I woke from a solid sleep, spring at my doorstep, and birds sweetly singing a morning lullaby to me. Yet the first words that came out of my mouth were, “I don’t want to have another…” I stopped myself before finishing the sentence but it was already out there. My husband asked what I was going to say. I decided to be honest and admitted that I was going to say the word “week”.
I don’t like that I was going to say that. I’m pretty embarrassed that it almost came out of my mouth and I’ve been striving to understand the why of it. And I could probably write a very long post right now about the why’s of it. It’s more important and edifying, though, for me to share about what the Lord reminded me soon after I uttered that incomplete sentence. As I considered my lack of joy on a Monday morning, I opened my devotional for the day. The scripture for the day was Psalm 139, specifically verses 1-6.
“O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.”
My heart melted. He knew…he knew before I admitted it to my husband what I was feeling. And instead of fearing what he would do to me for thinking it, I felt peace and comfort that He knew. In that moment, I realized that He was the only one who could turn my thoughts around. He paved the way for that, showing us what to do in the face of heartache, challenges, dread, and even death.
“In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety” (Hebrews 5:7).
On the night He was betrayed:
“And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36).
When His friends didn’t seem to get it:
“And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand” (Mark 14:41-42).
Even though Jesus dreaded what was to come and even asked for another way, He still got up and went forward toward it. He didn’t shrink back. With His betrayer at hand, He said, “Rise, let us be going.”
I went on to read some words of Saint Patrick, an early Christian missionary to Ireland. I’m sure had many reasons to fear a week ahead at times in his life, yet this is what he wrote.
“I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
Christ shield me today, aAgainst wounding.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.”
The Lord knows our thoughts as we wake and as we lay down to sleep. He is with us in every aspect of our lives and He cares. Will you cast your cares on Him this week?
“Cast all your anxieties upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
I’m striving to think upon these truths today as I head into this next week. Will you join me? Be encouraged! Our God is active in our lives. Jesus faced all manner of challenges as He turned toward the Father in prayer for strength and help. In the face of heartache, challenges, and maybe dread; we can say just as He did, “Arise, let us be going.”
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Linking up this week with these encouraging blogs:
Such a lovely post! It’s so easy to get bogged down by what we don’t feel like facing, yet the fact that Jesus faced the ultimate pain for us is amazing. I am reminded that his “Grace is sufficient for me.” The more I learn, the more I realize that we cannot afford to be led by what we feel like doing. It’s about a laying down of self, each and every day. Not easy to do, but with the help of Christ we can. Blessings to you!
I appreciate that thought, Rosanna. And I totally agree. We must be led by truth vs. feelings and emotions. I’m also finding more and more that my feelings and emotions are alarms to me that tell me to be on guard and to focus in on the truth. So thankful for the help of Christ in those moments. Thanks for visiting!
“Arise, let us be going!” I like that ( ; I have found the worst part of a dreaded thing is the anticipation and the governing my heart and mind in the meantime. The grace for the dreaded thing is there when it comes and not necessarily ahead of time. The “I AM” is with us in the present and so we walk by faith…I love the way the Spirit gives us strength moment by moment with a timely word. Thanks for sharing yours!
Linda—I like how you put that…that the worst part of a dreaded thing can be the anticipation and the governing of my heart and mind in the meantime. I so get that. I love the thought of governing my heart. I’m going to have to think upon that a bit! Thanks for visiting!
Linda—I visited your site. Wow–I love the bikes and the photography!! Beautiful!
I love when God’s Word is perfect for just what I was about to say and feel. And i love that stanza from St Patrick. May you know and live from God’s strength and grace today – and me, as well. Great post!
Oh yes… I think I need to have that St. Patrick prayer posted next to my bed! Thanks for visiting!
So wonderful! It DOES make all the difference in the world when I am using my limited perspective to look into the future and see nothing good to know that God is going before me — he has hemmed me in both behind and before!
It takes some work to look to the future and trust in the midst of challenges, doesn’t it Michele? But it is what we are called to. Hope in what is unseen. Thanks for visiting!
Your words are lovely. I am retired and I still get the Monday morning blues at times as I face a new week. Turning it around to knowing how God gifted us with another day and wants us to spend it with Him can make all the difference. I love the prayer of St. Patrick. Have a blessed week.
Hi Mary! I do hope that your retirement is going well. I know it must be a blessing, but also perhaps a challenge. You were a teacher, right? What a challenging job but also one that gives great satisfaction (I homeschool). Thanks for visiting…may you be blessed as you turn to Him each new morning!
It’s so encouraging to know that Jesus understands how we feel, even before we say it out loud, and that he goes with us into every situation we face.
And not only does He know how we feel and goes with us, but He has given us a Helper, His Holy Spirit. Praise God! Thanks for visiting!
Thank you for this very timely and encouraging post. I definitely needed to see this. I have not been in a good place this week between having either a mild flu or an upper respiratory infection and just feeling lonely in general, the first words out of my mouth this week are usually grumbles.
Thank you for the excellent Scriptural references to encourage us to look forward to each and every day trusting God to carry us through.
Thank you for sharing, Karen! Just feeling ill physically can really do a number on us mentally can’t it? I’m so encouraged that this was timely for you!! Thank you for visiting…
Oh man! I just said I didn’t want tomorrow to come. Winding down our tax season at the office. Two more days. But I really do have so much to be thankful for. There are so many blessings in a day, even overwhelming ones. Blessings!
Ha! Perfect timing! I too must remind myself of the blessings, Barbie. It will be our lifelong call. A verse for the coming week: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition and with thanksgiving, offer your requests to God…and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!”