“Oh, magnify
the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He
heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:3-4 NKJ)
the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He
heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:3-4 NKJ)
Some things were
going on at church. I had few decisions to make. My thoughts whirled
uncontrollably, it seemed. There was no clear vision of the path forward.
Fretting here, fretting there, everywhere fretting!
going on at church. I had few decisions to make. My thoughts whirled
uncontrollably, it seemed. There was no clear vision of the path forward.
Fretting here, fretting there, everywhere fretting!
I discussed my
concerns with Bobbie. I discussed the issues with lay leaders in the church. I
discussed the situation with my oversight presbyter. All this discussion with
trusted counselors, but with no relief. Fretting continued!
concerns with Bobbie. I discussed the issues with lay leaders in the church. I
discussed the situation with my oversight presbyter. All this discussion with
trusted counselors, but with no relief. Fretting continued!
Now, it wasn’t like
I had not prayed about it. I had! Yet, I stilled fretted about it as though a
decision depended on an instant answer. Late one evening after my family had
gone to bed, I reached a crossroads. There seemed no way to a win-win solution,
but that was because I was trying to solve the “problem” by myself.
I had not prayed about it. I had! Yet, I stilled fretted about it as though a
decision depended on an instant answer. Late one evening after my family had
gone to bed, I reached a crossroads. There seemed no way to a win-win solution,
but that was because I was trying to solve the “problem” by myself.
In the peace and
quiet of our home, I appealed to God and as I sat there thinking about things,
the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Why are you fretting so? I’ll take
care of it.” Suddenly, I was relieved. This issue was more about letting God
work and less about me, my ministry, or church issues. It was about submitting
everything to God and getting a balanced perspective on issues that vexed my
spirit.
quiet of our home, I appealed to God and as I sat there thinking about things,
the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Why are you fretting so? I’ll take
care of it.” Suddenly, I was relieved. This issue was more about letting God
work and less about me, my ministry, or church issues. It was about submitting
everything to God and getting a balanced perspective on issues that vexed my
spirit.
God heard me. But I also heard him! God delivered me from
all my fears. I turned the lights off and went to bed, confident that God would
calm the waters of life and ministry according to his own time and in his own
way. And for that, I magnify him and exalt his name!
all my fears. I turned the lights off and went to bed, confident that God would
calm the waters of life and ministry according to his own time and in his own
way. And for that, I magnify him and exalt his name!
Dear Father, thank
you for hearing me in my fears and delivering me from them. Empower me to trust
you and be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
you for hearing me in my fears and delivering me from them. Empower me to trust
you and be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
Seek the Lord today
and be delivered,
and be delivered,