What resonates deeply with me is the difference between naming what hurts and allowing what hurts to name us. Scripture never asks us to pretend the waters are not rising. The Psalms are filled with people telling God exactly how frightened, exhausted, confused, and wounded they are.
Biblical faith is not positive thinking dressed in Christian language; it is the courage to tell the truth about the storm while refusing to make the storm more authoritative than the God who meets us within it. Sometimes the most faithful sentence we can speak is not “everything is fine,” but “this hurts, and yet God is still here.”
That is why your phrase “speak the Word back” carries such weight for me. There have been seasons when my circumstances did not immediately change after prayer, but the Word changed the person standing inside those circumstances. It reminded me that grief could speak without becoming prophecy, fear could be acknowledged without becoming lord, and yesterday could be remembered without being permitted to define tomorrow.
So, maybe renewing the mind begins there: not in silencing our pain, but in teaching our pain that it does not get the final word; for as you so beautifully said, 'God does.'
Ze, thank you so much for taking the time to share this. You put words around this so beautifully, especially the difference between allowing pain to speak and allowing it to have the final word. That is exactly the heart behind “speak the Word back.” We don’t deny what hurts or pretend the storm isn’t real; we just refuse to give it greater authority than what God has said. I’m so grateful this resonated with you, and I truly appreciate you adding such a thoughtful perspective to the conversation. Blessings to you!
this reminds me so deeply of when I was being prepared for surgery in the middle of the night following removal on my breast because of state for breast cancer, my husband was holding my hand, and all I could say was quotation mark walked to the other shadow of dead evil come let me never forget that. When I woke up, it was as if nothing had ever happened. Let me remember that and never ever forget to draw the line down on the paper and remember God’s words of everything. Thank you for this message. I will continue to speak the word back.
Wow, Judy! That is powerful! And that is so how God’s Word works when we speak His word back. It’s alive and active!! I’m so thankful for your story - thank you so much for sharing!
Tracee,
What resonates deeply with me is the difference between naming what hurts and allowing what hurts to name us. Scripture never asks us to pretend the waters are not rising. The Psalms are filled with people telling God exactly how frightened, exhausted, confused, and wounded they are.
Biblical faith is not positive thinking dressed in Christian language; it is the courage to tell the truth about the storm while refusing to make the storm more authoritative than the God who meets us within it. Sometimes the most faithful sentence we can speak is not “everything is fine,” but “this hurts, and yet God is still here.”
That is why your phrase “speak the Word back” carries such weight for me. There have been seasons when my circumstances did not immediately change after prayer, but the Word changed the person standing inside those circumstances. It reminded me that grief could speak without becoming prophecy, fear could be acknowledged without becoming lord, and yesterday could be remembered without being permitted to define tomorrow.
So, maybe renewing the mind begins there: not in silencing our pain, but in teaching our pain that it does not get the final word; for as you so beautifully said, 'God does.'
Blessings,
Ze Selassie
Ze, thank you so much for taking the time to share this. You put words around this so beautifully, especially the difference between allowing pain to speak and allowing it to have the final word. That is exactly the heart behind “speak the Word back.” We don’t deny what hurts or pretend the storm isn’t real; we just refuse to give it greater authority than what God has said. I’m so grateful this resonated with you, and I truly appreciate you adding such a thoughtful perspective to the conversation. Blessings to you!
Amen! May all the glory go to God as we continue to move according to His will as conduits of love!
Amen and amen!
Beautiful piece Tracee needed this!
So very thankful for that!!! Blessings to you!
This is exactly what I needed to see today. God bless you!
I am so thankful for that!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Many blessings to you too!! —Tracee
Thank you that was excellent🙏
You’re welcome Gary!! So thankful that was a blessing to you!
The Word of God is the Tip of the Spear especially when you’re praying🙏
100% true! Love that!
this reminds me so deeply of when I was being prepared for surgery in the middle of the night following removal on my breast because of state for breast cancer, my husband was holding my hand, and all I could say was quotation mark walked to the other shadow of dead evil come let me never forget that. When I woke up, it was as if nothing had ever happened. Let me remember that and never ever forget to draw the line down on the paper and remember God’s words of everything. Thank you for this message. I will continue to speak the word back.
Wow, Judy! That is powerful! And that is so how God’s Word works when we speak His word back. It’s alive and active!! I’m so thankful for your story - thank you so much for sharing!
This teaching has touched my heart and soul. Thank you for sharing this wisdom.
Thank you, Natalie! I truly appreciate that. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your weekend! Blessings to you!
Thank you for this
You're welcome!!!
So good thank you 🙏🏼
Thank you!! Have a great Monday!
Compellingly Profound
I really needed this !!!
So thankful for that!!
Thank you, Tracee.
You’re welcome Anne!!
Good message mere dost kya Pakistan mein kam karna chahte ho yah khidmat ka ya aapko offer hai Khuda ki taraf se