Despair Detour

Psalm 27: 13-14 "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord."

This is one of my life verses.  I am especially grateful to be writing this tonight, in preparation for continued ministry and opportunities brought my way by the Lord's goodness to me.

~~~

I would have despaired...and I had every right to do just that! We lost our home of 24 years in one wind whipped crackle of electrified air and who knows what else. Uprooted and unprepared, the house lost its status as "our home," and went the way of a house-flipper and real estate broker, eager to pocket the gold dust while we continued to clean -up the soot for months to come.

I would have despaired...BUT GOD!

The Lord met me in the smoke, the rubble, the ash. He poured His love on me through the gaping holes in the roof,  a Refiner's Fire in the purest sense of the Words. Yes, there were some despairing days...but not a lingering despairing soul, not a despairing heart and attitude. Teachable moments and new perspectives,  sifting and sorting of truth at its deepest level, worship gushing out like a fire hydrant, quenching and dousing me in spirit-filled promises and new hopes...I believed!  I felt and knew the Goodness of the Lord.  A beautiful re-built house would no longer be our home, yet God had plans in the land of the living for me.

Wait, He says. Be strong, He says.

I would have despaired...drowned my self in my tears of grief, hid myself from healthy relationships, aligned myself with anger and let it take me down...BUT GOD!

He formed me anew, sturdy in His Word and re-roofed with a righteous belief that the land of the living in Christ includes Eternity! My oldest son no longer despaired in his pain and illness. Amazing Grace heals and is an answered prayer in the bigger-God picture of His will. I would have despaired if He did not give me a glimpse of this very thing, more than a glimpse really, a continual reflection seen in the world around me. Heaven is filled with His glory and to know that His purpose for me would be one of courage...

I would have despaired...but I am in awe!  

In awe of a God who gives and takes away, and I wait. I look through eyes wide open seeing all His goodness.  Despair hides your eyes, but belief and trust opens them up wide to view and walk in the Land of the Living...all the way to Heaven. Blessed Be His Name!

Lord Jesus, Thank you for allowing me the need to see Your goodness. Thank you for eyes that search the heavens and Heaven that comes to me through Your gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for healing and insight into your plan. Help me Lord to stay strong, to have courage to continue to do Your will in the path which You have sent me. Help me find compassion and words for others who despair in this despairing world, one in need of Your Hope. Thank you Lord for a ministry in the Land of the Living and may I continue in Your strength, each day within Your grace, for Your glory. Amen.

For your own journal: Where has God given you courage?

Seal of Approval

Matthew 26:41 "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 


Just recently a "new to us" refrigerator found its way into our kitchen do to a move by the in-laws. I don't think I've ever owned a brand new fridge. We've always managed with a second hand one. That's OK. 

This one though, seems to have a mind of its own, sort of a sense of humor...maybe.  

It seals very well.  So well in fact, I can't open it at times. 

I'll shut it after getting ice, then refill the tray. I grab the handle and pull and it doesn't budge, but my water splish-splashes out of the tray. Putting the tray down, I go for attempt two.  

Not giving.

So, then I put my foot on one door and two hands on the handle and after grimacing, pulling and tugging...the suction releases and it opens.  

I stand there wondering why I opened it in the first place...Oh yeah, the ice cube tray...haha. 

"Hey Mr. refrigerator, I'm getting ICE...not the ice cream!  

"Sure you were."  wink wink...said a talking appliance...

(Wasn't there a movie like that?)*

When temptation enters our minds, and it always does...I'm sure glad God makes it hard to open that door. Staying in prayer and the Word keeps the ice cube trays of my soul filled and refreshed. Ice Cream tastes great while indulging, and usually finds its voice to call you back for a second bowl. Why not add some whipped cream and syrup to that while I'm at it! 

  

UGH...regret.  There goes the 3 miles I walked this morning.

There goes my witness, my honor, my reputation, my checkbook, my ministry, my friendships, my marriage, my job, respect...

Little temptation or big one, this world encourages bad behavior and a lot of it is no longer behind closed or sealed doors.  

Lord, thank you that you close doors and tighten the seal when we start to ponder in the wrong "pond." Thank you for your Powerful Word that I have hidden in my heart so that I might not sin against thee. Thank you for your protection, for supernatural interventions and friends with godly counsel. Thank you for the church, the Body of Christ filled with sinners just like me, who strive for transparency; righteousness, and forgive one another, that through our struggles, You receive the glory.May the ice cream melt away in someone else's bowl, the frozen chocolate chips "be used for baking purposes"  and the Starbucks always ordered as a "skinny-no whip!" Where I am weak, you are strong! Amen. 

~~~

*The Brave Little Toaster