A moment of encouragement to share with you all~
Have you even felt as if you were never going to make it out of the storm in one piece, if at all? Of course you have. We all have felt this way at one time or another but we have made it through because you and I are still here. We did not give up. We held on to a hope that was lingering in our very souls. That Hope is Jesus.
Today’s inspiration came from a beautiful surprise awaiting me out in the lawn. It was a butterfly (of course ) if you have come to know a little bit about me through my blog or as a friend that you have met in person. I love them dearly. How much joy they bring to my heart even when I am not feeling all that chipper. I manage to form a smile on my face and in my heart. I can say that the same applies with the Word of God and the comfort it brings me as I draw nearer to the Lord more and more.
Let’s just say that today turned out a bit different.
It was storming earlier today and I must say that it was coming down hard. I know that this is not the best looking butterfly but it’s life had meaning before it passed away. You see….. it was lying out in the grass on its back perishing away as an ant was most likely feeding on it. As much as I wanted to rescue it, I had to allow nature to take its course. After it died, I had my son bring it into the house inside a box on a paper towel.
My heart ached for this butterfly. To see it all tattered and lifeless pierced me within, yet at the same time it brought revelation. It took me back to scripture and how significant it is to our own lives. We all know that a butterfly starts off as a caterpillar and then evolves from there. It is a process of transforming. (metamorphosis) Jesus does that with us. He changes us. No matter what the outside looks like, we are being transformed on the inside.
We are under the Master’s care as we go through hardships and uncomfortable circumstances. We may look worse on the outside to others and ourselves but our inside is messed up even more. As believers, we cannot always escape from the pain. God will allow us to go through things just to bring us closer to Him and to repair us.
Scripture says this:
Cast Down but Unconquered
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NKJV)
Seeing the Invisible
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV)
Bind the Word as a garland around your neck and write it on your heart.
Be Encouraged
“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:3-6).
“My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:20-23).
“My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 7:1-3).
Living Simply In Abundance 
Wow, I love this! What an awesome, insightful, heart-rending post dear sister! Beautifully and smartly written. I don’t want to take up your blog comment area with a bunch of dialogue, so the best way I can say how much I so agree with your post is to paste a link to something I wrote that goes with what you wrote here. http://lynleahz.com/2012/07/27/are-you-ready-to-fall-apart/ God bless you for this beautiful post and the blessed symbolism of the little butterfly that didn’t survive.
Thank you for your kindness and cheerful encouragement Lyn! I would not have minded if you wrote a bunch of dialogue because I know I can be longwinded when I write sometimes. Thank you for adding the link though. I look forward to reading it.
Thank you for “getting” the symbolism though the butterfly died. Scripture really clarified if for me. Though the outer man will perish, we will eternally be with the Lord no matter what and that is what matters the most. This body is temporary as well as our stay. We are just pilgrims passing through. Oh praise the Lord!
God bless you dear sister!
“Why do you complain, Ya’akov; why do you say, Isra’el, “My way is hidden from Adonai, my rights are ignored by my God”? Haven’t you known, haven’t you heard that the everlasting God, Adonai, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not grow tired or weary? His understanding cannot be fathomed. He invigorates the exhausted, He gives strength to the powerless. Young men may grow tired and weary, even the fittest may stumble and fall; but those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength, they will soar aloft as with eagles’ wings; when they are running they won’t grow weary, when they are walking they won’t get tired.” Yesha ’Yahu 40:27-31 (Isaiah)
When I close my eyes in the evening hours, it is your face I see. Though I know not what your face looks like, I imagine it anyway.
When I close my eyes in the evening hours, I know you’re gazing down upon me; and I can see your smile in my dreams, my dreams of heaven and your amazing glory.
Sometimes before I doze off to sleep, I can see myself running freely throughout eternity. I am leaping from mountain to mountain, soaring high in the places where here I cannot go; while all along you are smiling, because you already know.
In my moments of deepened thought, I am kneeling before your feet; and then I am singing songs to you…singing songs as I dance along a golden street.
When I open my eyes to the morning sun, it is your smile I see. I know what your smile looks like, it’s in the flowers, and it’s in the tree; for they were created to grow stretching forth their arms in glory.
When I open my eyes to the morning sun, I’ve never been so free; all of the fear has up and gone, because I can feel you holding me.
