Meadows or Briars: God in the Midst of Our Pain

By Carol A. Penhorwood

Invisible pain. Is there a purpose in it and a path through it? This book contains inspirational poetry for those touched by physical and emotional pain or suffering.

Some excerpts:

Though briars leave their mark on you
They painfully succeed
In driving you to seek the One
Wholl heal you when you bleed.

And so if I at first recoil
And from Your cup retreat,
I ask that You remind me, Lord,
The aftertaste is sweet.

The pain in my life is no detour,
But part of His plan from the start.
Its no disadvantage that I must endure
My platformdirect from His heart.

You have a bright tomorrow,
Though yesterday left wounds.
It is these very scars Hell use
To grow His choicest blooms.

But my ways are not Gods ways,
And He knows best, you see,
The sweetest song I ever sang
Birthed through the pain in me.

Ones thoughts directly affect ones emotions and actions.
Therefore, the author includes the truth of Scripture to replace the lies and distortions of the enemy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973624035

Carol A. Penhorwood

For over twenty-five years, Carol Penhorwood has been battling chronic pain. Her writing resulted as she began to understand that God will even use the briars of life for our good and His glory. The Hand that now allows the pain creates the masterpiece. Married for fifty years, with three grown daughters, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, Carol and her husband reside in Evansville, IN

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Copyright © 2018 Carol A. Penhorwood.

Cover Design by Sherri L. Rahe

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-2404-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2405-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2403-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018903699

WestBow Press rev. date:  4/12/2018

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation

Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMPC),

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scriptures taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Trials

Come Away

Meadows or Briars

This Bitter Cup

Wings of Faith

Whatever It Takes

Filtered Through Love

Remember

Whatever God Allows

Earthly Giants

In the Difficult

We’re not Meant to Understand

Does God Care?

He Knows and That’s Enough

Purpose in The Scarred

The Making of a Gem

Purpose Fulfilled

Strength at Sunrise

Uncertain Future

On the Wings of Worship

Behold Your God

Just Keep Going

Pain

Trust Me

This Cross

Temporary Housing

God Wastes Nothing

God’s Love Surrounds It All

Battles Fought at Night

Unending Pain

No Trouble-Free Life Guarantees

Accept Without Understanding

A Matter of Perspective

It’s Worth It

Some Day

The Miracle of Faith

Looking Beyond What I See

A Tapestry of Love

Eternity Awaits

In Our Weaknesses

Seriously Blessed

A Song In The Night

Injustice and Abuse

Painful Relationships

Face to Face

The Soil of Suffering

Joy in Submission

Blessed By Pain

One Wee Candle

Fear

Security in Him

Fear Not

Haunting Headlines

Not for Sissies

Where Are You, Lord?

Wings to Fly

God’s Love

Mountaintop Experiences

Unconditional Love

Bondage to Fear

Manna From Heaven

Persevere

Sometimes God Needs No Miracle

Harboring Fear

Divine Handprints

Silence from Heaven

Abandoned Worship

A Letter from Heaven

Purpose in Delay

We Simply Shout, Amen

My Prayer

All is Well

Guilt

Life After Failure

Just Because He Loved Me

Was It I?

Clean Again

Covered by Grace

Relinquish Yesterday

Free from the Enemy’s Trap

The Price of Grace

Forgiven but Scarred

The Lingering Odor of Sin

No Rigid Demands

The Book of My Life

Loved Unconditionally

The Heart Meets Jesus

Heart to Heart

The Key to Forgiveness

Forgiveness

What Does God See in Me?

Completely Known Yet Loved

In Gratitude

Temptation

Choices

Temptation

I Can’t But God Can

For Today

Give It Up

Turmoil or Blessing?

