Hey, Darling Siestas!
It’s 4:00 or so on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Keith has gone to play a round of golf with his buddy, Roger Parker, and Beanie and I are sitting out on the back porch. It’s hot but beautiful and I have a ceiling fan on the porch wearing itself out on my humble behalf. I’m having a cup of coffee and Beanie’s trying to have a squirrel. She’s had the hardest time since Sunny died. She’d been really lethargic before she and Keith left town for a few days but when she got back and still no Sunny, she decided to wage a hunger strike. It’s not like she doesn’t know where Sunny is because Keith purposely let her see that he was burying her. The sweet girl’s just never been alone before. Curtis and Amanda let us borrow Beckham (the Golden Retriever version of Clifford the Big Red Dog) last weekend and that helped. Maybe they’ll let him spend some time over here again this week. Until then, we’re throwing out a few handfuls of dried corn to attract squirrels in the yard to fire up some enthusiasm in our depressed birddog. And it’s working. She wants squirrel meat for supper in the worst way. Keith might be a redneck with a spade in the Bluebell but he’s not liable deep fry a squirrel and stir up some brown gravy in the skillet with it. We’re just giving Beanie something to dream about.
This morning in my quiet time before church, I read something that spoke to me and I thought I’d share it with you. Pastor Gregg has our whole congregation go through the same devotional book every year and this year he chose the classic “Streams in the Desert.” (L.B. Cowman) Like many of you, I’ve done it before but not in five or so years and it’s well worth doing again and again. You can tell from the title that it’s geared particularly to people going through very difficult trials and sufferings. If that’s you right now (and I’m so sorry if it is and love you so much), you really ought to look into getting ahold of a copy. Restoration after a deep hurt or loss can take longer than our flesh and blood encouragers can stand sometimes. They can wear out in the length and breadth of our need and, to be honest, rightly so. They were never meant to be saviors for us. A book like this can be used of God to encourage you through a painful time every single day for a solid year. And, oh, what a difference a year makes!
The lead verse for this morning’s entry was Isaiah 28:12. Of God the prophet Isaiah wrote, “He said, ‘This is a resting place, let the weary rest’; and, ‘This is a place of repose’ – but they would not listen.” Here’s a little of what followed (originally written by Charles Spurgeon):
“Why do you worry? What possible use does your worrying serve? You are aboard such a large ship that you would be unable to steer even if your Captain placed you at the helm. You would not even be able to adjust the sails, yet you worry as if you were the captain or the helmsman of the vessel. Be quiet, dear soul – God is the Master! Do you think all the commotion and the uproar of this life is evidence that God has left His throne? He has not! His mighty steeds rush furiously ahead, and His chariots are the storms themselves. (Pause, Siestas, and hear the sound of those mighty steeds in your spirit. Feel their hoof-beats pound in your chest. He’s on His mighty way!) But the horses have bridles, and it is God who holds the reins, guiding the chariots as He wills! Our God Jehovah is still the Master! Believe this and you will have peace. ‘Don’t be afraid’ (Matt. 14:27).”
My favorite line: “You are aboard such a large ship that you would be unable to steer even if your Captain placed you at the helm.” So, we might as well stop trying. Anyway, with the best intentions we’d steer that Titanic smack into the next iceberg with all our loved ones on board. You don’t let your two-year old steer the car no matter how she might kick and scream from the backseat. God’s too wise to let our control issues work out for us. If we keep insisting, He might let us give it a hand for a while but, sooner or later, we’ll hit the iceberg. And the iceberg is He.
Regardless of how convinced we are, God has not placed us in control of our environments nor are we responsible for how everyone is behaving or how things will turn out. He is still God and, yes, even over “this,” whatever your “this” may be. His, Beloved Siestas, is a LARGE SHIP. Something much bigger than we can picture is going on from a God’s-eye view. Our trials are allowed so that Christ may be formed in us and then, through us, serve that greater purpose. Worry always and only forms thicker flesh in us and weights us down until we cannot walk where the Spirit would take us.
I’ve come to learn from God that worry is a waving red flag to the enemy. It is a dead giveaway that the person owning it does not trust God. The shield of faith is down. So fire when ready. Every time we’re tempted to take it all on and worry something to death, let’s say aloud from the depths of our souls, “I choose to trust You, Lord. I choose trust. I choose You.”
