Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 42:11
There was a time, and not all that long ago, when I could not praise God in all things. I was really cast down and disquieted. God is changing all that and it’s absolutely wonderful and life-changing. Really.
I went to two different doctors (both doctors were gentle, thorough and caring) yesterday thinking I might have a torn or detaching retina in my left eye. What was so wonderful about it was that, by remembering Romans 8:28, I had nearly perfect peace at both offices. The Holy Spirit kept giving me the reassurance that He was working all things together for my good even while having two doctors appointments in the same day. That’s something for someone who’s been known to have panic disorder and anxiety disease, worry, fear, fretting, etc. God just let me settle down and accept whatever outcome came from the two visits. What a blessing. Even my wife was blessed by how the Holy Spirit kept me calm, comforted and secure in His love and will.
All of this makes me think of these scriptures again:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice…
…6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:4; 6-13
I write each day to encourage you to choose Jesus every day, to remember His Word when you’re tempted to worry or fear. Just as we’re (Ann and I) attempting to do each day, we want to encourage you to put your trust in God, in His Word, to put it to the test and give it the time God needs to prove its authenticity in your life. It’s amazing what begins to happen in our souls as we stand on the Word, as we apply it to our everyday, real life circumstances and situations. While we have days when the spiritual battles are more intense than others, we’re reminded to stand on the Word and to remember that God has a victory for us in each trial. God is so good all the time. He guaranties that in Romans 8:28 and so many other Bible passages.
My retina is “fine and normal for my age.” ☺
God really strengthened me yesterday. His peace that passed my understanding kept me and was amazing. What a blessing it can be if we’ll let Him strengthen us with His loving, living Word, Jesus, every day.
God bless,
Mark