Pea of Sweetness

How We're Blaming God {Even if We Don't Mean To}

by

There is a cliché phrase I’ve heard (or seen) many times, and I’m sure you have, too.
“God Won’t Give Me More Than I Can Handle.”
All the time, right? I’ve used it myself! Now, I admit, I’m sensitive. My spiritual gift is Mercy, so when people are suffering it breaks my heart. I have seen so many heartbreaking comments on social media from “I don’t understand why God did (or is doing) this” to “How can people serve a God that would do that?”
I’m not sure what is more heartbreaking – that a believer is essentially blaming God for their trials or that a non-believer has this impression of God. What are we, as believers, doing to give them this impression? It could be because we are unconsciously saying these things that come across as blaming God.
How We're Blaming God
I don’t think it’s intentional, and I don’t even think that they necessarily even believe God gave them all their trials. It’s a popular quote, and it’s clearly interpreted by many that what they’re saying is God can help them. I’d just love to cross out that quote and replace it with “God Can Handle Any Challenges Or Trials In My Life.” Period.
I have had this on my heart for a while, but it was really stirred up again as I’ve been reading through Job this month. He’s in pain physically and emotionally, and he’s crying out in frustration and anger. Why was this happening to him? He’s been faithful to the Lord. We even ask today why bad things happen to good people.
On the flip side, Job is being accused of having committing some heinous sin. I mean, he had to do something wrong, right? Clearly, God must be angry with him! What else could it be?
When it comes down to it, though, they’re all wrong. God did allow it, but He didn’t do it. The fact is this: Satan was to blame.

Blaming God

When we are affected by trials and tragedy, we’re so quick to point the finger. We know God is in control. With that understanding, though, blaming God could be easy. Many believers cry out to Him and Trust in Him. They may feel that is the message they’re conveying. When statements are made that both blame God and honor him in the same statement, though, how will others interpret it? Believers may understand the sentiment (and even overlook the negative), but nonbelievers may find it quite discouraging! What message do we truly want to convey?
Heartbreak and tragedy affect the world every day. Why? It could be for many reasons. Can it be that God is testing us? Sure, but can we go deeper than that? Trials shape us and refine us. Sometimes trials bring us to our knees, and only then do we look to God for help.
Does that mean He is the reason for every trial? Of course not. What can be confusing, though, is that God does use our trials for His good. Let’s look at it like this: God didn’t give us that challenge, but he is going to use that challenge for good. Just like He can take sinners like us and make them beautiful, He can do that with challenges as well.

What are the Other Factors?

It seems we have forgotten an important detail – Satan. Until Jesus returns, Satan still has influence in our world. Spiritual warfare is constantly around us. We can’t be naive to think the enemy doesn’t have influence over believers. Anyone can be subject to that influence. It’s just one of the reasons why we must read His Word daily and connect with other Christians.
Additionally, there is free will. It’s a factor many people forget as well. We want free will, though, right? Between the enemy’s influence and free will we experience tragedy, heartache, illness, etc.
Should we be blaming God for that accident? Or was it because someone chose to drink and drive?
Did someone get cancer or suffer other illnesses because God gave it to them? Or was it because we have carcinogens all around us?
Did God cause the recent tragedies? Or did people who had darkness in their hearts cause it?
There is one thing I know for sure – As long as there is evil in this world, bad things are going to happen. That is why we will rejoice when Jesus returns! Only then will Satan be defeated. We should all be looking forward to that day!

Being More Conscious

The Bible
So will you take a challenge with me? Let’s be more conscious about the way we word things. Let the words that come out of our mouth (or from the tips of our fingers) be glorifying to God. May an unbeliever hear (or read) what we’re saying about God and think “I want to know more!”
Our family has experienced many challenges, and I am confident God can see us through everything. I want others to know He can do the same for them! Let’s pray for the brokenhearted and pray for those that have hardened their hearts towards God after experiencing challenges or tragedy. May they come to know Him as the God who loves them and can help them through whatever they are facing!
Perhaps this is you. Perhaps something awful has happened in your life, and you became bitter towards God. I encourage you to dig deeper. Get to know God more and understand His character. If you are struggling, please feel free to reach out for prayer or just to start a dialog about the subject. I pray you will be blessed!
 

