[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]

 

I am so excited for this Summers Tune In Thursday Guest Blogs!  Y’all, are in for a special treat, as we have some very special guests joining us over the summer each week.

 

Today’s guest is Esther Dorotik.  I haven’t had the honor of meeting Esther in person, but from our interactions via the blogosphere, I know she is a woman full of grace.  She loves the Lord, has a passion for His Word, and she is an encourager at heart.  I love the beauty Esther has created on her blog, and her mission words resonate within me: “Chosen and Cherished, Encouragement for Living Life Abundantly.” Yes and Amen!

Thank you Esther, for sharing your hope and encouragement with us today at Tune In Thursday.  I encourage you to leave comments below for Esther, and don’t forget to link up your posts below.

Enjoy and Blessings,

Debbie 

 

 

Esther is a mama to two beautiful girls and a wife to an extremely supportive hubby. She’s a photographer and blogger. Most of her spare time is spent with her family or her nose in the Bible or a good book.

 

 

The Rainbow After the Storm:

Finding Hope In The Midst of Hurt

Guest Post by:  Esther Dorotik

 

The sun glistened on the fresh raindrops outside the car window.  Partially dry windshield wipers screech across the window clearing the rain from the brief mid-June shower.

 

As I lifted my heavy head from my hands and wiped the pool of tears from my eyes, there painted across the sky in the most brilliant colors, was a rainbow. A promise. A covenant signifying hope after the storm, beauty after devastation.

 

Beauty, after this storm, Lord? Could there ever be?

 

Nothing would bring my brother back. Not only was I mourning the loss of someone precious to me, but hopeless thoughts of his eternal home sank deep in my soul.

 

Questions raced. Bargaining of “what if” and regret of “if only” stifled any strength I had left. How can anything beautiful come from such a tragic ending?

 

 

While I will never understand why this or other tragedies have to happen, I now know a side of my Father I never knew before. My Merciful Helper showed up with unparalleled strength, matchless healing, and restoration of hope.

 

 

Perhaps, you find yourself grieving the loss of a loved one, a miscarriage, a broken marriage, health, stability, or a dream. I’m here to assure you there is One who can take your wounded, weary, burdened soul and fill you with hope and joy in return.

 

But what do you do while you travel through this valley of despair? How do you get to the other side when you feel like you’re surrounded by nothing but lifeless, dry bones?

 

Grieve. Receive. Believe. And Agree.

 

GRIEVE

 

  1. Allow yourself to grieve

 

Grieving is a natural response to loss and there is no right or wrong way. The point is to give yourself permission to do so; not to ignore or suppress your feelings. Roller coaster emotions are common: there will be good days and indeed hard days. Sow, scatter, shed your tears. However, whenever, wherever and with whoever.

  • Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him (Psalm 126:5-6 NIV).

 

 

  1. Be Willing To Do Your Part

 

Notice, the person goes out weeping BUT still carrying seed to sow. We must be willing to do our part in the healing process. In addition to seeking God, this may include talking to friends, church family, or counseling. As an introvert, all I wanted to do was retreat, avoiding any contact with the outside world. But, isolation only makes you vulnerable to enemy invasion. As hard as it seems, keep living. Go out weeping and you WILL return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves of healing with you.

  • Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV).

 

RECEIVE

 

  1. Sorrow is temporary

 

When you’re in the midst of grief’s valley and all you see are the mountains of despair hovering over you, it’s hard to believe there will be better days. Psalm 23:4 says, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” Walk through the valley but don’t get stuck there. Don’t stop and build a tent along grief’s journey. It’s been a little over two years since my brother’s death and not a day goes by that I don’t think of him, but the sorrow that gripped me has diminished.

  • weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 NIV

 

  1. God’s Word

 

This might go without saying but God speaks most through His Word. When you need to hear His comforting voice, dig into His love letter to you. I can’t tell you how many times God met me on the pages of Psalms. During the darkest time of my grieving, when I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face, Psalm 119:105 became my lifeline verse. His word gave me just enough light to see each next step, guiding me through the valley and onto healing. If you don’t know where to start, the book of Psalms is a great place.

 

  • The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV

 

BELIEVE

 

  1. God Will Bring Good Out Of Tragedy

 

For a child of God, suffering is never wasted. If we allow Him to use our pain, He can bring good out of our. God can multiply seeds and return them a thousand fold like sheaves. Only your Redeemer can wipe every tear from your eyes and return what the enemy has stolen.

 

  • And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV

 

  1. Times of Refreshing Are Coming

 

Be patient. Waiting on the Lord’s timing and not leaning on your own understanding, is a test of trust. Just like a farmer who sows seeds and waits to carry sheaves, we too must wait on the Lord to renew our strength and replace our joy. He will give us wings to soar above the circumstances and to run the season without growing weary (Isaiah 40:31).

 

  • Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! Psalm 31:24

 

AGREE

 

  1. To Share Your Story

 

There is a gift of understanding that comes from sharing your story with others. An understanding that you’re not alone in your suffering, your feelings, your fears, or your thoughts because others are traveling the same journey to find hope and healing. So, allow your pain to bring healing to someone else.

 

What if you’re not the one going through the grief? What can you do for others?

 

Use Your Words Sparingly

 

“They are in a better place.”

 

“I know how you feel.”

 

“There’s a reason God allowed this.”

 

“God won’t give you more than you can handle.”

 

All examples of what NOT to say. Simply put, perfect words don’t exist. Being there to mourn with them (Romans 12:15), lending a shoulder to cry on, and a listening ear are great nonverbal ways declaring, “I’m here for you.” Although the story of Job’s friends (Job 2:11-13) didn’t end well, they had a great beginning. They sat by his side for a week allowing tears to say what words could not. So, be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:10).

 

Don’t Ask, Just Do

 

“Let me know if I can do anything for you.”

 

People offer with good intentions but it puts the burden of reaching out for help on an already burdened individual. Many times, the grieving have clouded vision and might not recognize the daily needs much less know when to reach out. According to Galatians 6:2, we are to carry each other’s burdens. Pick up the kids, grab groceries, drop off meals, or clean the house.

 

Will my life ever be the same? No. There will always be birthdays without candles and holidays with an empty chair. But we can move past the empty hole of sorrow, finding hope for tomorrow and joy for our heart.

 

 

 

 

Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!

I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs.  I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way.  Thank you!

 

Tune In Thursday

 

Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:

 

[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]

Do you wonder if God still speaks today?  Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally?  Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?

Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to  move you forward  hearing from God?

If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need.  I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others.  He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you.  The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice. 

I have been teaching these classes internationally for the last 10+ years equipping and training believers in discerning the Ways God speaks.  God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?

2. My new membership site, d2htrainging.com has official opened, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.

Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.

Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:

Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be

Who we Are and Whose We Are

Trusting God When it Seems Illogical

Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)

My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party

My Post: The Power of your Story was featured here:

My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:

The Luke 2:52 Project

My Post: “Will You Sit with Me?” was featured here:

My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:

featured-image2

Again,  I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:

 

Exclusively Free Resources for Subscribers

Exclusively Free Resources for Subscribers

Enter your email below to subscribe and receive immediate access to my entire library of free resources! Including video teaching, printables, e-books, downloads and much more.

You’ll also be added to my mailing list and will receive occasional updates, and your personal information will never be shared.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest