Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

Gods Jewel
Re:
on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 10:32 am
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Great post..
I have lots of younger girl cousins, so me and my sister love giving away our clothes to them and its always nice to see them wearing it too
Darby Thompson
giving
on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 10:35 am
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for the pasts few sundays i've felt led to tithe. but not wanting to due to i'm only 15 and i only volunteer and babysit. so i didn't want to give up my money. with christmas around the corner i'm saving everything. so this sunday i actually got myself to put 5 dollars in.. well i ended up with a babysitting job for tonight. God has control over my money now.
Megan
Providing
on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 11:46 am
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God has always provided for my family. And for me!
I remember one time when my little brother and I wanted some money to spend. I know it was selfish, but we asked Dad even though we knew he couldn't spare any money with the bills and gas being so expensive and not having a job.
Well, Dad gave us a $10 bill to split, but he said we'd have to pray that God would replace it. So we did. We knelt down right there in the living room, thanked God for the money and asked him to provide for our need.
He answered us sooner than we expected.
A few days later, Dad told us that he had sold one of his books online and received $10!!
God is so good, and is always there to provide for you when you ask. Always ask in faith though. That's the most important thing.

Thanks for the post!
God bless!
-Serving Him
RachelAllison
My Sack Lunch = My Life...
on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 11:57 am
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I hope this applies to your post... it's not quite regarding personal "stuff," but it is regarding something that I treasure most and it is about the Lord asking for me to give it over to Him.

"Even if what He's asking hurts. Even if He's asking for that most treasured ____. He's not a stingy, miserly God. If you will obey Him, He will bless you beyond your wildest imagination!"

The Lord is asking for my whole life. He wants it. It's rightfully His. And I know He will do great things with it; things that I could never manage to accomplish. He is molding me and teaching me to give it up to Him and while I rejoice to be the object of His careful teaching, it hurts. I have been sick for almost a year now and through that the Lord has been teaching me in amazing ways. I have grown so much closer to Him and my love for my Savior has grown increasingly. I am so thankful for the trials, simply because He has taught me so much through them. But being ill has taken me away from sports and, most recently has begun removing me from a certain young man. I literally am not well enough to deal with the butterflies and anxiety that accompany my love for this young man. And eventually this sickness should theoretically go away. We're finally beginning to find some answers about the whole thing. But it frustrates me so much that I am unable to even be in love because of the physical affect. I know in my heart that God wants my whole heart at this point in my life and that is probably why He is making it so difficult for me to focus on a young man; He is asking that I leave behind these distractions and focus my life completely on Him. I want my life to be His. I want to glorify Him with it. But I am so afraid to give up these things that are precious to me. So fearful that I will lose those things forever and so convinced that nothing can ever replace them. For the first time in my life, I have met a young man who is everything I ever wanted; a strong believer, a good example, has his values in the right place, has an amazing sense of humor, a contagious smile, ect. and he even has the approval of my parents, which is a must to me. But it's not the right timing. We've both agreed that dating would just complicate things, as he's headed off to college this summer and I'll be doing the same the following summer.... but a part of me wants to forget the logic behind all of that and just hold on as tight as possible, trying my hardest to keep him from slipping through my fingers. But I'm not in control. I never was. And I have to give him up and focus on God, but it hurts so much.
And I guess I have to ask myself, how much do I believe that God is able to work in my life to bring about the blessings that I long for? How much do I trust that whatever the Lord does is what's best for me and even in the hurt, His plan is still perfect? How can I set down my imaginary pen and stop trying to write my own life?
Because my life is His, but part of me is so afraid that He is going to continue to take things away from me. Because honestly, right now, I'm physcially miserable. And I know that through that misery He is teaching me, but I am so afraid to say "teach me" anymore, because it seems it simply means another trial and I am so weary and beaten with the trials that I am already facing.
So, I need prayer and encouragement. Because I want to be submissive, but it hurts so much. I am so ready to be done with all of these things. And I know that I should treasure a closer relationship with my Savior so much that I can endure any trial in order to grow closer to Him. It's not that I don't want to grow... but I just need rest and I have none right now. I need comfort and He is keeping that from me. I have learned so much and part of me wants to ask, "isn't this enough for now, Lord?"
Is it? I don't know. I feel like it is, but I'm looking at the whole thing from my small perspective. I just can't see the blessings at the end of this sacrifice anymore. :'(
Enyo
Re: Giving
on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 12:22 pm
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Wonderful Post!