Be quiet, Dear Soul! God is the Master! Don’t be afraid.
With dearest love,
beth
PS. Melissa just called me and said, “Mom, be sure and tell the Siestas how proud we are of the ones who tried making the tarts!” So, because I love her and love you, here’s a huge “hats off!” to each of you and especially to Katie and His Treasured Possession for posting links to their pictures! I’m floored at this multi-talented group! And hungry. I think I’ll get off here and go check the fridg for a can of whipped cream.
My reply isn’t about worry but just wanted the sistas who don’t know already to please pray for the group Selah. The lead singer Todd, him and his wife lost their child a few weeks ago and then Todd’s sister who used to sing in the group her baby who was only 3 months old died last week.
My heart is breaking and just thought the sistas could say a special prayer for them now.
Beth,
Thanks for the reminder of just who is really in charge! Sometimes I slip back into the “I can handle this myself” mode, but thank our Lord that happens less and less. After going through some hard times, I’ve finally come to say that I do trust God. It took many years, but by His grace and steer patience with a stubborn heart, we’ve made it. My sister is a big worrier, so I’m going to share this post with her in hopes that she’ll begin that process of trusting Him completely, not just partially.
Love ya’
I certainly needed to read this tonight. We are leaving in 2 hours to take a group of kids (23 to be exact) from a small school in rural north central Arkansas to Washington DC for 5 days. I have been fretting just little over being responsible for other peoples’ children so far from home, but I know the Lord will be with us. Please pray for traveling mercies for our group…did I mention my middle child is one of the 23? Oh, and I have camera charged, charger packed, extra memory cards, and zoom lens ready to go.
Wow! I just love it when God confirms something! This post was the exact thing our Sunday School class was talking about today! I had chills the whole time I was reading this. What a beautiful analogy about the Captain and the ship.
I am going to choose to trust in God! Maybe minute by minute, but I am going to choose Him!
Love you to pieces Beth! What an impact your ministry has had on my life personally!
How did you know that I worry all the time. I stay up all night worry about the stupidest things that I can do absolutely nothing about. And i know it, but I keep worrying about it anyway. Someone told me the other day, “Oh, you got the worry gene.” That’s after they’d heard that I don’t really get the faith like a child thing, cause I worried about stuff when I was a small child. I have NEVER had faith like that. Somehow I’ve got to get over it.
“Why do you worry? What possible use does your worrying serve? You are aboard such a large ship that you would be unable to steer even if your Captain placed you at the helm. You would not even be able to adjust the sails, yet you worry as if you were the captain or the helmsman of the vessel.
Upon reading these words my first thought was of a Ziggy cartoon I saw several years ago. In it Ziggy was sitting in a huge rocking chair. The caption read: “Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”
Bill Gothard explained worry in this way, “worry is taking on responsibility that does not belong to you.”
I have a copy of “Streams in the Desert” maybe it is time to pick it up again. The devotions are timeless.
Thanks Beth for sharing your thoughts today.
Just recently my husband and I returned from a mission in Brazil. If you care to you can check it out using the link below.
http://taketimetoshare.blogspot.com
Have a great week, dear Siestas!
🙂
Mary
Beth,
Thank you so much for sharing your heart with me. Since the tragic death of Maria Sue Chapman, I have really been worrying about losing one of my children. We also have an adopted daughter from China and I just think about that family every time I look at our Sarah. Finally, after about a week of this, I realized that all of my children are “on loan” to me from God. They are not mine…I just get the privelidge of raising them. And I also realized that I was allowing Satan to steal my joy. I HAD to quit worrying about this and completely trust God with my fears. Thank you for reminding me that Satan will attack me in this area. You are such a blessing to me!! Love you!
Leigh Ann
Hey Beth,
Thanks for the encouragement about not worrying. I don’t think of myself as a “worrier”, but boy can it creep up fast if I’m not careful; especially in the middle of the night.
