When a Good Gift Doesn’t Make Sense {Guest Post & Give Away}

I am so excited to share today this excerpt from Unblinded Faith: Gaining Spiritual Sight Through Believing God’s Word by my friend Elisa Pulliam. Elisa is giving away a copy of her new book, so be sure to join in this opportunity by commenting on my blog.

 

Is it easy for you to think of God as your good Father, who is pleased to give good gifts to His children? Or has your experience with your earthly dad made this perspective challenging? When you think of good gifts, are you imagining something tangible, like a house or car, a job or a vacation? These are the questions I’ve been forced to wrestle with as I try to make sense of my life in light of Luke 11:13, “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Does this simple verse cause as much chaos in your heart and as it does in mine?

My parents divorced shortly after I came to know the Lord in college and my relationship with my dad took a turn for the worst over the next decade, culminating in a horrible falling out. I felt like an orphan on so many levels—a fatherless daughter. I couldn’t understand how it could be God’s will for me and questioned how He was about the business of giving good gifts, if He wouldn’t even give me my dad back? It took time for me to learn that what God deems as good gifts are entirely different than what we perceive with our human understanding.

The good gift is actually the best gift God can give us—the fullness of His presence through the indwelling Holy Spirit promised by Him when we place our faith in Jesus Christ.

As our heavenly Father, God will pour out His blessings in so many unique, personal, and practical ways, but none compares to the presence of Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts and minds. I uncovered that truth as I leaned more into God during that time I was hurting the most. His goodness came as I developed a deep abiding relationship with Him. He held me up. Covered me with His love. Reminded me of my worth. Laid down His life for me. And cared for me as my heavenly Father.

Those years of separation from my dad actually became the time when God accomplished the most beautiful and sanctifying work on my heart and soul, as I depended on the Him more than ever before. When God promises good gifts, He means it, my friend. Will you believe this truth, even if you’re in a place in which it doesn’t feel true?

Pray.

God, I believe that if I, a sinful person, can desire to give good gifts to my children (by birth, adoption, or spiritual adoption), how much more You will give the Holy Spirit when I ask it of You. Forgive me for the times I doubt Your love for me. Forgive me when I demand gifts that won’t last until eternity. Help me to see You as the good Father You are as I treasure the gift of the Holy Spirit living within me. In Jesus’ name, amen

Reflect

What does it look like to see God as your heavenly Father who is about the business of giving you the one gift you need most of all—the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in your soul?

 

To enter to win a copy of Unblinded Faithsimply say, “I’m in!” in the comments below (or if you are getting this by email, go to my site at www.LynnCowell.com to comment.) One winner will be announced Monday, April 30th.

**** The winner of Unblinded Faith is Dorothy Cunningham. Congratulations, Dorothy!***

Lynn

148 Comments

    1. I’m in! This is a tough thing to work through. Thank you for the guest post.

  1. Stefani Slaughter says:

    I’m in! Thank you for this devotional today!

  2. Penny Olson says:

    I’m in! Thanks!

  3. Dorothy Cunningham says:

    I’m in!

  4. Kim Roberts says:

    I’m in!!! Thank you for this reminder!

    1. Joycelyn Clayton says:

      “I’m In!”

  5. I’m in!! Thank you for the awesome reminder of God’s true gift of the Holy Spirit!!

  6. I am definitely in! 🙂

  7. Charlotte Orth says:

    Thank you for the post and I am in!

  8. Dori Sheese says:

    I’m in! Thanks for your good words today!

  9. I’m in, thanks for this post.

  10. Gloria Howard-Smith says:

    I’m in!

  11. I’m in! Thank you for reminding us of God’s unfailing love through the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our soul and guiding us into all truth!

  12. I’m in! Thank God for his unfailing love and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives!

  13. Kelly Anderson - Tardella says:

    Thank you for sharing this heartfelt devotional today – it was so uplifting and a very good reminder of where I need to keep my focus! I’m In!

  14. I’m In and desperate to grasp fully this reality!!

  15. Patricia Williams says:

    I’m in !

    (Thank you !)

  16. I’m in and thank you for giving me a chance to win

  17. I’m in! Thank you!

  18. Delores McPherson says:

    “I’m in!”

  19. Gosh! what a helpful reminder, i needed to read this . thank you!

  20. Nicci Ramirez says:

    Me me me!! I am SOOOO in!!! 🙂

    1. PS. I really live this. I have been sensing the need for more of the Holy Spirit!

  21. Suzanne Calaway says:

    I’m in!! Happy Friday!! God bless you.

  22. Oh this books sounds so good!
    It’s definitely one to be shared!
    Thanks Lynn and Elisa!

  23. I’m in! It is a blessing and a true gift from above to have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within my spirit. I am assured of His leading and direction in every aspect of my life. My dad provided for me until I was 18 years old and then it was up to me to find footing in a world that seemed hostile and scary. I found peace and comfort from knowing that God was all I needed and could trust Him to meet my every need. Thank you for such comforting words of Truth.

  24. I’m in! I am supporting my sister through a major illness and learning that the BEST GIFT is His presence, even more than His healing.

  25. Linda Neely says:

    I am definitely in!

  26. Alyson Foy says:

    I’m in but more importantly I like God’s gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling in me.

  27. Rachelle Craig says:

    I’m in! Thank you for the chance to win this beautiful book!

  28. I’m in!
    Thank you!

  29. I’m In! I feel as if I could’ve wrote this myself. Your testimony is much like my own. I cried reading it. Thank you for the opportunity.

  30. Leigh Ellen says:

    I’m in!
    Thank you!

  31. I’m in!
    It’s heartbreaking to hear of the ways our fathers on earth can skew our view of God…but in the midst of the ‘hard’, God loves us, redeeming our perspectives as we walk with Him, leaning into Him, learning to trust. Blessings as you share your life, offering hope and encouragement!

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