Waiting Well
Over the past 5 weeks I’ve had little to no energy to do anything. One thing right after another has kept me physically down. Most recently, a bad cold has been going around our household. I am slightly embarrassed to say that it has been a ‘movie marathon day’… over the past few weeks…
I feel like I’m stuck in this constant state of “bleh”.
At this moment, my one year old is in the nursery screaming because she doesn’t feel good and certainly does not want a nap. I’ve heard torture prisons have used babies cry’s to break down the captive. It is working here! She’s been waking up consistently over the past few days, in the middle of the night. If I get her out, she is content, but then she wails even louder when I lie her back down.
I am so depleted.
“Through it all, It is well”.
Do I mean that?
I am the first to admit, my perspective has not been great. It would be hypocritical for me to write as if I can advise you on anything. I haven’t figured it out. Again, I am a mess. I do believe there is a reason that I am dealing with each issue. But instead of me spouting out who knows what, I searched the scriptures to see what “godly living” looks like. What is the proper response to this season?
Give Thanks Always
There are numerous passages commanding to “Give thanks to the Lord”. I just picked a few. I look forward to the time when thanks pours out without as much prompting, and worry has no place. I love what Lysa TerKeurst wrote,
“The truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person. They have made a habit no matter what to notice, pause, and choose. Notice something for which to be thankful. Pausing to acknowledge this something as a reminder of God’s presence. Choosing to focus on God’s presence until His powerful peace is unleashed.”
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Philippians 4:6 NLT
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT
“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20 NLT
Be Heaven Minded
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:33-34 NLT
“But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
Psalms 1:2-3 NLT
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:10 NLT
“May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.”
Psalms 104:34 NLT
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
Colossians 3:2 NLT
Troubles Are An Opportunity For Growth
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:2-5, 12 NLT
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
Romans 5:3-5 NLT
May these verses help to remind you, as they have me, what our response should be. If you’re like me, giving thanks, being Heaven minded, and looking at obstacles as opportunities does not come naturally. But I believe that God is working in each of us for amazing things. May we look back at these seasons of difficulty as a pivotal point of change. The world needs more godly men and women. Let’s be the change we hope to see.
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:4-9 NLT
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NLT
The Messy Life 
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