As for the squirrel comment, I know your’s was in jest, however I have to admit, I’ve actually done that. Not deep fried, but rather in the crock pot. (So, I’m not technically a redneck, right?) Seriously. I had to humor my husband, but just once, and he had to cook it. I stayed out of the kitchen that night! It’s now a family and friends (yes, I still have them) joke as to what you might get if you come over for dinner. That and my 4 yr. old daughter spitting buck spot onto the dinner plate (ting),while my 6yr old son chimes in, “More squirrel, please.” Oh yeah…. great memories. Precious!
I bet you all are just dying for a squirrel recipe?!
Cindy R.
I am doing “Streams in the Desert” right now. It is so good. So needed. Life is just so hard sometimes. So wearying. We learned this week that my 8-year-old son with cystic fibrosis suffered lasting emotional/cognitive damage from all the trauma he experienced as a baby and toddler (as a result of the disease). The signs had been there for quite some time. Praise God we have found a wonderful Christian counselor who I believe will help us navigate this, but she said, “Expect this to be a marathon. You will be working on this his entire childhood.” I’m weary just thinking about it. I wonder why God picked someone so woefully ill-equipped for this task, so lacking in patience, so easily overwhelmed. I’m privileged He would choose me, but baffled. But most of all, I’m tired. Bone tired.
Then today I found out a dear friend who moved away several years ago passed away. She was 41 years old. She and her husband had just adopted a baby boy from China two weeks ago. She returned feeling tired and sick. She was diagnosed with cancer and died ten days later (today), leaving behind a newly adopted little boy and another young son.
I’m a writer so I guess I just needed to just get this down. I know God is in control and my young daughter reminded me tonight that God does everything for a purpose. I don’t doubt that. I’m just very weary and very sad. On days like today I just long for Jesus to come quickly.
Beth,
I want to thank you, I have in the past and sometimes I try so hard to stir the ship with my worry and controlling, but god always reminds me that he is in control and takes over…
Connie
GBU
You are in my prayers…
Thank you. 🙂
It’s funny…something I’ve discovered about myself is that worry feels like a plan of action to me. I just uncovered that recently. Oftentimes, I worry as though it’s part of the process of handling my responsibilities … responsibly. If I’m not worrying, I’m not taking my responsibilities seriously, in other words. Not sure if I’m explaining that clearly but my heart sure is getting it. Worry is not part of the plan of action! Yikes! Big red flag with voracious chops nearby!
Oh Beth…
There is just so much I could say about this dern worry thing we all can have, do, carry, and take on. And, then when you are married to someone who internalizes and worries over everything!! Oh my goodness…its tough stuff.
So, I deeply thank you and I will pray tonight as I hit my head on my pillow, that I will give my worry to Him, hold up my shield,and let that glorious Captain steer our ship.
Much love,
Fran
Thank You Beth- for posting this- the timing is perfect! (God’s timing is perfect). I have surgery in 2 days to find out if I have cancer. I really haven’t been “worried”- I know God is in control- and He has given me a peace that passes all understanding. But, to read this today- it was just another reminder- that my life is in HIS hands I don’t have to worry about what is around the corner. I trust HIM and no matter what- HE will carry me through. We don’t have to worry- just trust. Because He wants to give us a future and a hope.
Thank You for this timely reminder!
Resting in HIM!
All I can say is Amen!
“Something much bigger than we can picture is going on from a God’s-eye view.” Wow, how true that quote is, yet what a hard I have trusting it. I want to know what’s going, I want to know the outcome. Why is HE not answering, what is HE up to? I do choose to trust, for me it has to be minute by minute. But I guess that’s just where HE wants me right now.
Thanks for the good word, Beth!
-Sheryl
Isn’t He wonderful! I needed encouragement today, I haven’t been able to read the LPM blog in a couple of weeks. My precious daughter had successful total ankle replacement surgery two weeks ago and as Momma to her and Mimi to her three precious grandchildren; 17 yo, 5 yo and 3 yo, life is very complicated right now. I try to control it(everything)and fix it (everything) and then when it everything goes haywire I remember to fall to my knees, pray for forgiveness and strength and let go…again! I have a copy of Streams in the Desert that was my mother’s before she went to Heaven and it never fails to amaze me that the message my Savior wants me to hear is always the message I am reading that day! Isn’t HE wonderful! Love, Nila
Oh Beth… I think I am covered in ice shards. It has been hands down and awfully, horrific day and I have compounded it by emotionally upchucking my worst fears and beliefs about myself all over my husband. I didn’t mean to… it just happened.
