Quotes from Anne Graham Lotz

Sorrows come to stretch out spaces in the heart for joy. MRS. CHARLES E. COWMAN, Streams in the Desert (January 18)

Sarah blamed her husband for a situation she herself had arranged! It might seem ludicrous if it wasn't so much like what all of us do when we allow our wounds to blind us. That's the most striking characteristic of a blind spot — it can be easily seen by everyone … except ourselves.

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 2 CORINTHIANS 9:13

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 PETER 1:6

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 2 CORINTHIANS 9:10

Wounded people may not get over their wounds easily or quickly. Wounds can be hard just to brush aside because the wounder says, "I'm sorry.

As I look back on my life, it saddens me to acknowledge that some of my most painful wounds were inflicted by religious people — Gods people.

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. JEREMIAH 31:3

This is what the LORD says … "Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." ISAIAH 43:1 – 2

The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. REVELATION 21:14

We need to stop focusing on them and ask God to open our eyes to our own faults.

In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. EXODUS 20:11

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. ISAIAH 33:6

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." JOHN 2:5

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice. 1 KINGS 18:36 – 38

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. REVELATION 21:2

Turning around is a courageous choice —it's hard to do! It can hurt to take the plank out of your own eye, confront the past, change your focus, die to your pride, admit your wrong, deny your vengeance, face the person, risk another wound. And it takes courage to say you're sorry

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. ISAIAH 26:3

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 PETER 1:3

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. NAHUM 1:7

So the wall was completed … in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. NEHEMIAH 6:15 – 16

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. PSALM 73:25

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. PSALM 30:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. JOHN 15:5 NLT