Hope

A good friend of mine gave me a book recently called, "Treasures for women who hope" Written by Alice Gray. This book has been a very inspiring book to read. I can not seem to put it down. I am sure the chapters are meant for one chapter-a-day reading, however, I keep reading on.

Since at the end of each chapter there is part for you to analyze what you have read, I thought I would answer the questions on my blog, this way others could read and comment too. Warning the questions are loading and are not an easy answer. I am going to try my best to answer them with no masks on

Something beautiful

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity in their hearts,

except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

1) Describe you feelings about the idea that God allows and, yes, even plans difficulties for our lives. How does your understanding affect your ability to hope?
This is not an easy answer. My first gut instinct is to question "why". As I have learnt recently Job did the same thing to God. He was richly blessed in the end, however, through out the book of Job it talks about him questioning why God does the things He does. So, my first feeling is confusion. I do know that lessons are learnt through experiences. With out the experiences, we would learn nothing and would not know a lot in life.

This still causes confusion as I still want to find an easier way to learn, however, I also know that the easy way out is not necessarily the best way to learn. More mistakes can be made this way.

I am typically the first voice of hope in our house when things take a turn for the worse. I am just not good at dealing when it is me that is directly involved in our turmoil. It sounds weird but I can handle things happening to my husband and my children. I indistinctly go into a mode of dependence on God and focusing to my family that God will get us through it. However, if it is me that is sick. I can not seem to manage this. I understand it fully, but do not find peace in it.

I know I have problems with confrontations. I have been trying really hard to work on this fault of mine. I tend to hide from the problem rather then face it. I have been really trying to work on this in hopes that it will help my coping skills for when I am ill.





2)How do you usually respond when heartbreaks crash down on you or those you love?
It depends on who is involved. I seem to loose hope if it is me directly involved, however, if it is anyone else, I have no problems understanding where my hope comes from. I do know when I am seriously ill, I seek prayer and support from those I care about. This I guess helps find hope for me. (So much for a simple answer!) I guess I understand where I go to help find hope if it is lacking in me. I believe this is a good thing. I am also starting to read more scripture than before, which has also helped because I never really realized how much heartache is in the bible. Is it wrong to find comfort in reading about someone else's pain? It reminds me I am not alone.

Empathy is a powerful response to people's pain. I tend to seek empathy when I am sick, I also try to give empathy when others need it. I know I would not be here if it wasn't for God. Everything I have in life would not be here if it wasn't for Him. I am eternally grateful for that and I also know He will get me through anything. However, knowing this doesn't always help.

I am a bit of a control freak and like to be in control. This is why, I think, I have no problems providing empathy and support to those who need it. This is also why I have a hard time coping when something goes wrong with me. I can not control what is happening. It seems I have an easier time telling others to pray and provide support to them, rather than letting others provide prayer and support to me. For those who have known me a long time will know this has been a struggle of mine for a while.

I have to say,though, I have been making an effort to change that and let God take control of my life as well as others. I don't struggle with change, as it happens a lot in my life, so I am looking forward (finally) to the change God has planned in the near future. I see change happening and I am curious about his plans. So I guess I am finding hope again, and it is a good feeling.



These questions are taken from chapter 3 in "Treasures for women who hope"