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  1. Oh, Natasha. I had saved this long ago to read and am only just now returning to it, right when I needed it (He knows. He always does).

    Ever blessed by your words.

  2. Gail B Snave says:

    Thank you Natasha, very very well said. Many times i have cursed myself by the criticisms said to me. I know the accusations that the enemy outs in our mind. But so true, Jeasus leans towards us and offers Grace. GAIL

  3. Dear Natasha,
    All I can say is just thank you. This was exactly what I needed to hear at this moment. Thank you for being real.

  4. Hayley Novak says:

    This is stunningly beautiful.

    Your grace in responding to criticism shouts of the healing you’ve allowed God to bring.

    I think there’s some categorical generalizations that happen looking at curse words: it’s chic to spout them off as a neo-Christian writer and I see a lot of writers using them to (at best case) connect with people who might not otherwise read about Jesus. But your gut level cry to God is hardly a funny story with an expletive thrown in.

    Until someone has experienced ripping loss at the hand of God, they may not understand the temptation to sink to cursing- succumbing to the barrenness of hopelessness. You are so very right: the curse is in the lies we believe, not the word “hell.”

    Thank you for your beautiful explanation and articulation of a topic so difficult to explain.

    Xoxoxo

    1. Thank you, Hayley. ♥ Your encouragement means so much to me. Things like this always make me pause and question my writing abilities, so knowing my explanation came together understandably is helpful on so many levels.

  5. Thank you for this it speaks to me personally as someone who is struggling with having just lost a baby and seeing Gods grace in this agony. It also saddens my heart that one word caused someone so much distress as I personally don’t think Jesus would have batted an eyelid. How many people are put off even trying to have a relationship with God because of the attitudes of other Christians who are so bothered by the minutiae that they miss the main point. I think it was Ghandi who said ‘I like your Christ I do not like your Christians they are so unlike your Christ’ and sadly that often sums it up. We are all sinners saved by grace and while technically your letter writer may be right they have missed out on grace. Keep writing and sharing the gift God has given you.

  6. Natasha,
    Thank you for your post. Your honest words in your book and your honest words here speak to my heart. I know you understand my struggle not to let go of God in the face of agonizing circumstances because you have experienced what I have. I find myself in the place you found yourself and I am so blessed to know I am not the only person who has been here. When you write of softening your heart in the face of your sorrow and agony to let God’s comfort in is how we survive, this is what I am working towards.

    Your honest words will help many people. We’re human fallen people. Being honest allows other people to say, “Yes, there is someone who understands and who has found a way to peace. There is hope for me. I should not give up, and I should not give up on God.” That is the ultimate part of your story. Your story of pain and hope is a gift to others who have walked through agonizing pain and are struggling to hold onto Christ. People slip, and stray, and waver and loose their hope at times, but God is still there waiting for us, and you share this. If we feel like we are alone in our pain we are unlikely to survive, but if we know another has felt what we are feeling this gives hope. Thank you for sharing all of your story. God will use it to bing others to Him.

    1. Thank you for this, Natasha! You are an amazing women and this has greatly encouraged and blessed me! Shortly after we began our walk through this infertility journey I shut down because of responses like this and essentially feeling like I was being told I needed to “filter” my pain. I’ve come a long way since then, but am grateful for your wisdom and grace and willingness to share with others. You are an inspiration!

      1. The need to filter our pain is so difficult to maneuver. But finding a safe place to process and learn? That’s exactly what the church should offer. And if we haven’t found a safe place in the community of Christ, let’s make sure we are that place for the next person!

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