Yesterday was so overwhelming at work. I was getting work thrown at me from several different people and I admit, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. Some of the things 'thrown' are big priority items that need to be done fairly soon. Most I have no clue how to complete and need to step back and look at what they are telling me to do so that I can understand. And, I've already done praying this morning that God will enlighten my mind so that I can understand what I'm being told to do.
I sorta complained to one of the culprits and I couldn't believe what he told me. "Maybe we need to sit down and look at what your priorities are and put some on the side of the plate until you have time to do them." WHAT? Young whippersnapper who is into all the Windows 365 programs and all those things (and I don't have a clue for most of them and never have used them) is the CAUSE of a lot of my distress. It really irritated me somewhat, so I emailed him back and said "ALL my work is priority and I don't need help in determining WHOSE work is priority." He didn't respond back. Annoying. Yes, I was in a complaining mood yesterday.
So today I need to step back and evaluate what needs to be done first, and complete it before tackling the other things. It was bad enough yesterday that I did something I do not normally do. I knew I had a pint of Schwans' Peanut Butter Waffle Cone ice cream in the freezer... and I have an 'ice cream spoon' (it says so on the spoon!) and I ate nearly the entire thing! It was so good and I was so frustrated. Great way to work on my weight loss, right? And this was AFTER I went and got a massage over my lunch break. I sent a photo of the ice cream to my one support person and wrote under it, 'this is what you are driving me to today!' - and he responded, "Ha ha". Oh well. Suck it up buttercup!
I am to have lunch at George's at the rec center with our neighbor diagonal from us. Single woman. I don't know her very well, and suggested a couple weeks ago we meet for lunch and get caught up. I'm pretty sure she's 10+ years younger than me. Anyway, we had scheduled lunch today and by golly, I'm going to be sure I take it too! Work will always be here. New friends - and old - will not. Kind of looking forward to getting acquainted with her. I know she has several girlfriends as she has a study group at her house occasionally. it will be fun.
John 14:27 (NKJV): Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
That is one of my favorite verses when I am struggling. I know I can have peace in the midst of any storm because my Lord says He will give me His peace. He tells me not to be upset or struggle, don't be afraid, but just to trust in Him.
And you know what? When I relinquish 'control' over the work stuff, and ask for His intervention in it, He will always provide what I need. When was the last time you asked God for something, and relinquished your control over making it happen? Yes, we still need to do our part in getting things completed, but God will do His part if we ask Him.
As I typed that my thought went to many years ago when hubby was involved in a men's ministry and was gone for a night at the men's retreat. We had very heavy bedroom furniture, but I wanted to move it. I am not 'allowed' to move furniture. Period. He had told me it couldn't be moved because it was so heavy. But I wanted it moved, and he wasn't home. So what did I do? I prayed and asked God to give me the strength to move the furniture. I was able to put sliders under the heavy furniture, and with a lot of praying and asking God to give me the strength I needed to move it, He did. Seriously. I moved it from one wall to another. Moved the heavy wooded dresser and chests, moved the bed. All with God's help.
When hubby came home the next day, he walked into the bedroom and commented on it. He asked who came over to move the furniture. I responded 'no one'. Well, who moved it, he inquired. "Me and God" is what I responded. He didn't believe me. He thought I had asked one of my boys to come over and help me move the furniture, but I assured him that God was in charge, and He gave me the strength to move all the furniture 'by myself'. I don't know if he ever believed me, but I didn't care. I know without a doubt I could not have moved any of that furniture by myself, and when I asked God to help me, He provided all the help I needed to move the furniture to where I wanted. And it stayed in that place for several years as hubby could never move it, nor could I.
When we ask for His help, no matter how old we are, or what our weakness is, I know without a doubt that if we ask, and we believe, He will set His angels about us to help us do whatever it is. Just like He helped me move the furniture, I know He is going to help me today to complete some of the priority items that I need to get done today. I am confident more in His ability than I am in mine.
Do you have a story in which God helped you after you asked Him? Sit back and think about it for a few minutes. Where have you seen God move in your life? Don't 'blow' me off. Even if you didn't pray, someone was praying for you, and God answered. Do you remember?
God's peace is something we should never take for granted. In the heaviest times of struggle, when all hope seems lost; when we have run as far as we can with life and feel there is nothing left; when we realize that we can do nothing more by ourselves, and that we need help; in the times of stress and heaviness..... take a moment and take a deep breath. Breathe deep.
Then ask God to forgive you for trying to do it all by yourself, and would He please rectify this situation? Would He please give you the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to complete the task that is before you? Would He please provide the finances needed to fix the .....................? Would He..... just ask. He is ready and willing to send His angels to help you with whatever you need.
Psalm 91:11 (NKJV): For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."
He's watching, He's waiting. Don't delay. Ask for His help just to get through today. And do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day.
Then step back and look at how things fell into place. They may not have ended up like we planned for them to, but He made them perfect.
Only by His hand.
Blessings!
