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You can see from the snapshot of my computer screen saver that I'm writing on Saturday, March 30 at 3:51pm. This week has been full with getting important matters addressed.
Now that Saturday afternoon has arrived, it's good to be able to look back on the Lord's watch care, provision, protection, and absolute faithfulness. Truly, His mercies are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.
Does this happen to you? I wake up when it's too early to get up and, immediately, troubling thoughts bombard me.
Did I do .....
Have I taken care of .....
What if.....
How can I possibly.....
Why did .....
Can this be fixed .....
This disparaging train of thought had been going on for years, but it increased greatly after a loss blindsided me a few years ago, when more responsibilities were entrusted to me. I know I am not alone; this happens to many of us -- worries keeping us awake.
There were times when I felt as though I was sitting atop the handlebars of a bicycle with no control at all, terrified with not knowing where I was headed nor if I would get there safely.
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| Internet image |
In my quiet times with the Lord this week, I learned fear is often based on ignorance -- not ignorance in the way of stupidity or foolishness. Fear comes out of not knowing the things we need to know, not understanding how things work, or how to approach circumstances and problems. At least, I know this has been true for me.
Most recently my early-hour-worries have been about updating my computer and responsible storage of documents. I have been fearful about even asking for help because in the past, sometimes the end result was that features valuable to me got lost. Lately, even though I had good sources to help me, I didn't know how to articulate the problems.
The revelation that fear comes from ignorance helped me to understand the source of my worries. Nothing would help unless I sought to learn new things, to be teachable. And to be humble about it. Admit my need for help and just swallow it if I am criticized for it.
I went to a class to listen and take notes. I made a call for help and showed up for the appointment. To my surprise (and great relief) help was given by those who know the subject thoroughly. They were kind in answering my questions.
Sometimes we have to risk looking ignorant to get the answers we need. There is no shame in asking for help. The mistake is in knowing we need advice but not doing anything constructive about it.
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| birthday card from blog reader, Robin |
Along the way, I've discovered the value in words of the Psalmist who meditates on his bed at night.
When I remember thee upon my bed,
And meditate on thee in the night watches.
Because thou hast been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of thy wings
will I rejoice.
Psalm 63:6-8
Often I will pray silently with my head on my pillow, my husband sleeping peacefully beside me. The outline for these prayers is The Lord's Prayer, personalized with the problems and the people who concern me:
Our Father in Heaven
Hallowed be Thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
Forgive us our debts as
we forgive those indebted to us
Lead us not into temptation
Deliver us from evil
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory forever
Amen.
I insert my own words of praise, gratitude, needs, and confessions into the phrases.
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| All Things New by Big Daddy Weave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_2aX_i4qpM |
This practice works for me when I genuinely believe God hears me. And He does, but He requires my sincere belief. Hebrews 11:6 tells us "without faith, it is impossible to please Him."
On this Easter weekend, I am reminded of how God responded to man's need for help, for a way to connect with Him, for a way to be free from all the wrongdoing we've done, the messes we've created, the inadvertent mistakes, and just plain ignorance.
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| Sam Pallot, World of Prayers |
Both on a practical level and spiritually, God through Jesus Christ, reaches out to us. We have hope. This is our answer. This is what Easter says to me.
Until next time, grace and peace.
12 comments:
Amen beautiful blog Happy Easter to you and Gary. He is Risen
I adhere to something my dad has drilled into my head, "There is no such thing as a stupid question. It is stupid on your part not to ask it." NOT that I am calling anyone stupid, but that has always been in the back of my mind. Wishing you both a Happy Easter my friend.
Barbara, thank you for sharing these thoughts this morning. I needed to read them this morning. You stated it well. Wishing you and Gary a blessed day.
So many good thoughts here. I've been worrying about my daughter and SIL and he is out of a job after downsizing. Apparently there are a lot of people looking for similar jobs in our area and I've been stressing about it. So I pray, and I worry....
The other morning I got up with this old song in my head. Hadn't heard it for a long time, but what a message.
"Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there"! I tend to have trouble with the leaving them part...
Beautifully written and spoken. Yes, I do understand exactly what you are talking about. I often find myself thinking about "things" in the wee hours of the night/morning while sleep eludes me. It is often about things that are long gone and over and done with and why I am I thinking about them now? Even if I do discover that I could've done things better or differently, it's too late now. It's over...so move on and let it rest and get some rest. (I know, easier said than done!) Prayer and calling out to Jesus is often my response as well...the only way to get back to sleep and put things to rest...and NOT take it back up again! Jesus took all our sufferings, sorrows, mistakes, and failures with Him to the cross. He died for those things, so why are we trying to take them back? Human nature, I guess. That "old man" that doesn't like the fact that we are "new creatures" in Christ. We have to remind ourselves of that once in a while so we don't forget who we are and "Whose we are". Thank you for this thought provoking message today. Yes, Easter is all of that and more...we sang this morning in our cantata, "How wonderful! How marvelous! That My God should die for me..." Marvelous mystery indeed! It's all about His love for us. We are greatly loved. Oh, I am sorry, I am running on and on, but your post got me motivated. Thank you. God bless you and praying your Easter /Resurrection day is filled with joy and many blessings.
In the resurrection of Jesus lies our ultimate hope, as you know so well. We should also always be open to learning new things, too, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Blessings, Barbara, and Happy Easter!
I loved this post my friend. Your honesty shared was felt. I understand all too well waking up or better yet, trouble getting to sleep for how my mind runs through cycles of questions! I will admit that I have always struggled to ask for help but getting better about it! Happy Resurrection Sunday to you. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you for these wonderful thoughts.
God bless always.
I sure can feel your emotion in this, dear friend. What a blessing to be able to give our grief, fear, anxiety, and trust to our Lord and Savior! He's got this!! Love and hugs to you!
So good to have a living Savior who will forgive our sins when we confess and believe. So much hope for the future, too. Happy belated Easter to you and happy April, too.
Wonderful post, Barbara. I can certainly relate to the waking early to things on my mind - some of the worrying. And to submitting myself and my ignorance to someone who can hopefully help me and answer my questions. Wise words.
My comment got lost. God bless, Barbara.
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