Gulp... Giants!

Worry had sneaked up on me again and doubt became my companion. Whose voice was I listening to? Certainly not God's.

In Numbers 13, God told Moses to send 12 men into Canaan to see the promised land He would give them. One man from each tribe was chosen to join the expedition. They tromped along the river and up through the hill country, through fertile fields and vineyards, checking out all the land had to offer. At the end of 40 days, with a cluster of grapes so large it took two men to carry it, they returned to report on all they had seen: "The land is full of giants; they are powerful and strong."

Ten of the 12 were overcome with doubt, saying: "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." And they spread among the Isrealites a bad report about the land. (Numbers 13:31-32 NIV)

But Joshua and Caleb insisted, "The land is flowing with milk and honey. Don't be afraid; God is with us."

Here is a decision point. Will I identify with the 10 who doubted or with the two who trusted? Whose voice do I choose to listen to? As I reflect on the "giants" in my own life, I will make my focus what God says He will do and not the size of the obstacle. Faith is living above the obstacles, not under them.

Abiding is staying connected to Him, trusting in Him, despite the odds. No matter how small I feel. He is big enough! I remember how, many times, God has answered my prayers, and shown Himself to be way bigger than I thought He was!

What "giants" are in your life? Are there things that seem too big -- even for God to resolve? Well... How BIG is our God, anyway?

Oh, Father God, You are above all and You know all. I choose to rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will fear no evil because You are with me.

The Beauty of Surrender

We know that God doesn't always answer prayer in the way we would anticipate, or as "quickly" as we would wish. But I can now see that for many of these times, He has given me an answer far better than I knew to ask for, in just the right timing.

As I reread my journals from a few years back, I gained a different perspective on how God was shaping me. He was orchestrating the details that needed to be put into place, while at the same time, preparing my heart to want the greater things He had in mind for me.

Upon reviewing these journals, I made a wonderful observation. Whenever something really "big" happened in my life -- an answer to a long-time prayer -- it came directly after a period when I was able to fully "surrender." By this I mean that I had given up control of the way I wanted the situation to go, realizing that He knows best. I could finally be open to His solution (the one that was perfect in the first place!)

But God is a gentleman and He didn't hurry, pressure or force me. I saw that many times He was incredibly patient with me. When I eventually stopped pleading with God about what needed to be done (how silly that sounds!) and resolved that I could trust Him -- whatever the outcome -- then the answer finally arrived. An answer that surpassed human understanding. An answer that gave me the greatest peace ever. An answer that came in a great big God way.

I now reflect on the character of God and His promises in the Bible:

• Great is His faithfulness (Lam. 3:23)...
• He can work all things together for good (Romans 8:28)...
• Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:39)...
  
• He wouldn't give a snake when we ask for a fish (Matt 7:10)...
  
• All things are possible with God (Mark 10:27)...

I remember that He really has my best interests at heart.

The beautiful 1855 hymn reminds us what a Friend we have: "Oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear; all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."

Do you have a heavy burden you're carrying? Are you ready to lay it down?

Father, help me get my head, my heart and my feet on the "same page." Help me, more and more, to surrender to You. I really do want Your way. I know that from the fullness of Your grace we have all received one blessing after another (John 1:16). We have every reason to trust You.

We Do Not Lose Heart

Several of my work friends are losing their jobs of many years. Names are missing, cubes are cleared out, e-mails bounce back.

Others close to me are missing loved ones. The memory of their loss pierces their hearts each day. Will the pain ever go away?

Many in my church ask for prayers over serious health issues, overwhelming finances or complicated relationships. My prayer list is growing. There is suffering everywhere.

And then there is Haiti.

These poor souls have suffered their whole lives -- but we hear stories of these beautiful, victorious people who have not lost hope:

• A man searched through wreckage and debris every day for his wife until he found her.
  
• His wife, who survived a week under rubble, praised God and sang as she emerged into the light of day again.
  
• A young man pinned under a fallen building for 14 days survived by rationing a jug of water and was rescued just hours after his supply ran out.
  
• A doctor reported that hundreds of hungry, terrified, grieving, hurting people waited so patiently in long lines to be treated for life-threatening injuries -- without a single security incident.
• A 66-year-old widow and a 12-year-old boy who had just lost their entire families decided to become a team -- a new family -- saying, "God will provide. In fact, He already has"...

I remember that suffering is not new; the Bible gives many examples. We can relate to what Paul wrote: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." (2 Cor. 4:8-9, but read the chapter for the full encouragement...)

We must not forget that God is with us through it all. Just think, He is with all of His suffering children at once! He is sovereign. We do not understand, but we do know God is the One who can call light out of darkness.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Cor. 4:16-18 NIV)

Thank you, Lord, for role models with strong faith -- strengthened, no doubt, by suffering and walking along, trusting in You no matter what. Oh, give them strength!

