Thursday, June 5, 2008

Feeling Dry?

Focusing on healing from abuse can be draining. Sometimes it feels like the process will never end. Sometimes it leaves us thirsty for easier times.

As I write today, rain is steadily falling outside my window, soaking my garden with life-giving water. I know that soon I will notice that my chili plants and lettuce sprouts are dramatically taller. Each spring I marvel at the difference in benefit to my plants between rain and my watering can. Sprinkles from water that has seeped through the ground and then been drawn up in a well does not deliver as much life as fresh drenching rain.

When we are feeling fried or wilted by life’s hardships, we need a good rain too. Going to church, listening to Christian radio, and reading Christian blogs and books is like healthy well water. It is good. But a soaking of life-giving strength is delivered best through one-on-one time with God in his Word/the Bible. Receiving a fresh douse of the Holy Spirit’s presence and walking in Jesus Christ is irreplaceable. The pain we experience is temporary—life with our eternal Father is eternal. May God strengthen you with his outpouring of love today, Readers!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord my friend. Very powerful words you have written. Yes God's words and promises are forever and the troubles we go through today are only temporary. Stay strong in the Lord my friend and stay strong in your faith. God bless and keep you!

Tanya T. Warrington said...

Thank you, Valerie Lynn. God bless you to.

Recommended Books

  • 10 Lifesaving Principles for Women in Difficult Marriages by Karla Downing
  • A Way of Hope by Leslie J. Barner
  • Angry Men and the Women Who Love Them by Paul Hegstrom
  • Battered But Not Broken by Patricia Riddle Gaddis
  • Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
  • Bradshaw on the Family by John Bradshaw
  • Caring Enough to Forgive/Not Forgive by David Augsburger
  • Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
  • Healing the Wounded Heart by Dr. Dan B. Allendar
  • Keeping the Faith: Questions and Answers for the Abused Woman by Marie M. Fortune
  • Perfect Daughters by Robert J. Ackerman, Ph.D.
  • Recovery: A Guide for Adult Children of Alcoholics by Herbert L. Gravitz and Julie D. Bowden
  • Safe People by Dr Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
  • Slay Your Own Dragons by Nancy Good
  • The Cinderella Syndrome by Lee Ezell
  • The Dance of Anger by Harriet Goldhor Lerner, Ph.D.
  • The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee
  • Turning Fear to Hope by Holly Wagner Green
  • When Violence Comes Home: Help for Victims of Spouse Abuse by Tim Jackson and Jeff Olson
  • Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft