I've had a lot on my mind these days- not all troublesome. I've certainly had my share of worries
and concerns for so many, but I've found that taking these thoughts to the Lord is the best way.
So, after my morning prayer, I got out my Bible- found an old notebook to maybe take notes in-
and instead, began reading a prayer I had written well over a year ago. I have so many notebooks with so much written in them, and sadly to say, in no particular order.
I began to realize as I re-read the old journal entry, that God was trying to show me something. Something great!
Prayers I had written out for so many and myself, had now been answered. Many, who were going through hard situations, had been helped. Many, suffering with illnesses, were now well.God had met the needs of so many, in various ways. Spiritually, physically and monetary problems had been taken on and resolved by God. Fears relieved. Injustices brought to light.
I began thanking Him for this, and it brought not only peace to me, but reminded me of my need to completely lean on the Lord.
There were also, two people on that list who were Christians, who are now deceased, but I believe with all my heart, that they were at total peace in that process we label death. I know one of them was tired of being a widow. Her husband had been with her for over sixty years of her life,and she was ready to go and meet him in Heaven.
The other, a friend of mine, had battled illnesses most of her adult life, and- so nobly. What a tribute her life was to others. Never complaining, always smiling- she was a beacon of light in our community and reminded us of our need to hope in God. She will be missed, but not forgotten. She truly represented to all who knew her....'Christ living is us'.
So after reading pages from this old writing in my journal, my concerns for the day took on a different look. I realized, once again, these afflictions we face- we go through in this journey of ours on this earth, are opportunities to witness God's deliverance. Time and time again, God moves His hand, power and love in our direction. Prayers are heard, answered and acted upon by a loving and powerful force- Our Lord in Heaven- Our Heavenly parent- Our Abba Father.
The answers may not come as speedily as we wish. They might not come in the way we think they should, but, when we pour out our hearts to God above- When we confess our sins before the One we need forgiveness from, we can know that He not only hears us, but answers us when we call. The Bible passage in Psalms 139 says the Lord knows the next words out of our mouths. We cannot run or flee in any direction without Him knowing it. Any problem we have is not a surprise to Him. Any dilemma we face is not too difficult for Him to guide us through.
Our part is simply turning it over and trusting. He takes our fears and turns our thoughts to faith in Him. He turns our crying to joy. Our afflictions may seem overwhelming, but they are nothing to Him. Oh, I think He hurts when we hurt. I believe with all my heart, His compassion is great. Jesus, Himself, cried at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. We have to realize our need to exercise hope. God tells us, "Don't cast away your confidence (in the Lord) which has great recompense of reward". Another words, stop trusting in the dilemma and trust God !
So, journaling is great. It enables us to remember and be thankful for all that God has brought us through in our lives. It gives us a thankful attitude and builds up our faith. I hope that you will try it if you never have. All you need do is get any notebook- doesn't have to be expensive. Grab a pen - perhaps a cup of coffee or tea, and begin writing your requests- your feelings to the Lord above. He'll surely show you blessings, as He did me.
"Dear Lord, Thank you for teaching me the joy of journaling. I pray others will try writing letters to you. I know that as we empty out our heart and mind's concerns- sometimes pleas- there comes a freedom - a joy- we might have never experienced before. A release from that old, tattered net of worry. One great thing about it Lord, it gives us opportunity to look back thru the pages and find how much you cared about our needs. All the answered prayers! So many of those we forget and perhaps we need to be reminded of .
You are the healer and deliverer Lord. The God of miracles. Oh Lord, hear us when we call out to you. Whether we are silently praying or perhaps, writing out our inward fears and concerns- Hear us today Lord. Move away those mountains of fear, worry and distrust. Please Lord, don't delay. In Jesus's precious name. Amen."
"Sing praises to the Lord, enthroned in Zion......he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. Psalms 9:11 & 12
"It was god for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees." Psalms 119:71
"Shout for joy Oh Heavens - rejoice o earth! Burst into song o mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on His afflicted Ones! Isaiah 49:13
PS. Is worrying a sin? I know one thing- it is the opposite of faith, and the Bible says "without faith it is impossible to please God"...something to think on.
By the way- I wrote a song not long ago. I can't share the melody of course, but the words:
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord, delivers us out of them all- Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord, delivers us out of the all - Oh, Lord you are Holy, holy is your Name, and we cry out asking you, "Please Lord, don't delay! Take these trials and burdens, that sometimes come our way! Oh, Lord, above we cry!"
"Oh, Lord, remind us- Oh, Lord, remind us! Lord, remind us ! Many are the afflictions of the righteous- but, the Lord delivers us out of them all! MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS- BUT THE LORD, DELIVERS US OUT OF THEM ALL!!!!!!" AMEN.
(I'll share with you one of the answered prayers in my journal over a year ago "Oh, Lord, please send my son and his wife a baby. They are wanting a child so much- help them to know you are hearing them and give them hope". Well, God not only gave them one baby- but two. Twins! Just this Thanksgiving! My husband and I visited our son and daughter-in-law last night and held those miracle babies. God is indeed listening and bringing us our heart's desires!)
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