Welcome to my Wednesday feature God is So Good. Here I will share stories - true and fiction, mine and others' - of the Lord's presence in the midst of trials, struggles, and difficulties.
I have lots of good days, and plenty of bad days. And often, I'm embarrassed to admit, it's based on my circumstances. I need to remember that GOD is the one Who should get the credit - and how I feel should be based on Him, rather than my circumstances. Here's just one example of a time several years ago where my moods were controlled other than how they should have been.In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33b
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do it all for the glory of God.” 1Corinthians 10:31 NIV
It had been a good week.
Two new members of my favorite writing website had been asking me questions about it, and I’d been helping them quite a bit. Both had recently expressed their gratefulness in glowing terms.
I had just shared my testimony with the deacon board at our new church, and they found it quite amazing and inspiring. Yup, I was feeling pretty good about myself.
Then, God, in his “typical” way, reminded me that my feelings needed to be tempered – and redirected.
I loaded my entire family into the car and drove to the hospital for my husband’s 1pm MRI. We got there, dragging the kids against their will, and finally got settled, only to discover that the appointment was actually at 1:30 – the next day. I WAS the one who had written it on the calendar. Not so swift, eh?
The next morning, my then almost-three-year-old decided to be disobedient and defiant – so I set a punishment I was SURE would upset her. She would have to miss gymnastics. Her response? “I GET to stay home with daddy!”
God is an expert at helping me remember who deserves the glory for what I do. I may be a good writer, but that is only because it is God’s gift to me. I may be helpful to others, but it is the Lord who moves and equips me to be a servant in that way. I’m only human – a point God certainly brought home to me amongst all the encouragement that was making me feel somewhat more so.
I am so thankful for God’s love of me, and His willingness to remind me that I can achieve wonderful things, but only through Him. And when (not if!) I mess up, it’s OK.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to remain humble, and to always give You credit for the awesome things You allow and equip me to do. Help me to keep my failures and successes in perspective.
Whether things are going well or poorly, God is there. He is SO good!
Do you have a story you'd like to share about God's goodness in your struggles? Drop me an email and we can talk!
Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength
I love reading your stories, Joanne. You are very humble and open to God's leadings in your life.
ReplyDeleteI've been thankful for some open doors this week for us. A check came in the mail and that helps as well. I see God working to put us in a situation where we might have to work on forgiveness but I am going along with it.
Thanks, Terri. Praying about the forgiveness stuff. SO hard - but God WILL get you through. Nice to know, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt's a minute by minute remembrance for me! My job can be so hectic at times and I have to deal with putting out little fires here and there. I have to step back, take a deep breath and call out to God for calm and the strength to plod on.I don't always do that-thanks for the reminder, as the last 3 weeks have been quite stressful.
ReplyDeleteOh, Barb - I have SO been there! In my home especially (kids'll do that to ya!). Praying for God's peace for you. He WILL give it.
ReplyDeleteGod definitely knows how to bring us back down to size :)
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