Saturday, September 6, 2014

The Deep Joys of Peace & Rest

When disturbing circumstances and situations happen in our lives, they can easily steer us, leading us to the wrong paths--paths of distraction and frustration taking away our focus from God. We become so consumed by the issue going over it again and again in our heads as to what might have gone wrong, what led for the person to treat us in such a way that could not be understood. There are a variety of reasons, but do they really matter? Maybe they do if it really had something to do with us.

I tend to be so focused on the broken pieces of the situation. I want things done right, right away, and right now. I want to fix the issue and move on already. Lately, I have had a struggle with this one person in my life. When we have her and her family over, she tends to avoid me and avoid any deep conversations that would allow for her to get to know me better and vice versa. I do my best anyway to open up to her and just follow her like chicks following their hen. Maybe that is overbearing for her. Maybe her desire is to be left alone by me and gain the attention from others. Who knows? These are all assumptions. And then, when our family gets invited to her home…I am treated the same way. I get neglected. But, I didn’t want to just keep following her like a little chick. I find that annoying myself. I am the guest to her home. Anyhow, that’s the general picture of it in a nutshell lacking further details. My point is situations like these create unsettling feelings in my heart. I realize that I waste so much energy, heart-felt emotions that are deep within me when I am hurt by her and people like that. It seriously takes a week or so for me to get over it. I talk to my husband about it and try to figure out the whys and what-the-hecks. I’ve called him once while on my morning break from work and he was so kind enough to hear me out to discuss the matter (that’s what husbands are suppose to do anyway, right?). But, this call was pretty urgent—in my mind, anyway. It was as if a light bulb had turned on miraculously. My wonder at that time was…why do I often get treated like that by some of the women in my life? Did it have anything to do with me, with the way I act, or look, or talk? Hmmmmm…! And, really, we didn’t have answers to all of that. But, my husband assured me that I just needed to continue to be the same and be myself. To be loving, open, caring, honest, and simple. No worries, he said.

This is the purpose of the Satan. It is to distract our minds away from the God Almighty, dividing or destroying our oneness and wholeness with the Lord. So, before we let ourselves go there—to that state of confusion and frustration, we must pray and talk to God on how situations like those should be handled because our ultimate weapon to attack such circumstances is the Word of God. He will give us spiritual peace in times of chaos—even in our emotional and mental state. God gave us the beauty of prayers—pray to Him; praise Him in everything you do and for all that you have. The power of prayers is far more overwhelming than we give it credit. And, when prayers are done during alone time and collaboratively with groups and with your pastors, the situation will feel like it has been alleviated enormously as if a giant burden has been lifted off your shoulders.

My daily focus is to pray, pray, and pray…for I know, what great medicine it is for me and my closeness to the Lord grows stronger and deeper reminding me that I am safe with Him for He is the Light of the world, the expert of all of my worries, and the omnipotent and omnipresent God.

My Prayer Today: Our Heavenly Father, on Earth and in Heaven, thank You for Your open arms, Your listening ears, and Your unending and unfailing love for us, I come to You today in prayer bowing down before You asking for forgiveness for those times when I have failed to come to You for anything at all, for tough situations and tough people who hurt my feelings deeply, so. I need You more than I realize. Continue to remind me and allow for me to come to You always for praises and prayers. And, remind me that through You, I can operate power-packed emotionally for You have the wisdom I am seeking on how to react to situations like those. 

In Jesus’ Name and for Your glory,
Amen

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." --Psalm 143:8 NIV