Thank you for this reminder and eye opener. You are such an encouragement to weary souls. I think I hear God saying, “Sweet child, you’ve been getting further and further away from me these last few months – Come Back!” Thank goodness He never stops watching for us to come back.
I am definitely checking out “Streams in the Desert.” Thanks for the devotional moment. You are a blessing indeed.
Love You.
Dear Beth,
You have no idea how much I needed to read this today! My heart is breaking because a former co-worker of mine was killed on Friday as he was coming back from lunch. There were two women in a single car that were being chased by the police because of an alleged drug deal gone bad. The high-speed chase ended when the two women t-boned my friend’s truck in which he was killed instantly. (If he had to die, I praise the Lord that He allowed him to go instantly!) He was only 39 years old. He left a wife, and two sons, ages 3 and 6. Siestas, please pray for this family. Not only are they having to deal with this tradgedy and the funeral, etc. But developing details of the events leading up to his death are being broadcasted all over the news every single day since it happened. Also, there will surely be litigation involved in the future.. I know what it is like to lose a husband and have small kids, because I lost my husband a year and a half ago with 3 small children. Please pray that if it is the Lord’s will, He will provide an opportunity/words to minister to this new widow and her children. I sure didn’t want anyone else to have to join the “young widow’s club” with me.
Yet again, I get to thank you for writing something that speaks directly to my heart. A big AMEN from this Siesta!! 🙂
Sometimes I think if I didn’t have something to worry about, I would just whither up and die. I drive everyone around me absolutely insane. If I am worried about something and I get distracted from my worrying, when I realize that I did get distracted, I stop whatever it is I am doing until I remember what I was worrying about. I know that is pathetic but I have done that for as long as I can remember. It can wear a soul out let me tell ya. It has gotten so bad that about two years ago I have started having panic attacks. Those are definitely no fun. Since the first time I saw you at a Living Proof event a little over a year ago, I have gotten better at being able to control them. Instead of letting the anxiety control me, I start praying for God to take control of my situation. I have prayed my way through quiet a few so far. The attacks are not nearly as bad or last as long as they used to. I have Bible verses scattered around so when I start to worry or a panic attack kicks in I can see them. I am trying very hard to get to a place where all this will go away. It’s not a fun way to live and I know that God doesn’t want me to live this way. Beth, please pray for me that I will finally be able to turn all of this over to God and give Him total control. I believe that God is in total control, but living by that is just hard for me. I just cannot seem to let go of the worry…everyday…whether it be about my job, my family, about what the future holds. It is 24/7 for me and I am just about worn out. I had to make plane reservations for my husband and two daughters the other day and I agonized for hours about where to seat them on the plane. I kept thinking that if something happened to the plane and in turn something happened to them because of where they were sitting, it would be my fault. I will have this worry with me until they land at 10:26am July 2. Believe me, that is just the tip of the iceberg with me. I need so badly to be released from this bondage of worry.
Cindy in Weaverville
Hey, Mama Beth! I am always so surprised and impressed when your post addresses just what I’m wrestling with. Dunno why it keeps surprising me…it happens all the time! 🙂
Lately, I am teetering on the edge between trust/faith in my Father and fullblown fear, real major showstopping knockdown panic. There are so many things in my life that I always expected to control…but turns out, I can’t.
I rarely see this one coming; not only do I see it today,this time, but here in front of me is something I can do to make it go away: say aloud “I choose to trust You, Lord. I choose trust. I choose You.”
Because He Is the Unchangable One, isn’t He? The only One I can count on, the One Who knows all the strange stuff that has come up, that is coming up, that will come up…it’s not my job to predict it, deal with it, manage it, vanquish it…it’s His. Whew!
When I get scared is when my expectations, my basic world-view beliefs, are violated. You know them: Kids should outlive their parents. Marriage is for life. Brush your teeth twice a day and get good grades, and all will go well. When bad stuff happens, everything seems upside down, unpredictable, totally out of control.
