Daily Devotional

For the most part I think I have a pretty good track record for not getting too riled up over unexpected problems. Between my husband Gary and I, I'm the one over his shoulder as he's trying to take care of an issue on the phone saying, "Don't get too irritated, 'A kind answer turns away wrath.'" But just as this last heat wave hit with a vengeance and 3 weeks before I was to leave for 10 days on a "sibling" vacation our air conditioner went out. The first 2 days we stuck it out and then our daughter and son-in-law graciously, and a little urgently, requested that we go stay with them.

This account isn't really about the events of the next 3 weeks as we tried to work out the details to get it fixed. It is really about the struggle that warred in my spirit. For some reason I couldn't rest in the Lord through the delays. I'd think I was giving my frustrations to Him and then another phone call would set me on edge again. Gary and I had switched roles. He was the one encouraging me, "Trust the Lord. God will work it out He will take care of us." I so wanted to not just believe that in my mind, but to feel that rest in my heart…the overwhelming anxiety just kept coming back.

Then our Pastor Gene's daily devotional notification showed on my phone screen. It was the day after it was posted but the title caught my attention…"Trustin God in the Storms of Life…" from August 13. The passage he was referring to was Luke 8:22-25 and he reminded us that Jesus was in the boat, asleep and unnerved as the disciples exhausted all their efforts before coming to Him. They had forgotten the Lord's initial promise to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake." Jesus had told them from the beginning that they were going to get to the other side.

As I read that I was reminded of so many verses of comfort that Jesus would be with me in times of trouble. And really, with so many tragedies occurring around me…why was I having such a difficult time with a broken AC!!

I learned so many things about myself throughout the past month and am still learning. But when I saw this passage in Jeremiah 51:19-23 I was reminded that the Lord is a fighter of battles. He doesn't shirk from them, I can trust Him in the fight.

We are back in our home now, the AC is fixed. I can look back and see so many elements of how the Lord worked… in His timing and provision. I wish I had handled it with more grace and patience but it helps me to see life from that perspective. I make mistakes.. We are flawed people and need the drawing of His loving Spirit to teach us wisdom and right living. I'm so grateful He loves me like that!

Jesus Loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.