LITMIR.BIZ

      There is Beauty Here

      Finding Joy After Failure

      Copyright © 2019 Rebecca Bolin. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.

      Resource Publications

      An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers

      199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3

      Eugene, OR 97401

      www.wipfandstock.com

      paperback isbn: 978-1-5326-8709-9

      hardcover isbn: 978-1-5326-8710-5

      ebook isbn: 978-1-5326-8711-2

      Manufactured in the U.S.A. October 18, 2019

      Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

      Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

      This devotional is dedicated to Pastor Brad, a man of integrity, who still hears from God, and who is not afraid to change his sermon at the last minute to deliver the message that God Almighty has planted in his heart.

      Acknowledgments

      Praise be to Almighty God for giving me the courage and inspiration to create and share this work. To Lacey, my daughter and loyal friend, whose instincts and wisdom I trust and greatly respect, thank you for being my first reader and for your valuable edits and insights. To my husband, Bill, who first encouraged me to write, thank you for your confidence, your fine eye for detail, and for your steadfast support; I am truly grateful.

      Abbreviations

      Most of the scriptures cited in this work are from the King James translation of the Bible; however, is some instances, other translations of the Bible are referenced. Please see the list below for the abbreviations used in this text.

      KJV King James Version

      NASB New American Standard Bible

      NIV New International Version

      Introduction

      Many of us are familiar with the stages of grief when we lose a loved one. Our hearts are sorrowful, and we must find a way to cope with the emotions that threaten to consume us. Other events, such as divorce, can trigger similar patterns in our lives. For the Christian, the realization that we have failed God, our loving heavenly father, and wounded those we love can launch a cycle of grief, guilt, remorse, depression, and self-doubt that can become spiritually crippling if we allow it to consume us. We know God forgives, but how do we forgive ourselves and let go of the grief and pain we have caused? How do we achieve spiritual freedom from the chains of condemnation the enemy desires to keep fastened upon us?

      Although the process is not easy, there is healing and restoration from the knowledge and pain of failure. There is a soothing balm for the guilt and remorse that rise up against us, and it is found in the word of God and in spending time with our savior. All the answers we need are plainly given to those who seek him with a broken heart and contrite spirit. We can learn to accept, and yes, love the new person we have become through the faithfulness and provision of our loving heavenly father. The journey begins with learning to see ourselves the way God sees us.

      I would like for readers of this devotional to know that I approach the writing of this work with complete humility and awareness of my sin before God. Romans 2:10 teaches, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (KJV). There is not one of us who has attained perfection in our spiritual walk; only Christ was able to achieve that. Yet, some of us seem to really miss the mark and commit sins that leave ourselves and others broken and hurting. I was one of those people. I can relate to Paul who states in 1Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (KJV). I recognized my sin, my shortcomings, and my absolute need for the atoning blood of Jesus to cover my transgressions and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Even though I prayed earnestly and often for forgiveness for my own failures, I struggled for years with guilt, depression and deep remorse. I punished myself by refusing opportunities to minister and touch others, and I questioned whether or not I was truly forgiven. I isolated myself from those around me and thought I was not worthy to be used by God. By searching the Bible and writing down every detail of what God revealed to me through the scriptures, I gradually came to appreciate and embrace the unfailing love and boundless mercy of our heavenly father; I was able to release the pain and, finally, forgive myself.

      This devotional is a compilation of that time spent with the Lord, reading his word, meditating upon it, praying, and listening to his voice. My deepest and most sincere prayer is that you will find refuge, help, comfort, peace, and healing as you read these words and search the scriptures with me. May God’s blessings rest upon each of you.

      There is Beauty Here

      Day 1

      “But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand”

      —Isa 64:8 KJV

      We are all like lumps of clay in the hands of a loving God. There is beauty in the way he pulls us up from the miry pit and shapes us into a fine vessel that is ready for service. God takes all of our dirt and filth and clothes us in his righteousness. Even when we go through correction, hardship, pain, and disappointment there is beauty in the way God puts us back on the wheel and molds us and shapes us into a work of art that is pleasing to him. He keeps working the clay and fashions us into an instrument that can be used by him. He smooths out the rough edges and fires us in trials that test the limits of our strength and yet, somehow, make us even stronger. Sometimes, he even crushes us and starts over, but he never throws us away. He is the master creator, and we are his handiwork. His discipline can be hard, but he guides us through his living word. When we heed his word, he speaks to us through it, and reveals the areas where we need to be refined. There is beauty in the work he is doing. There is beauty in the time he takes to get our attention and correct us. There is beauty in the way he orchestrates our lives to place us in contact with people who speak light and life to us. There is beauty in the way he defines our path—how he laid it out from the very beginning to give us every opportunity to grow and make right choices. There is beauty in the way he inhabits our praises (Ps. 22:3). When we praise him, his presence is right there with us, and we can feel him near. There is beauty in the way he meets us in our quiet moments of prayer and calms our fears and anxieties. There is beauty in the way he responds to his children with comfort and strength when we cry to him for help. There is beauty in the way he teaches us to trust in him—to believe that he really is working all things together for our good (Rom 8:28). And there is beauty in the way he embraces us and washes over us in a flood of joy when we give with no thought of receiving. His unfailing love for us is beautiful and it is beyond comprehension. His love has no bounds. It has no beginning, and it has no end. He is from everlasting to everlasting, and he is reaching out his hand to us. All we have to do is accept his beautiful gift.

      Prayer

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