I Know that You are Good

Happy Sunday! In the month of January, Dr. Jennifer Degler and I have shared about Facing Our Giants With Eyes of Faith in 2020 and Fear is a Liar.

We still have a couple of videos left to record, but both of our schedules have been so busy, we haven’t recorded them yet, but we will get them recorded soon.

One of the things that have kept us busy is a women’s event we had at our church on Friday night called, Fan the Flame.

Jennifer was the speaker, and I emceed the event. We have been preparing for this event for months and over 800 women attended. It was a great night!

(Below is the ladies who helped work the event. My daughter is in the picture too, she’s on the front row, the fifth one on the right.)

I Know that You are Good

Today I wanted to share with you a quote I put on Instagram When God says he’ll give you back better than what you lost, believe him. -Alli Worthington.

I shared this because I have seen God do this in my own life. I have felt great loss and pain in my life but I have seen good come from it.

After I shared this, a lady messaged me and asked where does God say this in scripture?

I shared Isaiah 61:3, “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

I also said that there is the promise of heaven for those who believe. There will come a day when every tear will be wiped.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

This lady responded with a hurting heart because she has lost her son. How can God give her back better than what she lost?? Will he give her a better son??

Of course, no one is going to replace her son. She is a grieving Mom, and she has every right to question how there will be beauty from these ashes.

If anyone understands this kind of grief, it’s Job. Job was a righteous man who loved and honored God.

Yet he lost everything. It crumbled around him; all he held dear. And he knew without God; he was nothing.

Where was God in it all? Where is He now? Deep grief, illness, brokenness, and death of loved ones, shatter our hope, and broken dreams.

I do NOT have all the answers. I’m a sinner saved by grace, and I have experienced brokenness in my own life (I’m not comparing my losses to the losses of someone who has lost a child).

God promises He will never leave us or forsake us. His love for us is greater than we could ever imagine. We live in a broken world, and I believe He is our only hope.

Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “In this world, you will have trouble, but take courage, for I have overcome the world.”

I will never understand all the brokenness and pain of this world. All I know to do is cling to Jesus.

Do you sometimes struggle to understand suffering in this world? Is there a verse in scripture that you cling to?

 

 

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  1. Thank you Cindy!
    Your daughter looks like you.
    Lucky young lady.
    Can you please put how you made
    the bandanna on your blog? I don’t
    have Instagram. I have two bandannas
    in my craft room and would like to
    make one to wear to the grocery store
    tomorrow.
    Thank you!

  2. Hi Cyndi, I lost my amazing husband of almost 23 years suddenly in 2017 leaving me with two children. Obviously, I was completely devastated. Since his passing the Lord has brought about so much healing and beauty to my life!

    Hosea 6:1-3, Isaiah 58: 8 &11, and Psalm 40:1-3, 5. Have been my go to verses.

    Since his death the Lord has given me a Chaplaincy job where I hold the burdens of others and use my pain for a purpose. He has also given me the opportunity to speak at Ladies Retreats, Chamber of Commerce events and other churches.

    This journey was NEVER what I would have wanted but there is so much pain in this world and the Lord is using my brokenheart and every single year I cried to heal me as I share Truth and Grace with others.

    In Job 42:10 it says, “The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.”

    Praying for others, seeking joy by being grateful and being vulnerable about my pain have brought me so much closer to my Heavenly Father and allowed me to heal in ways I never imagined.

    So no, He will not bring my husband back, but He is restoring my soul and using me as a beacon of radiance for Him.

    In Him,
    Karen

  3. Thank you for sharing, I needed that today! I’m sorry to say that I’m going to have to unsubscribe for a little while due to my mother falling this past Monday & fracturing her hip, then having surgery & now recovering. My brother & I are taking turns staying with her in the hospital. My husband & son have the flu so I don’t have time for much right now. I plan on subscribing again, really struggling

  4. So beautifully written, Cyndi. We lost our son in law to cancer when he was 32. He left behind our daughter and their two children who were 2 and 4. Since that time, God brought a wonderful man into ours and our daughter and grandchildrens lives who has filled the huge gap that was left when our son in law died. He loves our daughter and grandchildren with his whole heart, and has taken on a huge journey of helping them all heal and recover from their great loss. Our grandson, who is now 10 misses his dad so very often, and we read to him Joel 2:25 – 32 which tells of how “God will restore to you the years that the swarming locust have eaten”, and that one day in heaven, all the missed ballgames, all the missed hunting and fishing trips will be restored to him, never to be taken away again, and that we CAN trust God, Even tho it’s not what we thought this life would look like, God really did bring beauty from our ashes, and now we have another sweet grandaughter!!!! Hope this helps someone !!! Blessings everyone!!!

  5. The heartache felt in so many of these mothers’ stories. Hard to read the stories without tears. But then comes the strength in the sharing of scripture. I pray for all the healing His word will provide. On a side note, we had Jennifer Degler speak a few years back at our church in Georgetown, following her book No More Christian Nice Girl; she is fantastic.

  6. Thank you for doing what you do Cindy. I lost my husband a month ago and this post was really needed today! I stand in faith, it’s just so hard. I look forward to seeing my husband again someday in eternity. God Bless you!

  7. The book of Job is one I think of in times of loss and heartbreak. Thank you for sharing some of these verses and the reminder to look to the bible for comfort in God.

  8. So beautifully expressed, Cyndi! I lost my mama 18 months ago, and I mourn her every day. It comforts me to know she is with Jesus.
    My granddaughter has a debilitating neurological disorder as a result of a car accident she went from being an athlete and dancer, to a wheelchair. It’s so hard to understand, especially because she sometimes has horrible pain, but we are trusting God for healing, or grace to accept.
    Thank you for what you do.

