I was tired … really tired that day recently when I found myself rebelling like a petulant child. I don’t want to lie down to rest anymore. I want to play like the others. When I rest, I miss out on the fun. I’m tired of being tired.
My perspective changed suddenly though when the Holy Spirit brought these words of Scripture to my remembrance:
Where can we turn when we are afraid? Although there are many possible answers to this question, only one provides an effective solution to the problem of fear. Wave after wave of difficulty the past few months and years has pounded into me the reality that trusting God is the solitary means of peace.
NOTE: This post is much longer than any of my other posts. However, for ease of access, I am providing it here at the request of several people. For a printable pdf version, please scroll to the end of the post.
The blessing of Christian fellowship is a wonderful gift! God “comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Sometimes though, it is difficult to know how best to offer this comfort even when there is a sincere desire to do so.
At the end of my last post, I commented, “Preaching truth to myself instead of listening to thoughts that cause despair is what I must do in order to be filled with joy, peace, and hope.” However, I also realize that prayer is essential in my desire to draw closer to God. Recently, my prayers have come in the form of pleading cries for relief and comfort. I know that God notices my tears as He did with Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10) and doesn’t grow weary of listening as written by David (Psalm 6:6-9). As I pray though, I find myself wondering, as David did in Psalm 13, “How long, O Lord”?
The battle for right thinking is hard; sometimes, it is very hard. Prolonged trials challenge the faith of a believer but have the potential to produce spiritual growth and nearness to God. Many of the Psalms illustrate this as the psalmist pours out his heart to God with words of anguish and fear alternating with praise for God and hope for His help.
As a prime example of this, Psalm 42 reflects much of what has been on my heart recently. I have felt anguish and fear after finding another breast lump. However, the Holy Spirit is bringing truths to my mind that challenge my thoughts, resulting in a spiritual war that is difficult, but bound to produce good.
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
By no means am I suggesting that what I am about to write is all there is to glean from this passage. However, I do believe that what I experienced this morning is one application of its meaning.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5
In the course of my continued early-morning walk through Psalms, I inevitably came to this beauty: Psalm 23.Read More »