Finally I am learning that the only expectation, the only basic world-view belief I can count on to ALWAYS come through, is Jesus. Him, and His love. The same yesterday, today, tomorrow, next week. Even when babies die and husbands abuse and abandon, and terrible things come up that I so never expected.
I am SO glad you shared this!
May He bless you extra much this week…and may He bless poor lonesome Beanie, too. Give her an extra pat, okay?
Love,
Alyson
thank you for your words – first time i’ve read your blog. this post helps me to remember that i just can’t keep asking questions that i don’t (and can’t) have answers to. the “mystery” of God is difficult to leave alone in the midst of suffering! thanks for your encouragement and help. jan
I grinned when I read the title to your post. Ok Lord….I hear you. This is the area God is working on me about and I’m in the process of breaking free. Today in church during some quiet time it’s as if I heard Him so clearly say…if you had any idea how much I love you would trust me more.
Sarah from Wyoming
Beth…never ever wonder if God is using you…because I and apparently so many other siestas really needed to her what He had you share today!
Thank you!
Love,
Donna (the mom of twin boys)
I am the queen of What if’s!!!! Worry and Fear have always been my stronghold! I think I could have written the Worst Case Scenario Handbook!
But…
Praise God worry is what finally brought me to my knees! Now I know only in Him do we have ultimate Peace and Hope! I don’t know where I would be without Him! Thank you Lord! : )
***Excellent sermon on Hope from Louis Giglio-Oh Siestas you have to watch it you will be so blessed!***
http://www.northpointministries.org/player/player.jsp?occurrenceID=2197
I came across your blog while looking for a cookie cook book. I am a member of Soldier’s Angels and when I went to the person’s blog for the cook book I noticed the name Beth Moore and I thought this might be intersting. Well it has been more than that, it has been a real blessing. Just recently I have received a very moving letter from a woman who has lost her husband in the war. I really want more than anything to send her a special care package and I think the book you mentioned today is it. God is so good to answer prayers. I really want a way to share with this person that God loves and cares about her. I know that I am certainly guilty of worrying and I often catch myself saying if you are in control where is God? I have to stop myself and say just let go and let God. I love the visual with the red flag. Thank you for being such a blessing to others and my prayers go out for the lost of your beloved pet.
“It is a dead giveaway that the person owning it does not trust God.” -And boy do I own it, Miss Beth. I so needed to hear that, because YES, it is a dead giveaway that I am NOT trusting the one who is most trustworthy! Thank you for sharing this today. It was MUCH needed. 🙂
HUGS to you and your precious staff this week. May it be extra special! (Not for any reason. Just because!)
Lindsee
Thank you so much for this blog. Especially the last line – don’t be afraid. My darling mother starts chemotherapy on Tuesday of this week. She has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in just the last month. God has given me an amazing amount of peace, but a little part of me is still an 8 year old girl who’s afraid.
Thank you for the encoragement to rest in Him. Hope in Him. And most of all, trust in Him.
He really did use you today to speak a word to me. Thank you so much for being available to Him!
Beth,
You will never be able to comprehend the impact your ministry has had on my life. But, more than that the God who we serve is truly bigger than anything we can fathom. Your comments today could not be more insightful into my ‘world’ at this very moment. I lost my beloved husband of 3 years when I was 24 years old to a brain aneurysm and one month ago I lost my second husband of 5 years in a T-38 crash at Columbus Air Force Base. So at 31 with a newborn and a 2 year old, I KNOW He is the Captain of this ship! God is moving in such mighty ways through Blair’s death and I am witness to the fact that Blair had to die for lives to be changed forever, eternally. No doubt Our God felt the same way giving his only Son. I listened recently to one of your Life Today messages and you talked about Eph. 1:11 and the Emet. He will work everything out for His good —even death. I love that about Him.
There is no way to humanly explain the loss but I know that His peace truly passes all understanding. I feel it, everyday, every hour. Thank you for your words, your ministry and for walking so closely with Him. (By the way, you met my husband, Blair, at the airport in Houston. He was a Continental pilot as well as a fighter pilot and recognized you. Y’all talked about your ministry and he loved meeting someone who I held so dear on my pilgrimage with Christ. You were so engaging to a ‘fan from afar’ and he was so impressed by Christ in you. We will see him very soon in heaven and we can all talk then!:)
Your sister in Christ,
Rachel Faulkner
God’s been answering my prayer to show me how to agapao Him.
