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Better Together

Rise Above Despair - Episode 1110

October 24, 2025 | S7 E1110 | 52:34

Rise Above Despair - Episode 1110
God is with YOU! Psalm 139 says, "if I make my bed in hell, You are there." We are faithfully held by a sovereign God. He sustains us through life's darkest seasons and becomes our peace, our strength, and our eternal hope. | TBN Prayer Line: 714-731-1000
#Despair #Hope #Faith #Strength #Peace #Overcoming #Encouragement #TrustGod #BrokenHeart #Loneliness #Struggle #Loss #Grief #Community #Comforter #Trials-HardTimes #PresenceofGod

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Better Together | Rise Above Despair - Episode 1110 | October 24, 2025
  • - there is nowhere that you can run from the presence of
  • 00:00:00.690 --> 00:00:03.860
  • God, psalms 139 says if i make my bed in --.
  • 00:00:03.860 --> 00:00:07.163
  • There you are.
  • 00:00:07.163 --> 00:00:08.765
  • And to think we rise above despair come on join us.
  • 00:00:08.765 --> 00:00:12.635
  • ♪ (music playing) ♪
  • 00:00:12.635 --> 00:00:39.796
  • - we have been going through the psalms and obviously we are
  • 00:00:39.796 --> 00:00:43.967
  • Going to the psalms...
  • 00:00:43.967 --> 00:00:45.401
  • You are going to think about david because he wrote a good
  • 00:00:45.401 --> 00:00:47.670
  • Chunk of them.
  • 00:00:47.670 --> 00:00:48.872
  • And i mean i think what's beautiful about the psalms,
  • 00:00:48.872 --> 00:00:53.443
  • It's the faith lived out.
  • 00:00:53.443 --> 00:00:54.511
  • You know, so it's not cookie-cutter at all.
  • 00:00:54.511 --> 00:00:59.549
  • You see psalms of the cursing enemies and despair.
  • 00:00:59.549 --> 00:01:02.018
  • Sorrow, anger, all the messiness that i'm sure we
  • 00:01:02.018 --> 00:01:09.759
  • Would love to avoid in life but david lived it, and he still
  • 00:01:09.759 --> 00:01:13.963
  • Believed through it.
  • 00:01:13.963 --> 00:01:17.100
  • And we see that through the psalms i mean psalm 13 says
  • 00:01:17.100 --> 00:01:20.270
  • How long lord will the lord forget me forever?
  • 00:01:20.270 --> 00:01:26.309
  • How long will you hide your face from me, how long must i
  • 00:01:26.309 --> 00:01:28.678
  • Wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in
  • 00:01:28.678 --> 00:01:33.049
  • My heart, how long will my enemy triumph over me?
  • 00:01:33.049 --> 00:01:38.988
  • And i think that's just an example about how god is not
  • 00:01:38.988 --> 00:01:42.892
  • Absent in our despair and a lot of david's story is
  • 00:01:42.892 --> 00:01:46.763
  • Learning to rise above despair with the presence of god.
  • 00:01:46.763 --> 00:01:50.233
  • And i know in the the christian circle,
  • 00:01:50.233 --> 00:01:54.270
  • We love our victory stories, we love our healing stories,
  • 00:01:54.270 --> 00:01:58.374
  • We love our breakthrough stories, and this is all of
  • 00:01:58.374 --> 00:02:02.845
  • The lord.
  • 00:02:02.845 --> 00:02:04.147
  • But what about the times when everything just looks bleak?
  • 00:02:04.147 --> 00:02:07.317
  • When there's a period at the end of the story.
  • 00:02:07.317 --> 00:02:10.153
  • And you're like i don't know how god is
  • 00:02:10.153 --> 00:02:13.356
  • Going to redeem this, is god's goodness still real
  • 00:02:13.356 --> 00:02:15.825
  • In the midst of despair?
  • 00:02:15.825 --> 00:02:18.328
  • Any i mentioned about our experience of 2020 earlier
  • 00:02:18.328 --> 00:02:22.065
  • This week, i remember one particular night during 2020
  • 00:02:22.065 --> 00:02:28.271
  • When we weren't sure what we're going to do how we are
  • 00:02:28.271 --> 00:02:31.007
  • Going to make it and so on and so forth, i mean you know it's
  • 00:02:31.007 --> 00:02:34.110
  • The children were going to school on a computer and i
  • 00:02:34.110 --> 00:02:37.947
  • Didn't understand what was going on, it was a really
  • 00:02:37.947 --> 00:02:40.350
  • Confusing time.
  • 00:02:40.350 --> 00:02:42.719
  • Not to bring us back there but it was.
  • 00:02:42.719 --> 00:02:44.187
  • And i remember putting the kids to bed and it was really
  • 00:02:44.187 --> 00:02:48.758
  • Really late because that was the only time it was quiet in
  • 00:02:48.758 --> 00:02:52.195
  • The house.
  • 00:02:52.195 --> 00:02:53.463
  • And usually when i'm praying i'm on the piano and i just
  • 00:02:53.463 --> 00:02:57.767
  • Sing and fiddle around but i remember one night
  • 00:02:57.767 --> 00:03:03.573
  • I had my hands on the keys and i remember it was
  • 00:03:03.573 --> 00:03:07.610
  • Like the first time when i did not have a song left in me to
  • 00:03:07.610 --> 00:03:12.515
  • Sing.
  • 00:03:12.515 --> 00:03:13.883
  • Where i was like i had nothing left.
  • 00:03:13.883 --> 00:03:17.287
  • I have no prayer, no plea left, i have no energy left.
  • 00:03:17.287 --> 00:03:24.427
  • If this was a test i failed it.
  • 00:03:24.427 --> 00:03:28.231
  • That's how i felt.
  • 00:03:28.231 --> 00:03:30.400
  • This was a test to see how hard i believe through dark
  • 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:33.336
  • Times i failed it.
  • 00:03:33.336 --> 00:03:34.537
  • If this is a test of my character, and how low i can
  • 00:03:34.537 --> 00:03:37.040
  • Go i think i failed that too, you know i remember just
  • 00:03:37.040 --> 00:03:39.876
  • Sitting there feeling absolutely nothing god, no
  • 00:03:39.876 --> 00:03:44.814
  • Word from the lord, no vision and because i was at the end
  • 00:03:44.814 --> 00:03:51.220
  • Of myself, all that came out was just crying.
  • 00:03:51.220 --> 00:03:52.955
  • I just wept through the night, you know, yes.
  • 00:03:52.955 --> 00:04:00.730
  • And it's so interesting because there's no way to
  • 00:04:00.730 --> 00:04:03.800
  • Perfectly wrap that story in a neat bow.
  • 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:07.236
  • I just want to sleep.
  • 00:04:07.236 --> 00:04:09.138
  • And i woke up the next day, that's it.
  • 00:04:09.138 --> 00:04:13.009
  • I did not have a crazy encounter, i think i would've
  • 00:04:13.009 --> 00:04:15.044
  • Loved to have it be that story where i go god showed up and so
  • 00:04:15.044 --> 00:04:18.047
  • On and so forth.
  • 00:04:18.047 --> 00:04:21.317
  • You know nothing really changed until months and months
  • 00:04:21.317 --> 00:04:24.053
  • Later.
  • 00:04:24.053 --> 00:04:25.822
  • But i remember looking back on that story and oftentimes with
  • 00:04:25.822 --> 00:04:31.060
  • The lord, just where were you god?
  • 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:32.228
  • Because if i ever really needed you it was that night.
  • 00:04:32.228 --> 00:04:35.531
  • Where i was deathly afraid of what was to come.
  • 00:04:35.531 --> 00:04:39.736
  • I was so unsure of what you, what your will was for us.
  • 00:04:39.736 --> 00:04:45.908
  • I mean i was just absolutely lost.
  • 00:04:45.908 --> 00:04:48.745
  • I had no more energy, and whatever was in me was just
  • 00:04:48.745 --> 00:04:52.315
  • Gone, i was an empty vessel and i just don't understand
  • 00:04:52.315 --> 00:04:56.152
  • Why you left me hanging.
  • 00:04:56.152 --> 00:04:58.254
  • That's how i felt.
  • 00:04:58.254 --> 00:04:59.689
  • Because i did not see anything, i didn't hear
  • 00:04:59.689 --> 00:05:03.059
  • Anything, i did not feel anything.
  • 00:05:03.059 --> 00:05:05.895
  • And i would bring it up to the lord every once in a while and
  • 00:05:05.895 --> 00:05:09.665
  • I wouldn't really get much until one day it just kind of
  • 00:05:09.665 --> 00:05:13.469
  • Hit me where it felt like the holy spirit was saying i was
  • 00:05:13.469 --> 00:05:16.239
  • With you.
  • 00:05:16.239 --> 00:05:18.608
  • That was it.
  • 00:05:18.608 --> 00:05:20.009
  • I was with you.
  • 00:05:20.009 --> 00:05:22.979
  • And is that enough?
  • 00:05:22.979 --> 00:05:24.280
  • I think in a lot of christian cultures we pray to gain and
  • 00:05:24.280 --> 00:05:26.182
  • Sometimes you worship to feel.
  • 00:05:26.182 --> 00:05:30.386
  • But what if a pursuit of jesus just leaves us with jesus and
  • 00:05:30.386 --> 00:05:35.491
  • That nearness in and of itself, is the miracle.
  • 00:05:35.491 --> 00:05:41.731
  • And i think sometimes when we push that miracle aside then
  • 00:05:41.731 --> 00:05:47.837
  • Despair is just despair.
  • 00:05:47.837 --> 00:05:49.038
  • But when we recognize that miracle in the midst of
  • 00:05:49.038 --> 00:05:53.643
  • Hopeless and dark times, there's always going to be
  • 00:05:53.643 --> 00:05:57.513
  • Hope.
  • 00:05:57.513 --> 00:05:58.881
  • - there are times when it feels like what we need more
  • 00:05:58.881 --> 00:06:01.984
  • Than anything are answers.
  • 00:06:01.984 --> 00:06:04.320
  • Or for god to speak and just make it all clear, make us
  • 00:06:04.320 --> 00:06:06.255
  • Understand and say the words that we think we need to
  • 00:06:06.255 --> 00:06:10.426
  • Hear, ultimately he knows what it is that we need most.
