A Different View

This week I had a new experience!  I don't know what I did, but it felt like I had a burning knot in the lower left part of my back - if I twisted just right (or wrong), it felt as though someone shoved a knife in that spot.  My first response was to ask God to remove this terrible hurt (and huge inconvenience as I needed to take the day off from work).

As I was praying and crying out to God, I remembered something I had read about praying for strength to get through a problem instead of asking Him to remove it. As nothing touches me (or you) that hasn't been allowed, limited and overcome by God and used for His glory, I wondered why He had allowed this in my life at this particular time.  Perhaps it had something to do with a good friend of mine who has horrific back pain even after 5 back surgeries. Did He want me to have a better understanding of what she is and has gone through?  Ironic thing was that she happened to call me that evening out of the blue (just a coincidence?) and ended up ministering to me - giving me some wonderful tips on how to deal with my situation.

I was fortunate to have the intense pain go away fairly quickly (thank you Lord)!  However, it was a wonderful reminder to me of three important points:
1) God can use absolutely everything that comes into my day for His glory
2) Fellowship with the people in my life is invaluable
3) Actually going through an ordeal helps me to be much more sympathetic and empathetic with others

Is there something going on in your life that is troublesome?  An issue you have prayed and prayed about it ... and God does not appear to be taking care of it?  Perhaps looking at it from a different viewpoint would help. He may be using it to strengthen you or teach you.  Or He may want you to see something through another's eyes. Perhaps He just wants you to lean on Him.  In the midst of it all, God is always there with you ... loving you the way no one else can. Trust Him!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.  Isaiah 55:8

A Most Generous Gift

Someone once described the Holy Spirit as being like the wind - even though you cannot see it, it is still very much present.  This incredible power is available to me yet I often do not lean on it nor tap into its strength.  It is like a present, a gift that although was not earned by me, was generously given for my use, enjoyment and assistance.  However, if I do not open it, I will not experience the benefits.

Is there an area of your life in which you could use the Holy Spirit's power?


May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Holy Spirit, help me to lean on you more often during each and every day.

A Divided Heart

My greatest heart's desire is to please and serve God.  However, my flesh is often at war with my spirit and I am sad to say that my flesh many times wins out.  I feel like a slave to sin regularly. Paul says it so well: "I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate."
Romans 7:15 (NLT)

Fortunately, I am not left to handle this struggle on my own. Jesus understands me intimately and has experienced everything that I have gone through. He knows that in my own strength I can do very little to help myself. I have the Holy Spirit to lean on, guide me and give me the strength I need - all I need to do is ask. As I am learning to open myself up and give Him access to all areas of my life (body, soul and spirit) He is showing me how deep, constant and unconditional His love is for me, and how I can trust Him with absolutely everything.


Is there an area of your life that you are struggling to turn over to God?  You can trust Him - He is faithful!

Ask and it will will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)