3.19.2014

He Will Refine and Restore

"You focus on Me - I will work through others to refine you;
You focus on Me - I will work through you to restore others."


For months (really, off and on for over a year now), I've been in this funk. There's been a lot of whining on my part about circumstances I've been given and wrestling with feelings of utter failure in various areas of my life & just being a terrible reflection of Jesus. Recently (and probably all along! I've just been unwilling to hear it), this has been the consistent message: Focus on Me, Lisha. I will work through others to refine you and work through you to restore others. But you just need to focus on Me.

Jesus invites me to sit at His feet and hear His voice, often (continually). To be nourished in the depths of my soul by His words. And as I try to take Him up on His offer daily - small choice by small choice - I'm slowly letting Him show me that oftentimes the unkindness and harshness of others is what causes me to cling to Him even more. The unkindnesses and crummy circumstances are not good, but He uses those moments for good. And as I turn my energies to honoring Him with each next task or opportunity He puts in my path, I find that I do not have to step in to others' lives and try to play the part of the Holy Spirit - just yield to Him and let Him work in hearts (including my own!).

Friend, if you have taken your eyes off of Him, I am praying that this will encourage you, too.

Striving to steady my gaze upon
the Author and Finisher of my faith,
for His glory!
~Lisha

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10 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this; keeping our eyes on Him while He works through us and in us in all circumstances is a precious and peaceful thing to be growing into each day. It's encouraging to remember this.

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    1. It seems so simple - so simple! - but, for me, it's just learning it and leaning on it a little bit at a time. I am SO thankful for the Father's incredible patience with His children.

      Thanks for the encouraging words!
      ~Lisha :)

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  2. Found you from Serving Joyfully! Loved this post, what a great reminder, we are being refined through trials and need to lean on Him! Thank you!

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    1. I'm so thankful you're here, Nicole. We do - just need to lean on Him. He is so gracious and patient with us!

      Thank you for the encouragement!
      ~Lisha :)

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  3. Thanks for the encouragement! This was beautifully written! Found you from #sorrynotsorry

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    1. Thank you for such kind words, Anna! I am so blessed that you've stopped by! :)

      Blessings,
      Lisha :)

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  4. It's so easy to get in "the funk," isn't it? Thanks for reminding me to keep my eyes on Him. So lovely to "meet you" through Thriving Thursdays this week! :)

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    1. It is so easy to slip into that funk, yes. I am so blessed that you're here, Lyli! Thank you for the encouragement!

      Blessings to you!
      ~Lisha :)

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  5. Hi Miss Lisha, we nominated you for the Liebster Award, here is the link to the Award. Blessings ~ The Rosevine Cottage Girls

    http://rosevinecottagegirls.blogspot.com/2014/03/ive-been-nominated-for-liebster-award.html

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    1. Oh, ladies - you continue to encourage. Thank you! <3

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