Hi Reader,

I'm reading a book called Courage and Confidence from the Bible by Walter Moore.

A passage says, "I'm watching a workman, and I almost thought he was confused, until I learned that he was not building a table, but rather a bookshelf.
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Mistaking his purpose, I could see no reason for his actions. So it is difficult for us to see that 'all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose,' until we discover that his purpose is to shape us into the image of his son.

The thorn, the lash, and the cross are necessary sculptor's tools to fashion us into his image."

What if all the suffering we endure has a point and a reason? What if it's not bad luck or random, but instead being used to bring us closer to God?

But doesn't fear, anger, and feeling sorry for ourselves push us away from God?
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"God, why have you forsaken me! God, this is your fault. God, I hate you for this! Why are you punishing me?"

As a parent, when setting boundaries with your child, have they ever yelled, "I hate you!" out of frustration, rebellion, or overwhelm?

They didn't mean it, and even if they did in that moment, their love for you prevailed. Perhaps as they got older, they even understood or appreciated you for doing what was 'best for them.'

When I think back on some of the most difficult experiences as an adult, those were the times when I dropped to my knees and called out to God for help.

Rarely did I do so when life was good and flowing the way I felt it should.

Many people believe you only need coaching or counseling when you get stuck or have problems.

Yet, the most successful people regularly turn to their trusted advisors for encouragement and feedback, which helps them avoid potential pitfalls and proactively manage problems.

When you zoom out of the intensity of the moment, take a 30,000-foot view of the situation, and notice what brings people emotional relief, what do they often say?

"I finally found peace with God."

Humans are hard-wired to connect with a divine source, and when we secure that connection, we find a peace that 'transcends all human understanding.'

I've worked with people who have been through horrible, nightmarish situations, and only when we upgraded their limiting beliefs and enhanced their faith were they able to experience joy again.

Two mothers in their late thirties came to my office several years ago. They looked as if neither of them had slept in a month.

Then one of the moms said, "I'm just going to say it. Our teenage son's committed suicide together and we don't know how to move forward."

I just sat there stunned. What am I supposed to say to help them feel better? I felt sick imagining how I'd be in that situation.

So, I started silently praying and asking for guidance. Then I asked about their faith, and the mom who first spoke said they believed but were very angry with God.

Then, I began guiding them through a hypnosis session to recharge their physical batteries. It's challenging to upgrade perspectives or find peace when you're exhausted.

Next, I guided them to a healing place in their minds and guided them through my One Belief Away experience, The Releasing.

In this place, they could speak with their sons and work through some overwhelming emotion, specifically the guilt and blame they were putting on themselves and the anger they shamefully felt towards their sons for 'doing this to the family.'

As we worked through the five stages of grief, we moved towards forgiveness, which is a very misunderstood emotion.

When a poisonous snake bites you, the bite hurts, but the venom circulating through your veins is what paralyzes you. Forgiveness helps you remove the poison.

We also created a new image of their sons surrounded in light, safe, smiling, and peaceful. The promise of seeing them again soon was secured along with the promise that God was working in ways we cannot comprehend, and to lean on him moving forward.

All three of us cried throughout the session, and I had no idea what their reactions would be afterwards.

Once I ended the hypnosis session and we used up a whole box of tissues, the other mom, who had not uttered a word until now, spoke up.

She said, "It gave me relief seeing my son peaceful and smiling at me. Every time I saw him in my mind before, it was of how we found them both. (Pause, more tears.) But now I have a new image of him that I can focus on. Thank you for that."

How could God take a child away from us? Doesn't he understand how painful that would be?

Wait...

Isn't it Easter Sunday?

Is this not the holy holiday where we give thanks because the only way for us to be relieved of our sins was for God to sacrifice his child, Jesus, who would be tortured and left to die on the cross?

Perhaps he does get it and uses the pain of that experience to cleanse us in ways we can't always understand, but that are still 'good for us.'

There is a movie called The Shack. It's painful to watch but incredibly insightful. It does a remarkable job of clarifying the power of forgiveness and why we must put our faith in God to experience peace on earth.

If you are struggling, in physical or emotional pain, experiencing significant loss, or wish to strengthen your faith, I challenge you to watch that movie this weekend.

I'll conclude this heartfelt message to you with the prayer that followed the passage in that book I'm reading.

"Oh, thy sculpture of souls, we rejoice that you have seen in us material that can be made into Christ's image. Do to us whatever will make us more like him. Amen."

Remember, we wish people a Happy Easter because although the deaths we go through to move away from a sinful nature are painful, it's followed by the rising up that brings everlasting peace to those who embrace it.

If you watch The Shack, please reply and share your thoughts.

My God bless you and your family...

:) Tim

Tim Shurr, MA
317-502-5293

PS, Need some help?
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