When We Hear "Don't"

 

Be still in the presence of the Lord,

and wait patiently for him to act.

Don’t worry about evil people who prosper

or fret about their wicked schemes.

~Psalm 37:7

 

When I read this verse, three things jumped out at me. Three things that I have a difficult time doing.

1. Be still

2. Wait patiently

3. Don't worry

 

Am I the only one who struggles with this? My bride, and people who know me, can tell you that I may be physically stationary, but I am far from still. My mind is constantly seeking to process all that's being taken in and, as a result, I will fidget. I usually keep a coin or pen or some object handy to occupy my hands, but my mind is constantly processing. Being still does not come easily and there are only a few places I can go where being still seems to become simple.

 

How on earth are we to Wait Patiently for God to act? I am one of those inquisitive people who wants to know how, when, where, what, and why! I will concede that patience is learned (usually from having your patience tested to the point your head feels as though it will explode), and it's a lesson I am still learning. But God's time isn't our time. What I am learning is that God has a plan for me, and it is God's job to get me where I need to be to fulfill that plan. The part that is the hardest to process is the time God takes getting me there. But a wise friend once told me that God might be preparing me for where I need to be or He might be preparing the place for me. God's timing is very humbling!

 

Then there's the whole "Don't Worry" issue. When was the last time someone told you "Don't"? Don't touch that! Don't eat that! Don't look! And what became your obsession? Doing exactly what the "Don't" told me not to do! When God sent His messengers to earth to tell us something, what did they always say? "Don't be afraid!" Why? Because we were afraid? I don't know about you, but I worry a LOT! But God is teaching me, with extreme patience I might add, that I need only do what He shows me to do and He will work the promise miracle of Romans 8:28.

 

Perhaps it is time to step back, be still, be patient, don't worry, and let God do His job!

Closer Than You Think

"...He is not far from any of us."

Acts 17:27

Has there ever been a time when you felt as if God had gone off to another universe and left you?  Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you could identify with Joseph being tossed into a hole not knowing what awaited him?  Have you ever poured out your heart in prayer and when you were exhausted you wondered if God even knew you were hurting?

I have.  It's not a good feeling.  There have been times, like David, where I let God know exactly how angry I was that He didn't seem to hear me or care.  And when I finished unloading on Him......I found out exactly where He had been.  God told Job to put on his big boy pants because God was going to ask the questions and Job was going to answer them.  And when God does that, my anger toward Him deflates quite quickly. 

You see, the question I kept wanting an answered was "WHY?"  Why did I have to endure this situation?  Why did You let this happen?  Why?  Why?  Why?  And guess what God asked me?  "Why does it matter 'Why'? I brought you through and you have learned. I have NEVER been away from you!  I am the one who put limits on what happened to you!  Because I LOVE you.  Trust me that I am with you and will protect you."

I felt more ashamed for my selfishness in looking only at the situation, but when God reminded me that He loves me enough to set boundaries to protect me, my shame turned to celebration and gratitude.  If you need a reminder, read Job 38.

Am I The Only One?

What exists now is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done;
there is nothing truly new on earth.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 

 

Have you ever had to endure a situation where you felt as though you were the only one going through this?  It's a HUGELY frustrating feeling, isn't it?  After living through the stress and struggle for so long, we begin to wonder how anyone could possibly have an inkling of what we are enduring, much less care that we are slowly sinking and there's nothing we can do about it.

 

To be honest, we, as humans, aren't usually ones to come rushing to someone who is enduring a hardship, difficult time, or struggling.  Why?  Perhaps it's because they hide it well and we don't realize there's an issue.  Perhaps we prefer not to notice because we want to stay in the "no-sad zone."  Perhaps we feel drained from having just reached out to someone else struggling and we aren't ready to do that again just yet.

 

Whatever our reason, the person enduring the struggle eventually will begin to believe that they are the only one who has, is, or ever will face such a challenge as theirs.  That feeling can lead to despair!  However....God reminds us that we are NOT alone in our struggles.  Notice today's verse: "...there is nothing truly new on the earth."  Did you catch that? Our struggles may be new to us, but they are not new and they are most certainly not new to God.  Nothing surprises God!  And, as a matter of fact, God allows struggles in our lives to teach us how to help others later on who may be facing a similar struggle.

