God Is Already There

Photo by qimono@Pixabay

Every so often, despite my best intensions, I jump on the worry-go-round, envisioning future issues and wondering how I’ll cope. I’ve gotten better in these last few years, foregoing some of my compulsiveness, but I still succumb now and then. This last week was one of them.  

God reminded me in my scripture readings He’s already there. Not only was Psalm 37 listed but also Mark 8: 1-10. Jesus fed four thousand with seven loaves and a few fishes. How many baskets of leftovers did they collect? Seven.

I’ve read that passage many times and never once caught the seven loaves or seven baskets of leftovers. God saved that insight for today when I needed it the most. 

As I have mentioned in prior posts, God uses the numbers three and seven to remind me He will give me the desires of my heart (those that align with His will) and provide everything I need while I walk upon this earth. So, why do I worry?

The devil whispers doubts, spins dark scenarios, and unless I’m careful, I fall into his trap.

God never leaves me there. He reminds me through symbols and scripture that as long as I hold on to my faith, the flames of doubt and fear will never burn me.

Thank you, Lord, for pulling me back from the pit of worry, for reminding me You have already prepared for my future needs — all of them. Amen.

 

Sometimes I Envy Moses

Photo by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

God has answered my prayers many times, but rarely in the way I hoped or expected. He knows where the true blessings lie and asks that I dig a little deeper to see what he sees.

Those times I wish I could talk to him like Moses, face to face, and receive a direct answer back. Life would be so much simpler, wouldn’t it?

I often envy the Israelites too. Imagine seeing the miracles they experienced during the Exodus: the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, water from a rock, manna. I want to think I’d never complain or doubt like they did, but is that true?

God has given me so many miracles and yet I still tend to worry with each crisis, wondering if God will rescue me this time.

As hard as it is, I must recognize that I am often just as stiff-necked as the Israelites in the desert, complaining and doubting when I don’t get the answers I want when I want them. 

But I must also remember these are the steppingstones God uses to lead me toward the fulfillment of his plan for my life, and regardless of where the path leads, what sorrows I will endure, I can be sure the path will also be filled with great joy.

Strength from Weakness Despite the Devil

Photo by Prettysleepy2 @ Pixabay

Once again I considered unpublishing the first book in my series. I’ve struggled with this story from its conception and have re-edited and re-published it too many times to count. But before I jumped in and did something I might regret, I skimmed the manuscript. Maybe I could salvage it if I did one more edit even though doing so would mean another long delay in finishing book five. Was that what the devil wanted, to keep me mired down with doubts and fears and stop me from writing?

It turned out the book wasn’t as bad as I remembered. The last edit improved the writing enough to leave it as it is — for now. Doubts and fear will creep back, and I’ll march down this same path again unless I can find some way of getting off that merry-go-round.  

Matthew 6:24-34, one of my favorite scriptures, popped up in my devotions. Consider the lilies, don’t worry, don’t be afraid. God knows what we need. Trust him.

Trust...

That reminded me of the book I’m reading. It is a savage fight between good and evil, and I expect the worst outcome with each new peril the characters face. I almost put the book down until I realized the author intends to get the heroine out of trouble, and I should read out of curiosity rather than fear.

The same goes with everything else in my life, especially my writing. If I can’t trust the ultimate Author to come up with a solution to whatever I'm facing, who can I trust?

So, I press on, pushing past those emotions the devil throws at me and take courage from St. Paul’s words in Corinthians 2:7-10.

“And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan to buffet me. For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me. And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.”

What Will This Day Bring?

Will it bring good news or bad?

Will it be fruitful or wasted?

Will it strengthen my faith or my doubts?

Will it bring peace or unrest?

Will it give me opportunities to be compassionate or angry and demanding?

Will it encourage me to forgive or judge and condemn?

Will it open my heart to God’s goodness or will it make me turn away in despair?

This day will provide choices. My responses will decide the rest.