Hidden from Enemies
Category: #comfort
Fear and Shame
The last three weeks I have had to fight fear over a “lump” that I found. This felt similar to what I had 2 ½ years ago. I had visions of surgery and potentially other treatment. As I made diagnostic appointments (and waited about 1 ½ weeks to go to the appointments), I chose this verse. There is worry involved in medical issues. I had to pray my way through allowing God whatever He chose.
Praise the Lord, he allowed me to only have 2 cysts and a non-malignant spot. No surgery or medical treatment needed. I am grateful for God’s kindness in allowing this news.
I have prayed many times in recent years that I am willing and able to endure whatever God asks of me. I was wrestling with that prayer before finding out the prognosis. I appreciate these verses. Seeking God helps deliver us from our fears. I know that I can feel shame as I wrestle with my fears – verse 5 reminds us that we can be radiant and unashamed as we look to God.
The simple reminder is to seek God and I can be delivered. The difficult reality is that I need to keep working hard to give my fears and worries to God and leave them there. I am glad God is patient and kind in providing for my weakness.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for closing this chapter in health issues. Please help me to continue to give all of my fears to You. Please help me to encourage others to do the same.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Trusting through Sorrow
When I Ask Why
Anxiety and Humility
Our anxieties are often a part of our identity. We can feel humiliated by them. However, 1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us that we need to “humble ourselves” and “cast our anxieties on God”. According to Thomas Constable, Peter is encouraging the believers to submit to God’s hand in their suffering. God uses difficulties to perfect us.
In the United States, we don’t experience suffering the way New Testament believers did under Nero. Stories of what Nero did to Christians are terrible. While we don’t face extreme persecution, we still have troubles in life. This passage applies to us today just as much as in Peter’s day.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can cast our anxieties on You. We need Your care in trials. Please help us to humble ourselves under Your power until “the proper time.” We need You now.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Take Refuge and Rejoice
He Hears and I Watch
God IS Good
Being Renewed While Wasting Away
Today was the funeral of my uncle who passed away about a week ago. His life was one of physical difficulty. I heard from his pastor that my uncle had recently shared Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” My uncle suffered from the physical problems. However, he rejoiced that God taught him Biblical truth. He passed that truth on to his children. I am watching my cousins working on passing on that truth to their children. What a beautiful legacy.
I do not want to diminish the harsh reality of physical suffering. I can assure you; I struggle counting my own trials joy. However, I have seen God use various difficulties to help His people grow. Growing spiritually is a worthwhile pursuit.
Dear Heavenly Father, please comfort my family as they grieve. I ask that You wrap Your loving arms around them to remind how much You love them. Thank You for the spiritual growth You send through trials. Please help us to cling to You.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Tough Days
This week has been hard on my dad’s side of the family. Yesterday morning, God chose to take one of my uncles home to glory. This uncle had many health issues so while the family is grieving, we are thankful that he is no longer suffering.
The Bible tells us we will have difficulties in this life. Each of us will suffer in different ways. While I still struggle with the suffering piece of life, I can take comfort in the fact that Jesus has overcome the world. When Jesus came to earth, His whole purpose was to die on a cross for us. He came to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus overcame death and dying. Those of us who place our trust in Jesus have hope for an eternal future. I know that my uncle is rejoicing and whole.
As you face the tough days in your life, know that you can have hope if you place your trust in Jesus. He has overcome the world.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus’ overcame the world. Please help me to share the hope that only comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Pleading in Prayer 