Encouragement from Hymns

Wow...it's been a while since I've posted anything on this blog. For over a year now, I've been blogging over at andallisbright.wordpress.com. This blog is not really posted for the general public anymore. I've been thinking a lot about blogging over the last few months and realized that I think right now is a time for me to say less than I usually do. When I do blog, it's usually related to my credential program and the challenges and triumphs encountered there. However, blogging or writing in general helps me sort out my thoughts, so I might use this space just for my own benefit. If anyone else comes across this, I hope you are encouraged by what you see.

There have been several things lately that have caused me to battle with discouragement and discontentment in general. My uncle passed away pretty suddenly a few weeks ago. Relationships with friends are becoming harder to keep up when most friends are so far away. And then there's credentialing. Student teaching presents many challenges. Many of these kids have really rough home lives and it's heartbreaking. Additionally, many students are constantly disrespectful to every single adult in our class (myself, my master teacher, and an aide for a hard-of-hearing student). This has been quite the challenge as the constant management feels like a distraction for actual teaching. Also, it has revealed much of my own sin. I constantly fight impatience, annoyance, and general unkindness. I genuinely love my students, but there are times when my tone conveys otherwise. It's been pretty discouraging, but God is too kind to let me stay in my discouragement. He has used many people to encourage me, but one thing that has helped almost more than anything else is listening to hymns. If you know me, you know how much I love hymns. They are essentially doctrine put in beautiful words and put to music. How can you be discouraged by your circumstances when you're constantly pointed to Christ and the hope you have because of Him??

Here are some verses from hymns that have been especially encouraging:

1. All the way my Savior leads me,
   What have I to ask beside?
   Can I doubt His tender mercy,
   Who through life has been my Guide?
   Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
   Here by faith in Him to dwell!
   For I know, whate’er befall me,
   Jesus doeth all things well;
   For I know, whate’er befall me,
   Jesus doeth all things well.

1. -All the Way My Savior Leads Me, Franny Crosby

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,“
This the pledge to me He made.

-Day by Day, Lina Sandell

1. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
   Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
   Where is thy sting, death? Where, grave, thy victory?
   I triumph still, abide with me.

-Abide with Me, Henry F. Lyte

My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device or creed.

I trust the ever living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me. 

-My Faith Has Found a Resting Place, Eliza E. Hewitt

This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

-This Is My Father's World, Maltbie D. Babcock

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in the blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

-Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Robert Robinson

I strongly recommend listening to hymns when you are discouraged. 

Hope you're having a good night! :)

Laurie

1. 
   

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Such rich, beautiful truths in the midst of a stressful week. I can be still and rest in Him, because He is good and is in total control.

My Hope is in The Lord

This song has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be raised in a hymn singin' church. Though we don't only exclusively sing hymns, I knew what a hymnal was from a very young age and held one in my hands every Sunday. This was always one of my favorites. I love that it lays out the full gospel. It was written by Norman Clayton and once you recognize what true hope is, the lyrics become that much richer.

My hope is in the Lord

Who gave Himself for me

And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.

[Chorus]

For me, He died

For me, He lives

And everlasting life and light He freely gives.

No merit of my own

His anger to suppress

My only hope is found in Jesus' righteousness.

And now for me He stands

Before the Father's throne

He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.

His grace has planned it all

'Tis mine but to receive

And recognize His work of love and Christ believe.

Take Time to Be Holy

Take time to be holy. Speak oft with thy Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends with God's children; help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing, His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy. The world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct, His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy. Let Him be thy Guide;

And run not before Him, whatever betide.

In joy or in sorrow, still follow thy Lord,

And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul;

Each tho't and each motive, beneath His control.

Thus led by the Spirit, to fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted, for service above.

The other day, I was reading one of my books for class (Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks and William Hendricks), and something the author said struck a chord. I would love to quote an entire paragraph from the book but am not sure about the legality of that. So instead, I'll sum it up for you. In a chapter on the importance and the how-to of meditative Bible reading, he mentioned this hymn. Meditation takes time, but time is exactly what we need. We need to spend time reflecting on the Word in order to know, love, and imitate God more.

I remember singing this in church growing up. Over and over, I am so thankful to have gone to a hymn-singing church for my whole life. This is exactly the kind of song I need to sing over and over to remind myself of its truths. The cool thing is that this song has so many practical applications to the main message. It gives you plenty of ways to "take time to be holy" if you don't know where to begin. Meditation on the Word of God is just one way to do this. Praying to Him, abiding in Him, feeding on His Word, befriending other believers, helping people who are weak, remembering what He's done for you (in light of who He is and who you are), following Him in joy and in sorrow....these are all ways to be holy.

An important thing to keep in check is your motivation. Holiness, while essential and important, is not the main thing. The main thing is knowing and loving God more so that you can glorify Him better. Holiness comes from that, and it must be practiced. But you must be careful to not pursue holiness only for the sake of being holy or for the sake of appearing to be holy to others. You must learn to be holy because it's what God requires - "Because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" I Peter 1:16, and obedience is what pleases Him.