Jesus, Our Sudden Good Break
By Sharon Musgrove
“Unrelenting
disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life
around.” Proverbs 13:12 (MSG)
The rains had been pouring down in torrents and the dark
skies confused the automatic headlights on my car as to whether it really was
midday. Despite the calendar flipped to
May, a winter sweater was appropriate attire, and the heat was cranked past
seventy to dry out the dank.
As I backed out of the driveway, a sight that usually
brightens my heart suddenly had the opposite effect: buds were forming on the rose bushes. Rather than feeling the joyful anticipation
of summer approaching, I looked on those pink points with sadness because roses
do not thrive in cold, wet conditions.
They are sun lovers, and we weren’t getting much of that. Too much rainfall and the roots rot, unable
to keep the whole plant healthy and alive.
Root rot. Was that my
state of mind? How, I wondered, did I
get to this dark headspace?
Thinking back over the past few months, I realized I had
been pocketing disappointments. While both
delightful and dreadful experiences had occurred in that time, I seemed to be
holding onto the hurtful things rather than the hopeful. It was as if I was digging a mote to retain
the water that was drowning me, rather than actively working to drain it.
Realizing my frame of mind, I said a small prayer.
Heavenly Father, I see how heavy my heart has become with
life’s disappointments. I don’t want to savor
pain. I don’t want to suffer root
rot. Help me to count blessings over
miseries. Let me know the hope and love Your
flower buds hold.
Saying the words made me feel better, the air a lighter
shade.
The dreary weather revealed in me a dreary heart, and so I
took it to the One who can heal both.
Jesus came to earth a “sudden good break” in our
“unrelenting disappointment.” He came to
shatter pain patterns that overtake us, and to fill us with hope when life
doesn’t measure up to our expectation.
The Apostle John spoke of Jesus as “the light” in John 1:4.
“In him was life, and
the life was the light of men. The light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4-5 (ESV)
Without the hope of brighter times or “light in the
darkness,” we can become heartsick from life’s disappointments. We can forget that this season of time is
temporary, fearing that things will never improve. We become darker inside, viewing the world
with an ever-growing pessimism . . . aka . . . rotting roots.
We need Jesus.
Soon the rain did stop.
And in a swift couple of days, the sun came out in a blazing heat,
bringing summer temperatures. The change
was radical. And very welcome.
The rose bushes are healthy, blowing up in vibrant color
with plenty of coaxing from the sunny weather.
My worry of a dismal garden was completely for naught. But the experience brought light to my wet
roots that had the potential of wreaking havoc.
If you, like me, struggle at times within, may you consider
a flower bud as a symbol of hope and love.
And I pray the following scripture over you:
“May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy
Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans
15:13 (ESV)
Author
Bio:
Sharon has
been writing and teaching biblically based curriculum, Bible studies, and
devotionals since 2007.
She has
had the unique position of writing curriculum and teaching for two private,
Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served
women in the homeless community.
Sharon has
traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the
rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to speak in Leadership camps intended
on encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often
abused young women.
Within
these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words
spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its
transformative power has become her passion.
Sharon and
her husband, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown
children.
Currently,
Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing
face to face. Additionally, she is working towards a degree in Ministry.
~*~
Connect
with Sharon:
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmusgrove_untethered/
Author Bio:
Sharon has
been writing and teaching biblically based curriculum, Bible studies, and
devotionals since 2007.
She has
had the unique position of writing curriculum and teaching for two private,
Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served
women in the homeless community.
Sharon has
traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the
rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to speak in Leadership camps intended
on encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often
abused young women.
Within
these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words
spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its
transformative power has become her passion.
Sharon and
her husband, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown
children.
Currently,
Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing
face to face. Additionally, she is working towards a degree in Ministry.
~*~
Connect
with Sharon:
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmusgrove_untethered/
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