I read this post by Alia Joy and thought it was incredibly poignant and uplifting. She too is being used by Him in the ugliest, most beautiful way: her misery is her ministry.
dress\\socks\\boots: JCP
sweater\\leggings: Kohl’s
Weight from a burden I never asked to bear weighed heavily on my heart for what seemed like ages.
The pain isn’t just mental or emotional. There’s a literal physical pain that comes with disappointment and loss. An ache somewhere deep in the chest, as if there really is such thing as heart break. This pain, this heartache is the burden I still bear. The burden that weighs me down, crushes my soul until I’m down on my knees before the One who’s burden is light. (Matthew 11:30)
And I know why He says to take His burden.
We reach a place, a black, empty place where we’re so weighted down by our burden to which we hold so tightly, so safely, that we can’t take on another burden. Not our own. Not someone else’s. And not His. And it is there, when we’re quietly, gently reminded to take His burden – the one that is light — that giving up our own burden is the only way we can possibly even take on His.
And our weary soul…
…it finds rest.
Because His burden is light.
For months I battled the Spirit’s prompting me to write about infertility. I knew that this story is one that He wants me to share. In my stubbornness I refused.
With fear I stepped out in obedience. I wrote. I shared. And as I did my silent heart screams became fewer and fewer. The ache in my heart eased, so slight, but so noticeably. And then the realization: when I write about infertility, I write with joy.
Joy because I know I am doing so in obedience to Him.
Joy because so many of you are in someway encouraged and challenged.
Joy because He is receiving glory from my small, but wholly given sacrifice.
Only He can turn our misery into ministry. Only He can turn our failure into faith.
download free printable here
What is yours? What is your ministry-turned-ministry? Is God getting the glory from it?
Today I’m linking up with The Pleated Poppy and A Holy Experience. I’ll also be linking up with The Wiegands and AuniSauce on Friday.
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Goal Setting Q&A: Rebecca\\She Shares
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Amanda, I love this. First time visiting your blog and I’m glad I did
I am going to save that reminder. It is so true and one I need to hear! I can’t imagine what it would be like to open up to others about something like that but kudos to you. It’s amazing what God can do with us, little old us, when we finally hand the reins over to him!
Hi Laura! Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement! I don’t know about you, but I have to be super intentional to hand over the reigns, it definitely doesn’t come natural.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hi!
Love that leopard dress…I’m so addicted that that print!
-shopfreak
Stop by my blog for a chance at a customized bracelet ($100+ value)!
http://shopfreak14.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-new-years-giveaway.html
Thanks! It was my first time wearing leopard print – at least that much of it! But it worked, I think!
I hate to be a ‘Debbie Downer’ but the printable has a mis-spelling in it – MSERY should be MISERY.
LOVE the print though!
Lindsey! Not a Debbie Downer at all! Thank you so much for pointing it out. Can you tell I’m sleep-deprived from making the switch? Ha!
I’ve fixed it and a new download is available now.
Thanks so much!
Thank you for sharing, friend. I know in the midst of our trials and pain it can be hard to open up, but at His prompting, when we’re obedient, Glory breaks free. Praying for you and your tender heart as you seek him to unload your burdens.
Also, cute boots.
Thank you Alia! Your post was amazing, I really loved it.
There is definitely something about infertility that can be so difficult to write about. I’m sure for any type of pain, but this one I know intimately. Yet, as you so beautifully described, there is such joy in learning to speak.
Oh Natasha I am so sorry. It’s such a hard journey to walk, isn’t it. Thank you for your encouragement. God’s grace has been all over the sharing, and that makes it worth it.
Amanda, this is so beautiful and so true. I read this post at 5am this morning, and my heart was so calmed. I was worried and stressed over something much less important than what you are struggling through, but it was seriously the truth I needed to be washed over me in that moment. My burden is enslaving, but His sets me free. Thank you for opening up your pain so that God can use you.
Mackenzie thank you, thank you. I am just beyond thankful, and humbled that God is using this pain, this burden to encourage others. You, my dear are consistently blessing ME!
I hope you can feel the sincerity in this comment. I LOVE reading your blog. I have a small blog with a small following so I can get easily discouraged but when I read yours it makes me want to forget about those things and just offer my humble, honest writing to my savior and hope that someone will find it encouraging, inspiring, challenging. Thanks for using this resource to make His name more famous.
Amanda, what a precious reminder. I just went through a loss and it is comforting to know that God works ALL things out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Thank you for sharing this!
Loved the outfit. You look so pretty
Have an awesome year ahead.
Love,
Bong’s Belleza
Thank you for sharing your heart. I’m sure this is helpful to others with this and glorifying to God.
Love the new blog design!
I am going to be blogging soon about misery that I hope will minister to others… it’s just a bit tricky because the misery was caused at the hands of other people!