Various books and chapters have been suggested to me, as I am reading the New Testament for the first time - being brought up and educated Catholic I have of course heard much of it in school and at Mass, but it never really occurred to me to listen - I have an online Bible study of John which i am following, and someone kindly suggested reading Proverbs, a chapter a night. However, I found myself reading Romans for no particular reason. Having never read The Bible before I can't go to particular verses for particular reasons. If you have seen my previous blog entry 'lost and knotted' you'll see I was much in need, and here is what I found:
Rom 5:2-5.
"For because of our faith, he has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has in mind for us to be. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us - they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
Amazing. Just what I needed, and also what I've been telling myself all week, or trying to. I recognise I need to develop patience and have prayed ( and continue to pray )that I make progress with this in the coming year. But how amazing to happen upon these very words at this very time! I believe He is listening to my heart and answering my prayers, not in my time but His, which is right.
Feeling much more at peace and consciously trusting that all things are to the good, despite circumstances and emotions feeling otherwise.
Rom 5:2-5.
"For because of our faith, he has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has in mind for us to be. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us - they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
Amazing. Just what I needed, and also what I've been telling myself all week, or trying to. I recognise I need to develop patience and have prayed ( and continue to pray )that I make progress with this in the coming year. But how amazing to happen upon these very words at this very time! I believe He is listening to my heart and answering my prayers, not in my time but His, which is right.
Feeling much more at peace and consciously trusting that all things are to the good, despite circumstances and emotions feeling otherwise.
