Every morning when I wake up, these are the first words I think or say because this is what I truly believe - it is a new day, the Lord has made it and I should rejoice and be glad that He has given me the privilege of living in it.
Over the last couple of weeks I haven't felt like rejoicing and being glad. In fact due to recent events, I have only felt numb. However, I have found comfort in the scripture from Romans 8 - 'All things work together for good for those who love God.....'
When things happen in our lives it is sometimes hard to see God's hand but I have to trust that He is there and He is 'working together for good' in my life, because He knows I love Him.
The enemy of our soul would like to keep me despondent and in despair because when I am in that state I am not trusting the Lord. I am also keeping the focus on me and not on my all knowing Lord.
I am reading a book called Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman by Anne Ourtlund. I have read this book before, a few years ago, and have been meaning to read it again, but never got round to it. But I decided yesterday to read it again. Before I even got to the first chapter, in the introduction part, were the words ... "But anxiety - that's something else. Worry is disobedience. The disciplined mind makes no room for doubting God's plans for me. What if... ? has no place in my thinking."
Now, I'm not sure I have been in a state of worry, but anxiety and shock have certainly played a huge part in my life recently. Even though I knew I had to try and keep my focus on my Lord I did spend quite a while thinking and feeling of how hurt I am and how sad and despondent I feel. I never thought of these things as being disobedient, but of course it is an act of disobedience when the focus is really on me and my feelings. Because when I am thinking of me, then I'm not trusting the Lord and I am not taking the scriptures and applying them to my life as I should.
God is so good. He knows doesn't He that I'm hurting, but when He sees me looking at my circumstances more than to Him, He will gently lead my focus back to Him.
I am so thankful that God spoke to me out of this book, because as I turn back to look at Jesus I begin to experience that wonderful peace that passes all understanding return to me. A peace that only Jesus can bring.
So this is the day the Lord has made. I am rejoicing and being glad in it because I know He loves me and He is working in it for my good.
3 comments:
That sounds like a lovely book to read.
I am finding it difficult to focus right now, with my husband in hospital, but just have to trust in the Lord.
Carol, once again the Lord has used you to let your light shine!
I have also been dealing with being despondent. I understand hurt and pain brought on by circumstances out of "my" control.
I am so glad that the Lord is faithful and loving and He has our best in mind! You have exhorted me to remember to rejoice in any thing we (Carol or I) face.
Thank you again and know you are in my prayers,
Miriam :)
Thank you for your comments, prayers and encouragement.
Jesus did say that life would not be easy, but he also added that we don't have to worry. We can cast our care and our burdens on Him and know that in all things He has the victory. I am mindful of the scripture in 2 Chronicles where Jehoshaphat's weapon is worship. As we worship our Lord the pathways start to clear and again we can know that we can have the victory in Him.
What a wonderful God we serve.
You are both in my prayers and I pray that you will know His blessings and provision in a new way this week.
Bless you both.
Carol x
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