My devotion this morning was about drawing double circles around things I pray about. Some I have drawn numerous circles around, but this added another concept. And I've done it numerous times in the past. And I've already completed a cycle this year. What is that 'second circle' this author was referring to? Fasting. Jesus said that some things can only come out with prayer and fasting. Yes, he was talking about the demon possessed man whom the disciples could not heal. But just like the demon that had ahold of the man, our bondages - many we have placed upon ourselves - can only be broken by prayer and fasting.
I began to search this morning and seek God to inquire what He would want me to fast. I rarely watch television so to give up television is no biggie for me. Even the Biggest Loser. Giving up food? Yeah, I could do that, but it is such a battle with the hubby sometimes for he thinks I need to eat. He doesn't get it that giving up food is hard, but sometimes that is what I need to do. I don't do much else. Give up caffeine? No biggie. I have one, maybe two, cups of coffee in the morning and the rest of the day I usually drink water. Occasionally a green tea. I could give up caffeine with no side effects as I drink so little of it. I completed a 21 day fast the first of the year, but I still ate chicken plus fruit and vegetables. For me, I need to define exactly what I will give up and write it down. Otherwise, I find excuses and wonder 'did I really plan to give that up'?
There are some things I need to double circle in prayer. There are probably some you need to do as well. Before I start sharing my deepest secrets that I want to see broken, I probably better go on to another subject. It's not for today.
Today I have to pray for clarity, wisdom, discernment, understanding. Work has become somewhat overwhelming and for the first time, I feel discouraged with all I have to do and lack of direction on what has priority, and how specifically to work it into my day. Part of the discouragement comes from all these meetings I have had to attend this week that have taken away from my work and I am behind. In fact, when I left at 5:30PM yesterday, I had just finished what had come in the day before. These meetings were to help me understand the new tasks they are assigning to me, how to correct my errors, and I still haven't figured out why I attended a meeting yesterday that after three hours I asked to be allowed to leave so that I could get my work done. This morning I am facing all that came in yesterday, plus what will come in today. Plus everything else they have decided I can do. It would have been easier to incorporate into my daily work flow if I was given something new each week, not two or three new things within two days.
So I have been praying this morning and asking God to help me with my attitude, that it be pleasing unto Him. I have prayed for understanding, that I will understand the directions given to me to complete these tasks. I have prayed for wisdom, that I will understand exactly what they desire as the outcome. And I have prayed for clarity and discernment. What should I do and when should I do it and how should I do it and God, please help my attitude and behavior and speech be faithful to You. Yeah, I am struggling.
I know that in ALL things God works together with me and for me to help me achieve the things I need to accomplish. I know that in ALL things that I surrender unto Him, He will walk me through that journey, through the battle, through the fire, through whatever I need to go through, and I will be a victor on the other side. I know that all these things that I need to learn and incorporate into my daily routine, God will help me understand and determine when and how I need to complete the tasks given to me. I know all these things. And yet I struggle this morning. So I am seeking what to do. I need to draw double circles.
What about you? Are you facing a difficult time right now? Are you struggling with life? You are not alone. For one thing, as you read above, you can see other people go through those too. We all have struggles that affect us different ways. Different struggles that tear us down, wear us down, but also struggles that help us to grow.
We need to become more tolerant of issues others have, because we have our own issues. We need to be more considerate of trials and difficult times, because we too, have difficult times and trials.
More than anything else, we need to be faithful to the One who allows us to go through these difficult trials and times - yes, allows us; especially when we create the problems ourselves - so that we will grow and know that our dependence should be upon Him, and not upon anything we can do in our own power. Some people think that they can live life without dependence upon anyone but themselves. I pray their eyes will be opened before they are permanently shut, for they will see that it is by God's favor that they have what they have. Not to say that God doesn't love us all. I can't think of anything I need, other than Him. He has provided it all. Some of what He has given me I haven't been a good steward of. I need to fix that. Sometimes I feel my hands are 'tied' with what I can do and what I can not do. But that is another topic.
For today, I am going to trust that God will provide all that I need when I need it. I am going to believe that He is walking with me through out this day, helping me not only with my work, but with my learning, my understanding, my discernment, and all that I need. Why will He do this? Because I have surrendered it all to Him and I ask Him to. I am seeking double circles however I can. He knows what I can do and what I can't, and I am waiting on Him.
My prayer for you today is that you will surrender every issue, every trial, every thing that is disrupting the peace in your life and that as you surrender, you will seek His direction for where He wants to you to. His leading for what He wants you to do. Why do this? Because He tells us to.
I Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your cares (anxiety, etc) upon Him, for He cares for you."
Blessings!
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