there is good here, I can see it: how poetry invites truth
It is a hard time. Fear sweeping hold of hearts. Disease and disaster. Pain and loss. We suffer and we worry. We stumble and lift up our heads, our hands–our hearts weary and hungry for change.
But I don’t need to tell you what you already know. You feel it. Deep within you. And I am not going to manipulate you here with putting words to describe the deep concern you surrender to God again and again.
So many things.
And He is good. He is good. In the midst of so much hurt. God does not change. God is love–His love more powerful than anything we can imagine. Nothing can stand against it. Not disease. Not exhaustion. Not overwhelm. Not stress. Not loss of hope. He is bigger than any of that. Anything this world can throw at us. Nothing is too big. Too scary. Too out of control.
He is in control.
A song Justin and I have on repeat this last month is “Nothing Is Too Hard,” by a friend of ours from Kentucky, Stephen McWhirter. His lyrics and voice sing over us when we need it most, helping us to turn our gaze to Jesus in the midst of this life’s storms:
You erase the word “impossible”
You are the God of miracles
Nothing is too hard for You
Not by my strength or by my will
But for You the waves they stand still
Nothing is too hard for You
Nothing is too hard for You, not for You
Mountains move and the dead still rise
Nothing is too hard for You, not for You
You part the sea and heal the blind
In the desert when all hope seems dry
You send the rain, You flood the sky
Nothing is too hard for You
The road ahead is too much for me
But for You, God, it is easy
Nothing is too hard for You
Nothing is too hard for You, not for You, no
Mountains move and the dead still rise
For You Lord, nothing is too hard for You, not for You
You part the sea and heal the blind
For you Lord all things are possible
Every wall must fall in Your name
And for You Lord all things are possible
Every wall must fall in Your name
For You Lord all things are possible
Every wall must fall in Your name
You erase the word “impossible”
“Nothing Is too Hard,” Stephen McWhirter
You are the God of miracles
Nothing is too hard for You
Nothing is too hard for You, not for You, no
Mountains move and the dead still rise
Nothing is too hard for You, not for You, no
You part the sea and heal the blind
Mountains move and the dead still rise
For You Lord
Mountains move and the dead still rise
For the Loop Poetry Project prompt this week, let’s turn our attention to things that are good–in the midst of pain and fear and worry. Specifically, I invite you to turn to memories that make your heart sigh with joy or hope or peace; or experiences you’ve had that have brought joy and contentment and laughter; or dreams you dream that, while they have yet to materialize, are not impossible for God. If your heart is feeling a bit heavy, and it is a struggle to find words to describe things that are good, let God lead you toward Himself. Let Him show you His goodness. Let Him give you words.
For me, this week, many things have threatened to weigh me down, pull me toward the earth. I am tempted toward complacency as a means to protect my heart. It takes courage, I am realizing, to feel things and not get overwhelmed by them. For in our feeling emotions–emotions that are not easy to bear–we can struggle under the burden of them. Or we can turn to the goodness of our God. In prayer this week, when I was sharing with the Father my fears and concerns, I hear Him tell me, “I am with you, to the end of the age.” And I wanted to engage with Him further: letting Him speak to me through poetry felt like the good thing for my heart to do.
And then in prayer this morning, as I was sharing with Him my fears, He responds with His good perspective:
I want you to hope. I want you to fight alongside Me. I want you to keep your gaze on Me. Do not break gaze. Do not silence your ears. All is not breaking. In the morning the sun is rising. The lies are destructive—telling you fear is more important than hope. You know how to encourage. You know how to look to Me. Do that now. Stand fast, daughter. I’ve got you…There is more beauty coming. All will be restored…Speak hope. Speak joy. Speak connection and love. Love. Love. Love. Shine with my strength in you. The lie is that all things are falling apart—but I am making all things new!
what I heard God say to me in prayer
Amen!
With this hope in mind, what is the good thing for your heart to do? What poem is in you–words for memories or experiences or stories or dreams–that would be so good, so good for your heart if it were told?
