Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (Emphasis mine)
All circumstances??? At times that is almost impossible for us to imagine, let alone do. How do we give thanks when a natural disaster like a tornado or fire destroys our home? How do we give thanks when a loved one (or even ourself) is diagnosed with a life threatening illness? How do we give thanks despite the pain and heartache when our world seems to be crashing all around us? I can hear my mother tell me to look for a silver lining or look on the bright side. Oh, that is so much easier said than done!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Be Still, and Know That I Am God
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
I know there are some Bible scholars who will cringe at my simple interpretation of this verse, but I often think of this verse and imagine a loving adult speaking to a small child. Be still. How many of us have admonished a youngster when he/she is wiggling, popping up and down, touching things off limit, etc.? It could be the child is anticipating a delightful event like a circus to begin. Or he is curious about his environment, or simply bored. The adult might have a smile in his voice as he encourages the child to sit still and wait. Patiently the adult tries to calm the child down. Or maybe the child has a "boo-boo" that the adult needs to examine and treat. Be still. Again, the patient plea as the child wiggles and squirms. Eventually, if the little one doesn't settle down, the adult may have to speak in a firmer voice to get the child to focus.
Isn't this also true of our Heavenly Father? He wants to calm our anxious spirit, treat our "boo-boos" and delight in our joy. But he needs us to sit still and listen, just as that small child needs to do.
Know that I am God. He's in control. He is God. He's got this covered. Know this in your heart. Let there be no doubt whatsoever that He has a perfect plan for all of us.
Sometimes we just need to wait quietly and simply let Him do His work in us and for us. Being still is a challenge, that's for sure. But isn't it reassuring to know that He is God and He has everything under control?
I know there are some Bible scholars who will cringe at my simple interpretation of this verse, but I often think of this verse and imagine a loving adult speaking to a small child. Be still. How many of us have admonished a youngster when he/she is wiggling, popping up and down, touching things off limit, etc.? It could be the child is anticipating a delightful event like a circus to begin. Or he is curious about his environment, or simply bored. The adult might have a smile in his voice as he encourages the child to sit still and wait. Patiently the adult tries to calm the child down. Or maybe the child has a "boo-boo" that the adult needs to examine and treat. Be still. Again, the patient plea as the child wiggles and squirms. Eventually, if the little one doesn't settle down, the adult may have to speak in a firmer voice to get the child to focus.
Isn't this also true of our Heavenly Father? He wants to calm our anxious spirit, treat our "boo-boos" and delight in our joy. But he needs us to sit still and listen, just as that small child needs to do.
Know that I am God. He's in control. He is God. He's got this covered. Know this in your heart. Let there be no doubt whatsoever that He has a perfect plan for all of us.
Sometimes we just need to wait quietly and simply let Him do His work in us and for us. Being still is a challenge, that's for sure. But isn't it reassuring to know that He is God and He has everything under control?
Don't Let Your Burdens Weigh You Down
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Ever feel over burdened? If you're like most of us, the answer will be, "Yes." As a matter of fact, my answer is more like "When am I not?" Too often I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders as I go through the day. And frankly, that really is not necessary.
There was a day not too long ago that despite being over tired and achy I decided to do the food shopping on my way home. Feeling exhausted I muddled through the experience and loaded the car with oodles of bundles that included a 50lb bag of dog food. A feeling of dread accompanied me on the drive home as I thought about how I was going to have to unload the car and put all the stuff away. Then, pulling into the driveway I realized I had three choices:
If I did it all myself, the feeling of being over burdened would only increase as would my physical tiredness. If I asked for help but did not let go of the task I'd feel a little relief but not enough to be restored. I figured out I needed to just let others carry my load.
Isn't that the same with God? Don't we have to give him our burdens and trust that He can carry the load? Trust that He wants us to relinquish our burdens so that He may be Glorified!
Ever feel over burdened? If you're like most of us, the answer will be, "Yes." As a matter of fact, my answer is more like "When am I not?" Too often I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders as I go through the day. And frankly, that really is not necessary.
There was a day not too long ago that despite being over tired and achy I decided to do the food shopping on my way home. Feeling exhausted I muddled through the experience and loaded the car with oodles of bundles that included a 50lb bag of dog food. A feeling of dread accompanied me on the drive home as I thought about how I was going to have to unload the car and put all the stuff away. Then, pulling into the driveway I realized I had three choices:
- Do it all myself without asking the family for help.
- Ask someone to help me but still do the bulk of it myself.
- Ask the family to take over the task and go inside and rest.
If I did it all myself, the feeling of being over burdened would only increase as would my physical tiredness. If I asked for help but did not let go of the task I'd feel a little relief but not enough to be restored. I figured out I needed to just let others carry my load.
Isn't that the same with God? Don't we have to give him our burdens and trust that He can carry the load? Trust that He wants us to relinquish our burdens so that He may be Glorified!
A Simple Beginning to Blogging
So, here I am, ready to share some random thoughts and ideas with the rest of the world.
As a Christian woman, I know firsthand how awesome our God is. It is my hope that my posts will convey to the readers a sense of just how often He is at work in our lives and how He can transform us.
Quite often the desire to share has been overwhelming. It is at that time I believe the Holy Spirit is prompting me to write something that can perhaps encourage others. At the very least, it is a way to share my testimony about the Lord's mighty blessing upon my life and upon my family.
I pray that you, too, will
Follow Him Faithfully
As a Christian woman, I know firsthand how awesome our God is. It is my hope that my posts will convey to the readers a sense of just how often He is at work in our lives and how He can transform us.
Quite often the desire to share has been overwhelming. It is at that time I believe the Holy Spirit is prompting me to write something that can perhaps encourage others. At the very least, it is a way to share my testimony about the Lord's mighty blessing upon my life and upon my family.
I pray that you, too, will
Follow Him Faithfully
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