You know those weeks where everything goes wrong, or at least enough goes wrong that it ruins your appreciation of everything else. If your like me, most of the time you dwell on the issue, and bitterness ensues! How can it not? It is all we can think about - this frustrating situation that sits before us . . .
I won't go into details as to why this week has been so frustrating. Perhaps that will be for another post. However, I will say that something was different this time around. There have only been a few other incidents in my life that have been as irritating as this one. Yet somehow, despite my initial desire to be angry, the peace of God has swept over me! Although, I have no idea how to fix this situation I find myself in, and I don't know what the future holds regarding this as well as many other stressful circumstances - Who cares what I can do! lol God is in control, and He promises to "work all things together for the good of those who love Him!" (Romans 8:28) Wow never in my life have I felt so at peace about the various situations which weigh down upon me!
So why is this time different? I believe there are three main reasons, and I hope these will be a reminder and an encouragement for all of us both now, and in the future.
Remember me telling you about this passion burning in me to seek God and get into His Word like never before! I believe this is the primary reason why I find myself content in the midst of a huge mess! Ahhhhhhh His yoke is easy, and His burden is light! Thank you Jesus for hearing my cry, and giving me a peace which truly surpasses all understanding!
A secondary reason for the sense of calmness in my life, is the Body of Christ! If it weren't for other Christians surrounding us, with wisdom, compassion, and encouragement, we could easily fall into the depths of despair! I must give a big thank you to my husband, family, Church, and sweet friends like you who surround us with love during these times!
The third, and final reason is the practice of giving thanks to God and receiving His grace in every moment . . . even the hard ones! Thank you God in advanced for working this all out! Thank you God for your grace, and mercy which I do not deserve. Give me wisom and teach me to be gracious in this situation so that your glory may ShInE!
So whether you find yourself in a broken relationship, facing financial difficulties, losing a loved one, in conflict with your workplace/employer, struggling with an injustice done towards you, the list could go on and on . . .
get into the Word, surround yourself with Christian friends, and give thanks despite the circumstance!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 15:13
(((Hugs))) I have no idea what you are facing, but I know the One Who does, and I will be praying. Chin up! :-)
ReplyDeleteTo be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives-the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections-that requires hard spiritual work. Still, we are only truly grateful people when we can say thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment. As long as we keep dividing our lives between events and people we would like to remember and those we would rather forget, we cannot claim the fullness of our beings as a gift of God to be grateful for.
ReplyDeleteLet's not be afraid to look at everything that has brought us to where we are now and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God.
- Henri Nouwen