We have had a whirlwind of the last few months in our home and lives. I have been taking a step back for over a week now as I reset and refocus. Started with social media fast, haven’t been on Facebook for over a week. I have had some things, like my runs, upload directly to Facebook but have not tapped on the app to look at anything or spent anytime online.
This has been quite refreshing to experience to do this. I would like to say I have taken all the time saved from looking facebook to something productive like memorizing scripture or catching up on reading but I haven’t. I have however have been able to catch my breath emotionally, physically and spiritually. Not so much from the time I would have been looking online but more from refocusing my thoughts and energy.
“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord who walks in His ways.” Psalm 128:1
Something that I have been focused on during this time is that God is faithful, He is always with us and He is always in control. He promises to be there and provide peace even in the most distressing circumstances however I must LET GO and surrender to Him to receive His promises. I need to trust in His will over all things in my life not just when I feel like it.
This is a tough one for me sometimes (ok a lot of the times). I am your typical ‘type A’ personality, (some may say even OCD!) As a result this causes me have the natural desire to control things. So the surrendering completely part is where I struggle.
For me surrender is an everyday moment to moment challenge. I have to consciously choose to let things go to God, choose joy, choose to be positive. Some days it is so much harder to make these choices and I fail, fail miserably at times when I need Christ the most. Fear, anger, selfishness all these sinful things pull and direct my emotions and I fall guilty of not being thankful in all circumstances, of not honoring God with my love and obedience.
I make the same mistake over and over in different situations and trials, I don’t turn the situation over to God immediately, I hold onto and try to “fix” it myself and oh boy does this backfire! I have to fall flat on my face from trying to do it my way and then I turn to God for help. And yet I do this over and over. During the more difficult struggles I am human, I am weak and the enemy knows this. This is when he strikes, plants doubt and fear in my mind and heart, sin separating me from God. I know that am most weak when I am not as dedicated or intentional with my scripture reading and prayer life and yet at times I will let day to day life take priority, GUILTY!
Now I don’t do this every trial in my life and I’m certainly a work in progress. I learn from each mistake and each failure. Every time I fall and He lifts me up and carries me I am closer to Him. I am not who I was, and will continue to grow in Christ. Thank the Lord He doesn’t except me to be perfect, He knows I am human and sinful and yet He loves me and He forgives me. What an AWESOME God we have!
So this week while I am refocusing I am renewed and refreshed by these wonderful reminders and truths.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
God’s forgiveness
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace”. Ephesians 1:7
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13
God’s grace
“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” John 1:16
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
His mercy
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7
“Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.” Romans 9:18
His love
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16
Thankful Children of Christ 