The trial I’ve been in with losing our business due to a betrayal has been a difficult one but it has enabled me to see that “perfect” (agapao) love casts out fear.
So, when I am fearful about our circumstance right now I am not truly having agapao love for Him. I’m falling short of His ideal love that He wants me to have for him.
I’m so grateful for Him showing me that truth!
Our church is going thru a trying time, our senior pastor just resigned amid scandal and we are rocked. But as someone said God is not ‘rocked’ by this or surprised, He knew it was going to happen and called this man to the ministry anyway and used him. They went on to say “our degree of panic/worry in response to circumstances is a direct refection of our relationship w/ God” “Indeed the man who fears God fears nothing, the man who does not fear God fears everything.” (I think that is from Oswald Chambers.) How true, when my eyes are on myself or man my panic level can sky rocket but when I focus on Him, I can have peace amid the chaos.
God gave me this verse this week, Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.
As a mom this imagery is so powerful, He is not only here for me He takes me by the hand. Now if I can only act like the adult I am and not a 2yo and allow Him to help me 🙂
Sometimes I think I’m self obsessed with being self obsessed! I wonder what feelings in our soul we really are looking to experience when we worry? I don’t want to feel “small” and I don’t want to feel inadequate and I want to be noticed. Instead of thinking what will produce the feelings I want, I need to see my sin of worry and repent! This was simply a great post Beth!
Beth,
Your post is so timely. I decided to check the blog before going to bed. I am so glad that I did. I was sitting here worrying (with lots of butterflies in my stomach) when I read your post. I am having a second back surgery tomorrow – the first was just four weeks ago. I truly believe that the Lord lead me to your post this evening. I needed to be reminded that He is in control and that my worrying and fear serve no purpose. Instead, I need to make a decision to focus my energy on praising God for His faithfulness and His sovereignty over all things.
Thank you Beth. You truly are a blessing!
Jamie
This was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Right now I’m worrying if I’m preggers. I have 4 children and my youngest is 6 months. We are “done” but have not done anything permanent. I just need to trust God. Oh, I pray that I would stop worrying!!!
I LOVE when God speaks louder than the thoughts in my brain! Just when I needed a big smack between the eyeballs, your God-inspired words of wisdom met me right where I was. AMEN!
Praying for you and Beanie…The pain is so real, and no one can make them understand where their companion has gone. It hurts so badly to watch the pet left behind, because you can’t explain it to them. I’ve been thinking about y’all so much and continue to keep y’all in my prayers. Thanks for the post. I’m struggling with why a family member acts the way she does. So deliberately hurtful…I’ve got to turn it over to God and let Him be in control. Thanks for reminding me that I’m not responsible for her actions and that I need to sit back and let God handle it. Much love to you from North Texas!!
Jill
oh dear Beth! It is 06.50am on Monday morning and I’m reading this before getting ready to go to work. I have been dreading the start of this week: I work for a very difficult person and each Monday morning I *have to* pray for the strength necessary to shield myself from his random “lashings”. (paradoxically, this has been going on for 8 years!) …Lately, this situation at work has become much more difficult for me to bear, perhaps because I have been consumed with worry over my son’s recent acts of bravado. ..I realize this sounds very, very lame compared to the deep losses people are contending with today, but my fragile state makes this situation an incredible huge mountain to climb: this morning, upon rising, I really felt so weak and defeated, I *almost* didn’t even get out of bed. So crucial are these words to me. They will help me make it through today.
mariacristina
I’m telling ya Beth, my mom gave me that devotional several years before she “went home”. I use it every day, year after precious year. There has not been one day when the Lord has not been able to use it in my life. It’s truly my most precious thing besides my bible!! I too, choose to TRUST YOU LORD!! This day and every day that follows!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed a lazy sunny Sunday afternoon and I sooo pray that your sweet heart is healing a little more as each day passes. Sunny will be missed by many, but none more then(((((you))))) hugs!! I love you friend.
