Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Personal Trials

I'm not really feeling like blogging today.  I'm struggling with something very difficult and I'm trying with all my heart to just trust the Lord through this trial.

One of my favorite people in the world (Kathleen W.)  recently gave me this amazing devotional called "Jesus Calling".  It has been such a powerful daily reminder of God's grace and love, and on days like today, it always speaks directly to my heart.

Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence [Book]

Today's entry was no different.  It truly met me where I was at, and was exactly what I know God wanted me to hear.  I hope I'm not violating any copyright laws...  I think Sarah Young would understand if she knew I was posting.  So in hopes that perhaps you need to hear it too, here is today's devotional:

July 19
"Bring Me all your feelings, even the ones you wish you didn't have.  Fear and anxiety still plague you.  Feelings per se are not sinful, but they can be temptations to sin.  Blazing missiles of fear fly at you day and night; these attacks from the evil one come at you relentlessly.  Use your shield of faith to extinguish those flaming arrows.  Affirm your trust in Me, regardless of how you feel.  If you persist, your feelings will eventually fall in line with your faith.

Do not hide from your fear or pretend it isn't there.  Anxiety that you hid in the recesses of your heart will give birth to fear; a monstrous stepchild.  Bring you anxieties out into the Light of My Presence, where we can deal with them together.  Concentrate on trusting Me, and fearfulness will gradually lose its foothold within you."

Ephesians 6:16
"...above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."

1John 1:5-7
"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." 

Isaiah 12:2
"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 
‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and He also has become my salvation."

7 comments:

Michele said...

Praying for you!

Michelle said...

Praying for you at this time

Tarina said...

Nona, I have followed your blog for awhile and find you to be an amazing and wonderful daughter of God with many talents and strengths. I add an extra prayer for you today!! What beautiful words you shared today, may they give you the strength and comfort you seek. They have reminded me of His goodness today as I needed it as well.

Dot said...

Nona, I visit your blog frequently and am amazed by your abilities. I, too, read "Jesus Calling" every day. It always amazes me how much the reading coincide with what I need for that day. Prayers to you that you can work through your current struggles.

Linda Norman said...

Praying for you to have peace that passes understanding!

Nancy Berdanier said...

Nona,
I too read "Jesus Calling" and always find comfort in the messages. I pray that you are feeling better today resting in
the love of our Lord.

Patty said...

Thank you for sharing the best anxiety reliever there is. At various times I have suffered from anxiety and the only thing that has ever brought relief is talking to God and asking him to see me through the situation. Faith is very powerful. Thank you for the reminder.