 

Yes, we will encounter situations where we slump down and wonder "Why me?" and we will begin to believe the whisperer from the pit who tells us no one cares, no one understands, no one has ever faced this, and the whisperer LIES!

 

One of the things I try to remind the Deputies and employees of the Sheriff's Department: "If I don't know what's going on with you, I can't help you or find help for you."  And it's true!  But start with God, He has more resources at His immediate disposal.  But understand YOU are NEVER alone!

Are You Struggling?

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
    For each day he carries us in his arms.

Psalm 68:19 

 Believe it or not, my mind still functions fairly well at times.  For example, I can remember when my daughter was born and I got to hold her for the first time.  That was one of the most magical moments I pray will forever be in my mind.

I know there are some of us who struggle during this time of year.  And by "struggle" I mean mental anguish, physical agony, emotional turmoil, all spinning like a tornado within us and we slap on the mask of "I'm okay" in order to make it through the day without breaking.  Then when we reach a place where we can have some solitude, the tsunami of it all comes crashing through us and we feel broken, abandoned, and the emotional pain is excruciating. We believe that NO ONE can possibly understand what we are enduring (hiding) and we are sure that no one cares!

And we are wrong.  First, to all who struggle during the holidays...you are not alone!  There are others who are struggling as well and they, like you, wear the "I'm okay" mask so no one will see the truth.  Second, God cares and knows and understands.  When my daughter was an infant and cried, I got to hold her and sing to her and she would eventually doze back off (or pretend to sleep to stop me from singing anymore).  Guess what?  God holds us when we are hurting.  Not only that, but God caries our burdens along with us until we are ready to let go of them.

God loves us so much that He holds us like His child, because we are His child.  Take heart, the one who spoke all into creation loves you so much that you have been claimed as His child!  

And I Am Still Breathing...

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
    Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Psalm 34:8 

The year was 2005, I had been experiencing some rather odd sensations in that my left arm would tingle when I exerted myself.  I ignored it figuring it was nothing more than a minor annoyance.  My bride and I moved into the house in which we reside now and during the moving process, the tingling turned to pain every so often.  Once we had everything in place, we decided to start walking, partly for exercise and together time but also so we could get to know our neighborhood. It was during one of these walks that my left arm stopped tingling and simply went numb.

Coincidentally, I had my annual physical the following week.  I described my symptoms to my doctor, who decided that further investigation was needed so he put me on a treadmill for this thing called a "stress test."  Let me tell you, the stress I was enduring at work during this time did NOT need testing, it was real and it was horrible.  Each day, I forced myself to go to work and could not wait to get home.  Sleep was elusive and I became grouchy (ok, grouchier) and then there were the digestive issues that came with the stress.

It was during the stress test that I heard the doctor say, "Hmmm. You're not going home." And I was driven to the hospital for a heart cath.  Now, laying on the skinny metal table with dye being injected into my arteries, two things I struggled with: 1) Not falling off that REALLY skinny table and 2) Hearing the Cardiologist viewing the monitors say, "Hmmmm."   Jump to the night before quadruple bypass surgery (at age 45), and when I was in my room in the dark praying, I honestly did not expect to come out of surgery at all.  But it was in that silence that I felt a calm come over me like I had not felt in a LONG time and I knew, whatever happened, God had everything under control.

Even when we are enduring the worst times of our lives, God reminds us that He's already brought us through every single one we've endured before.  You'd think we'd learn to rely on Him after all that, but we still struggle with that, yet God is still there to remind us that He has everything under control!

Just Can't Seem To Get It Right

I cried out, “I am slipping!”
    but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
When doubts filled my mind,
    your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Psalm 94:18-19

I don't know about you, but I'm one of those people who have stretches of time where I can't seem to do or say anything right.  I just can't seem to get it right, no matter how hard I try and no matter my intentions, I feel like the Apostle Paul when he declared: "I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate" - Romans 7:15.  Such times create a lot of stress and turmoil, and I pray that these times pass quickly.

Look at the Psalmist's words: "I cried out, 'I am slipping'."  He cried out to God in his time of challenge and disappointment.  Then look what God did in return, "but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me."  God's love for us NEVER changes, it never diminishes, and it never leaves us.  God is supportive.  God is encouraging.  God is the only one who can prove His unfailing love for us.

