In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. – Ephesians 6:16
photo credit: Håkan Dahlström via photopin cc
We’re all so careful, aren’t we, to stay on the right side of those bright red lines… choose right, do good, lean conservative.
But I’m finding in this life of chronic illness that there are other lines… lines that have less to do with right and wrong, and everything to do with faith and trust. These lines aren’t bright neon red. They’re not black and white, either. They’re different for every person, but they’re still important.
I’ll give you a “for instance”… how much pain can you bear before you pray for God to grant relief? How sick do you get before you take the medication He’s provided? How high does the fever go before you ask for help?
How many years will you fight Him and search for answers yourself, rather than surrendering to His care and will?
It’s hard to know when we’re standing on those lines sometimes. Or when we’ve crossed over them. We have to stay on our guard and keep our hearts tuned to His.
May I encourage you today, as I’m encouraging myself? If you even think you are near a line, don’t reach out and try to blur it with your shoe. Don’t ignore it or balance precariously on it.
Be sure you’re on God’s side of it. Set up flares around it to keep yourself reminded. And then trust. Have faith that the Lord knows, that He cares, and that He will always, always fight for you.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being so tender and patient with us. Help us to see. Help us to know. Help us to trust. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Bottom line? We…are…loved! No matter what is going on in our lives, God is right by our side. We can trust Him to never toss us aside. I’m sticking on God’s side of the “line”, knowing that that is right where I need to be..
Blessings & Love, Joan
Joan recently posted…Sharing His Beauty Blog Link Up
Amen, Joan!! Love that… bottom line… heehee Love you, precious friend! Heart Hugs <3
You to me friend are such an example of being on God’s side of it. You always reveal a faith and trust in Him. You inspire me in my own walk. Love you much. xoxo
Beth+(@SimplyBeth3) recently posted…Navigating to a New Normal {Day 16-19: #write31days}
What a sweet thing to say, Beth! You inspire me, too!! I love you! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
If we draw near to Him, He draws near to us! There is such peace in that. Thanks for the post, my friend.
Heather+@+My+Overflowing+Cup recently posted…5 Ways To Show Your Children You Love Them
Peace not as the world gives….
Love you, Heather! Heart Hugs <3
I crossed one of those lines today….going to use your idea and put up some red flares in my mind so I don’t go near it again…it was messy~!
Forgiveness is sweet…but I must also forgive myself.
Do you know Heather Mertens? She is creating a site for sufferers of chronic illnesses and I shared with her today about By His stripes we are healed meaning By His stripes we have salvation.
Praying special blessings of JOY for you today…..Jesus said…for the Joy set before Him, he endured…….[ the cross]…..the only way we cope with the hard lives we have is to hold tight to that verse…knowing one day we will go home…….into His loving arms.
xx
Your Father has already forgiven and forgotten, Mary. He is patient and loves you so. I don’t know Heather Martens, but I love what you shared with her! Love you. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Oh yes. Our God is good. His love and guidance is there every step of our journey, leading us to Him and all that is good for us. Thanks for your important post Shelly!
I’m so glad that His goodness led Him to cross our paths, Anita! You are loved. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3