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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
Proverbs 13:12 HSCB
Do you know someone who has lost hope? Do you know someone who has waited too long for a promise? Be a comforter - draw alongside this person and pray. Your prayers of love and words of encouragement may give this person the strength to get to the other side of despair.
I know this first hand. My heart is sick and I know - it is because my hope has been delayed. I struggle to pray at times, but I have friends who have drawn alongside me and prayed for me and with me. I've had friends send emails and called with words of encouragement. I am blessed. I pray I can be that kind of friend when the time comes. I've discovered some people do not have the gift of mercy and therefore in the midst of my painful situation they have no idea what to say or do. I pray they will forgive me for the harsh thoughts I've had because I feel abandoned by them. I realize now it is not their gift. But it is mine and therefore I want to be a comfort to those who are in need. I know it is a calling God has placed upon my life.
As I turn to God's Word there are several examples of people who were given promises but each reacted differently to the promise God gave them and the fulfillment of the promise.
When God promised Sarah she would have children well past child bearing age – she laughed at the Lord. She was even so discouraged to the point that she took things into her own hands, trying to make the promise come true (Genesis 15-20). Hannah wanted a son so badly her heartache was thought to be drunkenness. She begged the Lord to find favor with her and promised when she conceived a son; she would return him to the Lord's service (1 Samuel 1). Then there was Mary, who rejoiced at the promise of the coming Messiah who God had given to her as a virgin (Luke 1:46,47).
I know there are times when each of us has a longing that just won't go away. When the longing is not answered or filled in our own time, we get discouraged and it becomes hard to see the hope within the promises which the Lord has given us. I guess we can't see the forest for the trees.
It is at times like these when instead of being reminded of our failure to trust God or our personal lack of faith; we need someone to draw along side of us and to be an encouraging friend. We need our friends to help us to see the hope and even the strength of our endurance. We need to be bathed in prayer and loved for who we are... reminded that one day we will see hope and that His promise will be fulfilled.
Again, I hope and pray I can be that kind of friend to others, as so many have been to me.
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Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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