When you write your poem, please consider sharing it here, in the comments below–or on social media, using the hashtag #looppoetryproject. You can also share it with the lovely Loop Poetry Project community, in this private Facebook group.
Blessings upon you as you trust in His goodness now.
from this one true heart,
jennifer
22 Comments
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Thank you for the encouragement. The song you shared broke the back of fear tonight. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
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Whoohoo! That’s awesome! Bless you, Denise!
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God’s perspective changes everything! ❤️
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Yes!
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These words just give me peace and hope.. I struggle sometimes how to ask God things… But the closest I get to Him the more I hear Him through poems. I feel His love and passion He had for His people. I also feel His aching heart for those who are not with Him. He loves us all so much, I feel unworthy but I know I am a chosen daughter. Praise you Heavenly Father..
Thankyou for sharing. My walk has changed so much since I join Loop women’s Devotional.. And poetry group ..
You are a blessing to God Jenifer..
I wish to be able to hear God so much clearer
Jude Richards. Australia
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What are you feeling?
Listen to your heart child, listen.
And observe, just observe.
Don’t try to correct or hide the sadness and the loneliness..
I am here, I am near.
Just observe and then let it go.
I will catch you.
Rest now my child.
Rest
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Oh, He is so kind. I am so grateful for your beautiful words, Jean. Thank you!
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Thank you so much for typing the lyrics!! As you know, I am Deaf so this is really appreciated! And a beautiful poem!
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Wow what an encouragement in these troubled times. May the God of all peace and comfort be with you all. Yours in Christ Jesus Rosemarie
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Bless you, Rosemarie! Thank you!
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Thank you so very much for sharing this with us jennifer. I’m just reminded and humbled by His unfailing love. His beauty and his heart towards His people. What a beautiful and precious father He is. Bless your soul for your obedience in sharing what He has for us. xoxo.
Today I was sharing with a lot of my mom friends – teaching out to them – checking on them and sharing that during this time what God would want us to do is love on each other. Take care of each other. Be there for each other. And to shed light.
So I was really humbled and blessed to see what He shared with you for us.
Blessings to you all. Precious women of God ♥️
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Jenny, bless you, precious sister, as you listen for His heart and love others! So grateful for your wisdom and your heart!
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Dear Jenifer! This was so beautiful! Really touched my heart- one thing The Lord has told me this week over and over is that”we will weather this storm and you will look back in this time and see my faithfulness and love “ for us all it’s been a rough week- fear gripping our hearts-but as Jesus woke up in the bow of the boat and stood to rebuke the storm so we do that by showing love by caring for each other by calling that which is not as though it is… Romans 4. Thank you for being faithful to share hope with us! Your heart is filled with the faithfulness of God himself! Thank you!
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Gundrun, wow, I am so grateful for your reminder of Jesus’ sleeping in the bow of the boat during the storm, knowing His Father, knowing we are cared for. Thank you. Thank you.
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Such good word. What a beautiful song. Thank you.
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Hi Nancy, I am so happy you are here. Bless you.
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Thank you Jennifer for the encouragement you shared. With all the fear around us, how calming and reassuring it is to know God is our protector and healer.
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Hi Dale, it is so good for my heart to gather together here, with you, reminding our hearts of what is true! Thank you!
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God is so good. God is so good. God is so good, He’s so good to me. When I think of this song, the many times I’ve sung it with my church family, it is always an assurance of the very nature of God. He is good to us and He is good to me. Won’t you join me in singing this song today? Feel the warmth of God’s protection and His love wash over you. God is so good!
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Yes! Amen!
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Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for your encouragement and words from Father. Gosh, do we need to hear them! This afternoon my son and I witnessed something so magical, it just had to come from the Lord. In a field full of daffodils, a young fox was playing tag with a very young deer. They were having so much fun, chasing each other, round and round,accompanied by birds singing their hearts out! What a privilege to witness this. Xx
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Jennie, I am so blessed by your sharing this experience. I am picturing it now. So beautiful. So amazing. So fun and lovely and carefree! What a delight it is to reminded of God’s care of us! This is such a perfect reminder! Thank you!