  • 00:06:10.426 --> 00:06:14.497
  • And if he's being silent if there's not those answers if
  • 00:06:14.497 --> 00:06:18.668
  • There's not the things that we think we need in order to feel
  • 00:06:18.668 --> 00:06:22.772
  • Peace and the reality is it's his nearness, it's his
  • 00:06:22.772 --> 00:06:27.677
  • Presence, that brings peace, a peace that passes
  • 00:06:27.677 --> 00:06:31.981
  • Understanding meaning there are no words there isn't an
  • 00:06:31.981 --> 00:06:34.317
  • Answer, peace can come in silence.
  • 00:06:34.317 --> 00:06:41.557
  • Joy can come in silence but he knows what we need.
  • 00:06:41.557 --> 00:06:43.926
  • He's our shepherd leading us through every one of these
  • 00:06:43.926 --> 00:06:46.529
  • Chapters in our life.
  • 00:06:46.529 --> 00:06:48.130
  • He knows what it is that we need, stay close to him and you
  • 00:06:48.130 --> 00:06:50.800
  • Will have it.
  • 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:52.902
  • - how has god met you in your despair?
  • 00:06:52.902 --> 00:06:57.707
  • I know david was like god in the darkest times of his life
  • 00:06:57.707 --> 00:07:00.409
  • And we are still blessed today because of it.
  • 00:07:00.409 --> 00:07:04.113
  • You know, i realized the miracle for me and that time
  • 00:07:04.113 --> 00:07:07.650
  • Was simply that god was with me.
  • 00:07:07.650 --> 00:07:10.219
  • And because god was with me i was able to wake up the next
  • 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:12.989
  • Day.
  • 00:07:12.989 --> 00:07:14.257
  • So how has god shown up for you in your times of despair
  • 00:07:14.257 --> 00:07:18.094
  • And dark times?
  • 00:07:18.094 --> 00:07:19.962
  • - one of the things i really love i read it sometime ago
  • 00:07:19.962 --> 00:07:22.031
  • And it was a guy called athanasius he said that
  • 00:07:22.031 --> 00:07:26.002
  • Whereas most of scripture speaks to us, the psalm speak
  • 00:07:26.002 --> 00:07:29.005
  • For us they give us a language prayer and i think it's so
  • 00:07:29.005 --> 00:07:34.076
  • Fascinating that right in the middle of psalm- psalm 88, find
  • 00:07:34.076 --> 00:07:36.746
  • Bang in the middle and it does not result.
  • 00:07:36.746 --> 00:07:40.216
  • You know normally we start with why am i in despair but
  • 00:07:40.216 --> 00:07:43.452
  • It will resolve into but i will praise you this one does
  • 00:07:43.452 --> 00:07:46.856
  • Not, it's like oh lord god of my salvation i've cried out
  • 00:07:46.856 --> 00:07:49.859
  • Day and night before you for my soul is full of troubles
  • 00:07:49.859 --> 00:07:53.129
  • And my life draws near to the grave.
  • 00:07:53.129 --> 00:07:55.831
  • And it ends with loved one and friend you have put far
  • 00:07:55.831 --> 00:07:59.402
  • For me and my acquaintances into darkness.
  • 00:07:59.402 --> 00:08:02.338
  • There is no result.
  • 00:08:02.338 --> 00:08:03.606
  • I think it's so merciful of god to include that psalm in
  • 00:08:03.606 --> 00:08:05.808
  • The middle of the other psalms the ones that i turned to so
  • 00:08:05.808 --> 00:08:10.680
  • Quickly psalm 91, psalm 23 psalm 27 to save you know what
  • 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:13.783
  • They're seasons like this where you just don't know.
  • 00:08:13.783 --> 00:08:17.520
  • It starts in a dark place and ends in a dark place.
  • 00:08:17.520 --> 00:08:22.158
  • But what i find fascinating is he is still talking to god.
  • 00:08:22.158 --> 00:08:26.395
  • You know even though he's not getting an answer he's not
  • 00:08:26.395 --> 00:08:31.200
  • Getting light at the end of the tunnel he's not getting
  • 00:08:31.200 --> 00:08:33.502
  • Anything but he processes his pain and presence of his
  • 00:08:33.502 --> 00:08:37.173
  • Father and i think that's one of the greatest lessons i've
  • 00:08:37.173 --> 00:08:40.109
  • Learned in life.
  • 00:08:40.109 --> 00:08:41.344
  • Is just jesus gethsemane where he processes pain in the
  • 00:08:41.344 --> 00:08:47.249
  • Presence of his father, he told the whole truth.
  • 00:08:47.249 --> 00:08:51.120
  • And he made space for grace.
  • 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:54.757
  • I think when you pour everything out that's true,
  • 00:08:54.757 --> 00:08:56.359
  • You make space for grace.
  • 00:08:56.359 --> 00:08:57.994
  • And so that's something that i've learned over the years to
  • 00:08:57.994 --> 00:09:00.997
  • Do.
  • 00:09:00.997 --> 00:09:03.633
  • When things are you know a couple years back i thought i
  • 00:09:03.633 --> 00:09:04.834
  • Had broken my neck for this one day and i'm in this
  • 00:09:04.834 --> 00:09:08.471
  • Machine, and i'm thinking you know lord how did you do the
  • 00:09:08.471 --> 00:09:12.441
  • Things that you did that i will never come close to, how
  • 00:09:12.441 --> 00:09:15.578
  • Did you do that?
  • 00:09:15.578 --> 00:09:17.246
  • I was in hebrews 12 where it says keep your eyes on jesus
  • 00:09:17.246 --> 00:09:20.750
  • And both begin and finish this race we're in, study
  • 00:09:20.750 --> 00:09:25.087
  • How he did it because he never lost sight of where he was
  • 00:09:25.087 --> 00:09:29.058
  • Headed.
  • 00:09:29.058 --> 00:09:30.292
  • And so for me sometimes in life keeping this internal
  • 00:09:30.292 --> 00:09:32.061
  • Perspective of this is just like the tuning of the orchestra
  • 00:09:32.061 --> 00:09:35.197
  • There will come a moment when new heaven and new earth when
  • 00:09:35.197 --> 00:09:39.235
  • Everything is brand-new and everything is the way it
  • 00:09:39.235 --> 00:09:43.706
  • Should be, the way it was supposed to be, and somehow in
  • 00:09:43.706 --> 00:09:46.976
  • The moments where life doesn't make sense that gives me
  • 00:09:46.976 --> 00:09:49.912
  • Courage.
  • 00:09:49.912 --> 00:09:51.180
  • - when you think about like when you find yourself in a
  • 00:09:51.180 --> 00:09:54.817
  • Season of despair, something you did not see coming,
  • 00:09:54.817 --> 00:09:58.421
  • Something that suddenly hit your life and you just feel in
  • 00:09:58.421 --> 00:10:01.624
  • A place of absolute despair, it is not mean to be
  • 00:10:01.624 --> 00:10:06.028
  • Victorious in jesus that you just pretend it's not there,
  • 00:10:06.028 --> 00:10:08.164
  • You know you just kind of pushed it down and think i'm
  • 00:10:08.164 --> 00:10:10.266
  • Going to move on and sing hymns of worship and it will
  • 00:10:10.266 --> 00:10:13.402
  • All be great.
  • 00:10:13.402 --> 00:10:14.236
  • No.
  • 00:10:14.236 --> 00:10:15.504
  • I discovered when you are in a place where you feel that
  • 00:10:15.504 --> 00:10:17.339
  • Genuine soul despair you know sometimes people have called
  • 00:10:17.339 --> 00:10:21.944
  • It the dark night of the soul that you bring all of that to
  • 00:10:21.944 --> 00:10:25.147
  • The lord.
  • 00:10:25.147 --> 00:10:27.249
  • I 100% am a firm believer in processing all the pain in the
  • 00:10:27.249 --> 00:10:31.387
  • Presence of the father even if you look at psalm 88.
  • 00:10:31.387 --> 00:10:37.026
  • In the middle of the psalms, and it's not a happy psalm, it
  • 00:10:37.026 --> 00:10:38.728
  • Begins with despair and it ends there.
  • 00:10:38.728 --> 00:10:41.530
  • And here's what you notice even though the pain is real,
  • 00:10:41.530 --> 00:10:45.601
  • He's talking to the father all the time.
  • 00:10:45.601 --> 00:10:48.871
  • When you are in despair bring it all to the lord, pour it
  • 00:10:48.871 --> 00:10:53.342
  • All out his presence.
  • 00:10:53.342 --> 00:10:54.977
  • - i love that jesus is hanging on the cross.
  • 00:10:54.977 --> 00:10:57.847
  • And he quotes a psalm.
  • 00:10:57.847 --> 00:11:00.816
  • He goes to psalm 22:1 and it's such a prophetic there's so
  • 00:11:00.816 --> 00:11:04.854
  • Much that happens there but he begins there.
  • 00:11:04.854 --> 00:11:10.726
  • And he quotes david my god why have you forsaken me?
  • 00:11:10.726 --> 00:11:14.830
  • And i just think what a stunning way for jesus to
  • 00:11:14.830 --> 00:11:18.334
  • Borrow the words of king david and to validate.
  • 00:11:18.334 --> 00:11:22.772
  • That expression i think can be easy growing up in the church
  • 00:11:22.772 --> 00:11:26.542
  • Pastor's kid and all that we can skip to the right answer i
  • 00:11:26.542 --> 00:11:31.814
  • Know it's supposed into good so i don't allow it's almost
  • 00:11:31.814 --> 00:11:35.818
  • Like i can't just let myself sit in psalm 88 i can't just say
  • 00:11:35.818 --> 00:11:43.192
  • Psalm 22 one, jesus did not go on to say a different part, no
  • 00:11:43.192 --> 00:11:49.765
  • He was embodied in victory but he was hanging on
  • 00:11:49.765 --> 00:11:52.935
  • A tree at that moment and i-- for me, a massive
  • 00:11:52.935 --> 00:11:57.006
  • Struggle in my life had been to not rush ahead but it's
  • 00:11:57.006 --> 00:12:00.810
  • Okay it's okay you're okay you are good, because i did not
  • 00:12:00.810 --> 00:12:03.846
  • Know it, i knew that that was the answer but i was too
  • 00:12:03.846 --> 00:12:07.249
  • Afraid to actually let my soul go there in the honest places
  • 00:12:07.249 --> 00:12:12.021
  • Because i thought it would get stuck.
