Sunday, February 17, 2008

When the Going Gets Tough...

...I get in a funk.

I hate that about me.

Instead of using my time yesterday to exercise and work in my garden, I sat around in my bathrobe dwelling on what went on at work on Friday. I thought of all the things I wish I had said. All the things I wish I could say the next time I have to see those people.

I allowed it to zap my joy and my desire to do anything. Then I felt sorry for myself because Michael's not here. I don't think I got dressed until after 2 p.m., and then I finally did some grocery shopping, laundry, and I pruned a rose bush - there are several that still need to be pruned. In the evening, I should have gone to church, but I didn't. I did eat a healthy dinner and organized my paperwork for our taxes. But all those wasted hours of grief over what?

So, this morning things started out much the same. I should have got up and got ready for church, but I allowed my funk to get the best of me.

That is until I did my daily Bible study. I have resumed Beth Moore's David as my study over Lent. I had started it last year, but never kept up with it. Shame on me...

Today's lesson really helped me get a grip! At this point in David's story, he's living as a political refugee in the land of the Philistines. Remember Goliath? He was a Philistine. Strange place to seek refuge, huh?

Anyway, David does somethings while living there that are not Godly. He begins to lead his men on raids, and they murder and steal from their victims. He feels like Saul is eventually going to get him anyway, and he's feeling like God has abandoned him. So, I guess he feels justified, or something.

But Beth Moore's analysis of this helped me with what I'm going through now. She writes:

At this point David serves as an example of what happens when we focus more on our battles than on God. Our enemy appears bigger, we appear weaker, and our God appears smaller. Beware! Long-term battle can cause vision impairment if eyes focus anywhere but up!


She continues:

So the next time you battle an enemy so hard and so long that you feel like giving up or doing something rash, remember David. When you feel powerless over your real enemy and lash out at someone who is innocent, remember Psalm 10. God has not forgotten. He has seen your battles. He has gathered your tears and blotted your brow. He know those who have treated you unfairly. He knows when you're almost ready to give up or give in. Keep telling Him. Stay in His Word. Keep claiming His promises.


And she concludes the lesson by leading prayer:

You, Lord, have declared that You know the plans You have for me. Your plans are to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Praise God for being bigger than any of my problems. Now I'm going to live this day in the joy of the Lord!

9 comments:

Alyson and Ford said...

Wow...what a wonderful message at just the right time. Imagine that :)

I loved the verses and especially:

You, Lord, have declared that You know the plans You have for me. Your plans are to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Aly and I pray God's peace to you, now and forever. He will prepare you for your battles and gird you in His armor.

peace
fm

Catherine said...

Thank you so much for sharing this Joannah! I understand completely where you're coming from and how easily we take our eyes off of God and try to look at situations through human eyes.

God is so good and He loves you and cares about you. He knows about the challenges you faced at work last week and is ready to go into next week's meeting with you.

Praying for you. Hope today is much better than yesterday. Sounds like you've definately started today out on the right foot! Living for God!

Paula said...

That is HUGE! I'm so happy that your turned to God. HE met you there and had just the right words for you to read, at just the right time. God is good! You too can take the LBH and muscle man, all it takes is one small stone. :)

OH MY #6 said...

This is an awesome post!

Lea

Sandra said...

Joannah, this was a very inspiring post. Wow...

OziMum said...

Enlightenment! What a wonderful thing!

kitchu said...

I'm like you this way, I get into these very brooding moods and then feel worse because the day has passed me by and I didn't get a thing done.

Love that last line- good to know that God is bigger than my problems :)

AprilMay said...

Beautiful post! I love Beth Moore and find myself wishing to do one of her studies again!

Terri | Sugar Free Glow said...

This is something we can all relate to!

Thanks for sharing!