It is good to give wholeheartedly to God.

Last month, was given a letter from one of
my co-workers asking me to donate an
amount of money to purchase a new
church organ for their church. I murmured bitterly to God; saying Lord you know i don't have enough money in my account. So i told God strongly that if i give this last money of mine to my co-worker, He should bless me richly. So i gave my last money to the Guy towards the church organ. Within an hour God blessed me abundantly to my surprise the same day through my Boss in the office. Infact the blessing did not take one or two days; but an hour and triple of what i gave.

God Bless!

Enyo
Meredith
@RachelAllison
on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 1:28 pm
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I know that guys are a huge struggle, even when everything seems "perfect." I was so encouraged by your comment "How can I set down my imaginary pen and stop trying to write my own life?" I do the same thing, and I often find myself discouraged when things don't work out my way.

I encourage you to fill your mind with the good things that God has done for you; focus on HIS sacrifice, and then yours will seem easier to bear. When you are "sacrificing" in response to something (and not just for the sake of being selfless), it makes your life a little easier. I highly recommend Hannah Farver's book "Uncompromising" (discussed here on the blog), as well as Francis Chan's "Crazy Love."
When you read those, you can't help but respond to God's amazing love.

When your faith is small, He will replenish that. Our Father asks that we seek Him in our ways, and if you are doing that, He WILL bless your efforts. C. S. Lewis writes that God is pleased even with our stumbles, as long as we keep walking once he takes His hand away (paraphrased.)

Keep the faith, RachelAllison, and thank you for sharing. I think I speak for all the readers when I say that my prayers go with you on this journey.
Mikayla
@RachelAllison
on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 4:30 pm
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Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5

RachelAllison, I'll be praying for you. It's so hard to lay down your life now to gain it in the end. Try to think of these trials in the perspective of eternity. Seek God, and your love for Him will make it easier to bear these tough times.
Love in Christ,
Mikayla
Joy
RachelAllison
on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 5:07 pm
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"And I guess I have to ask myself, how much do I believe that God is able to work in my life to bring about the blessings that I long for? How much do I trust that whatever the Lord does is what's best for me and even in the hurt, His plan is still perfect? How can I set down my imaginary pen and stop trying to write my own life?
Because my life is His, but part of me is so afraid that He is going to continue to take things away from me. Because honestly, right now, I'm physcially miserable. And I know that through that misery He is teaching me, but I am so afraid to say "teach me" anymore, because it seems it simply means another trial and I am so weary and beaten with the trials that I am already facing."

I am not sick like you are, but the way you talk about feeling done with trials resonates deeply with me. God is asking for my life too, my whole heart. My parents are unbelievers, and the past few years since I have come to faith have been like a never-ending persecution. God has asked me to give up even the comforts of home behind for Him and I have followed. He gave me a friend - a guy who eventually grew to be almost everything to me - to comfort me through it all, and now He has asked me to give him up too.

But you know, RachelAllison, the way He tugs at our hearts when things are hardest, the way He comes in and whispers it gentle, "look to Me," this is comfort. Life is so hard. But Christ makes it possible to live through it, painful step by painful step.

I hurt for you as I understand completely your weariness even though I haven't been through the exact same things. I will keep you in my prayers, and I encourage you to tell God how weary you feel and how afraid. It's amazing how He can make the sun break forth and warm us in the cold and lonely places when we surrender our hearts to Him. Often that's just what submission starts with - just heart-to-heart talking with Christ. He will teach you as you seek His face.