Our Hearts are in Haiti

We sponsor these dear children through Compassion International. (See earlier post (Christmas Child). They live in Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, so our lives our quite different from theirs. But it didn't take long to form a bond. They send us the most heart-warming letters and drawings.

I had just written to each of our kids again on Monday night, then heard of the terrible 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday. Thankfully, they should all be safe, as they are in projects in the north, near Cap Haitien, and in the south central -- a safe distance from the great tragedy near Port au Prince.

But more than 6,000 Compassion children were at the center of that chaos. Our hearts are in Haiti, with those who have lost so much, when they have so little to begin with. I have cried every day with new news of their plight. My heart breaks watching every grieving parent, every frightened child, and all that they are now enduring.

Yet, I am inspired and encouraged to see video of the Haitien people singing hymns together to stay strong. This is so like the people we have come to know through our correspondence. They have a solid faith that rises out of darkness. And I am encouraged to see so many Americans now wanting to help the people of Haiti.

As sponsors, we received a video update on Haiti from Compassion's CEO Wess Stafford. He began his ministry in Haiti 40 years ago and married his wife there. Compassion International is a truly worthy organization for anyone looking for a way they can help.

Haiti Earthquake

Oh, Lord Jesus, please give the comfort that only You can give!

Needless Extra Miles

How did I do that?? I missed my exit because I was thinking about something else, then I needed to go a few miles out of my way to get back on track. What a waste!

I seem to be prone to doing that. Too many things on my mind some days and I often find myself taking the "long way" around. I wondered how many extra miles I have detoured throughout my life because I wasn't paying close enough attention to where I was headed.

Then I pictured God looking down from the heavens at the map of my life, seeing all the weaving and wandering I have done over the years. All those times I thought I knew the right way instead of trusting in His way. All those needless "extra miles" and "arriving late" was because I lost the real Focus.

Father God, my focus needs to be on You at all times. I don't want to be distracted. I yield every area of my life to you. Don't let me take any more detours than I have to!

"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Prov. 3:6 NIV)

Do Not Be Anxious

There is a lot of anxiety at work now. Everyone knows there's an elephant in the room, and as we wait for more information on upcoming job cuts, it's impacting each of us a little differently.

I work with fun and intelligent people who inspire me. We love our jobs and it's evident as our best ideas blend and we achieve great results together. It is a melancholy feeling, as I know it soon won't be the same. At least one of us will be missing from that circle.

But I broke out my treasure chest this morning and a storehouse of riches poured out. Though it's certainly not the first time I've read it, Philippians 4 (NIV) was filled with "new" treasures to encourage me:

"Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God..." (v. 6)

I'm in Good Hands. He knows my needs. We've talked a lot about this lately.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding...

It's more than we can wrap our heads around!

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (v. 7)

What a precious picture it is that the peace is "guarding" my heart... protecting it. Sometimes it's hard to get the same message in my head and my heart, but this peace is complete and encompasses all.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things," verse 8 continues.

I am not to be anxious, worried, focusing on the negative or the "what-ifs." I am to remember that God is a fortress around me and He is in control of all. I can focus on the work I enjoy and the wonderful people I work with. I remain creative and productive and eager and inspired to give my best fruits.

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (v.13) That's what I need to focus on!


So, that's my story. What's yours? Is there something threatening your peace lately? Let's make a pact to focus on the positives.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (v. 19)

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the vast wealth of encouragement that is found in Your Word. Holy Spirit, You hold the key to unlocking these treasures for all who make the request. I pray today for all to know this great hope. Keep us focused on You and all You have planned for us.

Full Armor of God

When the alarm sounds, I greet the new day with a joyful heart. I'm fortunate to be a morning person, but even my husband (who is not a morning person), enjoys our routine. After some light stretching to help us wake up, we are off to the sunroom to read the Word together. We talk about highlights of what we've read and then join in a quick prayer to sink our roots deeper.

As soon as my dog Nikki hears "Amen," she is hopping with anticipation for her favorite part of the day -- our walk. My faithful friend Beth and her dog Toby come out to meet us whether in light drizzle or deep snow, because we so enjoy encouraging one another with our faith stories.

Then, I'm listening to Christian radio on the 10-minute drive to work. When I log on my computer, I have an e-devotional waiting to greet me. My passwords themselves are reminders of spiritual inspirations. I'm blessed to have great people and interesting work, but if by chance I get derailed by lunchtime, I have another close friend who is eager to take a walk and share praises of what God is doing...

It occurred to me this morning as Ted and I read Ephesians 6, that all these treasured parts of my routine are like putting on the full armor of God. They help me stand firm, ready my feet to walk in truth and take up the shield of faith to extinguish any flaming arrows of the day.

What are you wearing today? Do you have your helmet and sword? Have a few minutes to add another layer of protection for the day? It's worth it!

Lord, thank you so much for blessing me with other believers in my daily routine. Thank you for the freedom to read your Word and to share our faith. Your armor will protect me if I take the time to put it on.