Psalm 27:1 - The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
As I approach the end of a week where a feeling of dread has lingered, I wonder where it all began. Did I lose sight of the Lord? Did I turn my back in some way? Is He working something out...or into..me? Is He calling me to a greater depth in Him? Thankfully, it appears to be lifting. Scripture helps. Words of confidence and peace and wisdom.
Some day I might look back and know the answer. But for now it's simply trusting in Him. I will follow Him even when things seem dark. I might not see the path laid out before me but there is One on that path who sees very clearly and all I need to do is follow Him.
I read an article that spoke to my heart. It was about temporary setbacks. Although it was speaking of work projects being put on hold because behind the scenes God needs to set things in place, I believe it also spoke of circumstances in life.
Boyd Bailey the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional wrote: Obstacles become opportunities; adversaries become advocates; critics become cheerleaders; enemies become emissaries. And setbacks become a tremendous springboard for God’s will. Take heart, and keep your head up. It is darkest before the dawn. Hang in there with Jesus, and He will hold you up. Your Savior will sustain you. God’s purposes will not be thwarted, so believe it, and watch Him work. Amazing how he used similar words as a pastor in prayer on Sunday morning...keeping our heads up and walking tall, in the strength of the Lord.
No matter what the situation, if we trust God through it all, He will come through and we will be victorious. Maybe we need some added wisdom before we can proceed. Maybe we need rest. Maybe we need a strong word of admonition. Whatever it is, if we go to the Lord...with our hands open to receive from Him whatever it is...He will in His time show us, guide us and give whatever we need to move on.
Funny how I later found out I was not the only one who had been feeling like this. Maybe it was no more than the promise of spring as we, in the Midwest, looked outside our windows and saw winter hanging on to every moment it could. Even seasoned Christians go through a time of weariness, wonder or doubt. It's just not often spoken of...as if it's something a person doesn't want to divulge can happen because we are in Christ, as if we aren't thrown for a loop every so often.
Funny also how I after I had talked to my friend I watched a recorded Christian program. It spoke of the same thing...how we can doubt ourselves sometimes. But if we have not lost our desire to attend church or have not stopped contemplating the things of God, we are still secure in His hands. What a comfort to hear.
It's always easy to trust when things are going well. It's harder when we cannot see ahead or when our spirits are downcast, which can happen to anyone. But thankfully if we know Christ we can still hang on to the joy that is deep within our souls. We can dip into that wellspring and drink of the water of life and be refreshed.
What troubles you today? I dare you to go to God and ask what He might give to you that will remove the discomfort in your heart. Sometimes it's hard to rejoice when your heart is weary. But it's that joy that is deep inside that allows one to carry on in the midst of heaviness. Thank the Lord for His goodness and patience. Thank Him He has said He will never leave us. Thank You that You turn mourning into joy.
Psalm 5:11 - ...let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.
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