Trials – HOPE Refined

Seeing the Sunny Spots

When pain or disappointment,
Discouragement or grief
Creep in to block the sunshine
And mercy’s sweet relief,
I find I need a weapon
Resilient, quick, and strong
To fight them back and conquer
The thoughts that lead me wrong.

The weapons most effective
Against these tricky foes
Are thankfulness and praises,
And this is how it goes:
As soon as I feel anxious
Or sorry for myself,
I start to thank God quickly
For blessings and Himself.

“Lord, thank You for Your presence,
For such a lovely place,
For those who truly love me,
For saving me by grace.
And thank You for this moment
To stop and really see
The blessings You have given
So graciously to me.”

I start to thank and praise Him
For all that comes to mind,
And through it I’m reminded
How good He is and kind.
It shifts my mental focus
From storms and self to God;
It brings back heaven’s sunshine
And shows that doubt’s a fraud.

I sometimes have to do it
A dozen times a day,
But then I gain some traction
And find that as I pray
The Lord rolls back the storm clouds
Of selfish, downcast thoughts
And helps me see His blessings
In all the sunny spots.

Christina Joy Hommes

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15

I Trust You, Lord

I trust You, Lord, with all my heart
For You are good and true;
Your thoughts are kind, Your will endures,
And I can count on You.

I trust You, Lord, with all I am –
There’s nothing I must hide;
You know me well and love me still,
And You are on my side.

I trust you, Lord, with all I have –
I give it all to You;
Please show me how You want it used
And tell me what to do.

I trust You, Lord, with all I want
For You are good and kind;
I place my future in Your hands
And seek to know Your mind.

I trust you, Lord, with all my life –
My strength and love are Yours;
Increase my faith, direct my steps,
And open blessing’s doors.

Christina Joy Hommes

Unexpected News

It comes so unexpected
Some news we dread to hear,
Time stops, it seems so sudden
That we must face our fear.

Within these solemn moments
When all begins to spin,
We test our spirit’s anchor
And feel God’s strength within.

We know things don’t surprise Him
And somehow He can see
A way it’s best allowing
What’s dark to you and me.

We cannot see the future,
And what before seemed bright
Is shown to be uncertain
When seen in such a light.

It’s then that we remember
God’s promise to abide,
To keep and to protect us
Forever by our side.

We give our fears and wishes,
Our hopes and plans and days
To God again for keeping
And lift our voice in praise.

Though pain may be our portion
God’s grace will see us through,
And in His love and wisdom
He’ll strengthen and renew.

Our home is sure in heaven
Where pain and fear can’t come,
Where faith will be rewarded
When we are safely home.

And in that trust and resting
We find such peace and love
It seems a piece of heaven
Descended from above.

So in the hardest moments
Though painful, dark, and long
We see God’s tender comfort
And find a lasting song.

For Lorie with love
Christina Joy Hommes

Correct, Counsel, Comfort

Dear Holy Spirit, use Your Word
To guide and guard my way
So I remember what I’ve heard
And live it day by day.

Correct my thoughts and plans, I pray,
To seek what’s good and true;
Reveal my sin so when I stray
I might return to You.

Please counsel me to know the way
That I should choose, O Lord,
That I might please You every day
And gain faith’s true reward.

Bring comfort sweet and dry my tears,
Lord, help me trust Your love,
That I might see past pain and fears
To heaven’s home above.

Christina Joy Hommes

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

The Good from Pain

It’s not the pain itself
A Christian greets with joy,
But rather what it helps us gain
When in the Lord’s employ.

Like Jesus Christ we pray,
Lord, must this cup be mine?
But then we yield to One we trust:
Lord, not my will, but Thine.

For in the midst of pain
We find His loving care;
And patience has its perfect work
In sorrow borne through prayer.

We look ahead in hope
To what we soon will gain,
And then, like Jesus, we can bear
This fleeting, earthly pain.

Lord, make me more like Christ
As You have said You would;
Please be my Strength and Comforter,
And turn this pain to good.

Christina Joy Hommes

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2-3

“Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” Romans 5:3-4

“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

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29

In Your Storm – John 6:16-21

In Your Storm
John 6:16-21

Neath the clouds of tears and heartbreak,
When the tempter will not leave,
When the past has come to taunt you,
Or there’s pain you can’t relieve,

In your storm the Lord is walking –
When you see Him do not fear;
“It is I, don’t be afrighted.”
Pluck up hope, the Lord is near!

He won’t come as you expected,
But He’ll be there just the same;
In the storm be still and trust Him
As you call on Jesus’ Name.

Christina Joy Hommes

“But He saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.” John 6:20

Seeing the Sunny Spots

I Trust You, Lord

Unexpected News

Correct, Counsel, Comfort

The Good from Pain

In Your Storm – John 6:16-21

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Seeing the Sunny Spots

I Trust You, Lord

Unexpected News

Correct, Counsel, Comfort

The Good from Pain

In Your Storm – John 6:16-21

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