A wire and two nails in my tire
Phone ringing
Calls to make (been on phone 20 minutes and disconnected)
Faxes incoming and outgoing
Illnesses all around
Bills to pay
Gas prices too high
Laundry piled up
Mom I need…
Honey what’s for supper?
Loved ones pass away
Fires
Drought
Misplaced keys, cell phones, and remotes
Broken promises
Long hours at work
Car battery dead
Road weary
Ever had one of those days or weeks? No doubt any of you can add to or formulate your own list. For the most part, I tend to keep a positive attitude. I truly love my life and feel amazingly blessed. But I have noticed that at times the “little stuff” seems to be more overwhelming than the “big stuff”.
Ok’ its true confession time… I am prone to depend on my own abilities, intelligence, and other limited resources rather than draw from the everlasting strength of my Lord Jesus. Even my dependable and reliable Toyota needs to be refueled and requires regular maintenance. But not me, I keep trudging on without refueling and to make matters worse there is a massive hole in my gas can. I am not just running on fumes but gasping for air.
The world says when life gets tough its time to “grow up”, “get over it,” and “put your big girl panties on”. But what happens when the elastic in your big girl panties is shot and they are hanging down around your ankles?
I have felt a calling for many years to start a women’s ministry, hopefully to reach out to empower Christian sisters. The truth is I seriously started to question my ability to do so with all the distractions around me. I have asked God outright if he just made a horrible mistake.
One day I reached out to a dear friend, mentor, and shepherd in our church. He reminded me that during Jesus’ life he was constantly willing to reach out, love, and teach through some of the most trying times. As I began to pray, reflect, and read the bible, I came upon scripture that confirmed this truth.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where He was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God- He could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame whatever. And now he is there in a place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourself flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long list of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls. Hebrews 12:2-3 (MSG)
“Study how He did it.” OK sounds like a plan. So this gal did just that. Sure enough, Gods word is full of wisdom for preventing those throw your hands up and the towel in, while pulling your hair and running for the hills moments.
The following only scratch the surface but it’s a good start.
Rest
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2
If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31 (ESV)
Enlist Help
And He appointed twelve; so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach. Mark 3:14 (ESV)
Positive Thinking
Summing it up my friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious- the best not the worst; the beautiful not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Philippians 4:8 (MSG)
Actually I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally, I have learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I am just as happy with little as I am with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe of being happy weather full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have or wherever I am I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:11-14 (MSG)
Self Reevaluation through Christ
Investigate my life O God, find out everything about me; cross examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I am about; see for yourself whether I have done anything wrong- then guide me on the road to eternal life. Psalm 139: 23-24 (MSG)
Establishing Priorities
I am a long way off, true, and you may never lay eyes on me, but believe me, I’m on your side, right beside you. I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways in which you conduct your affairs, and impressed with your solid substance of you faith in Christ. Colossians 2:5 (MSG)
Steep your life in God-reality, God initiative, God provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You will find that all your everyday human concerns will be met. Matthew 6:33 (MSG)
Praise God, the next time I lose sight I can be assured that You are not merely a counselor, You are the Master counselor and I don’t ever have to just “get over it” I just can to choose to allow You to wrap Your loving arms all around me. It is ALL bigger than me, NOTHING is bigger than You.
