When trouble surrounds you

Photo by JohnLSmith

There's a story of awesomeness that might help you in your time of trouble. 2 Kings 6 tells about Elisha's encounter with the enemy.  No matter what kind of trouble is surrounding you right now, know this, that God is with you. I hope this encourages you as it did me when life gets a little to much to handle.

The Bible is full of stories as proof of God's Presence. Exodus 14:14 says "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."  So when trouble comes calling, being still is sometimes the last thing I think of.  Until I read this encouragement ...this "be-still-battle plan" is one that I will tackle first when it comes to letting God into my trouble, because God is always in it to win it.

I was reading in 2 Kings 6: 8 - 18, which tells the story of war between the Arameans and the Israelites  The enemy forces were sent out in the cover of night, in massive numbers, to surround the city of Elisha and his servant. The next morning, Elisha's servant went out to survey the day's agenda and he was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer mass of numbers of forces lined up around their encampment. 

Can you imagine that heart sinking moment?   Who in their right mind would not have felt defeated?

His first response might have been..."This is too big, we can't fight this anymore."  Or simply.. "I want to give up." The Arameans army's reputation was known in the lands. So it was natural for the servant to become quickly overwhelmed. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" he asked just as Elisha was the looking at the looming line-up of soldiers ready for the attack. 

When you are overwhelmed do you run to God first? 

The great man of faith that Elisha was, knew the power of God and replied back, "Don't be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  The servant looked again as Elisha prayed for God to "open" his eyes. The servant scanned the horizon. He saw the hills "full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha". Warriors of God lined the edge of the craggy hills, ready for battle.

Help had arrived, God sent the A Team.  Don't miss this...

....the servant looked to the hills and saw his help.

Sometimes we can only see God's deliverance from the valley.

What a sight that must have been. In their valley, they sought help from the Lord. They saw God's plan of deliverance in their valley. When their minds caught up with their hearts in the battle, they understood God's "be-still" battle plan.  This battle was God's to fight. To finish the story Elisha prayed for blindness in the enemy which caused confusion and there was no battle after all.

What battle are you facing today that you need God to fight for you?

Whatever battle you are facing know that the Lord will fight for you, all you need to do is to be still.  When you call on God to fight your battles, He will arrange an army of warriors to come by your side.  All you need to do is to rest in believing that God will act on your behalf.

Sometimes you will only see God's help from your valley. You are not alone. God has your city surrounded.

"Don't be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

What battle are you facing today?

Here's What You Get On Mondays

Monday's always bring me to some my life's randomness.  

This is my lowest read post.  I don't know why.  I have studied the numbers and have now figured out that honestly I don't care.  So if you are reading this right now...thank you.

Last week was a tough week for me spiritually.  God fought some battles for me.  I may write about them, I may not.  That is something that will always be changing here.  One thing to get from this is Exodus 14:14.

Please come back if you want more of God's truth in your life.  Why else would I write?  

Truth for this week:  God is for me, God is for you.  Don't let doubt tell you otherwise.  

Don't equate your circumstances for God's love for you.  God loves you so much that He sent His one and only Son, in human baby form, to bring you the gift of salvation.  This is only message of Christmas.

If you don't know Jesus, then let me know.  I would love to help you discover who Jesus is.

Disclaimer:  I write to inspire.  I am not proud or boastful in knowing the answers.  In fact, I feel boastful just saying that I don't know the answers.  But God is teaching me His answers.  And because I write to inspire...there will be some very serious posts here.  I don't know how you feel about that.

One life-changing fact:  Trust God in everything.  He is worthy of your trust.  

If I were to get a tatoo, it would be one word.  Please note I said "if".  Courtney Foster?  My tatoo would be this word..."Trust".

Off to write more of this week.  Please come back as often as you want.  

The Burn of A Sunrise That I Will Never Forget

If nothing else in this year's journey for rest has resulted in a deep stirring in my soul.  And rightfully so...I was in deep need of a revival.

Last week, a lot of spiritual arrows hit my heart all at once.  And I caved under the confusion.  The pressure felt from that was a shut down of epic proportions that left me feeling lost and perplexed. And yesterday morning, God and I..well, we had some breakthrough moments.

The day started out a little rough, because I slept through my alarm.   So when I woke up I had already missed my set quiet time for the day.  But God didn't want me to miss out, so on my way to work he sliced off a little bit of His glory to get me started.  

I saw the skyline silhouetted against the brimming sunrise.  

And in that burning bush moment God spoke to my heart saying.."I still have a plan for you, trust me...see my Glory?"

Ps. 19:1-2  "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge."

It was great few moments of affirmation as I heard God's voice in that brilliant sunrise.  It brought such revival to my soul.  As I paused to take in His beautiful display, I understood that today was just a part of my life's tapestry that He is perfecting.  My etched view was just what I needed for a peek into my chaotic cluttered world.

Our Creator cares.

He knows how I experience His beauty best so God used His own display to personally awaken my heart with His calm assurance.  But also in those heaven-crafted minutes, He stroked my heart with His brush of Love to remind me that I am not forgotten. 

God spoke into my life when He singled out His love for me on my morning horizon.    

God speaks.

I find that humbling as it awakens my soul every time.  

I see His love...

When I read His pages.

When I see the next awesome sunrise and sunset.  

When my friend brings me a surprise mug of coffee at 10 am.

When I see my little Avery dance via Skype.

When I share my favorite story book.

When I look for God, He is found and I love that He reveals Himself in ways that I get.  

He's not too busy for me.  God cares.

He cares when I don't get it.  

He catches my tears.

He soothes my hurts.

He sends His peace in prayers.

He bends down and listens.

He paints His glory for me to see in my small little soul sunrise.

He cares so much, that He continues to change me and my view.

And when I wonder about His care, concern, and attentiveness to my little heart and soul...that revives me.  It's easy in my fast paced and somewhat frenzied world to miss these God moments so I love it when God sends His love in those billboard scenes that shout silently.  

Look for revival....God is here.  God cares.  Keep your eyes open and don't forget that God is looking to revive you too.  

When I think about God's perspective of us, how His eyes range about the earth looking for those who seek Him, to look to Him for our everything...well..... wow......

I can just imagine in my small little girl brain that He is sending us all kinds of "burning bush" moments like the one I experienced and I am just too distracted to see them.  I believe that God infuses Himself into our lives as much as we allow.  And some days I don't leave much room for Him.

So now, with the rising of the sun and the setting of the same, I am looking for revival at every turn, in every cup of coffee, in every hug, in every dance in this desert, in each and every burning bush moment.  

Yes, in all of it all of His displays.  Because...

Ps. 19:7-9  "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.  

The statutes of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.  

The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

I read this quote recently..."Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God. But only he who sees takes off his shoes;” ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Do you need a soul awakening too?  Keep your eyes and heart open to the love whispers of God in your next horizon.  We are in His care and He has not forgotten you.