I took loads of deep breaths this week trying to hold
back my emotions, but to be honest, it was a stretch to say the least. Finally, my limits were about exhausted with
the rudeness of a woman in a parking lot and I was ready to come unglued!
Stuff Happens, It’s Called Life
You know, we all go through those days when we say “if one more thing happens …” and then it does! I know … I get it. Stuff happens, it’s called life. Well, during those times it’s not always easy to remain calm and at peace while God works through us. Can I get a witness?
Perhaps, I need to back up a bit and fill you in on how I almost reached that point of having to eat my words and losing my testimony.
Coming Unglued
If you’re a regular on my teaching blog, you already know what’s been happening around my neck of the woods with hubby and daily living by faith. Things have been somewhat strained, but we’re striving with the help of the Lord and friends by holding on to our confession for his healing.
The schedule has been busy, but for the most part there has been progress. That’s when things started getting a little overwhelming and before I knew it, I was the one in the cardiologist’s office.
About two weeks ago our refrigerator went on the blink and we lost almost everything in it. These things happen I know, but this was the second time for this so called “new” refrigerator we purchased in 2020.
Okay I thought, don’t panic … get some ice. Well, that’s what I did and we managed to
save a few items from the freezer in a cooler and unplugged the frig.
The same day the washer overflowed again, I stepped in cat poo and spew, my shoe broke and I didn’t have another pair, because they’ve all been glued so many times, they’re beyond wearing.
It’s not that I cannot get shoes, but it’s hard to find them in my size without glitter, flashing lights or Disney characters on them! Yes, I have small feet and not many companies make women’s shoes in smaller sizes! One time I had to resort to kids shoes and they came with cherry lip balm! Such fun!
With so many businesses closing from COVID I had to make other arrangements. No worries, God is good! He allowed me to find shoes my size online. Wow! I was so excited when they arrived, but unfortunately, they didn’t fit.
Once more, no worries … they were returned by UPS right away and I reordered another pair in the correct size. Alright – we’re making headway, just be patient girl.
That night we had just gotten to bed around 2:30 a.m. after cleaning up the messy refrigerator when my husband’s phone rang. It was the credit card company telling us that our card was in question with fraudulent activity and it had been canceled for our protection. They were extremely kind as they reviewed the activity that had taken place and said the charges would be removed.
In the meantime, the shoes I reordered earlier that day were canceled by the company due to the card issue. So, I went back to wearing my floppy glued shoes that came apart while I was walking.
I Want to Go Home!
The next day we had to change my husband’s phone number because of inappropriate calls that had been coming in for obviously the person who had the number previously. I didn’t mind for me, but with hubby’s difficulty to recall things his number was something he actually remembered.
Throughout the week I listened to more and more biblical
teaching programs realizing that my patience and faith were being tested. Everyday something new would happen … not big
things always, but just enough to make you fly off the handle if someone said
boo.
I was finally able to get out and run errands. The only issue here is that everywhere I go my husband has to go with me, so it’s hard to get much accomplished.
With one last stop my husband wasn’t up to walking so he asked if he could remain in the car. Normally he has to go inside to sit or use one of those mobile carts, because it’s too hot to stay in a vehicle these days.
Since I only had one thing to get and it was right inside the store doorway, I thought it would be fine and instructed him not to get out of the automobile. He was still upset from the last stop I made at the bank when he came inside practically in tears, because he couldn’t remember how to use his phone.
As part of cognitive therapy, I’ve been helping him relearn how to use the computer, review math, writing, memorization, and of course, use his phone to make a simple call along with other life management skills. Ordering a take-out pizza would be an easy task normally, but for him it was confusing, even though he was given the information to complete the assignment.
The bank teller was sympathetic as I assured hubby it was fine and that we’d do it together in a few minutes. He was distraught and extremely upset with himself, so on our last stop I didn’t want him to relive that experience. I agreed remaining in the car for a few minutes was the right thing to do.
Watching him from the checkout, I quickly finished my purchase and hurried out to the vehicle. Opening the door to get in, hubby kept saying “I want to go home.” Trying to get situated I assured him we would soon be on our way.
Being in such a rush I tried to close my wallet but it wouldn’t shut. Stepping out of the car to give me more room, I leaned over the vehicle checking through my purse to see if I lost anything in my madness to cram everything in at the check-out.
By now I was hot, exhausted, frustrated and had difficulty catching my breath. Believe me, I wanted to go home as much as my husband did.
Calgon, Take Me Away
At that moment I heard a loud, rather harsh voice ask me if I could move and close the door so she could get into her truck. Turning around I saw an extremely annoyed lady standing over me with a disgruntled look.
My first instinct was to blast her with a few intellectual adjectives, but frankly I didn’t have the strength. Besides, who was I kidding, I wouldn’t have said anything anyway. Crying is more my style lately, but this time it was the inner voice of the Holy Spirit that kept me from reacting in my overtired state.
In a low tone, I apologized and did as she asked. Straight away she got into her vehicle, leaned over from the passenger’s side and turned on the engine so she could sit in the air conditioning.
What was the big deal I thought, she wasn’t going anywhere? She could have easily gone on the other side an entered her vehicle from the front. Couldn’t she tell I was frazzled? You might have thought the bedraggled hairdo I was sporting, with sweat dripping from my face would have given her a clue something wasn’t exactly right. Oh, Calgon, take me away!