Oh my Lord…Adonai, I can see and feel you everywhere; for I cannot draw in a breath without inhaling your indescribable scent. My eyes were made for only you, and your love is beyond compare.
For it is you, my Lord, who knows me so well, for upon my head you have numbered every hair; when I’ve stumbled and I’m shattered, you have loved me when others would not dare.
I gaze out into the distance, and I rejoice because you are my Father. I know the time is coming soon we shall reunite, and my heart swells with laughter.
I didn’t deserve it, for I was poor and filthy. Yet you picked me up from the side of the road, fixing your gaze upon me; and as you spoke, your words were as smooth as a peaceful sea.
“My little child, I have loved you so; and I knew you’d be here this day. I have come to rescue you; will you come with me and stay?”
You took me to your palace and treated me like a queen, when in actuality, I was nothing. You bathed me, fed me, and gave me clothes, and called me your little princess. You announced to everyone that today you had found your daughter, and blessed me with many kisses.
My Father I owe you everything, for you gave me the breath of life; my every heartbeat is indebted to you, for you are rich in mercy.
Had you not come, had you not loved, had you not been so abundant in care; I would still be nothing more than a dirty slave sitting on the side of the road hungry, helpless, and bare.
Thank you for all that you have done, and thank you for sending me a second chance through Yeshua, your only son. Thank you for sharing your Spirit, or I would have been done; and thank you for showing me kindness when I deserved none.
©2012 Lyn Leahz
This was great Lyn! Thank you for sharing it. It was really into reading it as it makes me think about how we struggle and call out to the Lord in need of His help and comfort. He never fails to come through for us.
Thank you so much Terra…I didn’t realize it was going to be ‘that’ lonng on here…and do apologize! I got worried after I saw it! I am glad you enjoyed it! God bless you dear sister in Christ!
It’s quite ok! 🙂
This was right on time! Thank You for posting! & Reading these scriptures definitely makes me wanna be in the Word even more!
I love it when God comes right on time with the very things we need to fill us up! Glad you enjoyed reading the post. Many blessings to you sis!
AMEN! To God be the glory! Nothing can harm us or separate us from our Jesus! He has the victory and in Him, we become more than conquerors! I stand against every scheme and lie of the enemy in Jesus’ name! No matter what things look like or how we feel, our God is faithful and Jesus never changes. I stand firm on this truth today. I praise our heavenly Father for who He is!!
Amen! How great it is too hear this loving passion of faith speak out and stand on God’s word! God bless you for stirring up my spirit!
“We are under the Master’s care as we go through hardships and uncomfortable circumstances. We may look worse on the outside to others and ourselves but our inside is messed up even more. As believers, we cannot always escape from the pain. God will allow us to go through things just to bring us closer to Him and to repair us.”
I really needed to hear this Terra. I’m going through something awful right now and it’s all I can do to not panic and put myself into a deep depression. I made a big mistake and the trials and suffering I’m going through is of my own doing. I just want the inner pain to go away. Why can’t I do what the Bible says and just “trust in the Lord”? It’s not that i don’t trust God, its me I don’t trust. I don’t know. Anyway, thank you for your encouraging words. Many blessings to you friend. ~~~Michele
Michele, I am happy to know that the Lord brought your attention to this post. I read your comment earlier this morning but I could not respond at the time. Please know that I have lifted you up in prayer and that the Lord will continue to heal you. I don’t believe that He has allowed you to see this post or bring anything to your attention that is edifying. He has not tossed you overboard for you to save yourself. During this hardship, continue to deny yourself and just hand every thing over to the Lord. Give it all away but ask that His strength be made perfect in it all. Surrender, stand tall, speak over yourself, encourage yourself, rebuke the lies of condemnation and press on in Christ Jesus.
God will heal you. Shelter yourself in the Word, hold it close to your heart and speak righteous seeds. Do not contain harmful seeds to bottle within yourself. We all have weaknesses and shortcomings. The Lord knows better than anyone what you are going through . I am here if you need to talk. Feel free to email me personally and we can go from there. I love you dearly and I know you will come of of this storm.
God bless you. Keep the faith sis.
~Terra
what is your email address? I would like to talk further. I could use some guidance.
It’s: terrasiphone@gmail.com
Looking forward to hearing from you.
I also love butterflies. Seeing the tattered wings on something so fragile tugs at my heart. But they go on about their business until their days come to an end.
Well said Patti. You made good point. It’s pretty cool that you love butterflies too. They are beautiful.