This morning as we got ready to go the doctors (they were open this weekend), we had a short little "service" in our living room. Very short- as our son was half asleep on the couch, and looking very ill. Our daughter wanted to share some Scripture verses with us that SHE felt strongly about. We smiled as she led our service. Lead on! We prayed and thanked God for His grace.We felt thankful that we have these minor illnesses to deal with. We know that there are many who are dealing with heavy, severe trials of disease and chronic illness. We have to deal with something that is treatable (even if we do have to watch carefully over our son's health due to his history of Asthma and pneumonia).
Lately, all I see is God's hand of Grace...in the midst of our small trials and obstacles. It's not that I don't think God wants to show up in some big Victories for us. He does. But for now, we are dealing with a number of concerns, obstacles, challenges, predicaments. And I see how God wants to be the stabilizing force in our life, the Hand that under girds us, the Way Maker, the Light, the Fire that continually reignites within us when we get weary or start to do too much sighing.
When I sigh a lot, I know something is wrong. It's not that I can't get weary or tired or that I am not allowed to ever feel overwhelmed. But sighing is- for me- a sign of impending despair. And that is one thing I can not ever afford to have in my life.
Despair is not supposed to be my portion in this life. Here's why:
Despair means you are without hope, and that you sense there is no way out.
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
I am not ever giving up hope. I have more hope than ever. I have more confidence than ever in the hand of God, the loving heart of God, the will of God, and the plan of God for my life. I see more than ever that I don't have the answers, that I don't have resources for the challenges of my own making. I perceive that God's resources are not only stored up for me, but that He waits for my recognition of this fact and longs for me to tap into what HE has in mind for the battle at hand, the problem ahead, the challenge that looks too daunting for me to handle.
"Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD" Ps. 31:24. Let your heart take hold of what He has- and don't let yourself get near that dreaded word- despair.
There's no reason not to experience more of what He has laid up for you: hope, increased perception of His grace and His strength, and a path to take THROUGH the raging seas.
6 comments:
Your family are in my prayers; I hope they get to feeling better.
Praying both get well soon. It's good to hear from you again.
All's grace,
Angie
That's so interesting, I was thinking about that today as God was giving me tears of repentance over something. I remember thinking, this is not like despair. Despair can leave you feeling empty and, as you say, without hope. I felt God moving me through the pain. Despair goes nowhere but down. It's great that even in the trials and pain we can know hope and more importantly know HIM. Thank you!
Thanks for your prayers and your e-love, everyone! And Mike, thanks for sharing your added perspective about Despair.
By the way, got a good doctor's report today and my son is back to school tomorrow. (The Doctor today told him he needs to rest more and sleep ten hours a night. Ha! I'd love her to come over and hold him down and make him do just that!) :)
Sorry so much is going on! Lifting prayers for you girl.
Much love,
Ang
When you begin to come under attack like this, its time to stand up and take note, the enemy cannot come in unless he has been given permission, ask the Lord to show you where the enemy got it and close the door.
It can be an object that came in your home, negative words spoken, bitterness from people etc.
Pray that the Lord will open your spiritual eyes that you may see where the enemy came in.
May God continue to bless you and keep your family in health.
Proverbs 12:18 "....but the tongue of the wise is health."
Gi
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