Love in Christ,
Joy

Ps. I write about Him and the hardship and the joy of living for Him - to remind me, to remind others of His love at a-piercing-love.blogspot.com
monica
Re:
on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 7:32 pm
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great post, thanks:) needed this, Im going out with a guy who Im pretty sure is not a christian and he's exactly the kind of guy I always wanted to date, but I'm gonna ask him if hes a christian and I know it will be a one and only date. Encouraging that even if he doesnt always rewarded you here on earth he noticed if we give up things we really want for him
Vanilla
A couple examples
on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 9:27 pm
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The first thing that came to my mind was money. I gave generously for the first time when I was in junior high. It wasn't too long before I won a school contest which was a huge shock to me. I received a $100 prize! I was so excited. Then another time I gave until I was pretty much out of money in my piggy bank. I was a little worried about that, wondering if I should be saving instead of giving that much. But that summer God gave me lots of opportunities to baby-sit and earn money that way.
A second example in my life is with friends. For years I had crummy friends. One of the people that I hung out with was my biggest "enemy" and that's only because I wanted to hang out with my "best friend" who really isn't that good of a friend and still gets on my nerves to this day. I'd had a really rough school year, and the summer afterwards I was begging God for new friends. The next school year I went out of my comfort zone and looked for new friends. I met some great people, and I really like my new friends. I get along with them sooo much better than with my other "friends", and I really do consider them to be a blessing from God.
jb
Re:
on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 1:04 am
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I gave up a relationship with a boy when he asked. I'm still waiting for the amazing treasure he has for me!
Lisa M
GIving:)
on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 1:13 am
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My twin sister and her husband were having a really hard time financialy and so they got thier three kids together (ages 15. 16 & 5 ) and explained that for christmas they were going to use what little money they had to buy three gifts for kids who were really needy and so they all went shopping and picked out the gifts. They also served in a soup kitchen on that day. None of the kids were upset about not getting a gift, they just did it so generously. So my brother in law gets to work one day right before christmas and a friend of his whom he'd told the story to told him , "hey come park next to me, I have something for you" he opened his truck and there were gists for the whole family. Not just cheap walmart stuff either. I am talking exspensive stuff. My niece got a $250 name brand purse.. my nephew got a $120 watch..it was awesome!! God showed them who was in charge that day;)
Janice
All yours.
on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 8:33 am
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It's all so encouraging and warming reading all of these comments! I can definitelty relate to most of them haha :)

But the main thing I want to share, was giving up my fears. That insecurity of never being good enough, of feeling utterly 'worthless'. I held on to it for so long, it's a miracle I'm still here and alive.
Now I know it's definitely a lie, but before that it literally became my identity.

Sometimes we may feel 'justified' to treat ourselves that way. Yet, when we look at Jesus, we're really just abusing his unfailing and loving grace for us. For he didn't die to save the adequate.

Ever since I gave up all my fears and insecurities, I'm literally like a free person. It's amazing, and it's by his grace he can do all things. Even for you.

and @Rachel Allison, know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes (Rom 8:28) <3
RachelAllison
Re: RachelAllison
on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 9:13 am
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Thank you, Meredith, Mikayla, and Joy! I really appreciate your encouragement. You are each very right and I appreciate the way that you all have reminded me of something that, though I already knew it, had been allowed to slip my mind. After some more tear-filled prayer last night, I began to see some of this from a different perspective; one that helped me out a lot. It's still painful and I still don't see the end, but God is good and I'm working on trusting Him more (what a constant, but worthy battle that is!).
RachelAllison
@Meredith -
on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 9:52 am
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Thank you for the book suggestions, btw... I will look into both of those. I've been really wanting to read Hannah's book, but I haven't had a chance to get a hold of it. Oh well... one of these days, right? :)
Gods Jewel
Amazing Posts Everyone!
on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 10:24 am
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I was reading all the posts and I was blessed by all of them..
I'm so happy for everyone who got back more than they gave..
I'll keep praying for you RachelAllison
Joy
RachelAllison
on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 12:09 pm
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And know that in your battle for greater faith you are not alone. We are all with you.
RachelAllison
Thank you!
on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 12:42 pm
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Thank you, Janice and God's Jewel(: I am so thankful for the support and encouragement that is t o be found on this blog!! You guys are awesome! :)
Ora Love
He is good..
on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 7:54 am
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I have been blessed and encouraged by all of the comments that I read here. I was reminded of not being able to conceive. That was 43 years ago...for many years(10) of crying and wondering why my husband (now in Heaven) and I were not able to have children. I promised Him if He gave us children I would give them back to Him.
Then Praise God, a precious little girl and and then a precious little son.