  9. The verse which has helped me these last 3 years after losing my husband is found in Isaiah 41:10 “ … fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Putting my trust in the Lord is the only way I have been able to endure after a tragedy ~ I too lost a son. The people who helped me the most are those who simply prayed and sent simple words of encouragement not so much those who offered “words of advice.”

  10. My son was killed in a car accident on January 14th and I asked the same question as the mom you spoke of. So many people have commented on how strong I am through all the losses. My first husband died from a heart attack 28 years ago and my 27 year old daughter died from leukemia 8 years ago and now Sam. God is using my life as a testimony of His grace and I will have many spiritual sons in Heaven because of my sorrow on Earth. At least that’s how I see it.

  11. My family has had a very ROUGH NINE YEARS! The Bible states that we will all have trials and troubles in life…it’s all in how you choose to react and how strong your Faith is. My family members find great comfort in Psalm 62:2.

    1. I lost my husband over 12 years ago after a seven year battle with cancer. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds me to Trust God completely, don’t rely on my own thoughts, recognize Him and know He will guide me. This passage has helped me through life struggles and it speaks to my heart. It inspires me to do my part and gives me promises of God’s part. I love this passage and many more.

  12. Great post. Just this morning in church, a very painful loss rose up in my heart and it brought tears to my eyes. Loss is part of the journey in life. We heal over time. if I did not know and experience Gods peace it would be so much harder.

    People grieve at different speeds and we should not hurry anyone who’s pace is different than our own.

  13. The grief and despair from losing a child in death is awful to imagine. Also the grief and despair from losing a child to drugs, alcohol, or mental illness is hell on Earth. I keep trying to find that verse or encouragement to sustain us, and in some way save him.
    By the way, when I looked at the picture of your ladies’s group, I picked out your daughter as looking like you even in her outfit – and then read your comments. haha No hiding it.

  14. Cnydi,
    We were studying Job today in Sunday school and what we do when dealing with suffering he did. Apart from God, we are nothing and we cling to hope as he did. We must submit our lives to Christ and trust…

    Deb

  15. Hey Cyndi, I am so thankful that I have found you. You give me a “pick me up” every day! My husband and I are survivors of Hurricane “Harvey” in Houston, Tx. We a many others lost our belongings, furniture, cars, clothing, family photos and our sense of community as we knew it. It has been a slow recovery for many. I started looking at your site for clothing ideas. I have to admit, I will be 60yrs young and I love your style. You have touched my heart in so many ways. I think a ladies group like yours would be a great blessing in Houston, TX.

  16. Cnydi, thank you for you sharing. When I was struggling to believe if God was real in a time of uncertainty of life itself, I came across the scripture John 14:27. It was then that I realized the peace of the world is different then God’s peace and started a long journey getting to know Him. His word is the truth!❤️

  17. Cyndi, I so enjoy your blog and your tips on fashion and makeup, but even more importantly I love your heart for Jesus and how He is using you to encourage women. God has gifted you and I am so thankful you are being obedient to that gift.

  18. Cyndi,

    Thank you for sharing this particular message. So many people are hurting. I liked the scriptures you shared. I have 2 adult sons with muscular dystrophy. My husband and I provide all of their care. Our days are long and hard and we are at times so weary. It’s hard to have answers as to the purpose of our lives and the almost insurmountable challenges we face as a family and as individuals. After a particularly stressful week, your message came to me when I really needed to be reminded of it. Thank you for sharing.

  19. When I lost both my parents within 5 years of one another and I was not even yet 50, I clung to verses Isaiah 55: 8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. I certainly wasn’t ready to lose either parent and my dads passing was a complete shock… I also just read in my devotions yesterday this verse John 13:7 Jesus replied, ” You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” I can’t even imagine what this lady is going through. I will just pray for her healing and for her to know that God is there for her during this very difficult time. Blessings Karen.

    1. I had to comment on your post Karin because it was like telling my own story. Lost both parents in a matter of 4 years. My dads passing was also very sudden and my mom just seemed to go backwards straight after his death. She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lung disease not long afterwards and lived with me for over a year. She became bedridden and it was terrible watching her decline almost daily! Thank you to you and Cyndi for the scriptures. That is all that keeps us going. So heartsore for the mom who lost her son I cannot begin to imagine her pain.
      Blessings
      Lefkie

  20. Our neighbors son accidentally shot himself late last year. I know that she grew up in the church. To this day, she still does not want anyone telling her that she’s going to be okay nor is she open to any type of advice. While that was her only son, she has four girls, two of them are adults and her grandson that she has adopted, that need their mom. For most of her sons 21 years he caused her so much heartache and had been in serious trouble. But in her eyes, he was the perfect son, and she is not letting go. Her actions have put a real strain on her current marriage. I feel so helpless, so I pray daily for her and for their marriage. I know that God is in control. We gave the 14 and 9 yr old girls a Bible for Christmas, and pray that they will read them, so they can start healing and lean on Jesus.

  21. In this life there will always be pain, some pain that is far worse than we an ever imagine. It’s a simple verse, but always my go to…Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
    I learned that verse as a very young girl, along with many others, but that one has been the one that I have said in my head over and over during times I didn’t think I could go on.
    I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child, and my prayers are with this lady that she can find a way to push through and lean on God for understanding and strength.

  22. Cyndi: I also lost a 16 y-o son. He was our oldest and only boy. This was ten years ago. (We are still enjoying our 3 daughters!) This passage is hard for grieving parents. It’s implies they will get something they will like better than their child. Not true!

    My go to verse for grief is 2 Tim 1:12 “that is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him u Tim that day.”

    I’d you see her again…o think this verse would strengthen her. ❤️❤️❤️❤️