  • 00:12:12.021 --> 00:12:15.691
  • I thought i would remain in the valley place forever and
  • 00:12:15.691 --> 00:12:18.360
  • It was not until losing our daughter where it's like there
  • 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:22.131
  • Just was not a choice.
  • 00:12:22.131 --> 00:12:25.935
  • There's not and there's not a silver lining right now, and i
  • 00:12:25.935 --> 00:12:29.305
  • Can't do that part and what i found there was a god who will
  • 00:12:29.305 --> 00:12:33.309
  • Descend with me all the way down to the valley place.
  • 00:12:33.309 --> 00:12:37.179
  • And be with me there, and handle all the honesty and
  • 00:12:37.179 --> 00:12:44.453
  • Then out of his own mouth my god my god.
  • 00:12:44.453 --> 00:12:45.988
  • And we have not only jesus and that good shepherd finds me
  • 00:12:45.988 --> 00:12:50.192
  • There in the depth of that place.
  • 00:12:50.192 --> 00:12:54.296
  • And he never brushed me to the end of the psalm, he's never
  • 00:12:54.296 --> 00:12:56.098
  • Rushed me to the end of it.
  • 00:12:56.098 --> 00:12:58.801
  • And actually it was the surrender of recognizing its
  • 00:12:58.801 --> 00:13:02.404
  • Yes we need to remember we do remembrance and remind your
  • 00:13:02.404 --> 00:13:09.578
  • Souls bless the lord we remember what he's done and it
  • 00:13:09.578 --> 00:13:10.880
  • Gives us courage but there are times where it's like you
  • 00:13:10.880 --> 00:13:14.717
  • Actually just need to bring everything to him and trust
  • 00:13:14.717 --> 00:13:18.420
  • That he can handle it there.
  • 00:13:18.420 --> 00:13:24.393
  • He is the glory, he is the lifter of my head and he's not
  • 00:13:24.393 --> 00:13:27.162
  • Going to leave me there in that valley alone.
  • 00:13:27.162 --> 00:13:29.465
  • And he does not set an alarm clock like oh my time is up.
  • 00:13:29.465 --> 00:13:33.702
  • For me what i found was going there and saying it all.
  • 00:13:33.702 --> 00:13:38.607
  • And not tidying it up not wrapping it up and not rushing
  • 00:13:38.607 --> 00:13:41.844
  • To the end of the psalm, but just finding a jesus who would
  • 00:13:41.844 --> 00:13:47.349
  • Quote a david and all saying these things, what i
  • 00:13:47.349 --> 00:13:52.688
  • Found is there his words of life i have overcome lifter
  • 00:13:52.688 --> 00:13:55.224
  • Something in me where i'm not just yes we tell ourselves but
  • 00:13:55.224 --> 00:14:00.162
  • This moment where i am arrested by the truth of that
  • 00:14:00.162 --> 00:14:05.534
  • Is real, he is the glory he is lifter of my head and i can be
  • 00:14:05.534 --> 00:14:10.873
  • In full honesty and rise up because he is with me i know
  • 00:14:10.873 --> 00:14:18.147
  • Where the story is headed i know what he did when he hung
  • 00:14:18.147 --> 00:14:24.153
  • On that cross, and he said the very words and i know the
  • 00:14:24.153 --> 00:14:26.088
  • Resurrection on the other side that gets me to the end the
  • 00:14:26.088 --> 00:14:29.391
  • Psalm.
  • 00:14:29.391 --> 00:14:30.526
  • Not my best attempts at putting a smile on not by
  • 00:14:30.526 --> 00:14:33.762
  • Passing out the avoidance but the digging deep in what jesus
  • 00:14:33.762 --> 00:14:37.900
  • Christ did for me on the cross and on that resurrection day,
  • 00:14:37.900 --> 00:14:40.102
  • That brings me to the end of the psalm.
  • 00:14:40.102 --> 00:14:45.007
  • - we can learn a lot from jesus about how we can bring
  • 00:14:45.007 --> 00:14:48.344
  • Our pain to god because jesus did not hold back, he did not
  • 00:14:48.344 --> 00:14:52.748
  • Just bring to his father these religious niceties he cried
  • 00:14:52.748 --> 00:14:57.052
  • Out to the point of sweating blood.
  • 00:14:57.052 --> 00:14:59.989
  • And so if you are in this place where you got some pain
  • 00:14:59.989 --> 00:15:03.092
  • Inside and you're wondering okay but i don't have a
  • 00:15:03.092 --> 00:15:06.495
  • Resolution for this, i don't have a conclusion or a praise
  • 00:15:06.495 --> 00:15:11.200
  • At the end of this, this is just my pain, i think the
  • 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:12.868
  • Greatest step of faith you can take is to bring that fully to
  • 00:15:12.868 --> 00:15:17.439
  • The feet of your father.
  • 00:15:17.439 --> 00:15:20.776
  • If you find yourself stuck in the cycle of blaming god when
  • 00:15:20.776 --> 00:15:24.913
  • Disappointment and pain happens and when life brings
  • 00:15:24.913 --> 00:15:27.950
  • Trouble, i would encourage you to bring him in on that
  • 00:15:27.950 --> 00:15:30.753
  • Struggle, the reality is if i'm pushing him away if
  • 00:15:30.753 --> 00:15:36.825
  • I'm against him but i do it with him in the room he can
  • 00:15:36.825 --> 00:15:39.962
  • Work with that, he can do that with me if i'm pushing him
  • 00:15:39.962 --> 00:15:43.399
  • Away with blame we are not going to get anywhere.
  • 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:47.236
  • And so i would say to lay these things down and to say
  • 00:15:47.236 --> 00:15:52.174
  • To god your ways are different than mine.
  • 00:15:52.174 --> 00:15:55.544
  • I don't understand it does not mean that i'm not affected by
  • 00:15:55.544 --> 00:15:57.079
  • These things.
  • 00:15:57.079 --> 00:15:58.380
  • It does not mean that i'm sad or hurt or angry or betrayed
  • 00:15:58.380 --> 00:16:00.315
  • But at the end of the day i need you.
  • 00:16:00.315 --> 00:16:04.186
  • I meet you i know that your good and i'm not going to get
  • 00:16:04.186 --> 00:16:07.089
  • Out of this if i am against you so i would say invite him
  • 00:16:07.089 --> 00:16:10.492
  • In, invite him in and ask him, a minister to minister where
  • 00:16:10.492 --> 00:16:13.462
  • I'm stuck can't be who you are i'm going to suspend needing
  • 00:16:13.462 --> 00:16:22.771
  • The answers or understanding but i'm going to believe that
  • 00:16:22.771 --> 00:16:25.774
  • You are enough to be with me in this moment and to break
  • 00:16:25.774 --> 00:16:29.278
  • The cycle i've been in and he will meet you there.
  • 00:16:29.278 --> 00:16:32.047
  • - we want to hear from you.
  • 00:16:32.047 --> 00:16:35.317
  • Connect with us on social media to ask a question or
  • 00:16:35.317 --> 00:16:39.188
  • Share a prayer requests.
  • 00:16:39.188 --> 00:16:41.690
  • Let's build one another up and get better together.
  • 00:16:41.690 --> 00:16:45.294
  • - let's keep the conversation going.
  • 00:16:45.294 --> 00:16:47.329
  • You can find the better together podcast on your
  • 00:16:47.329 --> 00:16:50.966
  • Favorite listening platform, subscribe today.
  • 00:16:50.966 --> 00:16:57.006
  • Favorite listening platform, subscribe today.
  • 00:16:57.006 --> 00:16:57.807
  • - when suffering and despair is so real for us in a way it
  • 00:16:59.042 --> 00:17:02.579
  • Almost feels as if we have disqualified ourselves, as
  • 00:17:02.579 --> 00:17:07.283
  • Being a good christian if you will.
  • 00:17:07.283 --> 00:17:09.819
  • Because somehow it feels as though it's the lack of faith
  • 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:13.256
  • But i love how sheila you are saying in psalm 88 the
  • 00:17:13.256 --> 00:17:16.559
  • Psalmist did not stop talking to the father, perhaps the
  • 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:20.430
  • Greatest act of faith is not changing our emotions, or
  • 00:17:20.430 --> 00:17:26.769
  • Faking something that's not within us but choosing to
  • 00:17:26.769 --> 00:17:30.473
  • Continually talk to the father who has not left us there.
  • 00:17:30.473 --> 00:17:36.546
  • I'm reminded of psalm 73 where it says in 21 it started in 21
  • 00:17:36.546 --> 00:17:42.085
  • When my heart was grieved and my spirit bitter, i was
  • 00:17:42.085 --> 00:17:48.758
  • Senseless and ignorant.
  • 00:17:48.758 --> 00:17:51.861
  • It was a brute beast before you, and in 23 yet i am always
  • 00:17:51.861 --> 00:17:57.066
  • With you.
  • 00:17:57.066 --> 00:17:58.868
  • You hold me by my right hand.
  • 00:17:58.868 --> 00:18:01.137
  • I think sometimes we think that we have disqualified
  • 00:18:01.137 --> 00:18:05.775
  • Ourselves from god's loving favor by the way we behave.
  • 00:18:05.775 --> 00:18:08.511
  • And in our wilderness season.
  • 00:18:08.511 --> 00:18:13.149
  • But here even the psalmist says i was a brute beast and i
  • 00:18:13.149 --> 00:18:15.051
  • May still be a brute beast.
  • 00:18:15.051 --> 00:18:18.188
  • And yet i am always with you.
  • 00:18:18.188 --> 00:18:21.090
  • - he says i am close to the broken hearted.
  • 00:18:21.090 --> 00:18:23.359
  • It's not that we are sitting in our despair alone, now it
  • 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:27.163
  • Is knowing that i can't get out of the presence in the
  • 00:18:27.163 --> 00:18:30.867
  • First place so he's never far off, i am never longing for
  • 00:18:30.867 --> 00:18:37.040
  • Him, where are you i can't hear you, you are quiet, no,
  • 00:18:37.040 --> 00:18:40.410
  • He's right here with me.
