A Way God Reaches Out

There is a consistent way, over the years, that God has shown me that He KNOWS and is real.  When going through a time of great duress, a scripture will be dropped in front of me that, due to its perfect timing, is clearly from God.

Now is one of those times.  And there, in my morning prayer reading for October 9 was, " God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed;  God shall help her, and that right early."  (Psalm 46:5)  This verse was one "given" to me by the Lord several years ago.

Then, just today, for October 10, was the Olive Tree chosen verse. "As for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of the Lord.  My trust is in the tender mercy of God for ever and ever."  (Psalm 52:9)

Thank you, Lord.


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I will alway give thanks unto thee for that thou hast done; and I will hope in thy Name, for thy saints like it well. [Psalm 53:10]

Three Times

The number three so often is used by God, who is a three-in-one God. 

Interesting that in Psalm 42 and 43, the following words are repeated, in essence, three times:

Why art thou so vexed, O my soul?  and why art thou so disquieted within me?
O put thy trust in God; for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance and my God.

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Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...
[Proverbs 3:5]

Humbled

Today I am eating humble pie, after yesterday's post.  I had a conversation with someone who is facing deep emotional pain, due to a situation similar to my own.

What did I do?  I was a gloss-overer!  I told her the great things about her situation.  It didn't help her.  Upon leaving the room, I realized what I had done.  Why did I respond to her that way?  When I examined my deep inner feelings, I realized that I also was being a judger.  In my opinion, her situation, although similar in nature to mine, was actually much much easier than my own due to its logistics.  Deep inside I was thinking, "It could be worse.  Be thankful."

Forgive me, grieving lady.  I pray sweet moments of comfort for you.

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I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 
[Romans 7:15]

Knife-turner or Comforter?

There are seasons of life when we face deep emotional pain.  It feels like we are walking around with an open, bleeding wound.  The response of others to our personal pain can greatly help, or not.  Here is a list of typical responses:

~  Glaze-overer :  Trying to be helpful, but not understanding.  "Look on the bright side...."
~  Judger :  Thinking that we aren't handling the situation as best as we ought. "Things could be so much worse.  You should be thankful."
~  Distancer :  Avoiding contact due to the difficulty of what we are going though.
~  Knife-turner :  Responding in a way with words and/or actions that greatly increases our pain, hence turning the knife in our wound.
~  Comforter :  Compassionately responding to our pain with words and actions that spread a healing balm on our emotional wound.

As I read the above and think of my recent season of great pain, I can see a particular face in each category. Yesterday, I encountered the knife-turner. This verse in today's sermon addressed my strong feelings against this person:

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Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. [Matthew 18:21,22]

I will, by God's help.

Roots of a Quarrel

Here is a list of what causes strife in relationships, based on James 4:2.

1.  Our personal desires for pleasure
2.  Lust for things we don't have
3.  Coveting and not getting what we want

Lord, have mercy.  Kyrie eleison.

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You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. [Micah 7:19]

Coming up Roses

There are two rose bushes on my hill that have become overgrown with weedy vines.  Last week, I spent an hour pulling the vines off one of the rose bushes.  It was a tangled mess, during which a thorn pierced my thumb.  Two days later, ten beautiful pink roses bloomed from that freed rose bush.  They are still in bloom today.

What kind of beautiful flowers might be waiting to bloom in our lives, if only we could get rid of the tangled mess of sin?  Sometimes we need assistance to removing the vines.

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...
[Hebrews 12:1]

Uncertainty

Through all the twists and turns of life, we know not what lies around the corner.  But we know the One who knows.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

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Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [I Peter 5:7]