Blog Party Continues with "Shout, Shout, Let it All Out…" by Mary Oldenkamp

Learning to Hear From God During Times of Deep Pain

As I sat in my bed, unable to move from the excruciating pain, I cried out to God, "Father, please help me! Do you want me to be like this forever and of no use to anyone? I can't take much more; show me you are here with me and what I am supposed to be learning from this."

This was a sincere cry from my heart to the Father several months ago as I had recently been diagnosed with a very painful, life-long illness. I was at the beginning of the mourning stages; mourning my freedom, my life as it once was. I was on the verge of "letting go" but not before I had my pity party …with streamers. Can anyone relate? Is there anyone out there that has dealt with such a deep level of hurt; maybe health related or maybe someone in particular has let you down? A hurt that you just can't understand and ONLY God can soothe your pain and give you the answers you so desperately desire? Well that is where I found myself…right in the middle of hurt-ville waiting on my God to show up.

Wow, did He ever!

About that time I really sensed the Lord telling me something through scripture, something that really spoke to my heart. It was such a precious moment that I mustered up every bit of strength I had and knelt down on the floor next to my bed to hear from Him.

"The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness."-Psalm 40:3

I felt with all my heart the Father telling me that He will restore me. It may not be exactly how I think or in my timing, but nonetheless it was a promise that would carry me through some very dark days ahead. I learned that no matter how terrible things seem in life, God is always there with you and has a plan to get you through it. All we are called to do is TRUST in Him and He will give us the strength we need to get through it.

"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…" -Isaiah 30:15b

C.S. Lewis once wrote, "Pain is God's megaphone. He WHISPERS to us in our joys, SPEAKS to us in our conscience, and SHOUTS to us in our pain." You may find yourself in a very real, deep pain even today, one that seems to have consumed you. Would you be willing to let God speak to you in the midst of your sorrow? Ask Him to show you how He is sustaining you and for a portion of His strength and trust that He will show up…shouting in your pain!

I'd love to hear from you—let us all know how we can intercede for you. It would be an honor—after all, what else is family for?

                              mary oldenkamp
 
Since 2000 Mary has been working in the area of Conference and Event Management where she has worked in the corporate field as well as the Ministry.  Mary describes herself as a "logistics junkie" and finds great delight in ensuring others have all the pieces of the puzzle and a clear picture for an event in order for things to run smooth and ultimately Glorify God.  Currently she is serving with Operation Mobilization (OM) in England, alongside her husband Jacco (they're newlyweds!! So Sweet) and is helping to develop a Conference and Event Service Ministry within OMNIvision...the multimedia division of OM.

Mary loves to show people their worth in Jesus Christ and to excite them about using their gifts and abilities God has given them to Glorify Him. She also enjoys going to concerts, watching movies on the couch with her honey, reading a good book, and writing. Mary is currently writing a training manual on how to do a God honoring event and hopes to get published one day! She knows she cannot do anything without being connected to the "vine"…Jesus Christ and applies her life verse to all situations. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." –John 15: 5

 You can get to know Mary better by visiting her online:
http://www.voicebehindyou.com/
http://www.thereissomethingaboutmary.blogspot.com/