Psalm 112:4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
This verse says that the "upright man" will have light in the darkness. Everyone will experience some sort of darkness. In last night's sermon evangelist Tim Green referred to these times as "wildernesses". Darkness, or wildernesses, will come to all: death of a loved one, financial reversal, betrayal, sickness...the list is endless. My natural inclination is to worry about the future, to doubt whether or not I can make it through tough times. I should know by now that I can only make it with my Savior's help, and He will never leave me. But, I'm just dust, so I worry anyway!
I read this and wondered, what does "upright" mean? The Hebrew root word means "straight". Webster's 1828 dictionary says: Honest; just; adhering to rectitude in all social intercourse; not deviating from correct moral principles; as an upright man. Job. 1. It's kind of all encompassing. An upright man, or woman, is honest in everything, obedient to the laws of God and man. That doesn't mean we're sinless, but it means we sin less! :) A truly saved person wants to follow the paths God has laid out in His Word.
If I'm living in an upright way, I can rest assured that during the darkest times of life, I will have light. It may not be bright enough to light the entire way for me, but it will be enough for me to see my next step.As someone who is in my own personal darkness at the moment, I can say that it's true. He gets me through each day, moment by moment. And that's all I need, isn't it? Just enough grace to face today. My Father has it all under His power. He will always do what's best for my life, and yours.
Showing posts with label worry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worry. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Fear of...Everything!
Psalm 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
David knew about fear. Saul, the King of Israel, was out to get him. This means that the armies of Saul were after him, and anyone loyal to Saul. That's something to fear!
When I became a mother for the first time on August 27, 1999, I began the amazing journey of motherhood. Everything about it was fearful to me. What if she caught some terrible disease and I didn't know what to do? What if I didn't feed her enough? What if the house caught fire and I couldn't get her out? What if we had a car accident and I couldn't get her out of her car seat? On and on. Yes, this was exacerbated by terrible case of PPD, but I've felt fear regarding my children since then, too. I fear flying, driving long distances, tornadoes, and so on.
Regarding my own safety, I often think, "Why would God protect me? I'm not doing enough for Him! I'm not worth His protecting!" But that's where I'm wrong. God loves me...that's so hard for me to understand. You see, I know me! I'm flying today to Chicago. I will be away for three days! I haven't been away from my entire family in a lo--- ever! I'm nervous about how they will do while I'm gone. I want to be here to care for them, yet my husband and I feel that this opportunity is from the Lord, so I need to go.
I'll be speaking at a ladies conference during my trip. I'm looking forward to meeting new people, hearing the other speakers, laughing at the skits, and visiting with believers. But, along with that excitement also comes fear: What if something happens on the flight? What if I totally make a fool of myself? And on and on.
What a joy to read today this wonderful verse of comfort! Instructions from the Lord on how to handle fear! Boy, do I need that today! This is proof He loves me, that he cares for me. My fears are not the same as David's, but fear is a powerful force regardless of what we're fearing. It could be fear of the future, fear of financial reversal, fear of sickness or fear of everything!
I'm consciously handing my fears over to the Lord today. I'm trusting Him for strength, and I know He won't let me down.
David knew about fear. Saul, the King of Israel, was out to get him. This means that the armies of Saul were after him, and anyone loyal to Saul. That's something to fear!
When I became a mother for the first time on August 27, 1999, I began the amazing journey of motherhood. Everything about it was fearful to me. What if she caught some terrible disease and I didn't know what to do? What if I didn't feed her enough? What if the house caught fire and I couldn't get her out? What if we had a car accident and I couldn't get her out of her car seat? On and on. Yes, this was exacerbated by terrible case of PPD, but I've felt fear regarding my children since then, too. I fear flying, driving long distances, tornadoes, and so on.
Regarding my own safety, I often think, "Why would God protect me? I'm not doing enough for Him! I'm not worth His protecting!" But that's where I'm wrong. God loves me...that's so hard for me to understand. You see, I know me! I'm flying today to Chicago. I will be away for three days! I haven't been away from my entire family in a lo--- ever! I'm nervous about how they will do while I'm gone. I want to be here to care for them, yet my husband and I feel that this opportunity is from the Lord, so I need to go.
I'll be speaking at a ladies conference during my trip. I'm looking forward to meeting new people, hearing the other speakers, laughing at the skits, and visiting with believers. But, along with that excitement also comes fear: What if something happens on the flight? What if I totally make a fool of myself? And on and on.
What a joy to read today this wonderful verse of comfort! Instructions from the Lord on how to handle fear! Boy, do I need that today! This is proof He loves me, that he cares for me. My fears are not the same as David's, but fear is a powerful force regardless of what we're fearing. It could be fear of the future, fear of financial reversal, fear of sickness or fear of everything!
I'm consciously handing my fears over to the Lord today. I'm trusting Him for strength, and I know He won't let me down.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Formula for Peace
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
10 Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, will be exalted in the earth.
I'm a homeschooling mom of five kids and a pastor's wife. This means I live in a fishbowl. Everyone watches me, and most criticize me. No, not to my face. But do I look stupid? Wait. Don't answer that. Forget I asked that, okay? :) I know what people say...it gets back around eventually. It may not be, and probably isn't, their exact words. But it gets around. It gets distressing. Oh, and guilt! Wow! Do I know about guilt! I often think, "Why don't I do that?" "I'm such a bad mom because I don't do that!" "Oh, wow, I blew it there!" And so the guilt mounts.
Criticism + fatigue + guilt = a very distressed me.