One of the things I struggle with during the times I can't get it right is doubt.  I doubt myself.  And, honestly, I even doubt God's love for me at times, especially when I get a "dressing down."  But there always comes a time when God's support and love bring comfort which renews my hope and cheer.  You'd think I'd have gotten this right by now, but I still struggle at times.  This is why God brings people into our lives, so we can encourage each other and remind each other of God's love for us and His comfort. 

Challenge for Today: Remember Where You Came From

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45

 

Experience teaches us many things (usually by doing them wrong and we learn from our mistakes).  In fact, with enough experience, we become experts and can be elevated in status, rank, and prestige.  However, one thing all our experiences don't teach us...to remember where we came from.  You see, as we learn more, strive more, become better at all we do, we tend to forget our times of struggle and heartache it took to get us where we are.  We forget that we aren't perfect, that we all have a past, that we all are really still students.

 

We are called to follow the example of Christ in that we are here to humbly serve each other, not expect others to serve us.  When we become so "important" that we are the only ones who matter, then we have lost the example that Christ set for us.

 

Today's Challenge: Remember where you came from and what you had to endure to get where you are...then humble yourself and help someone else who is struggling.  

Tired? Weary? There's Good News!

He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.

Isaiah 40:29

 

I've learned a few things this week and they were more like "face palm" moments.  

 

First, I am not nearly as strong as I believed.  People sometimes look at those in ministry and think, "They have it all together and have not weaknesses or struggles."  Ummm...confession time, I DO have weaknesses and struggles and I don't have anything all together.  As a matter of fact, there have been several times over the last year when I felt completely helpless.  

 

Second, I don't have to have everything all together.  It's normal to have struggles.  It's normal to feel lacking in the internal strength department.  Why? Because, it's been proven to me over and over and someday I hope to actually remember the lesson, if I could do everything myself.....God would be out of a job.

 

Finally, as a child of God, I get to rest in Him knowing full well that, no matter what happens, He will make good out of it.  God is just that wise and strong.  When I feel lost and struggling, I can always go to Him and hand Him my bundle of bothers and get out of His way.  When I get out of God's way and let Him handle the situations that is when the amazing happens.  

 

I am still learning to let God deal with my struggles.  Like I said, God has proven to me over and over how amazing His plans are, but I'm something of a slow student. 

 

Rescued....Are You Grateful?

The righteous person faces many troubles,
    but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Psalm 34:19 

 

The photo is of our dog Woody Bear who was a rescue.  He's had a difficult life and was not sure if he could trust us for a while.  But slowly, little by little, he is understanding that he is loved.  In fact, when I have my morning coffee, I sit on the couch and rub his tummy and remind him that he is loved (hence the expression on his face).

 

Now if we shift gears for a moment, how many will volunteer that they have been through some rough times in their life?  I will.  I still struggle with some of them. And even though there are few people who have any idea what it's like in my head and heart, I know they struggle too.  You see, God created us to be social.  In fact, if you remember in Paul's Letter to the Church in Galatia, he reminds us to "Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."  

 

Why do I bring that up?  Because even thought we face many troubles, God has a way of bringing people into our lives that can help us through our struggles.  God has a plan for each of us and sometimes that plan involves being the one reaching out to help and sometimes that plan involves being the one reaching out for help.  

 

We are in this together, whether we like it or not, so let's help each other and ask God to open our hearts, souls, ears and eyes for opportunities to help rescue someone. And also ask God to open our hearts, souls, ears and eyes so that we are not afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.  God comes to the rescue every single time, sometimes we merely have to be aware that help comes in God's way, which is probably not the way we expected.

 

Ponder that. 

Being Tempted?

But people are tempted when their own evil desire leads them away and traps them. This desire leads to sin, and then the sin grows and brings death.

James 1:14-15 

 

I love the pastors of the church my Bride and I attend.  Our Senior Pastor told a story the Sunday:  A Protestant man, we'll call him 'John', moved into a predominantly Catholic community.  They all got along quite well until Lent Season.  Every Friday, John would be found on his back porch grilling steaks, much to the chagrin of his Catholic neighbors.  They got together and decided something had to be done because the smell of those steaks was too great of a temptation!

