"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
I possess a long list of talents and gifts. There isn't enough time to name them all. Whining unfortunately is one of them. Ah, yes the sin of grumbling and complaining . . .
Did I mention I am tired? I am overwhelmed in thinking about the upcoming logistics of my mother's situation. I am not working out. I am facing opposition in dealing with my mother's affairs from her financial person. I am facing a client who is an amateur in the business of project management and wastes my time. I have a friend who's friendship with me is "strained."
I am tired. I am sad and I want to sleep. Oh, but wait, I can't sleep. That's why I have a sleep study set up for the end of April. I don't know what to cook for dinner. Every day it seems I don't know what to cook for dinner.
I have to go grocery shopping again. I don't have the energy. I am tired.
I am disappointed in my painting. Why am I painting again? Oh, yes, because I'm so "talented."
Mostly, I am tired and sad. But really, what pure joy to know my life rests safely and securely in the hands of Christ. Understand there is no sarcasm. Did I need God less when I wasn't tired and wasn't sad? Of course not. Did I need God more just when all these things added themselves on top of each other? No, of course not.
Please don't feel sorry for me. Even though sometimes my whiney heart might beg you to. Please help me to see the opportunity that lies ahead for me each day as I struggle to put one foot forward and choose to praise God even when I can barely think. Today IS the day that the Lord has made and I WILL be glad and rejoice in it.
2 comments:
... and these are the moments when His word to you is:
"Be still, and know that I am God."
There is no end to the limitless possibilities of our failure and selfishness. And God knows that full well.
And that is why Paul's lamenting of his own hypocrisy and sin ends in the cry, "who will set me free from this body of death!"
and God's answer comes:
"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord... Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
So while you are sleepless, take some time and let Him do his job at being your Shepherd:
"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul;"
... and feel sorry for you? Seriously, that is like one homeless guy feeling sorry for the guy living in the next box over!
For some reason, I found this entry strangely encouraging...
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