My
former husband accused me of tearing down my house with my own hands, and of
sapping his strength. In the unstable financial, emotional and sometimes
physical environment, which he provided for me and my three children, fear and
insecurity often overwhelmed me.
I
over-reacted when something disturbed the well-planned harmony, which I
built around me in order to insulate myself from a world that sometimes really,
really scared me. Over the years, I learned a secret, which changed me as a
person.
This
enabled me to become a wise woman who builds up her husband and home, and is
her husband's crown and joy (Proverbs 12:4, 14:1). God taught me how to trust
HIM, instead of people or circumstances, especially when I am afraid.
I
learned to get all the facts of any situation, and to pray before reacting.
This way I can give a lucid response with a loving attitude as I honestly express
my feelings, as well as to respond to challenges with kindness and faith (Proverbs
31:26).
Through
my experiences, God also taught me the reality of Christ abiding within us (Colossians
1:27). As we grasp this fact, we can actually relinquish all of our anxiety,
fear, insecurity, stress and striving as we flourish in His peace and joy.
We
take all of our concerns to God in prayer, and we thank Him for a positive
outcome in His timing, way and will (Philippians 4:6). Then, the peace of God
envelops our soul, guards our heart and mind, frees our body, and encourages
our spirit (Philippians 4:7).
Prayer:
Father
God, You are our Rock, Fortress, Shield, Horn of Salvation, Stronghold, and
Deliverer. We take refuge in You and call to You, and You save us from the
terrors in this world, which often threaten to strangle the life right out of us
(Psalm 18:2-6). We learn to trust in You alone.
You
taught me that sometimes, we need to "go along in order to get
along;" but at other times, I need to give others the freedom to make
their own decisions; and then if their preferences affect my life adversely, I
can seek You to make my own choices, which are in line with Your plans for my life.
Thought
for the Day:
Jesus
is our Lilly in all of the valleys of life, and our bright and morning star;
when life flies at us with blinding speed, we can duck behind the Rock of our
Salvation.
-
Song of Solomon 2:1, Revelation 22:16, Psalm 62:6