 

So the neighbors met and decided to convince John to become a Catholic.  They invited him to their men's events and got him involved in their various church activities. Finally, they asked John if he would like to become a Catholic.  John agreed and the priest poured the water over John's head saying, "You were born a Protestant.  You were raised a Protestant. Now you are baptized a Catholic."

 

Everyone celebrated and was hopeful the next Lent Season would be much better not that John was part of the Catholic faith.  However, the next Lent Season, the smell of steaks were back on Friday.  So the men of the church came to see why John was not honoring his faith during Lent.  When they arrived at his back deck, they saw John pouring water on the delicious looking steaks and saying: "You were born a cow. You were raised a cow. I baptize you a fish."

 

The funny thing about temptation is that we are tempted with things we actually want!  Think about it.  Try to tempt me with broccoli, or asparagus, or bungee jumping, and I will have no problem resisting that temptation.  However, if you tempt me with warm peanut butter cookies, Zorba's calabash extra crispy chicken bites, and I will break out in a sweat.

 

Our enemy knows what to use as bait, so we must be learn to be strong enough and well versed in Scripture enough to counter the bait. 

Want to Win?

Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good.

Romans 12:21 

I remember during Army Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, having to navigate Victory Tower.  Now Victory Tower is, at first up close sight, quite daunting and intimidating.  Our Drill Instructors gathered us at the rally point and explained, in great detail what we were to do, how we were to do it, and when to do it.  And if we followed their instructions to the letter, we would make it without injury.

Part of the process of Victory Tower involved repelling down one side.  In order to do this, we had to make an "improvised Swiss Seat" out of a length of rope we were given.  If we followed the instructor's instructions perfectly, the seat would work safely without any "undue pain to the nether regions."  However, if we did not follow the instructions, "there is a Medic on hand to deal with what's left."

So up we began in our effort to conquer Victory Tower while remembering all the instructions that had been thrown at us by multiple Drill Instructors in about a 10 minute briefing.  My heart was pounding like a jackhammer and my legs felt like jelly, but I was determined to conquer this obstacle.  Then came the time for the Swiss Seat.  Trying to remember how we were supposed to tie it, I did my best, grabbed the guide rope and yelled to the ground crew "Buddy Ready".  When I heard my key of "Buddy MOVE!" I began my descent toward the ground.  

Let me tell you that the feeling of the earth under my feet never felt so good and since I didn't have to go see the Medic, I felt as though I could conquer the world. I had done good!  My Drill Sergeant, crusty old gristle though he was, said so. Actually he seem rather stunned, although I'm not sure why.

But think about this, when we conquer something we fear; when we conquer some temptation; when we are able to conquer a challenge, the feeling is almost euphoric!  And here, the Apostle Paul is reminding us that if we are to overcome evil, we cannot do it by giving evil in return.  We are to overcome evil by doing good.

"Two wrongs don't make a right!"  Remember that little adage?  

No Man Is An Island

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything.

John 15:5

Today is another Jimmy Buffett inspired thought about our dependence on Christ for everything.  You've heard the expression "No Man Is An Island"...well it's true! Listen to the lyrics of the song.

You see, we might be able to survive for a time, because the enemy wants us to believe that we can make it without God.  But the truth of the matter is that we are ultimately helpless without God. 

Think about it this way, you find yourself shipwrecked.  You are the only survivor.  The only things you have are a leaky life raft that is on the verge of sinking, a few gallons of semi-fresh water (which not is sun cooked and tastes like the plastic container), and some dehydrated food packs. You see an island.  You paddle for all you're worth and on reaching the island, you feel grateful.  You make a shelter, you gather the provisions you had on the life raft, and you believe you have been saved...

Eventually, your provisions are going to run out.  You will need to find food, a source of water, shelter, firewood, a means of getting meat, and the list goes on and on.  One person can only do a few things.  No one can do everything.  When we remember that Christ is the source of our everything, then we will begin to see how He brings people into our lives that can help us just when we feel like giving up.  We will see how we are prompted to help someone keep from giving up.