Standing Firm

Spiritual Warfare

We Are What We Choose to Become

The Price of Eternity

This Prodigal Returns

A Tug of War

Same Old Mountain

Clenching Ashes

I’m Sorry

Nursing Wounds

Betrayal

Curbing Impatience

Emotional Boundaries

Careless Words

Each Life a Story

We Look but We Don’t See

Depression

Come and Rest

Masks

Something More

Unwanted Visitors

A Call to Faith

From Misery to Sanity

The Joy of the Lord

Selective Thinking

Nursing Lies

Satan’s Greatest Weapon

The Battle of the Mind

The Path to Joy

No Voice Mails in Heaven

No Pit Too Deep

Quicksand

When All is Lost

The Secret of Victory

A Call for Help

Living Water

My Life of Value

One Lost Sheep

Abundant Supply

Seasons of the Soul

Walking By Faith

The Purpose of the Valley

Why Me?

I Need You

A Cry for Love

Knowledge Without Experience

One Little Ember

I Am Who I Am

The Sacrifice of Praise

My Life God’s Production

Grief

And The World Rolls On

A Rose

He Lost a Child Too

A Life of Fragrance

In Your Loss

Handpicked by the Master

Surrender

Yet a Little While

View from Heaven

There Are Worse Things Than Dying

Apprehension

In the Dark

Fear of the Future

Nothing Takes God by Surprise

In God Alone

Love Casts Out Fear

Provision Provided

Look Beyond the Darkness

I Never Walk Alone

God Will Be There Tomorrow

The Heavenly Rope

Wrong Conquered by Right

Finally Faith

Legal vs. Moral

Jesus Coming Soon

Prayer for Guidance in These Days

About The Author

Dedication

Dedicated to my mother, Beulah Wilkin Hunter,

who exemplified God’s grace in life’s trials and pain

and the loving heart of God.

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 New Living Translation

Acknowledgments

Anyone who knows me, knows words do not come easily to me. My family lovingly laughs when I twist my words or flounder for thoughts. Here, too, I fear I will flounder as I acknowledge the many who made this manuscript possible:

First and foremost, my Lord Jesus Christ, who loved me through all my guilt, fears, and pain. And the Holy Spirit, who brought inspiration, often in the night, and without whom I would be unable to find the words.

My husband, Marty, who patiently loves and supports me through thick and thin, health and illness—my human foundation. For one who is not tech savvy, his technological skills have been invaluable, and for his unselfish sacrifice of time and countless hours preparing this manuscript.

Our daughters—Sherri, Amy, and Carissa—who encouraged me and propped me up with their prayers. A special thank you to Sherri for the cover design of this book and to Carissa who spent hours in helping to format my manuscript for submission.

Our family and many friends who truly have been a circle of strength and love—God’s blessing to me. Special friends who first encouraged and prodded me to continue to write—Karen Taylor, Elaine Jackson, Rosemary Bales.

My health team without whom this book could not have materialized. You’ve given me back my life.

I sincerely apologize to the many I’ve failed to mention by name. God bless you for the part you have had in my life and my writing.

Introduction

For many, many years I have been battling chronic pain. Far from being a true poet, I’ve simply used this method to convey my feelings—a way God speaks to me. I pray my vulnerability will help others realize they are not alone in life’s pain.

And I, like everyone, have had to walk through the seasons of life—seasons of pain. For this reason, I have divided this book into eight sections: Trials, Pain, Fear, Guilt, Temptation, Depression, Grief, and Apprehension.

God has shown me that nothing can touch us unless He allows it. Sometimes our pain comes from consequences of choices made. But, even that, God can redeem. He never wastes our suffering but will always use it for our eventual good and His glory. Pain can become our platform.

Our life is but a blip in eternity. Having an eternal perspective brings hope in the present. This suffering is all temporary for the believer in Jesus Christ—with eternity around the corner.

With that in mind, we have a choice. Do we face adversity, our pain, with attitude or gratitude?

It is my hope that what has been written will result in a greater intimacy with our Lord Jesus Christ—the One who is with us in our pain.

Trials

Come Away

Come away, My child. For a little while leave your world behind. Come into My presence and I will give you rest. All will wait. You need some time with Me secluded in our private place where others cannot intrude. This is our time…just you and Me.

Come away. I long for you to soak in My love and presence. Allow My peace to cut through all your trials, worries, and cares. The enemy desires you to be so absorbed in the responsibilities and cares of this life that you have no time for Me. You carry burdens needlessly; they need not weigh you down. Come to Me. Peace and comfort will come as you spend time with Me and My Word. In My presence you will find refreshment, contentment, and tranquility.