  • 00:18:40.410 --> 00:18:41.878
  • So he is sitting with me.
  • 00:18:41.878 --> 00:18:44.781
  • He's the healer of the broken hearted.
  • 00:18:44.781 --> 00:18:48.618
  • He's healing me while we are sitting here together.
  • 00:18:48.618 --> 00:18:50.386
  • I find myself when i'm trying to spill my guts to god, of
  • 00:18:50.386 --> 00:18:56.392
  • How i feel you know me more than i know myself.
  • 00:18:56.392 --> 00:19:01.664
  • You know exactly how i'm feeling you know that i felt
  • 00:19:01.664 --> 00:19:07.170
  • Broken in despair and hurting, i can look at kalley from
  • 00:19:07.170 --> 00:19:12.208
  • Across the room and be on the floor in two seconds by just
  • 00:19:12.208 --> 00:19:16.412
  • Looking at her because of what she's gone through and when i
  • 00:19:16.412 --> 00:19:19.349
  • Talk about my despair it's nothing like hers.
  • 00:19:19.349 --> 00:19:22.151
  • Knowing that god is with us, never leaving us never
  • 00:19:22.151 --> 00:19:30.593
  • Forsaking, never turning his back but right there to help
  • 00:19:30.593 --> 00:19:35.098
  • Us to heal us, to comfort us, to he's all that we need no
  • 00:19:35.098 --> 00:19:41.671
  • Matter what's ill we are on whether we are on a high or in
  • 00:19:41.671 --> 00:19:44.874
  • Our low, god is with me and he's for me.
  • 00:19:44.874 --> 00:19:51.180
  • He's there to mend the broken heart to fill in the gaps for
  • 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:58.321
  • Us.
  • 00:19:58.321 --> 00:19:59.589
  • You know and i think that's what's so beautiful in those
  • 00:19:59.589 --> 00:20:01.090
  • Times where we feel like giving up or we feel like
  • 00:20:01.090 --> 00:20:06.796
  • Man.
  • 00:20:06.796 --> 00:20:08.131
  • I don't know how i'm going to get through this one, i don't
  • 00:20:08.131 --> 00:20:10.633
  • Know how god is there with you to help you.
  • 00:20:10.633 --> 00:20:14.170
  • Let's sit where we need to heal.
  • 00:20:14.170 --> 00:20:16.539
  • - that's right.
  • 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:18.641
  • - right?
  • 00:20:18.641 --> 00:20:20.376
  • - you know i think sometimes we just need to sit and let
  • 00:20:20.376 --> 00:20:22.045
  • God love us.
  • 00:20:22.045 --> 00:20:23.112
  • We just need to meditate on how much god loves us.
  • 00:20:23.112 --> 00:20:27.216
  • And sometimes when you feel like you are nothing, that the
  • 00:20:27.216 --> 00:20:32.989
  • Enemy of your soul has told you that you are in a helpless
  • 00:20:32.989 --> 00:20:35.725
  • Situation, that there is nowhere to go now, i want you
  • 00:20:35.725 --> 00:20:41.297
  • To sit with god because god is with you, the devil is a liar.
  • 00:20:41.297 --> 00:20:47.870
  • He is the enemy of anything he cannot tell the truth so if
  • 00:20:47.870 --> 00:20:53.009
  • You feel helpless today, i want to tell you that you are
  • 00:20:53.009 --> 00:20:56.446
  • Not hopeless today.
  • 00:20:56.446 --> 00:20:59.782
  • That is a lie.
  • 00:20:59.782 --> 00:21:02.185
  • If you feel in despair and that you are going to stay
  • 00:21:02.185 --> 00:21:05.021
  • Here for the rest of your life that is a lie of the enemy if
  • 00:21:05.021 --> 00:21:07.190
  • You feel like you will never get away from this mess, i
  • 00:21:07.190 --> 00:21:14.130
  • Want to tell you that that is a lie.
  • 00:21:14.130 --> 00:21:17.467
  • God is for you, he is with you, he is going to redeem
  • 00:21:17.467 --> 00:21:25.742
  • Everything about your story because it's his story because
  • 00:21:25.742 --> 00:21:28.978
  • You belong to god, he will fight your battles and he is
  • 00:21:28.978 --> 00:21:32.915
  • For you he is not against you and that is the truth.
  • 00:21:32.915 --> 00:21:34.117
  • - and david is the one i said yay though i walk.
  • 00:21:34.117 --> 00:21:40.223
  • Through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear
  • 00:21:40.223 --> 00:21:46.095
  • No evil because there you are.
  • 00:21:46.095 --> 00:21:47.330
  • My cup runs over come you're my shepherd, you lead me,
  • 00:21:47.330 --> 00:21:51.467
  • You guide me, you make me delight i shall not want you
  • 00:21:51.467 --> 00:21:58.174
  • Lead me into pastures that are green you restore my soul.
  • 00:21:58.174 --> 00:22:00.877
  • You know surely goodness and mercy will follow me, every
  • 00:22:00.877 --> 00:22:06.149
  • Day of my life.
  • 00:22:06.149 --> 00:22:07.984
  • That is david, that's the heart of god, that's exactly
  • 00:22:07.984 --> 00:22:10.420
  • Who he is to us.
  • 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:15.558
  • And i just love that he can take us in these moments of
  • 00:22:15.558 --> 00:22:17.460
  • Know where you matter where you find yourself, that he is
  • 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:19.195
  • Closer than a brother that he is always he is always with
  • 00:22:19.195 --> 00:22:29.205
  • Us.
  • 00:22:29.205 --> 00:22:31.340
  • - i love in the original hebrew psalm 23 worse is even
  • 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:32.508
  • Though i walk through the valley of the shadow of the
  • 00:22:32.508 --> 00:22:36.446
  • Death i will not be afraid for you are with me the are with
  • 00:22:36.446 --> 00:22:40.016
  • This added in english to make since the original hebrews
  • 00:22:40.016 --> 00:22:43.719
  • Just says i won't be afraid because you me.
  • 00:22:43.719 --> 00:22:47.089
  • There's no space you cannot get a thread between us.
  • 00:22:47.089 --> 00:22:51.894
  • Even when you are there it's just you are there.
  • 00:22:51.894 --> 00:22:53.463
  • I remember pry my first night in the psychiatric hospital i
  • 00:22:53.463 --> 00:22:59.001
  • Wrote in the back my bible and i never knew you live so close
  • 00:22:59.001 --> 00:23:00.703
  • To the floor.
  • 00:23:00.703 --> 00:23:02.338
  • I was so used to worshiping god in his majesty as we do,
  • 00:23:02.338 --> 00:23:05.741
  • But i discovered the truth of when you're absolutely there's
  • 00:23:05.741 --> 00:23:09.312
  • Nothing good left to say, you know when you are literally on
  • 00:23:09.312 --> 00:23:14.884
  • The floor of the psych hospital, feeling the darkness
  • 00:23:14.884 --> 00:23:16.853
  • And despair and what i discovered was even if you
  • 00:23:16.853 --> 00:23:18.187
  • Admitted yourself to the psych hospital you cannot leave for
  • 00:23:18.187 --> 00:23:25.194
  • 72 hours but i discovered the lamb of god checked in with me
  • 00:23:25.194 --> 00:23:29.265
  • That you know nobody's allowed to contact you for the first
  • 00:23:29.265 --> 00:23:33.870
  • 72 hours but jesus came with me.
  • 00:23:33.870 --> 00:23:36.239
  • And that's what i discovered, what i perceived as my least
  • 00:23:36.239 --> 00:23:38.241
  • Lovable one of the staff christian broadcasting network
  • 00:23:38.241 --> 00:23:44.547
  • Said if somebody found out where you were nobody will
  • 00:23:44.547 --> 00:23:46.649
  • Trust you again, you're finished.
  • 00:23:46.649 --> 00:23:49.252
  • And i remember i thought if this is it to be on the floor
  • 00:23:49.252 --> 00:23:53.756
  • Here with jesus beside me i'll take this.
  • 00:23:53.756 --> 00:23:57.226
  • I will take this over all the platforms in the world.
  • 00:23:57.226 --> 00:23:59.028
  • Because in the worst place of my life i discovered what i
  • 00:23:59.028 --> 00:24:02.398
  • Had been longing for all my life: a relationship with
  • 00:24:02.398 --> 00:24:05.535
  • Jesus based on nothing i bring to the table.
  • 00:24:05.535 --> 00:24:07.470
  • - it's beautiful and it's really there you learn how
  • 00:24:07.470 --> 00:24:10.973
  • Wonderful he is.
  • 00:24:10.973 --> 00:24:12.775
  • Where he's willing to go with you.
  • 00:24:12.775 --> 00:24:16.746
  • - yes.
  • 00:24:16.746 --> 00:24:17.947
  • - have you ever wondered if the pain in your life and
  • 00:24:17.947 --> 00:24:22.985
  • Trusting god can live together at the same time?
  • 00:24:22.985 --> 00:24:26.622
  • And i think scripture makes it really clear that it can.
  • 00:24:26.622 --> 00:24:31.127
  • Christ was called a man of sorrows, acquainted with
  • 00:24:31.127 --> 00:24:34.530
  • Grief.
  • 00:24:34.530 --> 00:24:36.499
  • Which means that jesus understands, so often we think
  • 00:24:36.499 --> 00:24:39.235
  • Well if i had more faith i would not be feeling this way,
  • 00:24:39.235 --> 00:24:43.339
  • That's not true.
  • 00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:45.875
  • We live on a broken earth.
  • 00:24:45.875 --> 00:24:47.176
  • A planet where we've gone so far in our own direction that
  • 00:24:47.176 --> 00:24:49.445
  • That's why jesus came.
  • 00:24:49.445 --> 00:24:51.180
  • He came to experience the things that you and i
  • 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:53.616
  • Experience even though you might find yourself in a place
  • 00:24:53.616 --> 00:24:57.119
  • Right now...
  • 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:58.621
  • Where there's pain in your life you can still trust god
  • 00:24:58.621 --> 00:25:01.490
  • You can still lift your hands in darkness you can still say
  • 00:25:01.490 --> 00:25:04.460
  • Yes.