Letting Go of Things to Rest in God's Arms

by

It happened…again. There I was – a crying, heaping mess on the floor. What warranted such a display? My pants were too tight. Sure, I have been upset about the weight I had gained since starting a new medication, but it wasn’t about that. At least not really. It was about a whole number of things that were piling up until I couldn’t handle them anymore, and that one moment just pushed me past my breaking point.
Have you been there?
If you’re like me, chances are you actually knew you had too much on your plate, but you were determined to do it all. Isn’t that how life can be? I know that I’m not supermom and just need to rest in God, but I can be so stubborn!
Letting Go of Things to Rest in God's Arms
When I first heard “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns I got emotional. Keep it all together? Everybody needs me strong? I feel like I struggle to do that every single day.
Gradually, I saw more and more people sharing that song saying they feel like it was written for them. I think we all have a tendency to feel overwhelmed yet try really hard to keep it all together. We try to help others when we can while trying to keep up with our own homes and lives. We take on too much and refuse to admit it or give anything up.
It reminds me of a parent and toddler relationship. Toddlers are very stubborn about being independent. As soon as they’re mobile they always want to be mobile. We stand closely by trying to remind them of their limits, but they won’t have any of that! They are going to go where they want to go and do what they want to do.
Then it happens. They trip and fall or bump into something, and in that moment they remember mom or dad is right there to comfort them. Just a few minutes ago you would think they didn’t even know you were there!
I think that’s how we act sometimes. We want to do all these great things – volunteer here, work on something there, play this sport or that one, plan activities for the kids, etc. and still have sight of the things we need to do in our lives like parenting, homemaking, homeschooling, etc. Sometimes I picture God, my Father, tapping me on the shoulder saying “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Just be held
What do I do, though? I stubbornly ignore it. I have to volunteer there or I will disappoint people. I have to help out with that or I’ll let them down. If I don’t work more hours we can’t get this or can’t go to that. If the kids don’t do this or that they won’t reach their full potential.
Truthfully, though, whatever the reason for not being able to something, it doesn’t matter. I had A LOT going on personally at that time I had such a breakdown. Let’s face it. We have a special needs family, so we almost always have challenges! Maybe people WILL be disappointed, and that can be hard. I just want to let it all out about how overwhelmed I am just hoping they will understand. Instead, I bottle it up and keep trying until I just can’t anymore.
We have to remind ourselves, though, that we answer to God. If God is saying “Woah. That is too much. You really need to focus on your family right now.” or “That isn’t where I want you to be.” or “Your kids don’t need that right now.” or even “You just need to rest right now.” then he’ll be faithful to direct our paths. He will guide us to all the who, what, when, where, and whys. But we have to listen and obey.
Something else our kids did as toddlers was always having their arms full of toys. On that particular day I thought of all the things I was doing as something I was holding on to. Just like they didn’t want to put down their toys to be held, I didn’t want to let go of anything either. Have you tried to hold a squirmy toddler with an armful of toys? A toy or two is bound to drop, right?
That was it. I was being called to rest in God, but the only way I could do that was to let go of some things. I had to trust Him that I could let go of these things and still be OK. In fact, I would be better than OK because I would find peace in His arms. It was right where I needed to be.

Rest in God

Maybe you’re holding on to too much. Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying don’t volunteer, work extra hours, participate in sports, have your children in multiple activities, etc. Maybe God is calling you to let go of things, though, so you can rest in His arms even if it’s just for a brief moment. Go to Him in prayer. Pray about your responsibilities and your priorities. Do they line up?
Sometimes our good intentions end up taking away from our first priority – Him. Or maybe they’re taking away from your family and home. Spend time in His word daily. Trust that He is your Father and knows what is best for you. Find peace in His arms.
 

Patterns of Evidence Exodus {Review}

by

When it comes to the timeline of Biblical events, there are a lot of questions and many scientists would say there are also discrepancies. This is particularly true of the Exodus – one of the most amazing and key events in the Bible. So what are believers to do? I, personally, just believe the Bible as fact, but filmmaker Timothy Mahoney wanted to take it to the next step. He starts with the questions, “Is the Bible just a myth, or did the archaeologists get it wrong?”
Patterns of Evidence Exodus
Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
The questioning of the Exodus dates back more than 50 years. In fact, many prominent archaeologists and historians not only proclaim that there are no hard facts of the Exodus, but that the archaeological record is completely opposed to the Bible’s account. The fact that Timothy Mahoney decided to search for facts is phenomenal. There will always be diversion between scientific skeptics and those who believe the Bible to be true, so I love when someone challenges this notion of untruth and digs for true evidence of Biblical events – and finds it.
Patterns of Evidence Exodus does just that. Timothy Mahoney travels around the world to search for solid patterns of evidence of the Exodus and uncovers a lot of truth. It is the most in-depth archaeological investigation into the Exodus from Egypt ever captured on film. What I love is the purpose of the film is to communicate the TRUTH of the Bible and help equip believers with defending their faith and the Bible.
View the full trailer of Patterns of Evidence Exodus.

