After reading the first 5 chapters of
Lysa's book at
Lelia's site, you have to believe that saying "Yes" to God is the right thing to do. God has our best interests at heart, so why is it so dang hard?
I could totally relate to Lysa's story of the catastrophes that befell her when Art hurt his knee and was laid up for weeks. The fall of 2006 I fell off a horse and broke my tailbone. (Don't laugh at people who need to sit on big, yellow, donut pillows. They totally help.) I couldn't do anything without being in pain.
Fast forward about 5 months. Aunt Amy decides to play Hide-and-Seek with Anna (age 5). I know that Anna has gone upstairs. I decided to sneak as stealthily as I could up those stairs and sneak up on where she was hiding and grab her and have her scream in glee. Let's just say, I was the one screaming and it wasn't in glee. Always use all of your foot when walking on stairs and not just tip toes. Sigh. I got to the top and slipped and tumbled all the way down to the bottom. I sprained an ankle, a knee, and fractured 2 fingers. I'm telling you, watch out for the cute 5 year-olds. They are dangerous! No. It was no one's fault....
So, I could totally relate to Art being laid up. The part that has freaked me out is that there is no one to take care of me! Art has Lysa . . . . .
Within a month, a friend had died suddenly. I did okay at the visitation and funeral. I was a wreck the week after. I couldn't go to work. I couldn't keep anything down. I lost 14lbs in 8 days. I had to go to the ER to get hydrated. Seriously.
I called two women from church. I told them exactly what I needed -- checking up on. I would call Becky at 8:30 AM and Mindy at 7:30ish PM so that someone knew I was alive! If the couldn't get me or I didn't get them -- call out the cavalry.
It was a very vulnerable feeling. I hated it. But it did teach me something about asking for what I need and God's provision. In the midst of it, my pastor and friend came and planted the prettiest purple flowers.....
I loved Lysa's point about needing to have God's purpose, His perspective, and persistence. She writes "A real sign of spiritual maturity is looking to God not for comfort and convenience but for purpose and perspective." When we do that, everyday things have more meaning. Lysa writes, "I am convinced that Satan wants to keep my perspective in a place where my heart is discouraged and my mind is questioning God." I can so relate to that. I've shared before that I struggle with depression. I think it is Satan saying "Look at this bad thing" or "Look at how awful this situation is" or (my worst fear) "Look you have to deal with it all on your own."
A wise man I was talking with tonight said, "There are 3 who know me: myself, God, and the devil. God works for my good. The devil tries to prevent Him. Whose side am I helping?"
The choices we make are so huge even in what seems like little things. Something bad may happen, but I can choose to find God in that situation. It might not be easy. It might take some looking, but God is in the middle of everything. When I am in sync with God, it often means I'm in the middle of messes too. But hopefully, I am working with Him to fix whatever situation is going on. Saying "Yes," to God is worth it, but some time I wish it didn't have to be so hard!
So, in closing, my prayer is for God to change that perspective from "But does it have to be so hard?" to "Thanks God for being here with me!
The choice I've been making this year is to focus on hope. I think the devil has tried to test that a little, but I'm still focused on it and the one who gives it. I'm working on changing my perspective long term.
Comments (3)
You have been through a lot, Amy! And you have indeed been faithfully focused on hope. Has it worked? Do you feel more hopeful?
Wow - that was great! I need to write a post about her book and what I am learning. I need to sit and finish reading it. I got to hear her a week ago and her story and life really do inspire you to walk in Jesus and do things you wouldn't normally but I agree that Yes can be tough especially when all the Yes's start to collide and you have to back off a couple and really pray about what God really wants from you.
It can be hard to be transparent to others. But we NEED the fellowship to hold us together.Dont be afraid to ask for help, we all need it. Perfect love casts out fear. Blessings!
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