Today we’ll be looking at a second instalment of Hidden Treasures of Darkness revealed.
While we’re enjoying a cuppa with some salted caramel Macaroons, both absolutely delicious!
It’s cold here again on the East Coast of Australia, even though last week we had a heat wave in Spring. Crazy weather!
So we’ll be sitting inside out of the blustering wind. Now we’re comfy we can begin…
The Journey…
In my first post of Hidden Treasures of Darkness Revealed I gave the analogy of Painting landscapes on a canvas after watching Bob Ross, with his constant emphasis when painting that we need to lay the dark shading before the light or bright colors.
For without the dark shadowing, he explains, the lighter & brighter colours are not highlighted. They just become a monotone of colour blended together.
It was an analogy about my personal journey with Fibromyalgia (FM). Shared Here.
Today’s instalment will be the lessons learnt & wisdom gleaned through this continuing journey which began in 2005.
The Treasure is slowly revealed…
…so that we can confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid.” Hebrews 13: 6
In 2007 beside the above verse I have written the following;
‘Not well & finding it a challenge to ‘Be’ when time is short. But God is teaching me so many wonderful things within this time.’
Then again beside the same verse five years later I wrote;
‘God is so good & kind to me in these times of ill health. I give you all of my concerns, anxieties & worries to you Lord & leave them with You…’
A year later I wrote;
‘Concerned for my family they all look so weary at their young ages…But God only you can give the strength, wisdom, knowledge & understanding that they need ~ as you constantly do for me.
Your Strength in our weakness…Your Strength in my time of illness is all I can trust & rely upon.’
Then in 2015 beside the following verse;
“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that the fruit of lips give thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15
I wrote the following;
Ten years of Fibromyalgia what have I learnt?
That God is my Strength.
That God is my all.
That God is with me 24 x 7. For He is the only One who can be.
Patience with myself & my abilities (or lack of them) now.
That expectations are man’s constant pressure upon himself & others around him.
Seasons in Life change & too often we get lost in the previous season, missing the blessings of the new one. Which then get delayed because we don’t recognise the change or necessarily want it! But all seasons are necessary for growth!
A closer, deeper relationship with the Lord & that’s why we’re here!
Eight years on, I can definitely continue to echo the above wisdom.
The True Treasure Revealed
For the true treasure of my Heavenly Father’s faithful companionship through His Son Jesus & the Holy Spirit on this journey of discovering His hidden treasures of darkness that highlight His unending love & kindness to me.
“… I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness— secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD…” Isaiah 45:3 Amen!
What about you my friend, have you been on your own journey with the Lord in finding His hidden treasures in the darkness of your circumstances?
I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or in Prayer
© 2023 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Image on Pexels.com
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Your story is filled with such hope, Jennifer! What a testimony of God’s faithfulness, strength, and even joy during long seasons of trial. Some time ago now, at the beginning of a difficult season that lasted two years, God led me to a hidden treasure in scripture one morning, John 13:7. It seemed he’d written it for ME: “You do not realize now what I am doing but later you will understand.” That gave me such hope! Praise God he IS our constant Companion, our strength, our loving and caring Father.
Thank you Nancy. That He is & I love how He reveals to us, on an individual level, that our hope & trust in Him will not be disappointed. Thank you for sharing that with us today. Lovely having you join me in a cuppa my friend 😊
This sentence stood out to me: “all seasons are necessary for growth.” One of my “dark seasons” was when my parents divorced when I was a teenager. We moved to a big city where we knew no one. All my props, everything familiar, had been pulled away. But God used those circumstances to draw me to Himself. Then another was when I had an illness called transverse myelitis, where a virus hits the spine and causes an autoimmune reaction, attacking the myelin sheath around the nerves as well as the virus. I couldn’t walk on my own for several months and still have numbness and balance issues. But how that time cast me on the Lord for help and strength. I recently read a quote from Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth which says “Anything that makes us need God is a blessing.”
Thank you for sharing your experience here Barbara. You’ve been through a great deal but I’m so glad the Lord was there carrying you through. I agree with Nancy’s quote too ☺️
Thank you for reminding me of Isaiah 45:3, Jennifer. God truly does give us treasures in the darkness. I have learned, too, that it’s in the difficult seasons of life that God gifts me with a closer, deeper relationship with Him. Yes, He is the only one who can be with us 24/7! Love and blessings of strength to you in all your trials!
Thank you Trudy. Love & blessings to you too my friend! ☺️
Jennifer, this year has been challenging with my husband’s health. We have seen God’s faithfulness in every crook and turn. Your post is most encouraging my friend! Love and hugs♥️🙏🏻
Pam, I’m saddened to hear that Butch has been struggling with his health this year but so glad that both of you can see God’s faithfulness working in the situation. Love & hugs to you both sweet friend ❤️🙏
Having two mentally ill stepdaughters I am challenged frequently to realize that God loves them completely. It has reduced my desire to have them be any different since they are both middle aged now
I agree it is wonderful Elizabeth how God works in all our lives with that complete love He has for each one of us, individually.