  • 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:06.062
  • - if you don't give him the opportunity you will never
  • 00:25:06.062 --> 00:25:09.231
  • Know where he is willing to go with us.
  • 00:25:09.231 --> 00:25:11.200
  • So much of our life we leave ourselves orphans to
  • 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:14.303
  • Kind of go on our own where he's like, would you just let
  • 00:25:14.303 --> 00:25:19.375
  • Me in?
  • 00:25:19.375 --> 00:25:20.643
  • Would you just let me join you and the idea that there's no
  • 00:25:20.643 --> 00:25:24.080
  • Healing apart from jesus there's no hope to be found,
  • 00:25:24.080 --> 00:25:28.084
  • He is the hope of glory inside of us he is the god of all
  • 00:25:28.084 --> 00:25:32.388
  • Comfort these things do not exist outside of him.
  • 00:25:32.388 --> 00:25:35.524
  • Where am i trying to find them if i'm hiding from him or
  • 00:25:35.524 --> 00:25:39.795
  • Trying to pull it together and the reality is in the depth i
  • 00:25:39.795 --> 00:25:44.900
  • Never felt rushed, he's only been patient he's only been
  • 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:47.770
  • Kind he's only been so loving but the reality is he hasn't
  • 00:25:47.770 --> 00:25:52.508
  • Kept me there either and it has not been hurried or rushed but
  • 00:25:52.508 --> 00:25:57.346
  • There have been opportunities down there were he says hey,
  • 00:25:57.346 --> 00:25:59.949
  • Would you join me here, and it's not avoidance, it's not
  • 00:25:59.949 --> 00:26:05.388
  • Bypassing is not slap something happy on it, it's an invitation
  • 00:26:05.388 --> 00:26:09.825
  • Into something otherworldly it's an invitation.
  • 00:26:09.825 --> 00:26:13.362
  • Like it's never forced, it's like if you want to join me
  • 00:26:13.362 --> 00:26:21.370
  • And there's this twinkle in his eye, like come up higher
  • 00:26:21.370 --> 00:26:23.739
  • With me because he never leaves us down in the pit of despair,
  • 00:26:23.739 --> 00:26:27.877
  • But he will meet us there.
  • 00:26:27.877 --> 00:26:29.779
  • And it doesn't rush it but have felt him then on the
  • 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:32.682
  • Other side lift me up before i feel ready before i think i
  • 00:26:32.682 --> 00:26:35.918
  • Can and you are lifted by hope not conjured up, not forced,
  • 00:26:35.918 --> 00:26:41.157
  • Not pushed but lifted and he really does, i feel like we
  • 00:26:41.157 --> 00:26:45.928
  • Just avoid--he will not leave us there he will not he is
  • 00:26:45.928 --> 00:26:50.766
  • With us and he will be with us in the lifting with us.
  • 00:26:50.766 --> 00:26:55.971
  • In the aftermath, and the reconstruction with us on the
  • 00:26:55.971 --> 00:27:03.546
  • Other side that is a promise not just down there but all
  • 00:27:03.546 --> 00:27:06.549
  • The way through that valley place every step, and then
  • 00:27:06.549 --> 00:27:11.387
  • Making my feet like the deer for the high places it is him
  • 00:27:11.387 --> 00:27:15.024
  • All the way through and there is not a way out.
  • 00:27:15.024 --> 00:27:18.094
  • Except with him.
  • 00:27:18.094 --> 00:27:20.696
  • And he's there.
  • 00:27:20.696 --> 00:27:23.432
  • - thank you jesus.
  • 00:27:23.432 --> 00:27:24.867
  • - i wonder you said something that i loved, you said god
  • 00:27:24.867 --> 00:27:28.738
  • Is like let me in, i wonder you know and maybe we can
  • 00:27:28.738 --> 00:27:33.375
  • Share practically how we have done it personally, but when
  • 00:27:33.375 --> 00:27:40.549
  • We are going to the despair i mean everyone here knows it's
  • 00:27:40.549 --> 00:27:43.152
  • So real, what the darkness that we are facing is so real,
  • 00:27:43.152 --> 00:27:46.689
  • How can we let god in when we are down there?
  • 00:27:46.689 --> 00:27:52.094
  • Like you know what if you just you are trying and it does not
  • 00:27:52.094 --> 00:27:58.467
  • Feel like it's working, if somebody feels like you know
  • 00:27:58.467 --> 00:28:02.972
  • What i feel like i am trapped here i am stuck here,
  • 00:28:02.972 --> 00:28:06.175
  • How do we let god in with us in our despair?
  • 00:28:06.175 --> 00:28:10.446
  • - i do something very practical which will sound
  • 00:28:10.446 --> 00:28:13.215
  • Kind of nutty.
  • 00:28:13.215 --> 00:28:15.251
  • But i'm comfortable with it.
  • 00:28:15.251 --> 00:28:16.552
  • If i'm going through a hard thing like i did over the
  • 00:28:16.552 --> 00:28:20.589
  • Last year there's moments where literally what i would do was
  • 00:28:20.589 --> 00:28:23.959
  • Get one of the dining room chairs and i sit in the middle
  • 00:28:23.959 --> 00:28:26.796
  • Of the floor and i sit there.
  • 00:28:26.796 --> 00:28:28.798
  • It's literally i'm here.
  • 00:28:28.798 --> 00:28:32.668
  • I'm just sitting here in your presence.
  • 00:28:32.668 --> 00:28:35.137
  • I don't have anything, i don't have much to say.
  • 00:28:35.137 --> 00:28:38.507
  • I'm not sure i'm even hearing anything, but i'm just
  • 00:28:38.507 --> 00:28:41.710
  • Physically moving my body to say i'm sitting here in your
  • 00:28:41.710 --> 00:28:45.648
  • Presence.
  • 00:28:45.648 --> 00:28:47.049
  • And that helps me.
  • 00:28:47.049 --> 00:28:49.952
  • It's just because it feels to me like even though i bring
  • 00:28:49.952 --> 00:28:55.324
  • The chair it feels to me like an invitation like a royal
  • 00:28:55.324 --> 00:28:58.027
  • Invitation like being invited into his presence, and those
  • 00:28:58.027 --> 00:29:02.998
  • Moments for me his presence is enough.
  • 00:29:02.998 --> 00:29:05.334
  • - you know we can shift our perspective and see our
  • 00:29:05.334 --> 00:29:08.504
  • Circumstances through god's eyes by asking him to reveal
  • 00:29:08.504 --> 00:29:13.242
  • What it is he sees in our lives the potential the
  • 00:29:13.242 --> 00:29:19.548
  • Pitfalls, surrendering ourselves to him gives him the
  • 00:29:19.548 --> 00:29:24.119
  • Opportunity to lead us and guide us and i think really
  • 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:28.290
  • Giving up our fear of the unknown and embracing the
  • 00:29:28.290 --> 00:29:32.995
  • Eternal god's perspective is always through the lens of
  • 00:29:32.995 --> 00:29:37.366
  • Eternity, we see through the natural everything is the lens
  • 00:29:37.366 --> 00:29:41.537
  • Of temporary what's going to make me happy right now, what's
  • 00:29:41.537 --> 00:29:44.406
  • Going to fill me right now, but if we give that to god
  • 00:29:44.406 --> 00:29:48.444
  • And put that to the side and say god i want to see through
  • 00:29:48.444 --> 00:29:51.513
  • Your eyes his eyes are always going to reveal the eternal
  • 00:29:51.513 --> 00:29:56.118
  • Purposes the eternal fruit the eternal gifts.
  • 00:29:56.118 --> 00:29:57.653
  • Well i'm just sitting here thinking about the times that
  • 00:29:57.653 --> 00:30:01.824
  • I would probably define i've been through despair because
  • 00:30:01.824 --> 00:30:06.161
  • Despair is not depression even though you can have depression
  • 00:30:06.161 --> 00:30:10.566
  • When you're in despair the despair probably i mean i'm not
  • 00:30:10.566 --> 00:30:15.738
  • In a cyclopedia but it would probably be defined as not
  • 00:30:15.738 --> 00:30:20.442
  • Really having any options right?
  • 00:30:20.442 --> 00:30:22.444
  • Out of hope, out of any opportunity.
  • 00:30:22.444 --> 00:30:24.513
  • You are just at the end of yourself.
  • 00:30:24.513 --> 00:30:29.418
  • And maybe it's brought there circumstances, situations,
  • 00:30:29.418 --> 00:30:34.356
  • Relationships, loss, but i just know in those points for
  • 00:30:34.356 --> 00:30:41.363
  • Me i really needed jesus with skin on.
  • 00:30:41.363 --> 00:30:46.235
  • And i would have to humble myself and open my mouth and say
  • 00:30:46.235 --> 00:30:50.205
  • I'm struggling i need someone come into agreement with me.
  • 00:30:50.205 --> 00:30:54.910
  • Because my mother is my go to but i would say especially
  • 00:30:54.910 --> 00:31:00.683
  • When i was diagnosed with stage iv cancer again i would
  • 00:31:00.683 --> 00:31:04.820
  • Say listen these are the feelings i have i know it's
  • 00:31:04.820 --> 00:31:07.623
  • Not me and i know it's not my future but i do need to
  • 00:31:07.623 --> 00:31:10.192
  • Confess you know the torment of the enemy.
  • 00:31:10.192 --> 00:31:14.496
  • Tell you what's going on here.
  • 00:31:14.496 --> 00:31:16.865
  • What he is saying to me i need to say because i gotta bring
  • 00:31:16.865 --> 00:31:20.269
  • It out into the light.
  • 00:31:20.269 --> 00:31:21.637
  • Not to give him more power but to take the power away.
  • 00:31:21.637 --> 00:31:24.373
  • And so really getting someone that i trusted to come into
  • 00:31:24.373 --> 00:31:29.445
  • Agreement with me in that place and say i know you're
  • 00:31:29.445 --> 00:31:34.116
  • Not here with me cause even going through cancer, as close
  • 00:31:34.116 --> 00:31:37.720
  • As my husband and mother and dad are, they are not me
  • 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:41.123
  • They're not the patient.
  • 00:31:41.123 --> 00:31:42.958
  • And they don't have to go to the scans because they don't
  • 00:31:42.958 --> 00:31:45.394
  • Have to get shots every day, they don't have to be sick and
  • 00:31:45.394 --> 00:31:48.163
  • They love me and they would want to take it on but they can't.
