Good
Morning Lord...what a simple way to start your day, and yet it brings
a smile to my face when I remember to do so.
No
matter what I go through each night, trying to sleep through pain,
waking to pray for others needs, etc. I know when I awake in the
morning my Lord is always there to help me through the day.
Sing
praise to the Lord you saints of His and give thanks at the
remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His
favor is for life; weeping may endure for the night but Joy comes in
the morning. Psalm 30:4-5
Some
days I still wake up worried, wondering how I will make it through
such a busy or tiresome day ahead. I think it is easy to get
'stressed out' or 'all worked up' over our daily troubles but if we
stop to look at Paul's and Peter's journeys we can find that they
knew what to do with worries and troubles of the days ahead. The Word
of God tells us;
Be
anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatever things are
true, whatever things re noble, whatever things are just, whatever
things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of
good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy, meditate on these things...for I have learned in
whatever state I am, to be content. I now how to be abased, and I
know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both
to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can
do all tings through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:6-13
Some
times it may seem like we can't take any more trouble, any more
suffering or that our results are not what we thought we would get.
But just the same we will find that there is help in the Name of
Jesus. Whether it is throbbing pain or piles of dishes, broken cars,
and dirty laundry; stressful finances or illnesses can add to the
pile of troubles but God can take us out of them all.
Sometimes
God will heal us and make us still walk through the trial in order to
build trust in Him to do as He said.
About
ten years ago, I tore my right rotator cuff. I really enjoyed
activities with my children at that point, my youngest was about 9 or
10, my oldest 15 or so. We played baseball and went to a water park
and between the two I tore it really bad. After months of Physical
Therapy I was sent to get it MRI tested to see what was going on in
there. The tear they found, and showed me on the screen was quite
big. I have the shape and zig-zag picture imbedded I my memory
because between that day at the doctor and the day of my surgery to
fix said tear God healed it. I felt the 'holy hot glue gun' as it was
sealing up the tear. I was ready at first to toss off as my
imagination but when a friend asked me if I had received my healing I
stopped and said I would not know until the doctor said he could not
find it.
My
shoulder was healed then, but the muscles still froze and anyone who
has had a shoulder injury knows a frozen shoulder is not a good
thing. So we went on with surgery, trying to trust God that I would
hear the words, yet wondering why I had to go through with the
surgery at the same time. This left room for doubt that I was healed
up to the point that I awoke from the surgery, “Honey, the doctor
said he couldn't find the tear...” my husband said to me unknowing
about the words I had spoken.
They
did fix a few other problems and my shoulder has never been better!
Of course I had to endure hardship and suffering for the glory of God
to be revealed in my shoulder. The scar is a daily reminder that the
Holy Spirit was at work in me. I have an h shaped scar, so I like to
say the Lord left His initial.
The
amazing thing to me was not just that I had to walk through the
surgery knowing I was healed; but that I was healed in such an
amazing way. We do not always feel the healing in such a clear
concise manor but this time I did. God knew what He was doing in
proving that He had healed me and that yes you can feel the 'fix' as
it happens. My trust of His direction has taken me this far in life
and it will take me all the way through.
Now
when I go through similar pains, I remind myself He was there for me
then and He is here for me now. I try to use the past results to
influence the future production in my life. Its a bit of statistical
math: if this then that.
If
I trust God; then He will carry me through the problems.
If
I follow Christ's example; then He will direct me in the way that I
should go.
If
I allow Him to use me: then I will learn what to do when I fall under
temptation.
If
I walk in His path; then He will make a way when there seems to be no
way.
If
I Love Him; then He will cause me to have reason to love Him more.
If
I seem Him, then I will find Him when I seek Him with my whole heart!
My
God is able to deliver me from the enemy, to direct my path, to heal
me, to restore me to full living. He is God, Great and Mighty,
wonderful counselor, Glorious, is He.
I
know today that what I have walked through in the past will
strengthen me in the future. I will choose to put my trust, my hope,
my faith, and my love in Him.
So
why make a changing of the calendar year anything different? Why not
take that trust, faith and hope and love that has brought me thus far
and bring it in with me? I choose to continue to follow God's
direction in the new year.
I
will choose to be blessed, not stressed.
Dear
Heavenly Father, I choose life in Christ; hope of glory, joy
unspeakable, and strength unmeasured; all in you and through you
Lord. In Jesus name, amen.
Suggested
reading: Philippians 4:1-23, Psalm 1:1-6, and Romans 12:1-21.
Happy
New YEAR!