This film had my husband and I both amazed. The patterns of evidence they found is absolutely amazing, and the way they describe the discrepancies really makes so much sense. They shared evidence from all kinds of people from archaeologists, people of faith, scientists, historians, Egyptologists and more.
The evidence they found is amazing. One very specifically described the Hebrews living in Egypt from their professions to the physical appearance, 12 tribes from the North, and even their tombs (like a prominent tomb for Joseph where the statue is even wearing a coat of many colors).
What I found so fascinating is how the events just match up so well with the Bible’s account. The only thing that is “off” is the timeline, and there are even many reasons why it could be this way from the fact that we based time on the Egyptian timeline, which may be off to the fact that there may be misunderstandings – particularly that the Exodus happened during the reign of Rameses.
This was just assumed because the land is referred to the land with his name. Does this necessarily mean it happened during this time or because the information was translated later to use the city name as it was known at that time rather than what it was called at the time of the Exodus? In fact, even if you look at exact times in the Bible, there is no way the Exodus could have happened at the time of Rameses II. If you’re looking in the wrong time, you can’t find any evidence!
What I found most fascinating is one of the more prominent Egytologists, David Rohl, (who is agnostic) has uncovered some of the best information of the Exodus and has a lot of evidence the Exodus did, indeed, happen. I find many of the Egyptologists and archaeologists are biased because they don’t want to believe what happened in the Bible did actually happen, so it was very unique to see someone who is agnostic supporting and helping to uncover the patterns of evidence of the Exodus.
Overall, I think this is a fascinating film. Although Timothy Mahoney is Christian, the film is presented more as a documentary and really doesn’t have a bias one way or the other. It simply presents the research and things they have uncovered and it even contains interviews of those that don’t believe it happened. They did not edit it in a way to make it seem only one-sided but rather presented all the facts. They truly set out to uncover and discover the evidence.

For More Information:

Visit the Patterns of Evidence Website
Purchase Patterns of Evidence Exodus
Connect with Patterns of Evidence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tumblr
 

*Giveaway!!!* {ended 8/14/15}

Patterns of Evidence Exodus Giveaway
Would you like to win the Patterns of Evidence Exodus DVD? One winner will receive this great DVD! This giveaway will run through 8/14/15 at 11pm Eastern Time and is open to US and Canada ages 18+. Winner is subject to eligibility verification and will have 48 hours to confirm before a new winner will be drawn. For any questions/concerns please email emilee.roberts (at) peaofsweetness (dot) com (consider adding this email to your “Safe List” as winning email notification will be sent from this email).
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

 

Never Alone

by

Sometimes I have a lot to say. In fact, you should see how many drafts I have just waiting to bloom into full posts! Sometimes I type up posts and then delete them because it was something I needed to get out, but not something I think is right to post – at least not now. Those drafts, though? I hope to post them. I hope to post them soon. I hope to develop them into the full thoughts I have going through my head that I make notes on hoping not to lose it all because right now losing thoughts is exactly what is happening. I can’t even come up with simple words sometimes. My sentences end abruptly because I can’t think of words.
I had another hard week. I’m not adjusting well to being back on the medication for my headaches. I can’t even say whether or not they’re helping my headaches because it was also my “bad week,” which also triggers headaches and all kinds of pain and problems. I was in bed for two days. I’m still feeling overwhelmed from how much I’ve fallen behind, and I’m still feeling tired and dizzy. I just want to regain my strength. I just want to feel “normal,” whatever my “normal” is. I want to go back to the gym. I want to go to church regularly. I want to get on here and happily write – not dread it because I have to do it.
I’m depressed. I know it’s a side effect of one of the medications, and I’m debating just getting off of them altogether, but having debilitating headaches every day isn’t ideal either. Am I not giving myself enough time to adjust? It could be better once I’m back into my routine again – especially working out regularly again. It worries me, though, since I’ve battled depression since I was a teenager. I also fight with Seasonal Affective Disorder. I was feeling fine for a while, though, and now this.
Never Alone
I want to get into a good routine where I post content more regularly because I do, indeed, have a lot to say, but right now, I just don’t feel like saying it. I feel discouraged. Last year was hard, and this was supposed to be my come back. Instead I feel like I’m stuck in a rut I can’t get out of. Where do I go from here?
Then, last night I was listening to music and one of my favorite songs came on: “Never Alone” by Barlow Girl – and it said everything I could possibly say in that moment. I’m not sure I ever mentioned it, but I love to sing. If I could sing my heart out the words to that song right now I would because that’s it! No matter how I feel there is one thing that I always know. I’m never alone. I cling to that. I hold on to that promise. Even when it’s hard I know He is with me. He loves me, and I have a purpose. That gives me peace.
If you’re facing a hard time right now, I pray you stand on His promise that He will never leave you, never forsake you. He is always with you. I know it’s hard to see it in the storm. I’ve hit my knees and begged to just get through this, and even though I can’t see Him, I know He’s there. I’m never alone. You’re never alone.