He’s Working It Out for Our Good
Let’s face it, not everything in life is going to work out the way we planned or hoped. We don’t always get the breaks we hoped for, but life isn’t supposed to be placed on hold because of some set-backs. Hey, like I said, that’s why they call it “life” and sometimes simply living can take a toll on us if we forget God has allowed these tests/trials for a reason.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)
From the beginning of Creation, God planned for us to experience good things through His loving favor, but it is coupled with how we handle situations both good and bad. Have we held our tongue during those moments of temptation? Did our faith override carnal feelings allowing God to work things out for our good in His timing?
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ …” (1 Peter 1:6-7)
Our faith is so precious to the Lord that it is valued more than anything else, and satan knows that. If we cave on the small stuff, then he already knows he can trap us when it comes to big decisions. So, we shouldn’t be surprised when a test (or two or ten …) passes our way, especially on days when we have about reached our limit on how much more we think we can bear before blowing our testimony!
Steadfast: Loyal, Unwavering, Unmovable
Through all the tests and trials we experience, God is looking for something special about our faith. He wants to see steadfastness – that is, a faith that is loyal, unwavering and unmovable even during the hard stuff.
We learn in the Old Testament of the Bible how King David was aware of his own behavior during stressful times and what he did to rectify the situation. He had no problem calling out to the LORD to help him remain steadfast, requesting a “Calgon” calming moment of “cleanliness” to the heart when responding to adverse situations.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 NKJV)
You see, we have to remember that God isn’t a “deal maker”, but a promise keeper. He will uphold those who are steadfast to Him through rough times and be there through every test, trial or tribulation.
The Lord isn’t watching us and saying, “You messed up so the deal is off”. We’re humans that have fallen from grace … he KNOWS we’re going to get things wrong and miss it sometimes, that’s why we need His unmerited grace and favor every single day of our lives.
God isn’t looking for perfect people, but repenting people with unwavering faith He can reward. He notices when we remain faithful to His Word by not coming unglued when the devil tries to get us to fall from His grace (favor). It demonstrates that we believe what He says regardless to how things look at the moment.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV)
A Change of Heart
The day came to a close taking care of hubby, the rescues and whatever else that needed tending to before retiring in the wee hours of the morning. Crawling into bed I grabbed my Bible to read and pray, making sure my last waking moments of the day were spent with the Lord.
Instead of asking if I pleased the Lord in how I lived my life today, it went something like this …
“Lord, I am embarrassed by my behavior and failure to trust in Your faithfulness during this testing period. You already know how I feel and what I will encounter throughout the day.
You have promised not to leave or forsake me, but guide me to a good path and victory. I am humbled by Your never-ending mercy and favor.
Thank You Holy Spirit for leading me in the right direction so I did not sin against God. For continually reminding me of Your truth … calming me down and creating a new heart in me to show compassion for others not knowing what they too could be facing in life.
You are my joy and strength when I am weak, loving me through it all….”
It’s easy to lash out, question and doubt God when we’re at our wits end, “Why Lord would You bring me here to this place where I feel I can’t handle it and am overwhelmed?” Here’s the reason. It’s not about me (or you) but those we’ve somehow connected with, so they can see the favor and treasures God had in store for those who remained steadfast and faithful to the end.
God expects us to give an account of what we’ve done for His Son, the Savior that loved us so much that He gave His life on the Cross that we might live in Heaven with Him one day. He knows we get tired, weary, discouraged and downhearted. God is not oblivious to what’s going on in our lives and doesn’t judge when we’ve fallen, but looks beyond human weaknesses waiting for us to ask for His help.
Christ invites us to come to Him for rest, a breather so to speak when we feel we can’t walk one more step. He wants us to lean on Him not only during the difficult times when we’re about to come unglued, but all the time.
“Come to Me, all you who are tired from labor and carrying heavy burdens (overburdened), and I will cause you to rest relieving and easing your burdens, refreshing your soul.” (taken from Matthew 11:28 emphasis mine)
The following evening, we decided to plug in the refrigerator to see what would happen. Several hours went by and praise the Lord – it started getting cold! It was working! How about that?!
Wonder what happened with the shoe issue? My feet are strutting a pair of new white shoes – without glitter or flashing lights!
My husband is doing better in his cognitive training, and managing phone skills better. As for my heart, both spiritually and physically are in good order!
When It’s All Been Said and Done
Friends, we’re never going to escape every problem we encounter, that’s just the way it is. How we prepare, plan, preserver and pursue the Lord is key to receiving His Divine unmerited grace, mercy and daily favor.
Do people notice that when things get rough, I serve a God of Truth who remains faithful to His promises? Can they see His unmerited favor on my life because of steadfastness to His commands?
Am I worthy of the call on my life? Are my words or actions said and done in love so that they draw people to Jesus? Do I reflect the ways of this world by becoming unglued and not standing the test or trial, looking to a type of “Calgon” for the rest I need for a weary soul?
In the end, when it’s all been said and done, Jesus isn’t going to ask whether I accomplished everything on my to-do list or was nice to everyone I met … that’s why there is forgiveness. He won’t care how many viewed my blog posts or wonder how many followers I have on social media.
There won’t be any hype or fame from the riches I’ve gained nor praises over what was achieved. No indeed … but one day He will ask how did my life testify of His love as my Lord and Savior so that it converted sinners into Saints.
What do you think He’ll ask you?
Until next time, steadfastly walk in God’s favor.
My steadfast love never ceases, my mercy and favor are new every morning! - Jesus
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