Finding God's Presence ~ Keeping a Grip on Hope

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

The preacher spoke directly to me - his words flung from the pulpit straight to my heart: "Jeremiah wrote Lamentations after his world as he had known it fell apart. But after his lament, Jeremiah reminded himself why he had hope - he recalled God's faithfulness."

 "I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
    the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
    the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there’s one other thing I remember,
    and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He’s all I’ve got left."

~ Lamentations 3:19-24, MSG

As sure as the sunrise is God's faithfulness to His children - His mercies are new every morning, His compassions never fail. What a glorious Truth! I may have been crushed - you may have been crushed - but in the crushing of a child of God, the fragrance of Christ is released. The fragrance of Christ is beautiful, healing, comforting.

The fragrance of Christ testifies of God's Presence.

The sweet aroma shouts to the world that we belong to the Lord God - that He is our portion, our inheritance. It announces to the enemy of our souls that what he meant for evil, God will use for good in our lives.

And when I remember that - when I recall His faithfulness - I keep a grip on hope.

A Tweetable to Encourage Others

Where is God when my world as I have known it falls apart? @NanJonesAuthor offers a glimpse. (click to tweet)

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 The Perils of a Pastor's Wife

by Nan Jones

Chapter One

After the Fire, A Gentle Whisper 

ONLY GOD KNEW where my husband was. I had run from the business meeting before its completion. Tempers flared. Tongues were unleashed, and nearly three years of fruitful ministry were all but destroyed. My heart beat madly within my chest, fighting desperately not to break from the pain of rejection. Angry tears stung my cheeks as I bolted from the sanctuary. I didn’t know if I could continue in this thing called ministry. God was asking too much of me.

My husband, David, and I had been ministering in the small rural church for three years. Under his leadership and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the church had experienced exponential growth. God’s mercy and grace flowed into the lives of our people. Church had become a place of joy, restoration, and refuge.

Then evil reared its ugly head.


The Perils of a Pastor's Wife may be purchased on Amazon. This would make the perfect gift for Pastor Appreciation Month (October).

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