"Be still and know that I am God." God ~ Psalm 46:10

Monday, April 18, 2011

Overwhelmed? Here's Hope!

 
Are you overwhelmed with the difficulties of life: a financial crisis; a relationship falling apart; the loss of a loved one; or any one of the plethora of tribulations we are bound to encounter at some time in our life. I am currently dealing with one of these issues myself, and while I don’t much believe in the “stick your finger anywhere in the Bible and God will give you an answer” theory, this morning I have renewed faith in the thought that God knows what you need, when you need it. This is why:
 
I had a difficult time sleeping last night, waking up every little bit, feeling stressed and sending up prayers for deliverance from a situation with which I have no idea how to cope. I just want God to deliver me from it, make it go away, so that I can get on with my life, believing that if God would just redeem me, I would be a happier soul, a person better prepared to live the life he has given me.

I love the devotional booklet, “Portals of Prayer”, which provides a snippet of daily insight backed up with a Psalm and Bible verse for further reading. Today’s devotional, entitled, “God’s Clippers”, seems to have been written for me. The focus of the devotion ~ God’s clippers (or shears) prune us to make us stronger so that we may grow and succeed in our Christian journey ~ is set against the stress we might feel because of that pruning.

In the referenced Psalm 142, David is crying out to the Lord for refuge, believing that no one cares a wit about his life, except God. (He was probably in a cave, hiding from Saul who was hunting him.) Although no one, that I know of anyway, is trying to kill, it reminded me of my sleepless night, crying out to the Lord for his divine intervention.

Well, that was interesting enough, but as I was paging through the Bible, on my way to finding John 15:1-11, where it discusses God’s pruning techniques, I stumbled upon a verse that has always given me comfort. “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.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

This devotional was a powerful boost towards the deliverance I’ve been seeking. God reminded me that he hears me calling to him, he is strengthening me to run the good race, and he has wonderful plans for me. I have to be patient and steadfast, reminding myself that all things work to the good of those who trust in him. This harks back to a Psalm I love and often pray:
                                                       
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” ~ Psalm 51:10-12

These biblical truths give me a mighty dose of hope. I know that I can wait upon the Lord for whatever he has in store for me. I will hang onto him and His Word. If you are going through difficult times, I hope that these Bible verses help to sustain you too! Give them a try, take them into your mind and heart, and may God bless you!

4 comments:

  1. Beautiful post! I truly hope and pray you will be given the answer to your prayers...
    I read a daily devotional and have recently started using my bible to read the verses before and after the one listed in my daily. It is working so well for me.

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  2. Your book just sounds wonderful I am going to order it!

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  3. Thank you Doreen for your comments! I loved your blogs as well and will check back in to see what else you've written!

    I think a daily devotional goes a long way to help us learn more about our Christian journey, especially if one backs it up by exloring the Psalms and verses associated with the devotional writings. May God continue to bless your journey!

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  4. Also, Doreen, thank you for your kind comments on my novel Peripheral View! I'm so happy that you liked it enough to order it. It was inspired by a true story, and in speaking engagements I often talk about the person, my Aunt Lucille, whose life led me to write it.

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