Come away, My child. You need relief from the pain of your world. You yearn for My wisdom, My direction, and My perspective. These come as you feed on Truth, the truth of My Word—not your feelings or your culture. This does not come as you rush through your world but only as you are alone with Me. I long to reassure you of My love, My provision, and My purpose for your life. I am waiting with open arms. Come away.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 6:34 King James Version

~~~~~

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:1-3 King James Version

~~~~~

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 41:13 King James Version

~~~~~

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy

to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8:17-18 King James Version

Meadows or Briars

My child, it makes no difference

What you are walking through.

In the meadows or the briars,

God is walking there with you.

He’ll bring you through them safely,

You never need to fear.

The briars, though they’re painful,

Will cause you to draw near.

If you only crossed broad meadows,

You would then be unaware

Of God’s goodness and His comfort

In life’s perplexing snares.

If you had known no heartache

And experienced no pain,

Your spirit would be poorer

For no growth would you attain.

Though briars leave their mark on you,

They painfully succeed

In driving you to seek the One

Who’ll heal you when you bleed.

Mem’ries of scars may linger,

But they bring a healing balm,

For you know that God will comfort

For He holds you in His palm.

In every life there’re briars,

Though the meadows we prefer,

For we learn we are dependent

When the painful we incur.

As our eyes look in the distance,

We’ll behold a sight so rare,

For a glorious meadow’s waiting,

Peace and rest are waiting there.

"Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree,

and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree:

and it shall be to the LORD for a name,

for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."

Isaiah 55:13 King James Version

~~~~~

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your loving-kindness, Lord, continues forever.

Don’t abandon me—for you made me.

Psalm 138:8 Living Bible

~~~~~

They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion,

which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem,

so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

Psalm 125: 1-2 King James Version

~~~~~

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:

for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life,

which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:12 King James Version

~~~~~

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

1 Peter 5:10 King James Version

This Bitter Cup

I’ll drink the cup You’ve given me

Though bitter be the taste.

For You have only love for me,

This in my hand You’ve placed.

I’ve learned to trust You through the years

Though I’ve sometimes rebelled.

For You have caused my eyes to see,

A purpose I’ve beheld.

And so if I at first recoil,

And from Your cup retreat,

I ask that You remind me, Lord,

The aftertaste is sweet.

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Matthew 26:42 King James Version

~~~~~

Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible

~~~~~

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:

for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9 King James Version

~~~~~

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 King James Version

Wings of Faith

Not plunging to its peril,

This tiny baby bird,

But forced to learn the art of flight,

For this the nest was stirred.

A seeming drop from heaven,

It learns to try its wings.

It has not been abandoned,

To aid the parent springs.

Some test runs may be needed,

But confidence is learned.

And soon it finds it is equipped

To soar as it has yearned.

It takes some outside pressure

To stir us from our nest.

Equipped, yet fearfully we plunge

To put faith to the test.

We too are not abandoned.

Our Father is nearby.

Far more equipped than we believe,

He gave us wings to fly.

We often feel we can’t survive

The height from which we fall.

But if our nest had not been stirred,

We would not soar at all.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;

for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee;

yea, I will help thee;

yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10 King James Version

~~~~~

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6 New Living Translation

~~~~~

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 King James Version

~~~~~

Say to them that are of a fearful heart,

Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance,

even God with a recompence;

he will come and save you.

Isaiah 35:4 King James Version

~~~~~

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels,

nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 King James Version

Whatever It Takes

Though I may not feel it, God loves me.

His best then one day I will see.

On this firm foundation I’ll ride out the storm,

He knows what is happening to me.

I never need question the trials,

The reasons these things He’s allowed.

I know He cannot be mistaken.

I know He’s behind every cloud.

Whatever it takes to make me like Him,

To others encourage and bless,

Lord, help me be willing, with eyes fixed on You,

Your love through each trial confess.

The outcome’s already determined.

The battle You’ve already won.

My job—to stand firm in the testing—

The reward, My child, well done.

But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down,