Grumpy Day
I've had lots of time to think lately. Lots of opportunities if you will, to ponder my life and the complexities of its issues. Currently battling an ear infection, I find myself succumbing to the lure of the recliner and its promise of rest. Today I've not found rest in any measure. My body aches, my mind is restless and my heart yearns for something it can't describe.
My day began too early with the searing pain in my joints and my weary body found no comfort in the cascading hot water in the shower. The familiar routine of my day was left wanting and try as I might to resist the looming foe of grumpiness, it entered my heart and set its course upon my reluctant mind.
Opening the pages of my Bible I waited. I know this place. The deep sound of yearning. Longing to escape the prison of pain and suffering and yet trusting that I am exactly where I need to be, still, quiet and surrendered at the feet of Jesus.
Today I heard Him whisper that grumpiness was a visitor, not a permanent resident. Like all guests, it may knock on my door and expect to be able to enter but I have a choice whether to let it in for a short visit or one that is much longer. What He didn't say was that feeling grumpy was wrong. He saw me right where I was at that moment and understood my struggle. He spoke to my overwhelmed heart and body and asked me to lay these feelings down and allow Him to carry them for me and it didn't take long for me to find my place of peace once again.
Psalm 61:1-4
1.Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer 2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
Emotions are real. They are part of us and we get to experience a whole encyclopedia of feelings every single day. Chronic situations are those that go on and on, day after day, with no resolve in sight. God is not an impossible taskmaster cracking the whip to beat us into submission, but rather a gentle friend who walks alongside us ready and able to carry the things that are much too heavy for us to bear alone. Sometimes, I am stubborn and I drag my impossible situations around like a trophy to be admired, proclaiming loudly that:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
( Philipians 4:13), and completely forget that Christ is right there to help me! In our crazy overburdened lives, we do indeed get overwhelmed and tired and there are days when we don't know if we are even able to put our burdens down and trust that God will sort them all out. Part of doing all things through Christ is letting Him do what only He can do and allowing Him to give us the strength, to let go…