What is it that does all this? Well, there are probably several things that you can think of in your life that does this, but for me....
It's the storms....swells of the sea
It's the emotions...anger, joy, panic, disbelief and peace
After having a really bad Monday and Tuesday this week, I was determined when I woke up yesterday morning to make the best of what I had to work with and be content.
I absolutely loved working outside all day. I think that I got more work done than I normally do inside. :-)
There is just something so invigorating about being outside in the fresh, cool, crisp fall temperatures with a slight breeze. The breeze was so gentle and my papers stayed put on the table. I am thankful that I didn't have to weigh everything down or chase papers all over the backyard. That might have taken the joy out of being outside, huh?
I was settling into my contentment mode and making great progress on my paperwork...until the bad news came.
I received news yesterday that was a total blindside. Immediately the discontentment, fear, panic, anger, disbelief...all rose up inside me...all at the same time.
You see, we have been cruising along over the past two years with only a few slight bumps in the road of life. We have been challenged with some situations but God worked them all out and we moved on with life.
As we have watched many people that we know suffer with life and different situations...we have been moving along peacefully, praising God for our blessings and seeing what we could do to help others. Being thankful that it wasn't us for a change. We were under attack of the enemy for 7 years straight. It thought many times that I would lose my mind if we didn't catch a break.
Finally, two years ago...the swells calmed down and it was a smooth, calm sea that we were sailing on...finally! The winds picked up a time or two that made small waves but no real storm manifested itself from it. Again, we were so thankful that God was seeing us through and we were finally catching our breath.
The enemy had been silent now for about two years and he loves to give you a false sense of calm in your life. One that if you aren't careful, could become prideful...like..."look how well I'm doing", "look at us and what we have", "see how I am taking care of my life, family and business". That is another way for him to trip you up because we are nothing without Christ. We are nothing without Him and never will be.
There was always a slight thought in the back of my mind saying from time to time..."when is the enemy going to pull a surprise attack", "when will he blindside us", "I know that he hasn't forgotten about us" but, I thanked God for His provision and protection on our family, dismissed the thoughts and went on with life.
Yesterday, the attack came in the form of a blindside...it was totally unexpected and without warning. We didn't see it coming at all. Were we too comfortable in our lives? I don't think so. We were prideful in our thinking that we were causing all the good that was coming our way? Absolutely not. Were we nieve in thinking that the attacks weren't on the horizon? No, because I knew as long as we were serving God...we had a target on our lives and he would attack again.
So, what do you do when it comes? My emotions went right back up after calming down to settle in on contentment yesterday, the panic set in immediately..."what are we going to do?", "how should be handle this" and so on...my mind was racing. I am the emotional one and my husband is the calm one.
I called him and told him about the bad news that we received. He calmly said "I'm not going to worry about it until I know more about it. We need to call and see what this is all about". He said "I can't tell you not to worry because you probably will anyway, but I am not".
I stepped back, took a deep breath and prayed.
God, you are bigger than this news, this situation. You haven't brought us this far to leave us now. Your Word says "no weapon formed against us shall prosper, the plans that you have for me is to prosper and not to harm me, plans of hope and a future" and you also said "that the enemy intended to harm me with this attack but God, you will use it for my good". I am trusting You, Lord to handle this situation, guide us in the direction that You would have us to go and give us peace in the midst of the storm.
Today, I will be working on a game plan for this situation. I don't believe in being stupid, ignoring a problem and not researching all my options ahead of time. I will be fully prepared for the counter attack and will march forward in power and in might with God leading the way.
This too shall pass! Watch and listen to this beautiful song that I just found...wow!
I can't imagine living one day without Jesus Christ in my life. I don't understand...how do people make it day to day, in the world that we live it...WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST in their lives? Who do they cling to in the storms, who do they cry out to in the night, when their in pain, when the pain in so unbearable and they...... don't have the answers. WHO? HOW? I can't imagine a single day without JESUS CHRIST IN MY LIFE!!!
Isaiah 54:17 (Message)
But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Genesis 50:20 (Message)
Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now--life for many people.
Have a wonderfully blessed day!
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4 years ago
You go girl! Thats the way to give the devil a black eye!!!
ReplyDeletePraise lifts up our Savior and elevates our trust in Him.
Trust in Him deflates the lies of the enemy and Praise defeats the enemies purposes!
I think that will preach!!! :0)
luv u!
dorinda
I think that when we have calm waters for long we forget to lean on God so much. I'm not saying that you were, I'm just speaking from my experience. I need the rocky experiences I seem to constantly go through to show me I need to trust God, lean on Him, keep my eyes on Him. If it get's calm, I'm more apt to rely on myself.
ReplyDeleteI love you sweetie, praying with you, and for you. Kicking that devil back to hell where he belongs.
ReplyDeleteAmen! I pray the Lord will lead you through this challenge and show you how to deal with it. And I pray for His calming presence through the storm.
ReplyDeleteTake care my sweet friend! Glad to know you enjoyed working outside in the cool fall breeze.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteWithout knowing the details of your blindside, I am just lifting you both up in prayer asking for our wonderful God, to reassure both of you that He is still at work in your lives and whatever is happening, He will see you through it in the end.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat