Life is hard, but God is good.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. I Peter 4:18
My name is Shannon Joy Raynor. I am an amateur writer. Full disclosure: I did win 2nd place in a poetry contest in fourth grade and earned $2.00, but I haven’t been paid for any other writing since.
I write grocery lists, all my prayers, some poetry, emails, and lesson plans. I love to write, and write, and write and over the years some have suggested that I write a book. Maybe I will someday.
My life has not always been easy. It’s been downright painful. I carry the scars of childhood trauma. For decades, a blanket of depression covered me making every aspect of life difficult. But something wonderful happened. God used the pain of my past to draw me into a close, intimate, personal relationship with Him, and then three years ago, God lifted from me that blanket of depression. My own miracle from God happened while driving to work one morning. That blanket has never returned.
Here’s the thing. God healed me not because of anything I did or didn’t do. I didn’t earn this wonderful gift. God healed me because of His great love for me. God healed me because who He is. God healed me for His glory. God healed me using the same power in my life that He used to raise Jesus from the dead. And not only that, but God healed my heart. He continues to work in me as He transforms me into the likeness of Christ. The change God has done to my heart is perhaps the biggest change of all.
I still have scars and still struggle with issues related to self-worth. I also struggle with chronic pain and have some physical limitations. I suspect that I may not receive complete healing this side of heaven, yet I am open to all God wants to do in my life. I experience the presence of God every time I pray. I am in awe of who He is and all He does. My goal in life is to know, love, and serve God more and more each day, share the love He has given me to others, and have all that I do bring Him glory. This blog is about the glory of God being displayed in my life and in the lives of all who follow Him. But let me be clear, God’s glory displayed is not about me or anyone else; it’s all about God.
I have come to the point where I can honestly say that I am grateful for my past. The terrible things done to me created in me a great need for God which He has filled. Because of what God has done for me, because of His incredible, steadfast love for me, because of His mercies which are new every morning, because of His great faithfulness, I am changed, I am healed, I am His. I would not trade my relationship with God for anything.
I stand with Joseph whose brothers sold him into slavery. What others meant for evil, God meant for good. Please understand. God abhors evil. He joins us in our suffering, ever present with us. But God is able to use these horrible things for good. Whether it is physical or emotional pain, whether a born with condition or something inflicted upon us, God can use it for good. And in His time, and for His glory, our God heals.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” I Peter 4:12-13