The past couple of nights my sleep has been disturbed. My subconscious kept trying to creep through and bring worry before me. And it has been a struggle in those wee hours of the night to not fret about things. It has been a fight to force my mind off me and on to someone else. To pray for my sisters-in-Christ who are not feeling well, for those who are struggle to believe God and all His glory. Praying for others should come as naturally as taking a breath for God’s children, but because of our human nature we often become preoccupied by our circumstances and we forget about others and are not as devoted to God as we should be. I learned sometime ago, that it is prudent for me to fight and fight hard, especially when those times come upon me that I feel I am losing the battle or beginning to give up — I cry out for help! Not only to God but to my friends, because I know that they will stand in the gap for me in prayer and help me in the natural as much as they can; because that is what we are supposed to do for one another. As Jesus says, “The world will know that we are His disciples by the way we show love to one another in the household of faith” [my paraphrase]. And though we have each other (safety in numbers and godly counsel) the Lord still desires that we continually grow in our faith and devotion to Him.
Right about now I would love to see some things in my life begin to play out so that I would know what direction my life is taking. I know that I am not along in this desire for myself, because it is hard at times to “not know” what lies ahead. We often cry out to God, to give us a glimpse of when things will change. We are looking for a sign or something to show us what is on God’s mind. But the truth about this part of our souls and makeup is not really profitable, because when God is quiet (which He can often be) doubt and fear can begin to creep in. Doubt that God loves us, or that He is paying attention. Fear that He doesn’t love us as much as others or fear that He just won’t help us. Fear and doubt bring nothing with it but lies, heartache and feeds us unbelief.
This has been a year for me where the Lord has really let me know that what He wants from me is to move into a place of trusting Him on a daily bases and living in “today”! And in order for Him to achieve this in me, I’ve had some very hard times in 2010. But I am beginning to see a change in myself. Don’t get me wrong, I am not about to tell you I got it! Nope, but what I am seeing is that some things that used to set my heart in a turmoil, now send me straight to God giving Him the situation and walking away. And it is a battle to leave them there, especially when God has yet to move. So thus now begins the nights of being awaken out of a sound sleep and thoughts of doubt and worry are trying to overtake me. But even then, I am determined to bring those crazy thoughts and lies under the authority of Christ.
As I spent time this morning with the Lord, the devotional I read was a great reminder that we are to follow the model that the Messiah gives us in Matthew 6:11 “Give us today our daily bread.”
When I stay focused on and in “Today” life is much better for me, because as I woke this morning I could see that I had all that I needed. My house was warm, I have food, hot and cold running water, a toilet that flushes, was able to take a nice hot shower this morning and I awoke from sleeping on a nice firm mattress, just the way I like it! Tovah awoke and has all that she needs to have a productive day at school. My granddaughter has the internet, computer and electricity needed to complete her school day. But! When I begin to look past today, that is when I begin to find trouble. By looking at what might be in the days to come is when my heart can become faint. As I peek with the natural eye of my imagination and suspicions, I start to envision times of trouble if something doesn’t change—soon! It is then that I must remind myself of God’s way and how much sense it makes since tomorrow isn’t promised we shouldn’t worry about it because “today” has enough problems and troubles of its own, so why bother trying to take on tomorrow? (Matthew 6:34 NIV)
I pray that I have been a reminder to you that “Today’ is to be our focus. I pray that if you have been worrying about things “yet to come” that you will turn from that and focus on today; looking at the many blessings that stand before you. It does take determination to keep our eyes, mind and heart stayed on today (God) and all that which He is offering us, but it is not impossible or else the Messiah would not have instructed us to do so.
May you have a blessed and worry free day today in our Lord!
Love & Hugs
Ponnie
Tuesday's Blog: "Encouragement!"
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