Posts Tagged ‘trust’

Caught Off Guard

Wednesday, July 13th, 2016

grace will

I’m on day 7 of my new life. On Thursday my hubby came home to give me the news that he’d lost his job. I’d be lying if I told you I handled it with joy and grace. My high strung personality just doesn’t respond like that. I cried. Lost my cool. Wished I knew karate.

Life is like a roller-coaster. One minute you’re up and soaring like an eagle and the next you’re plummeting to the ground at speeds that feel like they’re going to kill you dead. Up down Up down. Twist turn. Slam on the brakes.

Losing a job is painful.

While he explained the details of the event, my mind raced around (surely it’s a wife thing) imagining all the stuff I needed to get rid of in my house…so it could sell before the bank foreclosed on it. Then I moved on to our daughter who is “so close” to graduation and all the hard work she’s put in to getting to this precious destination. Next, our youngest who is dreaming of a wedding in the coming year….how would we ever pay for it without a job? And our son, who’s a thousand miles away reeling in his own job loss.

What are we going to do?

I want you to know that GRACE doesn’t come easy in moments like this. Matter of fact, here on day 7 I’m still searching out my feelings and praying for how to move on minus a rotten attitude.

The flesh is weak and the mind is a battlefield.

I’ve felt pretty much every emotion — I’ve gotten angry, imagined being mocked or ridiculed, wished I could wake up from this bad dream and also felt hopeful. I know God doesn’t miss a thing….and this job loss situation matters to Him just as much as it does to me.

He is in control.

future

I have to trust Him and believe He has a plan. Even as I wrestle with medical issues that are still a mystery and the guilt of buying a “new to me” car.

He isn’t caught off guard. He is God, Jehovah-Jireh!

wonders

Lord,
Forgive me for my tiny faith. Show me how to lean on you when I am afraid. Open the door to the place we belong.
Amen

Ode to a BMW

Friday, September 28th, 2012

 

This car nightmare has gone on for over a month now.  After breaking down on the side of the road, far far from home….hauling it home with a trailer….calling all over Indiana and begging mechanic friends alike….then hauling it again to a shop in another town to a guy who said he could fix it–we're back at square one.

He can't do whatever it takes to repair the blown gasket (or whatever the horrible never to be repaired problem is).  His advice (along with many others) is to just replace the whole engine!  Which is all cool except that it's another couple thousand dollars to do that.

The repair job was quoted over $2000, so add on some more thousands!

I've stressed about it.  I've fretted about it.  I've caught rides after rides because of it.  I'm over my head with worry about it.  I seriously can't stand anymore conversations about this dang car.  It is causing me mental and physical pain!

Do chronic problems bother you like this?  Tell me, I'm not crazy!?

After hubby picked me up from school yesterday and told me the latest bad news about the car (he'd met with the mechanic and hashed over the latest issues).  I went outside and walked around with my dogs for a mental break.  Then out of nowhere….I felt the Holy Spirit telling me not to worry.  This would work out.

How?  I still don't know.  All I can say is that I'm trusting GOD to handle it.  

Lord Jesus,

I'm so good at wringing my hands with worry.  Thank you for that brush of reassurance to remind me…I don't have to!  Having reliable cars is important to you (like it is to me) and I know ONLY YOU CAN WORK THIS PROBLEM OUT!  Please work in a mighty way and bless this situation.  I'm handing it over to you.

Amen

Think For Yourself

Friday, October 14th, 2011

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8 New Living Translation

Aren’t you thankful that God isn’t like us? We are masters at revenge and quick to judge unworthy. It seems to come naturally too. Our flesh is alive and searching for someone to pounce on.

Sometimes it’s those in our own families. I know I’ve dished it out myself and taken a hit a time or two. Both hurt deeply.

In my devotion reading this morning, the writer spoke of trust. The trust that Ruth had for her mother-in-law Naomi. Even though the direction she gave Ruth didn’t make sense (how to get noticed by Boaz) she still trusted her. My question to ME–Could I trust someone like that?

Life has a way of jading our view. We get burned by people and withold our full trust. Therefore, we end up missing out on some wonderful blessings. We’re stuck because we can’t get past the sting of an old mistake. Which brings me back to my thoughts and God’s way of thinking.

I know….He doesn’t see me in any of the same ways that I see those around me. Clearly, I’m much harsher with my feelings. So if there ever an encouraging verse for Friday, (Is. 55:8) is it.

Remember that today….when you catch your heart judging another or when you think an unkind thought. God never does that to you and me. Oh boy, am I glad!

I Am Not Afraid

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

I’m overwhelmed with “stuff” today. I suppose we all have these days at some point or another. I could use some encouragement. So, I’m going to zip it for your sake.

Prayer and God’s grace are my biggest need right now. If you can spare a bit…it won’t go wasted here. I hope to be back on top of my game soon.

Really, that’s how I’m getting through today. Pathetic, huh?

But I know better! Don’t you?

I know WHO IS IN CONTROL! So, if you’ll excuse me….I’m off to get over it!

Whatever happens…

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

My devotion reading the previous night should have been a red flag for what was to come. I like to live as close to naive as I can possibly get. So, I was completely shell-shocked when I arrived at work to find….yet again I would face another change.

What is it with me? Or should I say us? People? We think everything is groovy as long as it’s going our way! The slightest change or trial and we fold like a cheap tent! The first line in that devotion was….”I want you to learn a new habit.” The habit? Practice saying, “I trust You Jesus” in response to whatever happens to you.

I hear you laughing. It’s really fitting for a girl like me. Honestly! I ask for trouble! The devo goes on to say….when you view events from this perspective…..fear loses its grip on you and you grow in spite of the adverse circumstances…..which only affirms your trust in Me (Jesus)!

Yea, that’s a for sure no brainer! I thought it when I read it….and I know it today after surviving what I thought was a set-back in my life. God is always at work…..and I am most often living as a human filled with flesh that thinks with a flesh-like depth! Forgive my doubt, Lord. I need your direction….all the time!

7Where can I go from your spirit?
   Or where can I flee from your presence?
8If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
   if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
9If I take the wings of the morning
   and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
10even there your hand shall lead me,
   and your right hand shall hold me fast.
Psalm 139:7-10

“I trust You Jesus”!