  • 00:31:48.163 --> 00:31:51.967
  • And so there's parts of it that i feel like okay i'm
  • 00:31:51.967 --> 00:31:56.405
  • Going to go on.
  • 00:31:56.405 --> 00:31:58.440
  • I call it the wilderness season...
  • 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.308
  • I call it the backside the moon.
  • 00:31:59.308 --> 00:32:01.910
  • There's the part where the arctic is on the backside of
  • 00:32:01.910 --> 00:32:05.214
  • The moon where there's no signal getting through where i
  • 00:32:05.214 --> 00:32:07.216
  • Am right now.
  • 00:32:07.216 --> 00:32:08.450
  • But you need to know where i am and i know the lord is
  • 00:32:08.450 --> 00:32:10.152
  • There.
  • 00:32:10.152 --> 00:32:13.489
  • If he speaks to where i am please give me any word of
  • 00:32:13.489 --> 00:32:15.924
  • Encouragement but i know there's like jesus going to
  • 00:32:15.924 --> 00:32:19.628
  • The garden by himself there's part of our journeys that we
  • 00:32:19.628 --> 00:32:22.097
  • Do walk solitary with just god.
  • 00:32:22.097 --> 00:32:25.501
  • Husband cannot go, kids cannot go, it is just us and him and i
  • 00:32:25.501 --> 00:32:32.541
  • Don't think we all want to wrap it in a beautiful bow
  • 00:32:32.541 --> 00:32:37.513
  • But there is always fruit from the season if we lean into
  • 00:32:37.513 --> 00:32:43.719
  • Like kalley was saying if we lean into going i'm going to
  • 00:32:43.719 --> 00:32:48.357
  • Be honest about where i am is really okay to say just like
  • 00:32:48.357 --> 00:32:51.860
  • David did i feel despair.
  • 00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:55.497
  • - having a community or support system can help move
  • 00:32:55.497 --> 00:32:59.835
  • Us forward during difficult seasons because sometimes when
  • 00:32:59.835 --> 00:33:04.239
  • We cannot hear god or see god we are meant to experience the
  • 00:33:04.239 --> 00:33:09.011
  • Presence of god.
  • 00:33:09.011 --> 00:33:10.679
  • Through others who have the holy spirit in them.
  • 00:33:10.679 --> 00:33:13.015
  • God has created us to be communal beings and so that
  • 00:33:13.015 --> 00:33:18.053
  • Does count.
  • 00:33:18.053 --> 00:33:20.189
  • I think sometimes you feel this pressure to feel god for
  • 00:33:20.189 --> 00:33:23.625
  • Ourselves alone in our own way.
  • 00:33:23.625 --> 00:33:25.727
  • If that's not working and you are absolutely stuck in your
  • 00:33:25.727 --> 00:33:29.598
  • Pain, then god uses other people to be vessels of his
  • 00:33:29.598 --> 00:33:34.136
  • Truth, his comfort and encouragement.
  • 00:33:34.136 --> 00:33:37.406
  • - i love how you quoted a moment ago and when he said even
  • 00:33:37.406 --> 00:33:44.079
  • Though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
  • 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:45.881
  • He was walking, he kept moving, keep moving forward.
  • 00:33:45.881 --> 00:33:48.550
  • Whatever that looks like to not get stuck and for me
  • 00:33:48.550 --> 00:33:52.955
  • It was just jesus, in my community my people this
  • 00:33:52.955 --> 00:33:57.926
  • Is where i'm at in the valley right now my mother set up you
  • 00:33:57.926 --> 00:34:01.163
  • Know she's walking through things she set up like a text
  • 00:34:01.163 --> 00:34:04.766
  • Message prayer group.
  • 00:34:04.766 --> 00:34:06.668
  • That people that don't do life together except prayer i mean
  • 00:34:06.668 --> 00:34:10.105
  • Everybody's at somewhere else in the world, but allowing
  • 00:34:10.105 --> 00:34:13.642
  • Yourself to be able to say i really do need other people
  • 00:34:13.642 --> 00:34:18.046
  • Right now.
  • 00:34:18.046 --> 00:34:20.015
  • Because i'm practical i always think there's a practical side
  • 00:34:20.015 --> 00:34:23.318
  • Of to being in this place of despair and being honest about
  • 00:34:23.318 --> 00:34:29.224
  • It, it does not mean you are not spiritual or even you've
  • 00:34:29.224 --> 00:34:31.760
  • Done something wrong the greatest thing i have learned
  • 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:34.129
  • Is the trials i've been through the holy spirit
  • 00:34:34.129 --> 00:34:37.933
  • Revealed this to me and you haven't gone through it because
  • 00:34:37.933 --> 00:34:40.802
  • You've done something wrong.
  • 00:34:40.802 --> 00:34:42.004
  • You've gone through this because you've done something
  • 00:34:42.004 --> 00:34:43.872
  • Right and i think if we can get to the place where we
  • 00:34:43.872 --> 00:34:46.542
  • Understand okay god is on my side he doesn't leave me, but
  • 00:34:46.542 --> 00:34:49.878
  • He's also sent me people who will encourage my faith.
  • 00:34:49.878 --> 00:34:53.048
  • And i grab on to those people and never forget them, when
  • 00:34:53.048 --> 00:34:57.819
  • Somebody reaches out when you're in a hole, you never
  • 00:34:57.819 --> 00:35:01.823
  • Forget that, the rest of your life that you really can come
  • 00:35:01.823 --> 00:35:08.197
  • In touch with people who have that grace and empathy.
  • 00:35:08.197 --> 00:35:12.034
  • And you know they've been there.
  • 00:35:12.034 --> 00:35:15.671
  • Because if you have not been there you don't know how to
  • 00:35:15.671 --> 00:35:17.606
  • Reach out to somebody even though you want to.
  • 00:35:17.606 --> 00:35:19.708
  • So i would just encourage people that are watching today
  • 00:35:19.708 --> 00:35:22.945
  • That you know if someone gets kinda quiet and isolated to
  • 00:35:22.945 --> 00:35:27.749
  • Take initiative and to reach out and check on your people.
  • 00:35:27.749 --> 00:35:31.653
  • You know and if that's you if you've been through it and you
  • 00:35:31.653 --> 00:35:35.490
  • Feel someone pulling away because when people get quiet
  • 00:35:35.490 --> 00:35:38.160
  • And they go against their personality it can be because
  • 00:35:38.160 --> 00:35:42.664
  • They are wrapped in despair.
  • 00:35:42.664 --> 00:35:44.233
  • And despair is heavy.
  • 00:35:44.233 --> 00:35:47.803
  • It's a spirit of heaviness.
  • 00:35:47.803 --> 00:35:49.504
  • - i think sometimes when someone is in despair we
  • 00:35:49.504 --> 00:35:53.208
  • Almost stay awake because we don't know what to do.
  • 00:35:53.208 --> 00:35:55.544
  • But i discovered that when i had a friend who has buried 2
  • 00:35:55.544 --> 00:35:59.815
  • Children i discovered that the greatest gift was simply being
  • 00:35:59.815 --> 00:36:03.986
  • There i remember one night going over it was my turn to
  • 00:36:03.986 --> 00:36:08.824
  • Make dinner and she was upstairs sitting in the baby's
  • 00:36:08.824 --> 00:36:10.225
  • Room and we sat on the floor for an hour i don't think i
  • 00:36:10.225 --> 00:36:13.562
  • Said a word.
  • 00:36:13.562 --> 00:36:14.796
  • But it was just there's no words that i could say that
  • 00:36:14.796 --> 00:36:19.268
  • Would even approach this pain so we just sat and wept
  • 00:36:19.268 --> 00:36:24.606
  • Together.
  • 00:36:24.606 --> 00:36:25.841
  • - i've learned that in the storm the greatest thing to
  • 00:36:25.841 --> 00:36:29.211
  • Remember is that when you call in his name jesus is with you
  • 00:36:29.211 --> 00:36:32.681
  • In the boat.
  • 00:36:32.681 --> 00:36:34.149
  • He's with you in the storm and i think to the end of the
  • 00:36:34.149 --> 00:36:36.318
  • Feeding of the 5000 when jesus tells the disciples go to the
  • 00:36:36.318 --> 00:36:39.621
  • Other side of the lake and i will meet you there and
  • 00:36:39.621 --> 00:36:43.792
  • Halfway through they think they're going to drown jesus
  • 00:36:43.792 --> 00:36:45.727
  • Never ever says go halfway across and you will drown he
  • 00:36:45.727 --> 00:36:48.830
  • Says go all the way across and i will be there with you.
  • 00:36:48.830 --> 00:36:52.601
  • So if you're walking through a storm, i just pray that you
  • 00:36:52.601 --> 00:36:56.338
  • Would know the presence of the lord is with you, in the
  • 00:36:56.338 --> 00:36:58.740
  • Middle of it.
  • 00:36:58.740 --> 00:36:59.941
  • - be the first to know all the latest better together
  • 00:36:59.941 --> 00:37:03.111
  • Updates, visit bettertogether.tv to sign up for
  • 00:37:03.111 --> 00:37:07.249
  • Weekly emails and never miss the latest news.
  • 00:37:07.249 --> 00:37:10.519
  • - i love how before today before we started i introduced
  • 00:37:10.519 --> 00:37:12.008
  • - i love how before today before we started i introduced
  • 00:37:12.008 --> 00:37:18.360
  • Myself to kalley and i said i know you and i followed you on
  • 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:22.230
  • Your journey and one of the thousands of people who joined
  • 00:37:22.230 --> 00:37:25.567
  • The intercession immediately for all of and i feel like i
  • 00:37:25.567 --> 00:37:31.373
  • Know you like a sister, and i don't have the magic words and
  • 00:37:31.373 --> 00:37:36.244
  • What i say hopefully would not be offensive, but this is what
  • 00:37:36.244 --> 00:37:40.182
  • I feel about you just about the honor, the kingdom honor,
  • 00:37:40.182 --> 00:37:43.819
  • That i feel on your life and the favor on your life, the
  • 00:37:43.819 --> 00:37:50.892
  • Pleasure of god over your life.
