The cold wind whipped my open jacket. Frigid air fought through my thin sweater as I slammed the car door and hurried into the dark house. I busied myself, both lighting the room and attempting to boost my own spirits. I reminded myself to control my thoughts against the negativity that today’s situations had thrust upon me.
But it can be so stinking hard sometimes.
Lord, I need Your help!
I bet you’ve been there. The situation you’re in is not what you’d author. You mentally brace yourself against the siege, steel yourself to remain upbeat. But it’s oh, so challenging.
Asking God for help might seem the only thing to do.
And it’s the most powerful thing you and I can do.
If you’re like me, in those moments, that fact seems forgotten, doesn’t it?
I feel I don’t have enough strength or stamina to remain cheerful. But I’m learning, I don’t have to.
When I’m frustrated, instead of lamenting the situation’s specifics, I’m learning to focus on God and who He is. I have found sometimes worship music does just the trick. The lyrics proclaim the reminder my heart must hear: God is good. God is worthy to be praised. God is in control.
I have also learned to ask God to intervene. Because God is there, happy to supply my needs. (Philippians 4:19)
It doesn’t necessarily change the situation, no matter how much I pray. But it changes me.
Because I allow God to work in me, for me and through me.
And I experience first-hand that the joy of the Lord is my strength.
The strength and stamina do not need to flow from me- whew! Instead, if freely flows from God. And I am more positive because I’m not relying on me, but on Him.
The joy of the Lord is my strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) Even when bogged down too long by depression or disbelief, God wants us to turn to Him and trust Him.
I know, it isn’t always easily done. But we can try something new! When we make a habit of turning up the praise and turning down the pessimism, turning up the Scripture and turning down the dampened spirits, light will begin to seep through the cracks.
We can worship.
We can surrender to God.
We can trust His promises. Because they are true.
And He always delivers.
He promises to never leave nor forsake us.
He promises to supply all our needs.
He promises the joy of Him will be our strength.
Even when the whipping wind is freezing and the lies floating through my mind are convincing, I need to remember to ask God to take it all.
How about you? Do you, too, struggle with surrendering circumstances when they overwhelm? Why don’t we ask Him together for help with just that?
Prayer: Dear Lord, Sometimes, I get bogged down. Circumstances sap my joy. Please help me change my knee-jerk reaction. When I’m sad, disappointed, or upset, please remind me to carry these things to You. Remind me that You are in control and that You can supply all I need. I need joy infused into my life. An abiding joy that stinky situations can’t erase. Please help me look for Your joy and focus on You, not my immediate surroundings. Thank you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.