“You’ll forget your troubles; they’ll be like old, faded photographs.”
Job 11:16 The Message
‘Victorious’ was the theme for the women’s conference in Trail, BC where I spoke this weekend. As I gave messages on breaking free I shared parts of my testimony and how God moved me through the process to freedom from complete brokenness after divorce to healing, resulting in a renewed purpose.
OLD FADED PHOTOGRAPHS
It almost seemed strange sharing stories from my past. God has done so much to heal my heart that my memories are like old, faded photographs. The pictures are there in my mind, but the emotions are so far removed. I’m truly FREE!
Have you ever heard the saying, ‘With friends like that who needs enemies’? Well, Job could relate to this expression because he had a few of those ‘frenemies’. Job’s buddy Zophar told him how all his problems would go away if he turned to God and if got rid of the sin in his life. Zophar said to Job that if he could attain a guiltless state then God would work on his behalf causing him to forget his troubles; assuring they’d be like, “old, faded photographs.”
Sadly, this false teaching is still seeking to deceive God’s people today.
[tweetthis] If our freedom relied on our goodness, none of us would be free.[/tweetthis]
Thankfully Job didn’t accept what his friend said but he did get to the point where he could forget his troubles because God restored everything he lost.
HEALING THE PAST
God wants to restore you. His desire is to heal your heart so the sting attached to your memories is removed and His purposes can be realized in your life. Choose today to let God bring you into a greater freedom as you release to Him the hurts of your past.
Prayer
Father…I’m so thankful that You’re in the restoration business because my heart needs some restoring. Help me to trust you with my hurts so I can experience the same kind of transformation Job did when you took his memories and made them like old, faded photographs. Remove the pain from my past and let your purpose rise up in me! In Jesus Name…Amen
#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else’s faith
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell
It’s a brave thing to go digging around in those old “photos” and even braver to take them out and share them — for the good of your learners and the glory of God. Thanks for this encouragement. I’m sure those ladies were one blessed bunch!
Michele,
It truly is. Years ago a counsellor had me bring in photos from my childhood. I was shocked at how much the photo I found triggered waves of strong emotion. It was so helpful in breaking free of lies I had believed. The group of ladies were such a blessing. God did great things and set so many free from things that were keeping them bound. Praying a continued growth in your audience and an increased anointing to write.
~Sherry
xoxo
what an awesome and timely word …thank you for the encouragement, once again!!
You’re welcome my little Firecracker!!!
~Sherry
xoxo
Hi Sherry,
I’m so glad God completely restores us and transforms us! The pictures of our past pain don’t need to be so vibrant on the pages of our hearts and minds but can fade as we walk forward in the new life God has given us. I’m grateful his work is never done in us! xo
Love your words Valerie! So beautifully written. Praying God blesses you today as He continues to create His masterpiece in you!
~Sherry
xoxo
Yes! This- ” His desire is to heal your heart so the sting attached to your memories is removed and His purposes can be realized in your life. ” Amen Sherry!
Gretchen,
Praying you experience this same exchange in your life…our pain for His purpose.
~Sherry
xoxo
I love this Sherry! It’s so encouraging to know that our forgiveness isn’t based on our goodness!
Kelly that’s so encouraging 🙂 Praying you know the forgiveness of God in a deeper way that frees you.
~Sherry
xoxo
Good Morning Sherry,
It’s encouraging to be reminded this morning that our Father seeks to heal and restore our hearts not based on our goodness but on His love towards us. His desire is to fulfill His purposes in our lives. Thank you for this word today!
Joanne,
I’m so glad the message I felt to share hit your heart <3 Praying God continues to release His purposes in your life as He heals every area that needs His love.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
That Job sure had some patience with his friends, didn’t he? So thankful for a God who not only restores, but is able to heal the painful memories as well. We all have that mental box of old faded photographs that need God’s healing touch, don’t we? Thanks for sharing, Sherry. ((xoxo))
Brenda,
So thankful the memories keep fading 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
Amen Sherry! I’m so excited to see how He uses my past for His message!
Julie,
Praying He continues to use your mess as His message 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
Sherry- thank you for speaking hope into me! “His desire is to heal your heart so the sting attached to your memories is removed and His purposes can be realized in your life.”
Amen! I can’t wait to see this come to fruition:)
Stopping from a few areas but mostly #ChasingCommunity
Julie,
I’ll join you in praying that God takes the sing out of your memories and leaves a beautiful healing story of His love and grace.
~Sherry
xoxo
It is important to make sure the past truly becomes our past. I think the only way it will ever fade is if we invite the Father to redeem and restore it first. The beautiful part of the Freedom we have in Christ is the ability to allow our past go and walk toward a bright future. Lovely analogy with the faded pictures, perfect!
Sarah,
I don’t know any other way and thankfully His way REALLY works. Everything else you can try has negative side-effects 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
How timely your messages are! I was thinking about my mother today who is dead now and those words, “What if?…” kept popping into my head. In the next thought I was reminded that dwelling in the past where hurts still live does no one any good…let them go and be free! All the more reason to live for today. Thanks Sherry!
Laura,
Praying Godcontinues to bring timely words into your life just when you need them so the sting of the past is replaced with the warmth of His love and grace. Thankful He uses the words He has me write to encourage you 🙂 Praying you live FREE today!
~Sherry
xoxo