A
visiting woman to our congregation said to me, "It is quite obvious that
you have lived a pampered life." I was amazed that she would say that; but
then realized that she did not know me or the struggles in my history.
She
was basing her assumption on the fact that the peace of God fills every cell in
my body, soul and spirit - His peace, which transcends human understanding and
shines from the inside out for all to see.
I
have not had a pampered life in the natural, but my Heavenly Father spoils me
rotten. I owe the person that I am today to the sanctifying work of Christ in
my life (Philippians 3:8). There is no good thing in me or in my character that
did not come from God (Romans 7:18).
I
am a person who clings to and relies on Jesus Christ for my very life - through
every trial, every physical infirmity and abuse, every rejection, and every
moment of insecurity and fear through which I live (Colossians 3:3-4; 1 Timothy
5:8; Malachi 2:14).
Many
people endure hardships much greater than I have, and rise from them to live
positive, productive lives without Christ; although, they are never completely
fulfilled, because their spirit is still dead in sin.
God
replaced the negative aspects of my melancholy personality with the fruit of
His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); He gave me the courage to trust in Him during
times of abuse, abandonment, hard work, illness and discouragement.
He
showed me that my true identity is in Christ, and not in my human personality
and abilities (Colossians 1:27). He taught me through experience that He places
a seed for a miracle in every trial, which He works out for my good (Romans
8:28).
God
gives me His love, salvation and sanctification that I did not earn, because
they are all free gifts from Him (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:1-3). He also
gave me a wonderful husband, who loves God more than he loves me, and who loves
me more than he loves himself.
Prayer:
Father
God, I am humbled by Your love in my life. I am so glad that I have eternity to
continue to sing praises to You for all that You have done, are doing and
promise to do for me. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking me (Hebrews
13:5), and for teaching me to trust You in the good times and the bad, because
You always turn everything around for my good (Romans 8:28).
You
shower me with blessings and prove to me throughout the day that I am the apple
of Your eye (Psalm 17:8; Zechariah 2:8). You cherish me as Your unique child (1
Peter 2:9). Help my testimony of Your goodness in my life to bring many to a
saving knowledge of Your love in their life as well. All things considered, I
really am living a very pampered life!
Thought
for the Day:
God's
presence in our life delights our soul - our thoughts, choices and feelings;
heals our body; and nurtures our spirit through each and every day that we
dwell on this earth; then when we pass from this life, He finally receives us into
His presence in glory to dwell in eternity with Him forever.
-
John 5:24
