Yesterday morning, I woke up with many heavy things on my heart. My focus was a bit out of whack to say the least. Because I have such a tender heart, at times, I allow the hurts and problems of this life to almost overtake me and throw me into a possible pit of despair. I’m just being honest here. I do not know how to be anything else. God is so good, but at times, life is just plain hard. There are many things on my mind and heart. As I’ve mentioned previously, there is much change going on in this season of my life. Life is changing so rapidly, my heart and brain cannot keep up! I see people that I love suffering, I have pain in my own life, I know a little boy who should be living life to its fullest, but instead, he is fighting the battle of his life (cancer), friends losing their jobs, people leaving my life who I’ve been close to for years, friends hurting, marriages struggling, people who are completely lost without Jesus,…and I could go on and on. I’m sure you all have your own list too. If I allow myself to stay focused on these situations, they will paralyze me and render me useless in God’s kingdom.
Instead of focusing on the circumstances, it is my desire to lay these things at His feet and entrust them all to the only One who is truly in control. I have no control over people, their lives or over anything else really. But, there is one thing that I can do to keep my focus in the right place. PRAYER!
So, I started digging out of the pit. I called a dear friend and she stopped by for a visit. As we talked and shared with one another, we were reminded of the faithfulness of God and of just how much we need His Word and prayer in our lives. Our new saying has become,”God’s Word – our sanity”. We talked until our talking spontaneously turned into heartfelt prayer. We both cried together as we prayed for our kids, ourselves, our loved ones, our church, the sick, the hurting and the lost. A verse came to our minds at that point, from the psalmist. Psalm 56:8 says, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” I believe that God saw every tear that my friend and I shed yesterday. He hears our prayers and answers them, if we ask in His Name and His will. We can cast every concern on Him.
As we talked and prayed, almost immediately, the heaviness was lifted from my heart and my eyes went from the cloud of circumstances, to the beautiful gaze of my loving Savior. As of right now, to my knowledge, none of the circumstances have changed. What changed was my focus. I placed these people and things at the feet of Jesus and was able to breathe in the peace and freedom that He offers His children. I went from a place of heaviness to the place of allowing God’s peace to wash over me and rule in my heart. I know to some this may idea may sound difficult and unrealistic, maybe even pointless. But it is not. He cares so much and longs to have conversation with us. I know myself, and I know that if I did not have God’s Word in my heart, and the ability to go to my Heavenly Father in prayer, I could not keep living in this crazy, mixed up world. When I practice His Presence, it changes my focus. And for that, I am so thankful.
I’ll close today with a couple of verses that remind me of His promise of peace. Thanks for reading!
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001 (Php 4:6–7). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001 (Col 3:15). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001 (Jn 16:33). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001 (Ps 56:8). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
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