect world, would our hearts ever search after Him?
If we were never wounded in the house of our friends, would we ever experience healing, as only HE can bring?
If I never experienced pain and suffering, would I ever experience healing and peace?
That is the lesson God has taught me. Satan was created, and is allowed to exist simply because God knows that without the contrast of the trials, and distractions, and pitfalls, that our hearts might never seek after Him.
Without death, there can be no life. Without clouds, there can be no rainbows. Without sand, there can be no pearl. Without an impossible situation, there could be no miracle.
And, so the (perceived) bad things in our lives, may just be the sand that is trying to perfect the pearl in our souls.
I have a new perspective on the trials, and tribulations that we face. God is control of ALL things, good and bad that happen to us. And in fact, when good material things come our way (we deem as good being financial, family, jobs, health and so on) yet in God's great plan, those may be hindrances.
And likewise when ill health, financial insecurity, pain, suffering, distress, betrayal and so on come our way, it may seem to us that God must hate us, that we must have done something wrong, when instead, it may be the very mercy and great love of our Savior to allow these pieces of "sand" in our lives.... in order to bring about the completion of the "pearl" that HE knows can come forth out of these distresses.
So, now while I can't say I that I look on distress, turmoil, pain and suffering with utter joy.... yet I have a new perspective. His ways are not my ways. His plans are above me, and I cannot always see or know them. Yes, He knows what is best for me.
Indeed, as Job learned after going through the most traumatic trial perhaps of any human being, Job was able to realize he was just human, and although he had before questioned God, and received no answers, Job was now able to say,
Job 42: 2-5
"I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee and declare thou unto me.
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee"
Job caught a glimpse of just how big and beyond wonderful our God is, and realized who he was in the great scheme of things, and had nothing more to say.
You see, God is sovereign and ALL things are in his control and command. If evil exists, and reigns in a situation, it is because He has allowed it. Just one word from Him, and it would end, if he so desired.
When I desired to stand up, and speak up and shout to the world the atrocities of some of those involved in bad situations, the Lord showed me that "vengeance is mine, I will repay."
Yes indeed, and one day, the tares will be taken up with the wheat. Until that day, they are allowed to co-exist. Evil existing right alongside the good.
Isn't this crazy? Doesn't that go against everything we believe to be true about God?
No. This knowledge, and understanding gives me great hope that whatever God brings my way, allows me to endure, that He is greater than it all, and my faith in Him will save me.
Such a difficult lesson to have learned, but one of the most liberating, and worry-free lessons too.
Whatever He brings me to, it may just be that it is this lesson that is the
"sand" that is creating the "pearl of great price."
I would rather have the sand and in the end the pearl of great price, than to ask Him to forsake the pain and suffering and be left with nothing. I choose to trust Him and follow His voice, and have faith in the work at Calvary, and let Christ Jesus take care of the rest (meaning vengeance on those who have wronged me... )
Is your "sand" worth having the pearl of great price? Consider this today that the very thing you may consider to be the greatest disaster to have ever come your way, try looking at it in the light of eternity. Know, believe and trust Jesus that it is working to create in you an everlasting life with Jesus, that pearl of great price.
One last scripture:
1 Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
Threaded Mode
