Wrestling through Pain and Disappointment
I walked nearly ten miles with the Lord that day, as I often do when my heart is heavy and the weight of the world presses in. These walks seem to get longer and longer. There's something about walking with him—feet to the pavement—stepping away from the noise, coming above the chaos, and letting his presence be my refuge. Some days, I walk until his voice is clear, the burden is gone, and my heart is at peace.
But this day was different. As I wrestled through pain and disappointment, trying to find my way above the funk, the pain seemed suffocating; but the Lord asked me, "What do you like?"
I Like...?
I hesitated... "I like being with you. I like your presence. I like walking with you."
But he pressed again, gently but firmly: "No, what do you enjoy?"
I went quiet. I searched for an answer, but all I could think of was him. That seemed like the right response—spiritual, even holy. But deep down, something in me was stuck. So, I turned the question back on him.
"Lord, what do you like?"
And he answered: "I like when the flowers bloom and the children smile. I like the way the wind whips and your hair blows. I love the way your heart always searches for mine. I delight in tears as an offering, because I am a specialist in healing broken hearts." (Photo via Pexels)
Tears welled up in my eyes. He was describing life. He delights in life.
What Is Your Lens of Life?
Suddenly, I saw the brokenness in my own heart. I realized I have often viewed life through the lens of sorrow. When you've been through enough storms, pain starts to shape your perspective. You begin to think, The flowers are going to die. The children are going to cry. The wind will turn into a storm, but I'll soldier through. I'll be okay.
Many of us know how to endure the storm. We know how to push through the tears, the suffering, and the losses. But do we know how to delight in the blooming, in the laughter, and in the simple joy of the wind against our face—without bracing and planning for the moment it all ends?
Scripture tells us, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV).
That word, "glory," doesn't just belong to suffering; it belongs to life, too. In fact, 1 Corinthians 11:7 tells us man is the image and glory of God. The radiance of God is seen in humanity, in the breath he gives us, in the joy he created us to experience.
Do You Know How to Delight?
So, I ask you, "Have you thought about what you like?"
Have you let yourself enjoy the moments of life with the Lord without bracing for the next moment of death? Have you noticed the glory in the laughter, in the wind, in the blooming of life? Yes, we know how to endure, but do we know how to delight?
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Tammy Southerland
Frontline Fire Ministries
Email:Â info@frontlinefire.org
Website:Â frontlinefire.org
Tammie is a lover of Jesus, author, speaker, Podcast and TV show host, entrepreneur, and prayer missionary. She works full time at GateCity Church and is the founder and senior leader of Frontline Ministries and Burning Ones Academy. Tammie releases the sound authentic of revival and messages from Heaven as she travels. Her lifestyle is one of prayer and digging deep into the Word of God, and her desire is to release the heart of the Father in these last days. She moves in power ministry and is known for releasing the Matthew 3:11 "baptism of Holy Fire" as she goes. As she speaks and prays, dormant visions, dreams, and gifts are stirred, joy is released, the sick are healed, and spiritually deaf ears and blind eyes are awakened to the burning heart of God!
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