The enemy would have us believe that if we struggle then it's because God is angry with us and we are being punished or God doesn't care about us and has left us to our own resources. Remember the song, "Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow"?  Without Him we can do nothing (not even breathe), so why look elsewhere for strength?

I Give Up!!!!!

You won’t need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the Lord save you. Judah and Jerusalem, don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord is with you. So go out against those people tomorrow.

2 Chronicles 20:17 

 

 

I am going to be PAINFULLY honest with you....these last few weeks have pushed my bride and I to the point where we are ready to give up.  It's as if each time we're just about to get up and see sunshine, more punches come raining down on us.  And please let me be even more honest, when you have reached the point where you wonder "what next?" let me share a few things from personal experience:

•  When the punches rain down like boulders, it's very easy to focus on the pain and discomfort of the immediate situation instead of focusing on God who knew this was coming and has already put a plan in place to get us through this.
• You slap on a "happy face" for everyone to see, even though you heart is breaking and your life has been turned every which way but up.  But you're expected to never experience any turmoil because God loves you, and you're expected to wear the mask of serenity for the benefit of those who see you. 
• You want to spent all your time doing anything that will help distract you from the  bombardment EXCEPT listen to someone quote Bible verses to you.  You KNOW the Bible speaks truth, but you aren't in the frame of mind to truly hear what is being said.
• You feel as if you are drowning because stress and anxiety have such a tight hold on you that it takes conscious effort to breathe.

 

Now, I don't say these things seeking sympathy, but writing this is therapeutic for me, and I also know we are not the only ones having to deal with this blitzkrieg of challenges.  So....what can we take from this?  How can we practically make it through?  Here are some of the ways I am learning to deal:

• Accept what is happening and know that, even though it may be excruciating and life altering, this is a temporary situation.
• BE HONEST WITH GOD! Let's face it, God already knows everything about your situation and is already dealing with it.  If you need to change a perspective or an action or an attitude, be honest and tell God about it.
• Find an outlet!  Write it out, talk it out, praying is ALWAYS good because you are talking with God who is in control of all things.
• Keep with your routines.  Routines give you a way to physically occupy yourself and helps keep you focused.
• Try to find some positive point, no matter how seemingly insignificant, that will break your downward spiraling thought patterns. 
• And here's the part I struggle with most: When you talk with God about it,  let HIM deal with it! Take your hands off!  Don't try to tell Him how He needs to do His job or tell Him that your way is better than His.  Tell Him what is on your heart and then let Him deal with it.

The realization that hit my like a thump to the forehead....God has not taken you home yet, so it's His job to get you through this troublesome time.  We may not like the outcome, but when we understand that God does EVERYTHING for our good and His glory, our perspective will begin to change.

Hold My Hand, My Child.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

 

What do you do when you get devastating news?  What do you do when things don't go as planned?  

 

We lash out!  We lash out at anyone who is close. We lash out at God because, after all, how could HE let this happen!

 

A few things to ponder:

1.  First, it's okay to be mad at God for a while. When we get mad with God and lash out at Him, His love is big enough to take it.  Nothing we say to Him will change the fact that we are His children and He loves us.  Read through the Psalms and see how David, the Beloved of God, let God know exactly what he thought of all that was happening to him.
2. Talk to God about EVERYTHING that is on your heart and mind! Everything that happens to us, God can use for our good and His glory.  And He WILL use it.  Just because we think of our situation as devastating, doesn't mean God's plans for us are finished or have become unraveled.
3. Be flexible! God's plan may include having to learn to let go of some things that might have become our focus in place of Him.  The Apostle Paul reminds us: "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little" - Philippians 4:12
4. Don't Give Up!  Remember that God is not through with you yet!  Not by any stretch of the imagination. As long as we draw breath, God's got something for us to do.
5. Change Your Perspective!  God may have allowed this situation to happen to shake us out of our comfort zone.  Perhaps God needs to get our attention.  Perhaps He saw fit to take you out of a miserable situation.  Look at your situation from more angles than just through the eyes of hurt.

 

Struggles are never easy!  EVER!  But they come into our lives when we least need then, want them, or expect them.  We have a choice of drowning in our own depression and sorrow, or we can keep moving and let God deal with the matter.  God promised to always love us!  Even when we don't think He does.