Today 41 and 40 years old, the two of them love God with their whole hearts.
I am so very grateful for the Faithfulness of my Father.

I am now believing Him for what is considered by man, a miracle.

All of your testimonies and encouragement has caused me to be reminded of who God is in my life.
He is truly my Abba Father, and also yours.

And His desire is that we serve Him in peace and joy.
Yes the pain is worth it all.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!!

Ora
andrea
Rachel Allison
on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 1:37 pm
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please keep hanging on...i know what its like to feel so weary of fighting...so you're not alone....i will pray for you...
Gods Jewel
@ RachelAllison
on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 3:32 pm
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This past year my cousin has helped me in my walk with Jesus, my savior. She pointed me to some books, that I love reading (of course the bible is the best). the author is Leslie Ludy and she also has a website: setapartgirl.com...the website has a monthly magazine that is very helpful to me. God Bless You! (and once again, I'll be praying for you!)
Heather Sv.
Re:
on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 8:27 pm
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That's so awesome! I love how God provides =) One pastor at my church just "graduated" from their intern program. He's becoming a pastor at a semi-local upcoming campus. He said that when God called him to ministry, He and his wife lost their jobs, they lost their house, their dog (oh no!), and they had to move in with his grandfather. They have been tight on money for a long time. They couldn't even have Christmas for their kids last year. But my pastor prayed that God would provide for him to take their family out to eat because that was something he used to love doing with his family, and they hadn't been able to in a long time. A few weeks (or months?) later, someone sent an anonymous envelope to the church for my pastor, and it was filled with tons of giftcards to Applebees, Red Robin, and lots of other places! Isn't that cool?! My pastor obeyed God even after so much was taken from him, but God made sure that he could still spend quality time with his family =)
Lorree, with the LYWB team
re: RachelAllison
on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 3:49 pm
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Oh, Friend, how I am praying for you. Even when we cannot see what God is doing, we can trust His heart because He is a good God! Although what you have had to give up and are being asked to give up seems huge in our eyes, in light of eternity, they are small. I often use 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 to help me keep my perspective. You might find these words helpful, too:

For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

God promises that His grace is sufficient for our life here on earth regardless of what comes our way (2 Cor. 12:9-10). Nancy Leigh DeMoss has said that when God is asking us to surrender something to Him, the tighter we hold on to it, the more it hurts because then He has to pry our fingers off. I’m praying that God will give to you a heart of full surrender today and that He will fill the deepest longings of your heart with His presence and His peace. I am asking Him to help you gain and keep an eternal perspective that encourages you in the battle you are in. Stay in the Word, friend! It will keep you anchored to God!
RachelAllison
@Lorree
on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 4:13 pm
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Thank you, Lorree, for your prayers, encouragement, and wise words. Thank you also for reminding me of this verse that so easily slips my mind.
I am working on submission and trusting - what a constant battle this turns out to be. I am focusing the eyes of my heart on His love, which exceeds any love for/from anything/anyone else.
Chloe
Operation Christmas Child
on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 11:09 pm
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When I was a little girl, I had a whole collection of stuffed animals. I will admit that I still have about half of those stuffed animals, an impressive amount for a teenager girl, and that my favorite animals sit on my bed. As I was saying, I had lots of stuffed animals. And every year in December my mom would have us put a box full of toys and essentials to be sent to children in different countries so that they could have Christmas presents. I remember one year in particular that I made the choice to give one of my favorite stuffed animals. I somehow knew that this little poodle with pink bows on her ears would really make some little girl happy. I had just gotten it not too long ago and I had introduced her to all of my other stuffed animals and held her close in my sleep. I don't remember what I named her but I put her in the box with the other toys that I had bought at the store. I know that she's somewhere now making a little girl very happy. I had plenty of stuffed animals at that age, but more likely then not, that poodle was her only one.