  • 00:37:50.892 --> 00:37:55.831
  • That's what i feel.
  • 00:37:55.831 --> 00:37:58.433
  • And i just told her i feel like when somebody's been
  • 00:37:58.433 --> 00:38:03.338
  • Through what you've been through, nothing i've been
  • 00:38:03.338 --> 00:38:05.807
  • Through even touches it.
  • 00:38:05.807 --> 00:38:08.243
  • You know that god trusts you with his own reputation.
  • 00:38:08.243 --> 00:38:12.714
  • Because he's taking the chance that you won't bless him.
  • 00:38:12.714 --> 00:38:16.852
  • In the valley of the shadow of death.
  • 00:38:16.852 --> 00:38:19.821
  • And i told her i said please forgive me i might not be
  • 00:38:19.821 --> 00:38:23.692
  • Saying the right thing and i love how she just said i just
  • 00:38:23.692 --> 00:38:27.696
  • Appreciate that you're trying to say something.
  • 00:38:27.696 --> 00:38:29.531
  • That you acknowledge my loss and my daughter, and i think
  • 00:38:29.531 --> 00:38:34.336
  • For any of us whatever it is, i've had people ask me
  • 00:38:34.336 --> 00:38:37.506
  • Before that have friends or family going to cancer, what
  • 00:38:37.506 --> 00:38:42.878
  • Can i say what can be the most encouraging and honestly the
  • 00:38:42.878 --> 00:38:44.346
  • Most encouraging thing would be to say i'm so sorry you're
  • 00:38:44.346 --> 00:38:48.650
  • Going through this, i'm so sorry and i love you and am
  • 00:38:48.650 --> 00:38:53.522
  • There and when my mother just fell and broke her femur and
  • 00:38:53.522 --> 00:38:56.625
  • Had a stroke, bless her heart, the greatest thing anybody
  • 00:38:56.625 --> 00:38:59.861
  • Could say to me was this is terrible.
  • 00:38:59.861 --> 00:39:02.531
  • And so i could agree.
  • 00:39:02.531 --> 00:39:04.766
  • Yes it is.
  • 00:39:04.766 --> 00:39:06.435
  • This is horrible.
  • 00:39:06.435 --> 00:39:07.903
  • That she's had to endure this, and i think just being there
  • 00:39:07.903 --> 00:39:13.508
  • Being jesus with skin on you know so that we can hold hands
  • 00:39:13.508 --> 00:39:16.945
  • In the dark, and love on one another that is what the body
  • 00:39:16.945 --> 00:39:19.815
  • Of christ is here to do.
  • 00:39:19.815 --> 00:39:23.084
  • We don't have to have all the answers, we don't have to wrap
  • 00:39:23.084 --> 00:39:24.886
  • Everything up in a pretty bow.
  • 00:39:24.886 --> 00:39:27.422
  • There aren't answers, there's not good enough ones, and
  • 00:39:27.422 --> 00:39:29.191
  • Peace does not come from answers so i don't need it
  • 00:39:29.191 --> 00:39:32.494
  • From anyone because i'm not getting it from the lord but i
  • 00:39:32.494 --> 00:39:34.729
  • Have him.
  • 00:39:34.729 --> 00:39:37.666
  • And i need you.
  • 00:39:37.666 --> 00:39:38.467
  • If that makes sense.
  • 00:39:38.467 --> 00:39:39.901
  • I learned early on that there's not even a sufficient
  • 00:39:39.901 --> 00:39:44.606
  • Answer to this that is not solved with answers.
  • 00:39:44.606 --> 00:39:47.142
  • But he's with me.
  • 00:39:47.142 --> 00:39:50.645
  • And i have people who are too.
  • 00:39:50.645 --> 00:39:53.281
  • And learning how to actually hold that space because what
  • 00:39:53.281 --> 00:39:57.419
  • It does sometimes i found it confronts our own pain our
  • 00:39:57.419 --> 00:40:01.590
  • Own questions when other people are in there so oh i
  • 00:40:01.590 --> 00:40:04.860
  • Don't know i don't have anything to say it's kinda
  • 00:40:04.860 --> 00:40:08.630
  • Bringing mine up and i don't want to really pay attention
  • 00:40:08.630 --> 00:40:15.136
  • To that so it kind of becomes this kind of echo chamber of
  • 00:40:15.136 --> 00:40:17.372
  • The questions right?
  • 00:40:17.372 --> 00:40:19.207
  • But it's like ultimately the goodness of the gospel the
  • 00:40:19.207 --> 00:40:22.577
  • Good news isn't jesus came and give us all the answers he
  • 00:40:22.577 --> 00:40:25.013
  • Came gave us himself and gave us victory like we are going
  • 00:40:25.013 --> 00:40:30.118
  • To what we live in and will live in forever and there's
  • 00:40:30.118 --> 00:40:33.154
  • Settled peace that comes there knowing i don't have the right
  • 00:40:33.154 --> 00:40:38.126
  • Thing to say, no one does because it's the wrong
  • 00:40:38.126 --> 00:40:41.396
  • Situation he makes things right.
  • 00:40:41.396 --> 00:40:43.598
  • That's on him.
  • 00:40:43.598 --> 00:40:45.233
  • And so i don't have to be pressured to make anything
  • 00:40:45.233 --> 00:40:49.104
  • Right, he's got that.
  • 00:40:49.104 --> 00:40:51.139
  • Only he could handle that.
  • 00:40:51.139 --> 00:40:52.507
  • So all we can do is show up and just be there and the
  • 00:40:52.507 --> 00:40:56.711
  • Beauty of like we had friends we had interns that passed and
  • 00:40:56.711 --> 00:41:01.716
  • They would come and show up at our door and bring food and be
  • 00:41:01.716 --> 00:41:07.088
  • Like what are we doing tonight?
  • 00:41:07.088 --> 00:41:09.491
  • Let's watch a show but sit next to me, sit there with
  • 00:41:09.491 --> 00:41:13.295
  • Me and what you know 20 minutes and i'm grabbing the
  • 00:41:13.295 --> 00:41:17.032
  • Remote and pausing it i'm just so angry i guess i do
  • 00:41:17.032 --> 00:41:20.602
  • Have to talk but you know i just held the space where it
  • 00:41:20.602 --> 00:41:25.640
  • Could be whatever it was, and what a gift that was and you
  • 00:41:25.640 --> 00:41:28.877
  • Really learn that by sitting with jesus learning that he
  • 00:41:28.877 --> 00:41:32.414
  • Does that for you.
  • 00:41:32.414 --> 00:41:35.617
  • We can only extend what we are given him and he is so
  • 00:41:35.617 --> 00:41:38.587
  • Beautiful at making you know.
  • 00:41:38.587 --> 00:41:41.656
  • What is the god of all comfort so when we receive comfort we
  • 00:41:41.656 --> 00:41:44.993
  • Can turn around and give it to those who need it as well.
  • 00:41:44.993 --> 00:41:48.396
  • We wouldn't make it through without people who met the god
  • 00:41:48.396 --> 00:41:50.665
  • Of all comfort.
  • 00:41:50.665 --> 00:41:52.033
  • It is beautiful just the way that you all have come around
  • 00:41:52.033 --> 00:41:58.807
  • And support and everyone who prayed.
  • 00:41:58.807 --> 00:42:00.875
  • It's just these things we need one another.
  • 00:42:00.875 --> 00:42:02.644
  • Something about being better together.
  • 00:42:02.644 --> 00:42:07.015
  • The presence of god has been such a comfort for me in
  • 00:42:07.015 --> 00:42:10.619
  • Seasons of despair, i would say that i have really leaned
  • 00:42:10.619 --> 00:42:15.223
  • On the idea that one of the names of god is comforter.
  • 00:42:15.223 --> 00:42:19.761
  • You know, for me, i picture that on the comforter on my
  • 00:42:19.761 --> 00:42:24.132
  • Bed.
  • 00:42:24.132 --> 00:42:25.400
  • The big squishy down duvet that just wraps itself around
  • 00:42:25.400 --> 00:42:28.970
  • Me because there were some days dealing with depression
  • 00:42:28.970 --> 00:42:32.073
  • And despair and going through cancer treatment, and other
  • 00:42:32.073 --> 00:42:34.409
  • Crisis i've had in my life where i really just wanted to
  • 00:42:34.409 --> 00:42:37.612
  • Pull the covers over my head and disappear.
  • 00:42:37.612 --> 00:42:42.217
  • But in those moments where i would see god as the one who
  • 00:42:42.217 --> 00:42:45.620
  • Would cover me, even when i was frail even when i felt
  • 00:42:45.620 --> 00:42:49.257
  • Broken, and he would sustain me and began to lean on him as
  • 00:42:49.257 --> 00:42:55.096
  • The comforter that he is and in those moments what he does
  • 00:42:55.096 --> 00:42:57.966
  • As comforter is he reminds you of who you really are what
  • 00:42:57.966 --> 00:43:01.036
  • He's created you for he does not promise you a perfect
  • 00:43:01.036 --> 00:43:04.139
  • Future no.
  • 00:43:04.139 --> 00:43:07.375
  • None of us have experienced that but what he does do is he
  • 00:43:07.375 --> 00:43:10.912
  • Elevates your understanding of what you're going through and
  • 00:43:10.912 --> 00:43:14.482
  • Gives you eternal purpose for that so it's not just wrapping
  • 00:43:14.482 --> 00:43:17.719
  • It up in this beautiful bow but it is bringing you to a
  • 00:43:17.719 --> 00:43:22.257
  • Level where you see that this thing whatever you're walking
  • 00:43:22.257 --> 00:43:26.428
  • Through will pass and if you will just hang on if you hold
  • 00:43:26.428 --> 00:43:30.065
  • On tight to the promise of god he is faithful and true he
  • 00:43:30.065 --> 00:43:34.536
  • Will see you through this moment you are going to rise
  • 00:43:34.536 --> 00:43:38.840
  • He's going to lift you on high and he's you are going to
  • 00:43:38.840 --> 00:43:42.677
  • Be able to turn and look back just like i have in this
  • 00:43:42.677 --> 00:43:45.714
  • Battle with cancer and say god never left me he sustained me
  • 00:43:45.714 --> 00:43:49.451
  • Every moment of this journey and i'm here now on the
  • 00:43:49.451 --> 00:43:51.986
  • Mountaintop to declare that he is as good as he says he is.
