I suppose we all get this feeling sometimes. It doesn’t take a spouse’s death to make you feel overwhelmed, just the perception that you have more than you can handle at some point in the day. It seems rather comical to me that although time seems to be moving SO slowly, I still get these feelings like I have way too many things to do and not enough time to do them. Maybe it’s also because I often find it hard to motivate myself to do them (or, at times, do anything).
What I try to do when I have this feeling – or other negative feelings – is Google bible verses, scan then, then cross reference them with Anita’s bible until I find one she has made notes on. So far, this has worked for me every time.
Today my Google search turned up Isaiah 41, but it was Isaiah 40:31 that jumped out at me when I got to the page in Anita’s bible.
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
I am going to admit to you that, often, the metaphoric or generic things sometimes said in the bible do not instantly bring me comfort. In this case, it’s the study notes that spoke to Anita (she highlighted them in blue) and to me.
Even the strongest people get tired at times, but God’s power and strength never diminish. He is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. His strength is our source of strength. When you feel all of life crushing you and cannot go another step, remember that you can call upon God to renew your strength.
Hoping in the Lord is expecting that his promise of strength will help us to rise above life’s distractions and difficulties. It also means trusting in God. Trusting helps us to be prepared when he speaks to us. Then we will be patient when he asks us to wait and expect him to fulfill the promises found in his Word.
Leaning on God is hard, especially when you are physically and/or emotionally exhausted. Trusting is God is hard! We want our problems solved now, as we have them. We desire not to have them linger until some later time. But remember that time is God’s time and in the mean time, lean on Him and trust Him with all your heart. It will be an effort to do so, but worth it. Today, I am making the effort.
I have found that during my own time of ‘loss’… of a relationship (does this go to just you greg, or am I inadvertantly posting this to some public forum?) Oh well. I have found that when you are stripped away of something significant, it often times leaves you no choice BUT to lean on God. Getting stripped down to your bare bones can be quite a humbling experience, dare I say free-ing? Is this the freedom that we find when all we have is God, the freedom to be released from leaning on or attaching to the earthly muck that tangles me up. And oh how I seem to want to attach to my earthly muck… you know? Even my own stubborn, strong will keeps me pinned down. I know God says that even human relationships should not be put above our relationship with Him. But when you deeply LOVE another human, how can we NOT? It is a struggle, to be a spiritual being in this earth-bound body. It is my daily struggle. I feel your struggle. I feel your pain. But I also can sense your spirit… for what its worth. And you are going to be just fine. Gods plans for you include much more joy to come….