These verses today reminded me that when the criticisms come, when the storms of life are raging, He is my refuge and strength. I run to Him! How? By praying and studying His Word!
Then, I get still. This is the hardest part for me. I want to fix the problem. I want to do something. But He wants me to relax and rest in Him. He will handle the critics. He will give me rest. He takes away the guilt by reminding me that I must not compare myself to others. I must do what HE wants ME to do.
HE + ME = PEACE!
I have a lot to do today: Groceries, house work, budgeting, homeschooling...oh and I have to go to the doctor for my horrible asthma. I usually have to wait a long time at the doctor's office, which stresses me. But, I won't let it bother me today! I'm planning to just be still, to wait, to rest.
These verses reminded me of a song with wonderful words. I hope you like them, too.
10 Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, will be exalted in the earth.
I'm a homeschooling mom of five kids and a pastor's wife. This means I live in a fishbowl. Everyone watches me, and most criticize me. No, not to my face. But do I look stupid? Wait. Don't answer that. Forget I asked that, okay? :) I know what people say...it gets back around eventually. It may not be, and probably isn't, their exact words. But it gets around. It gets distressing. Oh, and guilt! Wow! Do I know about guilt! I often think, "Why don't I do that?" "I'm such a bad mom because I don't do that!" "Oh, wow, I blew it there!" And so the guilt mounts.
Criticism + fatigue + guilt = a very distressed me.
These verses today reminded me that when the criticisms come, when the storms of life are raging, He is my refuge and strength. I run to Him! How? By praying and studying His Word!
Then, I get still. This is the hardest part for me. I want to fix the problem. I want to do something. But He wants me to relax and rest in Him. He will handle the critics. He will give me rest. He takes away the guilt by reminding me that I must not compare myself to others. I must do what HE wants ME to do.
HE + ME = PEACE!
I have a lot to do today: Groceries, house work, budgeting, homeschooling...oh and I have to go to the doctor for my horrible asthma. I usually have to wait a long time at the doctor's office, which stresses me. But, I won't let it bother me today! I'm planning to just be still, to wait, to rest.
These verses reminded me of a song with wonderful words. I hope you like them, too.
When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the world is tossing me
Like a ship upon the sea
Thou Who rulest wind and water,Stand by me (stand by me).
Are you in a storm today? Is your life rocking you to and fro, up and down? The One upon whom we call is the One who said this:
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. - Mark 4:39
Monday, September 19, 2011
He Deserves It
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, diving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Rev. 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more,...
It seems like I have a target on my back lately. I find myself being irritable, quick tempered, a worrier (more than normal). If there is a problem in our family, I've noticed that lately, it begins with me. I'm the one who snaps at the children, putting everyone on edge; I'm the one fretting over this problem and that problem, causing my husband's stress level to increase; I'm the one who can't go on (or so I think, anyway). My family hasn't had to sit down with me and have an intervention, telling me how much I've been failing. The Holy Spirit holds a daily "intervention" with me each morning from the pages of God's Word and in my prayer time. I feel that He is grieved, and I don't like that feeling. I want to be strong during times of hardship; I want to trust more when things are looking bleak. When I do the opposite, I hate it.
I recently told my husband that I really feel that Satan is "gunning for me" during these hard days. If he can affect me, it's pretty certain that I will affect the rest of the family. Logically, an enemy would aim for the weakest point in a battle. God's Word tells us that women are the weaker vessel in 1 Pet. 3:7. This doesn't mean we can't do anything for ourselves, it's a comparison. We are weaker physically compared to a man, as well as emotionally. As a woman, I am sensitive. It doesn't take much to bring me low emotionally. If the Devil can drag me down, he's got everyone else, too. I asked my husband to be extra patient with me right now, to pray for me even more, and to help me fight Satan's attacks.
I was so pleased to read about Satan's ultimate demise in Rev. 20:3! I cannot wait for the day when my Savior will put Satan away! After all the trouble he's caused, I can say with confidence that He deserves it!
Rev. 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more,...
It seems like I have a target on my back lately. I find myself being irritable, quick tempered, a worrier (more than normal). If there is a problem in our family, I've noticed that lately, it begins with me. I'm the one who snaps at the children, putting everyone on edge; I'm the one fretting over this problem and that problem, causing my husband's stress level to increase; I'm the one who can't go on (or so I think, anyway). My family hasn't had to sit down with me and have an intervention, telling me how much I've been failing. The Holy Spirit holds a daily "intervention" with me each morning from the pages of God's Word and in my prayer time. I feel that He is grieved, and I don't like that feeling. I want to be strong during times of hardship; I want to trust more when things are looking bleak. When I do the opposite, I hate it.
I recently told my husband that I really feel that Satan is "gunning for me" during these hard days. If he can affect me, it's pretty certain that I will affect the rest of the family. Logically, an enemy would aim for the weakest point in a battle. God's Word tells us that women are the weaker vessel in 1 Pet. 3:7. This doesn't mean we can't do anything for ourselves, it's a comparison. We are weaker physically compared to a man, as well as emotionally. As a woman, I am sensitive. It doesn't take much to bring me low emotionally. If the Devil can drag me down, he's got everyone else, too. I asked my husband to be extra patient with me right now, to pray for me even more, and to help me fight Satan's attacks.
I was so pleased to read about Satan's ultimate demise in Rev. 20:3! I cannot wait for the day when my Savior will put Satan away! After all the trouble he's caused, I can say with confidence that He deserves it!
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