Angela in Redmond, WA
I just wanted to say thank you so much. I have never commented before, but I check your blog often. My husband is in the military and is leaving this week. He is gone off and on quite a bit and I tend to be a worrier. Thank you for such a visual reminder. I’m going to look for a copy of Streams in the Desert to start while he is away. Thank you for giving me such an easy thing to speak out when I’m feeling the temptation to worry…I choose to trust you God. I choose trust. I choose you. I feel encouraged. Thank you.
Thank you. I needed that! It’s after midnight and I have scoured the internet looking for answers for our family’s health issues and finally decided to take a break and look at your blog. I think I shall log off and stop waving the red flag and choose to trust!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing that. Worry is something I struggle with BIG TIME! If I am not careful I can fall into a pit of worry in seconds – over really stupid stuff too, scenarios I create in my own mind of “what ifs” especially involving my children. Growing up my mother always equated worry with love b/c that is what her mother did. It is a constant battle for me to fight the enemy on this one. Thanks again for sharing. I love you!
Thanks for that great message to start my day out Beth. It’s nice to be reminded that no matter what control we want GOD is in control always. Prasie God for sure. Keep cool. Have an awesome week. Love ya siesta, Mary Anne
Beth, over the past two years or so, God has often used you as a vessel to teach me something about Himself. Last night, I was so tempted to be consumed with worry, as we’ve had dear friends and family beset with tragedy recently, and my soul was almost disquieted by it all, and by my own worries. But the sermon yesterday morning was about shifting our perspective into looking at the Bible as a love letter rather than a list of rules, and it made me realize that our great Captain is most definitely at the helm, steering that great ship with pure love, and my soul was instantly at peace. And before I drifted off to sleep last night, I sent up a quiet prayer in which I said, “Lord, I am so tempted to let worldly worry consume me, but I choose the firm foundation. I choose YOU.” And then I woke and read this, and it’s somehow like you knew to speak it just to my heart. Thank you.
Praise Him that over and over He speaks to us through others. He knows what reaches us, and He’s faithful to use those means time and again. In the midst of your own trials, you continually reach out to others in the most selfless, pure, loving way, and I am so thankful for that.
Yesterday morning, our dear friend’s cousin lost her 32 year old husband to cancer, and she’s so heavy on my heart and mind this morning. When I go for my quiet time in a few moments (on my own back patio that my precious husband built for me with his own two hands), I will pray that peace washes over her and doesn’t let up as she weathers this current storm, and that she lets God speak peace and wholeness to her broken heart.
Thank you, Miss Beth. We love you right back.
Lisa in Western PA
I was just telling my husband yesterday that I was convicted that my worry about our adult daughter, and then this post came along. Thank you for reminding me to put on my shield of faith.
I don’t know how I missed that Sunny died. I have thought of her often since she was sick a while back. What a GIFT she was and I am thankful, on your behalf, that she was a Moore. love, Cathy
I had a friend give me Streams in the Desert while I was in a “dry and weary land where there was no water”. God used it to quench me. I especially loved that it was the journal version and I still go back and read those entries to see where God has taken me.
For suffering Siestas, another really great book is “A Path Through Suffering” by Elisabeth Elliot. It talks about the relationship between God’s mercy and our pain.
Thanks for the encouraging word! And…hang in there with Beanie. It took our guy almost a month to come to terms with the loss of our old girl. But he did. Hurting dog hearts need time too. Love to you this day!
This post is so timely for my former priest. I will tell him to check out your blog. After much prayer a new capital campaign project has begun and the attacks from the enemy have begun…you know how it can be when it comes to money in the Body of Christ.
Blessings to you.
Thank you for the devotion. I need that in my life right now so badly. I am at a place where I feel like I have been questioning if God does really care. I feel so alone. I have moved to a new state and some things I thought would be left behind have only followed me. Please pray that my heart would be hungry for Jesus. I afraid I have lost that hunger and I desperatly want it back.
thank you!
Thanks for this message. I read it yesterday and I know God intended for me to read it and be encouraged by it. I got some hard news today and yet because I know God is in control I feel amazingly at peace.
I think I might need to go out and buy that book to be a reminder to keep trusting and believing all year long (and beyond hopefully).
Thanks so much!