This week my sweet baby girl has been sick. Nothing terrible, thank God, but sick enough to need a LOT of extra attention and an endless stream of snot pouring from her nose. I don’t love to wipe it and she doesn’t love to have it wiped – lose/lose!
Days like today make the hours seem beyond slow. By the time I get her squared away and put in bed, I am exhausted. I haven’t had time to have ANY “me” time, let alone be productive in any way.
When I put her in bed tonight, I sat down and just felt pathetic. I felt sorry for my baby for feeling so crummy and I felt sorry for myself for getting lost in this now useless day. Then I read the Jesus Calling devotional for the day:
SOFTLY I ANNOUNCE MY PRESENCE. Shimmering hues of radiance tap gently at your consciousness, seeking entrance. Though I have all Power in heaven and on earth, I am infinitely tender with you. The weaker you are, the more gently I approach you. Let your weakness be a door to My Presence. Whenever you feel inadequate, remember that I am your ever-present Help.
Sarah young, jesus calling
Hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to hope, and My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness.
Heaviness is not of my Kingdom.
God does not want us to have a heavy heart. He wants us to find hope in Him. Hope in Him and He will protect AND HEAL self-pity and depression. Often times, I find that if I am feeling down, exhausted, or anxious, I try to figure out why. I try to analyze my day or week and figure out WHY I am feeling that way. Once I figure out why (if at all), I try to determine how to fix it. Sometimes I can figure out a temporary fix, other times it takes more time. But the answer should be simple and always the same:
FIND HOPE IN HIM
I need to remind myself of this constantly. God’s got this. He has given me a beautiful life. My worries are so minuscule compared to others’. A lot of it depends on perspective too. I can understand how exhausting and stressful certain situations can be, especially to someone who has trouble (or simply doesn’t know) giving it up to God. Please just always remember – He will provide. It may be in a very different way than you are expecting but His plan is perfect. Thirst for His plan and nothing more.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
James 5:13
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper
you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
