Peace in the Storm

Well, here I am, 3 months into this broken foot and chipped and sprained ankle. Still hurting and swelling but finally feel like I'm improving. The boot was traded for an ankle brace a few days ago and I'm slowly becoming more mobile.

I'd love to say that I passed every test throughout this process with flying colors. Unfortunately, that would be a lie. There were moments of complaining, mostly about the boot and times that the pain felt like more than I could bear. Frustration at the circumstances occasionally got the best of me. There's one thing I can say though, I was able to give God praise throughout. That is the only place of hope, peace, and joy!

In situations such as this, we have to give ourselves constant reminders to refocus on what's truly important. We all have trials that fight for our complete attention and if we allow it, it can steal our identity as we begin to identify with the attack instead of our spiritual position.

We are not a product of our environment, what others think of us, our current situation, finances, sickness, infirmity, or disease. We are children of the living God! We are more than conquerors, victorious overcomers! There's no problem too big for our Father who loves us and He deserves our complete attention even in the midst of painful storms! He's worthy of our praise and it's in those moments of complete abandon that we find our peace. I experienced that so many times over the past few months. As my flesh was temporarily allowed the luxury of self-pity, the pain would increase and my mood would waver. As I'd take my thoughts captive and refocus them on Jesus, enter the secret place and just love on Him, my problems would seemingly disappear even though the situation had yet to change. 

Well, through this process, He's revealed more areas that need fortifying in my life so I'm getting in His Word more and chasing harder after Him! We can't make it through this life functioning out of our emotions and feelings. We must be fully devoted, dependent, and focused on Him or we will slide into a pit of self-pity and despair... But in His presence all things are new and beautiful! He's so good and He wants us to invite Him into every area of our lives. We must admit that we're incapable of anything of worth without His involvement and presence!!

GLORIFY HIM!! He's so worthy to be praised!!!

2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG) Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Psalm 150:6 (KJV) Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

1 John 5:4-5 (KJV)  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Romans 8:37 (KJV)  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.