Romans 8: Enough Said
It’s Thursday morning at 6:00 am, and this week has been excruciatingly long! It seems like it should be Saturday, but instead I still have two days left in the work week. I don’t even know what has made it so long.
Last night, it was 8:00 when I finally finished work and wrapped up everything I needed to do. I spent my day fighting chronic pain and working way beyond my normal quitting time, only to come home to three children who needed mom. Oh. And two of them were writing essays and thought “blogger mom” should help them.
And I did not have a drop of energy to give them.
I was done. Escape to my room and pretend they don’t exist done. Curl up in a ball and cry done. Draw a hot bath and soak done. (Except one of my children used all the hot water…)
As I woke this morning, I grabbed my phone as I always do. I flipped through my morning devotions that come through email. I opened my Bible app as I thought, “I don’t even want to read my Bible this morning. I’m only going through the motions.”
Then, I began to read my daily reading.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2
Thank you, Lord, that there is no condemnation in you. What joy to celebrate your freedom!
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. Romans 8:9-10
Thank you, Lord, that your Spirit lives in me, giving me life even when I am so exhausted I can’t keep going.
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Romans 8:18
Thank you, Lord, that you see our sufferings, that they are nothing more than preparation for your great plans for us.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:26-28
Thank you, Lord, that when I am exhausted and drained and have nothing to pray that your Holy Spirit himself is interceding for me, pleading for me to be in harmony with your will. You know that is my heart’s desire. Thank you that I can trust you to work every hurt and every pain for good. I’ve seen it happen, and I trust you.
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:31-34
Thank you, Lord, for the precious reminder that even though people—people who claim to be your children—throw some horrible, painful words at me, You justify, You condemn. No one else. Thank you that I can know that You are for me and I walk forward knowing that I am justified in You because of the blood of my Savior Jesus Christ.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
NOTHING can separate me from you! NOTHING! No words. No trials. No exhaustion. No bad attitudes. NOTHING can separate me from you! There is no greater joy than to know that you, my Savior, are here with me. Nothing I face on this side of heaven can keep you away. You are here with me, in every moment, in every situation.
I can take a deep breath and face yet another day because you are with me. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being with me in every moment of every day. Today is yours. Sustain me. Lead me. Carry me. I cannot make it without you.
Hi Dena,
What a wonderful reminder. Keep on writing. I believe the Lord will return to us what the years of the locusts took from His children.
Yes, he will! it’s such a joy to know that our pain is never in vain, that he repays us two blessings for every pain! What an amazing God we serve!
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story and what God has taught you through this season. It has been a balm to my soul to read your words. 2015 was a year of raw pain but also growth for me and my 3 children. My husband had an affair and left all 4 of us 5 days before thanksgiving in 2014. We were blindsided – never saw it coming! Satan is so out to steal and destroy!
Through the pain, God impressed upon me that I had a choice to make. I could either be bitter and angry or I could chase my Heavenly Father through the pain. Through His grace, I chose the 2nd option. He truly turns ashes into beauty. I have prayed so desperately for the reconciliation of my marriage, but I am in this season of waiting. If I look at my marriage through the eyes of the world, all looks hopeless. I know God is in control, and nothing is impossible with Him, and He is able to accomplish more than I can ask or even imagine. He has taught me so much through all of this. More recently, it has been to let go of the reconciliation prayer as I had placed that prayer In a position of an idol. Making it my main concern and only request most days. As I asked the Lord how I should be praying instead, He reminded me that Jesus has already given us that example in the Lord’s Prayer. Now I pray, Thy will be done in my life, in my marriage, as it is in heaven. And forgive me as you help me to forgive my husband and her. I see how He has shaped me and my children through this. I have no doubt that He will bring good. No matter what that good looks like, reconciled marriage or not, He is so faithful! He is answering other prayers in this season, and I hold onto the memories of His faithfulness in past requests. My current prayer for my children is that these three beautiful blessing-arrows hit their target so sharply that they can never be moved or shaken. My Lord reminds me that we should be dwelling in His presence and soaking up His love. My desire is to daily lay myself, my home, and children upon His alter, and be used. I have such an amazing opportunity to draw all my need fulfillment from Him and His glorious riches, and to share it with others! He is to be my portion. Some days are hard, but if I dig into Him deeper, He always comes through. Today is one of those days, and your blog has been a gift. Thank you! I’m so thankful for my Heavenly Bridegroom who provides what we need… Exactly when we need it. And thankful for ppl like you who can share their heartbreak knowing that God is and will continue to bring good!
Oh, Vanessa! How I love your attitude! Everything you say resonates with me! I relive those early days as I read your words. And the part about reconciliation becoming an idol. How true it is! I’ve been at the place where I’ve been clinging to a promise, waiting for its fulfillment, rather than clinging to my Savior. There’s a huge difference. I spent a year praying for reconciliation, begging God to heal our marriage. Although my marriage ended, I have seen God take every prayer I prayed and answer it in some way in my own life. No prayer is wasted.
My moment of surrender came in the form of this prayer: “Do an amazing work in me so you can do an amazing work through me.” I see that same attitude throughout your story. All I can say is hold on! You are embarking on the most amazing journey of your life! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you!
Dena
Great insight and reminders for us during those times when we are feeling mentally, emotionally, physically or spiritually drained. It is during these time that bad things can happen because we are not cognitively focused on our circumstances. What wonderful guidance — and more importantly — hope Paul provides us in Romans 8. And thanks to you for sharing it with us.
Thanks! Those words were so soothing to my soul. Love how he knows what we need.
thanks again dena your words of encouragement always seems to come just at the right time.GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!
???????? Isn’t God good?
Thank you for this word today. My husband has filed for divorce but kept leading me on that we would still be together and that he loves me and that he may even stop the divorce. Last night I found out he has blocked my phone numbers so I can no longer call him. Even after getting mad on Monday when he showed up at the house and I was not wearing my wedding rings. I know God can take this hurt and make something good come from it, but right now it is so hard to even get out of bed every morning.
Oh, Lorraine. I am so very sorry. Divorce is just…indescribable. It brings out so much evil and ugliness. I am so sorry. Cling to God. It’s a long, hard journey, but one day you look back and see how far you’ve come. Suddenly, you become aware of just how faithful He has been.
“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.”
??1 Peter? ?5:8-11? ?MSG??
http://bible.com/97/1pe.5.8-11.msg
Keep being real Dena. I enjoy your posts and excited to read your book when published
Aww… Thanks! No other way to live than to be real!
Thank you Dena for these words of encouragement today.I have been in a dark place all week,could not see the light of Christ only darkness and despair.
Your words of Gods today helps me tremendously.Thank you.Have a great day,be strengthened in the Lord and get some rest.Difficult to do with three boys,working and being a single mom.God Bless,Julia????
It is hard, but his grace is sufficient. Just remember: there’s an army of us out there living the single mom life, hanging on tightly to our God as he carries us through this crazy life! We are not alone!