My Wall

Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

How do you picture life?

Do you view it from above, seeing everything behind you, the mess you’re standing in, and the foggy distance?

Or do you see only what’s now? Literally what’s directly in front of your nose?

If you want to know what I think, I think we often see things in different ways.

Thoughtful times causes the past to look so precious, stretched out way behind our lovely selves.

Tough times can block our view of God’s faithfulness in the past, causing us to see only our frustrated present.

When you’re feeling great, the family is peaceful, and all your ducks are in a row, it’s easy to view your life from above: a casual observer of the wonderful space of time you currently sit.

Times of stress can cause our walls to almost cave inwards; as if life around us is defined as a literal wall.

Wall of what? Well, stuff, stress, noise, to do’s, or pure anxiety.

I’ve been stressed lately. Why? Well, life has plopped many large problems directly in my path. And I’ve grown weary of walking all the way around them. Or trying to move them.

But God reminded me today of something: when we are weak, He is strong.

When we are weak, when we have come to the absolute end of our everything, God will pour Himself into us again and again.

When we are done, He is not. In fact God is just getting started.

So if you are at the end, get excited, because God is ready to take over! If you’ll let Him, that is.

I know, we need to daily rely on His strength. And I do. You do. But I’m talking about more stress than normal. Like several big things all at once.

When that happens, it’s easy to become just plain tired. We keep going with God’s help, but our mind doesn’t completely give everything over to God. We don’t because there is just so much. We give God some, but apparantly not all.

Ever happened to you? Well, that was me. And now it’s not.

As I was praying, God showed me His strength over mine. And now I’ll show you.

Picture yourself sitting by a giant wall of water. It can be the ocean if you want.

As you reach up your hand, God grasps it, pulling you up.

He looks at you and waits for your words, “Ready.”

Together, you take a step. A giant step. As you step together, the water parts. Boom!

You take another step together and the water parts even more. As we step, I hear a loud Boom.

Before you know it, you’ve walked together a ways, all on dry land. Just like the Israelites.

Your problems and messes are next to you, but God has walked you through.

With His strength. With His peace. With even His joy.

Join me and keep your hand in His as you purposely place your problems, your joys, and your just right moments with God. He’s not going anywhere. But it’s your choice to go with Him. Or not.

Photos by Matt Hardy and  hangjia xu on Unsplash

Psalm 1

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Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers, (vs 1)

I am blessed by God when I choose to listen to Him, ignoring the evil ways of my natural self, shutting out the noise that clutters my mind.

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but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. (vs 2)

I am filled with joy when my sole focus is God; when I focus on His promises remembering His truth.

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That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. (vs 3)

When I purpose my mind and thoughts on Him, I am a strong tree with roots firmly planted in the ground – never faltering, never swaying – immovable in Him.

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Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.  

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. (vs 4,5)

I will not be like or resemble the ungodly, who are without the peace of God.  Their actions on earth will pass away like the wind.  They will forever be separate from God, my God.

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For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (vs 6)

My God will continually watch over my every step all the days of my life.  His goodness and mercy will follow me and my head will be covered by His tender love and protection always.

 

Photos by Alexandru TudoracheRodion Kutsaevchau kamtoDaria Nepriakhina, & Matt Hoffman on Unsplash

Daily Effort

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

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Walking in life-giving steps requires daily effort.

Deliberately stepping into what God has for you is a choice.

It’s rather easy to stumble, falling into death.

Death?

Walking into self-pity.

Agreeing with rejection.

Joining with unloving.

Listening to fear.

Satan knows our weaknesses.

Tempting us is rather easy as we are so used to succumbing to his pitiful ways.

We are so weak.

Yet, with God, we are strong.

So very strong, we have literally no idea.

No idea, whatsoever, what power is ours.

Power that can shut down the devil’s temptations in an instant.

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Guard yourself.

Guard myself, how?

Writing down your precious blessings from God.

Listing scriptures which proclaim the truth of God over the lies of Satan.

Tuning into worship music, filling your brain with the praises of God.

Telling fear to go.

Cancelling the assignments of rejection.

Declaring God’s power over all.

Then stepping back in line with life.

The life hidden under God’s all-powerful wings.

But you must also choose to stay.

Choose to stay aligned with God.

Completely.

Walking with God produces life.

He’ll take all of your fears and lay them to rest.

Believe Him.

Because He is life.

Your life nestled safely in His hands.

Photos by Olia Gozha & Ben White on Unsplash