Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
You know what I noticed? There's a bit of that cool breeze I love so early in the morning, the sun is rising, the birds are, again, doing their thing, Penelope is chasing down the scent of the squirrels and I'm having a cup of hot tea and time before the Lord. Everything appears as it did yesterday and the day before and the day before that.....and I thought to myself, "God IS faithful".
"When I am afraid I will put my trust in you." Psalm 56:3
When earthly circumstances are uncertain look to that which isn't, God's faithfulness!!
He will never leave me, he will never forsake me, period.
Never is defined as at no time in the past or future; on no occasion; not ever.
I've read reviews and researched.... everything is subjective. What one thinks is wonderful may be adequate to another and still horrendous to another. Leaves me zero peace. If she is moved today one of the hardest things I will have to do in a long, long time is walk out that door and leave her there.
Yet, God is still on the throne. Nothing that happens is without his knowledge but where is the peace that passes all understanding?
Look at the definition of anxious - experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
While fear itself is mentioned over 500 times words like trouble, heaviness, distress, cares and anxiousness are also mentioned. Suffice it to say this emotion I'm feeling this morning is not new to me and certainly not absent from God's Word.
Those who don't know the Lord might think all anxiety, worry and fear magically disappear when you come to faith.....not so!
It takes great determination and tremendous courage to turn from those emotions to God's provision. In fact, that great determination and tremendous courage are not self manufactured, they come from God himself. When I believe myself to be self sufficient ...well, that's when I become anxious.
Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."
Catch that word "never"?
I know in my reasonable mind that I CANNOT do this day in my own strength. I CANNOT make decisions based on my self determination. I CANNOT control my emotions with my own power. I CANNOT fabricate enough patience, peace or courage to sustain me today or in the days to come.
Today, when it feels like I may drown, I'm going to tuck Psalm 121 in my heart. Even though I don't have it memorized completely I can remember, "Where does my help come from?" In fact, I can even write it on the palm of my hand.....as a constant reminder....
Ya know..... it's kinda funny (not funny) as I sit here pondering and praying, I realize how much I'm striving to make this day less difficult. I'm gearing up for an anticipated hard day. Taking the Lord with me - his Word literally written on my hand. Good girl Dianna! You've got it all figured out. Nice plan. As if I have any idea what the day even holds. 🤦🏻♀️
See that's where I stumble....thinking about what I can do in my own strength to make myself feel better.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and HE WILL sustain you; HE WILL NEVER let the righteous be shaken."
NEVER! That is a promise.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9
Sometimes I wonder why my mom is suffering. My comfort is that perhaps he's waiting for her to turn to him. He is patient. He wants her. He's trying to reach her. And maybe, just maybe, I can begin to see it's really not about me and my comfort at all. And there's that peace....
I've been asked, "Why do you write?" I guess I really always thought the answer was because I like to...and don't get me wrong I do.. but this morning I realized for the first time that it is the instrument by which God teaches me. He allows me to pour out my heart about how anxious and uncomfortable I am and shows me, gently, that it's not about me at all. He shows me a bit of the bigger picture. If I can focus on God working in my MOM to bring her to him instead of focusing on how I hate all the hard decisions and my weaknesses....I will rejoice in what he's doing rather than lament about how he's doing it.
Have a blessed day.
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