Comments on: In the midst of pain and hurt

By: 3 Things « Ponderings

3 Things « Ponderings — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:24:18 +0000

[...] noted the following in a comment on the Talking Out of Turn blog: I remember Charles Spurgeon telling the story of an older Christian woman who had written the [...]

By: Rachael

Rachael — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:15:36 +0000

Neat about the Ps and Ts! Thanks!

By: Patrick Chan

Patrick Chan — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:45:45 +0000

Thanks for sharing that Rachael! You’re right to cling onto the promises in God’s Word like that. Boy, I need to learn to do that as well, particularly these days. I remember Charles Spurgeon telling the story of an older Christian woman who had written the letter “T” next to every Bible verse she’d had to “claim” (as you put it) for a particular situation in her life. And when the Lord kept his promise and brought it to pass in her life, she’d write the letter “P.” Spurgeon tells us that the “T” was for tried and the “P” was for proven, and that she had many Ts and Ps in her Bible. What a faithful God we serve! Thanks again for sharing your story, too.

By: Rachael

Rachael — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:22:45 +0000

Indeed, there is a time for everything, including a time for suffering, and as you know God can work good even for that. I want to share a brief ‘kind-of testimony’ in case it reminds you or any readers to claim God’s promises. Might sound ’simple’, but I think it at least somewhat ‘worked’.

Last month, I wrote down a prayer, I confessed sin related (directly or indirectly) to a particular situation. I presented my request to not be anxious or uncomfortable. I thanked God. I expressed my desire for peace, wisdom, and His guidance. Well, the next day I wondered if I was at peace about the situation - if Phil. 4:7 came true for me. I blogged that wonder (but took it down from the public eye). In addition to that written prayer, it’s possible I may have tried to claim His promise on verses on notecards, but at least I have the written prayer on paper as kind-of ‘proof’ to myself…

I realize that the above must sound shaky or hesitant, but for me it’s big, and a good memory and a testimony to God’s goodness. Just even wondering if God healed me in that area. Don’t think it was a complete 100% emotional healing, but it was still a really neat experience.

I guess I just encourage people (and myself) to claim God’s promises…for me that was Phil 4:6-7. And I think it was good for me to write out my prayer and my later wonder because it makes my testimony more solid (in my head) for myself and others. Psalm 77 is a good Psalm for a troubled soul - starting out w/ crying aloud to God, then remembering God and His deeds, pondering His work, recognizing His holiness and greatness and reflecting upon what He has done. I think it would be good to seek to ‘keep on the memory file’ (and writing it out may help) how God has helped. Then when we again encounter suffering, perhaps we can reflect back upon His goodness and how He has kept His promise before….

Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say A bit long I guess!