  • 00:43:51.986 --> 00:43:55.090
  • - a little three-year-old drowned the other day.
  • 00:43:55.090 --> 00:44:00.295
  • And the mom was gone with the older kids in europe and just
  • 00:44:00.295 --> 00:44:04.966
  • It was awful and matt called levi let's go.
  • 00:44:04.966 --> 00:44:08.903
  • We were going to reach out and just what were some of the
  • 00:44:08.903 --> 00:44:15.643
  • Things that meant some- thing to you but levi said a
  • 00:44:15.643 --> 00:44:20.648
  • Couple things it was amazing.
  • 00:44:20.648 --> 00:44:25.820
  • A friend of mine cheryl who lost her little six-year-old
  • 00:44:25.820 --> 00:44:31.359
  • Girl she's like a sister to me.
  • 00:44:31.359 --> 00:44:35.163
  • She would always say gabrielle's closer to me in
  • 00:44:35.163 --> 00:44:38.266
  • My future.
  • 00:44:38.266 --> 00:44:39.467
  • And then levi said as the years go by, we're just that
  • 00:44:39.467 --> 00:44:48.810
  • Many days closer to her now.
  • 00:44:48.810 --> 00:44:51.146
  • Because she's not in our past.
  • 00:44:51.146 --> 00:44:53.047
  • But she is in our future.
  • 00:44:53.047 --> 00:44:56.151
  • And so it's been like 10 years for them and he says we are
  • 00:44:56.151 --> 00:45:00.889
  • Just 10 years into our walk to see her again and so i just
  • 00:45:00.889 --> 00:45:04.959
  • Thought that i would minister to people that are in despair
  • 00:45:04.959 --> 00:45:09.964
  • Over losing a loved one that they are in your future, they
  • 00:45:09.964 --> 00:45:14.569
  • Are not in your past.
  • 00:45:14.569 --> 00:45:16.337
  • We are closer every day.
  • 00:45:16.337 --> 00:45:18.640
  • - you all just don't even know how liberating this whole
  • 00:45:18.640 --> 00:45:21.709
  • Conversation is because there's a lot of people raised
  • 00:45:21.709 --> 00:45:24.379
  • In christian that don't have permission.
  • 00:45:24.379 --> 00:45:27.882
  • They have not been given permission to even own the
  • 00:45:27.882 --> 00:45:31.052
  • Idea that there is despair, even though you walk with the
  • 00:45:31.052 --> 00:45:36.191
  • Lord you can encounter great despair.
  • 00:45:36.191 --> 00:45:38.426
  • Why would he be a comforter?
  • 00:45:38.426 --> 00:45:41.496
  • Why would he be the mendor of the broken heart if you do not
  • 00:45:41.496 --> 00:45:46.367
  • Know this is what we needed?
  • 00:45:46.367 --> 00:45:49.137
  • We sit here and say everything we need god is.
  • 00:45:49.137 --> 00:45:52.674
  • So wouldn't he be that too?
  • 00:45:52.674 --> 00:45:57.912
  • God of hope, everything we need.
  • 00:45:57.912 --> 00:46:00.582
  • I think when we are desperate when we're in despair we get
  • 00:46:00.582 --> 00:46:05.420
  • To glean from god things that we would never see.
  • 00:46:05.420 --> 00:46:11.593
  • We would feel the comfort we have never known we would find
  • 00:46:11.593 --> 00:46:15.463
  • A piece that is unspeakable.
  • 00:46:15.463 --> 00:46:17.098
  • That's surpassing anything that i can imagine or pray
  • 00:46:17.098 --> 00:46:22.203
  • For.
  • 00:46:22.203 --> 00:46:23.471
  • That we get to experience a joy that we've never had, we
  • 00:46:23.471 --> 00:46:28.676
  • Get to experience the mendor of the broken hearted, that
  • 00:46:28.676 --> 00:46:31.512
  • God will restore my soul.
  • 00:46:31.512 --> 00:46:34.649
  • Can you imagine when god restores your soul?
  • 00:46:34.649 --> 00:46:37.552
  • That's what he promises us he restores that he mends the
  • 00:46:37.552 --> 00:46:42.557
  • Broken hearted, it cannot get any better you cannot get any
  • 00:46:42.557 --> 00:46:46.127
  • Wholer than jesus being the restorer of my faith.
  • 00:46:46.127 --> 00:46:54.135
  • The restorer of my joy.
  • 00:46:54.135 --> 00:46:55.236
  • Restorer of my peace what a beautiful thing what a
  • 00:46:55.236 --> 00:46:58.706
  • Beautiful gift from god.
  • 00:46:58.706 --> 00:46:59.974
  • - i remember when i had my youngest child two seconds out
  • 00:46:59.974 --> 00:47:06.314
  • Of the womb you know she's on my chest and her grip like she
  • 00:47:06.314 --> 00:47:12.587
  • Just dug into me, i remember thinking like this child is
  • 00:47:12.587 --> 00:47:17.358
  • Strong.
  • 00:47:17.358 --> 00:47:19.460
  • But what amazed me was that you could be a newborn infant
  • 00:47:19.460 --> 00:47:24.699
  • Having learned nothing but you will know how to grab and hold
  • 00:47:24.699 --> 00:47:28.202
  • Tight, and i just want to encourage all of us including
  • 00:47:28.202 --> 00:47:33.975
  • Myself, and any viewer that is with us right now in this
  • 00:47:33.975 --> 00:47:38.613
  • Moment that it's okay if you cannot pick yourself up, it's
  • 00:47:38.613 --> 00:47:46.354
  • Okay if you cannot feel him the way that you want to feel
  • 00:47:46.354 --> 00:47:53.428
  • Him.
  • 00:47:53.428 --> 00:47:54.395
  • It's okay if you are absent of answers.
  • 00:47:54.395 --> 00:47:57.966
  • It's okay to be a mess, to be what is said in psalm 73 a
  • 00:47:57.966 --> 00:48:04.839
  • Brute beast.
  • 00:48:04.839 --> 00:48:07.175
  • Before him.
  • 00:48:07.175 --> 00:48:08.509
  • All you have to do is do what a newborn infant can also do,
  • 00:48:08.509 --> 00:48:14.615
  • Which is just grab, just grab at his presence, just hold on,
  • 00:48:14.615 --> 00:48:18.019
  • Just hold fast if you are angry, fine holdfast and be
  • 00:48:18.019 --> 00:48:24.525
  • Angry.
  • 00:48:24.525 --> 00:48:26.394
  • You know if you are in despair, fine holdfast and be
  • 00:48:26.394 --> 00:48:31.399
  • In despair.
  • 00:48:31.399 --> 00:48:33.334
  • You know and i think sometimes in our pressure to be a
  • 00:48:33.334 --> 00:48:37.372
  • Certain someone to feel a certain way, we sometimes keep
  • 00:48:37.372 --> 00:48:41.642
  • God out.
  • 00:48:41.642 --> 00:48:44.379
  • Of our sorrows but i would love to take a moment to pray
  • 00:48:44.379 --> 00:48:46.814
  • For everyone listening and especially for somebody that
  • 00:48:46.814 --> 00:48:50.952
  • May be in that place.
  • 00:48:50.952 --> 00:48:53.988
  • The holy spirit you know and although we may be in a
  • 00:48:53.988 --> 00:48:59.594
  • Different room than sisters and brothers are watching, the
  • 00:48:59.594 --> 00:49:04.432
  • Same holy spirit is with them.
  • 00:49:04.432 --> 00:49:09.804
  • Jesus may you break down whatever wall of jadedness that
  • 00:49:09.804 --> 00:49:14.509
  • We may have built around us.
  • 00:49:14.509 --> 00:49:16.844
  • And release from us the pressure to perform.
  • 00:49:16.844 --> 00:49:22.517
  • To feel or look a certain way.
  • 00:49:22.517 --> 00:49:23.684
  • Jesus we just need you we're grabbing hold of you.
  • 00:49:23.684 --> 00:49:29.991
  • And for anyone listening and sitting with us in this
  • 00:49:29.991 --> 00:49:32.126
  • Moment, that desperately needs your presence, god may you
  • 00:49:32.126 --> 00:49:37.732
  • Give them grace to have an increased awareness of how
  • 00:49:37.732 --> 00:49:41.636
  • Good and kind and near you are, you are not angry with us
  • 00:49:41.636 --> 00:49:48.409
  • Because we cannot feel a certain way.
  • 00:49:48.409 --> 00:49:51.546
  • You are not anchored to because we don't have all the
  • 00:49:51.546 --> 00:49:54.482
  • Answers.
  • 00:49:54.482 --> 00:49:55.750
  • Jesus you invite us to sit with you through this pain we
  • 00:49:55.750 --> 00:50:00.455
  • Thank you for that in jesus name we pray amen.
  • 00:50:00.455 --> 00:50:04.392
  • - connect with us on social media and let us know how our
  • 00:50:04.392 --> 00:50:10.431
  • Team can pray for you.
  • 00:50:10.431 --> 00:50:11.566
  • - when we realize that god already has the victory
  • 00:50:11.566 --> 00:50:15.269
  • Everything has changed when we face hardship, why?
  • 00:50:15.269 --> 00:50:18.506
  • Because i'm not battling for something as if it needs to be
  • 00:50:18.506 --> 00:50:21.476
  • Won, it is accomplished, it is finished and it was finished at
  • 00:50:21.476 --> 00:50:25.546
  • The cross of jesus christ.
  • 00:50:25.546 --> 00:50:28.950
  • So i am not working for victory.
  • 00:50:28.950 --> 00:50:30.885
  • I'm living from victory.
  • 00:50:30.885 --> 00:50:32.954
  • The posture is entirely different when we know what
  • 00:50:32.954 --> 00:50:37.058
  • Jesus has already accomplished on our behalf.
  • 00:50:37.058 --> 00:50:39.227
  • Stream full episodes of better together on demand.
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  • Go to bettertogether.tv to stream all of our latest
  • 00:50:44.432 --> 00:50:47.768
  • Conversations.
  • 00:50:47.768 --> 00:50:49.303
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  • 00:50:49.303 --> 00:50:49.303