Monday (1/12/2015)

Update:

Not much on the schedule for today.  I’ve got to carry firewood and then get ready for a follow-up appointment with my podiatrist.  I am not having any problems with my right foot at this time, so I don’t expect any real surprises.  After the doctor visit, Karen and I will do the grocery shopping together and then catch a movie.  So it is a fairly relaxed, low-key day.

Yesterday, the kids came over to the house for lunch and we watched the Green Bay Packers beat the Cowboys.  That was a fun game to watch together.  We’ll see what happens in Seattle next week with the Seahawks.  The rest of the afternoon and evening Karen and I spent quietly together.

I am waiting patiently for my new leg on Thursday (1/15).  In my current leg, I only have so much that I can do before the pain drives me to the wheelchair.  Only a few more days to endure until we see if the latest version will solve the issues I’ve been having.  I hope so; but if not, I’ll persevere until we find something that works.  Meanwhile, I continue to live my life as fully as I am able.

Thought for the Day:

In his on-line devotional, Today God is First, Os Hillman talked about how in a dark, difficult, seven-year period of his life he began writing a daily devotional.  He said that if it wasn’t for the adversity he faced then, he wouldn’t be a writer today.  Os went on to say that as tough as that time was for him, “We must live each day to the fullest. We can't live in the past or in the future. We must live in the moment that God gives us right now. Our time of deliverance will come according to God's schedule. Meanwhile, we need to be faithful in doing what God has given us to do and be content in the place where He has placed us.”

“When we go through a trial of adversity, we need to understand that God is performing radical surgery on our life. The purpose of this surgery is not to destroy us, but to give us a new heart. God is making a fundamental change in who we are and who we will be.”  [Os Hillman, Today God is First, 1/12/2015].

Remember these words as you go through whatever struggle that you face.  It is so normal for us to focus upon the trouble we face and never look beyond it.  If God is going to make some radical changes in your life or change the direction that you are heading—there will be difficulties in your path.  Let’s face it.  We don’t change much unless we are forced to do so.  When you are traveling, you don’t get off the interstate highway unless you need gas, food, or a rest stop.  Otherwise you just keep going in the direction that you are headed.  Likewise in life, usually we don’t detour from our path unless we are forced to do so. 

At the time, we normally don’t see the big picture of what God is trying to accomplish in our lives.  We just know that we hurt and it’s painfully hard to endure.  We often question whether God is even there and what He is doing (implying that He is failing on His part).  When those thoughts pop into our mind, which is when it is important to respond in faith—remembering who He is and what He has promised.  It is not time to freak out and lose our cool or to respond in fear and hopelessness.

God is still God even when the storm is raging around us.  He is the only anchor that can hold and keep us from crashing on the rocks of despair.  Difficult times are not a signal that we should turn away from God.  Instead it is in those times we should draw closer to Him.

Here is one of my favorite verses that I recite to remind myself of this truth (I like it in the New American Standard version): 

Isaiah 41:10      “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

As painful as our trials might be, God may be using them to develop our character, deepen our faith, or move us in a new direction.  He may be using you to impact another life or any number of other things.  We may never understand what He was doing in the midst of our trial; but we still can trust Him.  The essence of faith is that we don’t know why but we can believe in the “Who”. 

With the assurance of God’s promises, we can be content whatever our circumstances.  “Okay, God.  I don’t understand what You are doing or why You are doing it; but I trust You.  I may not like what I am going through; but if you are with me in this trial—then I am certain that I can make it through with your enabling.  Help me to learn the lesson that you have for me and grow in faith through this trial.  I submit myself to Your timing. Give me the peace and the power that I need, not to merely survive; but to thrive.  Amen.”