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| © Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved. |
Sometimes I sit and wonder why everything has to go wrong. I feel sorry for myself, and wonder why God allows this. When I was doing the heart tests, I confess I wasn't very joyful during the process sometimes. But when I stopped and praised God for these tests, I realized, they can learn so much from today's technology. I thought about how good it will be to know everything is ok. All the worry, fear and anger disappeared. I thanked God. My test results came back just fine. My heart is working perfectly, it's just that it tends to beat in a different direction than most people, part of the time. : ) I march to the beat of a different drummer, what can I say? I've heard that about me my whole life. : ) I told my friend and she said, "It's not weird, just unusual." I'm praising God, and think the results are kinda cool. As a Christian, my heart does beat to a different drummer!
Habakkuk was a prophet that learned from God that the enemy was going to invade Judah. Here's his initial reaction:
16 I heard and my heart pounded,
my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones,
and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity
to come on the nation invading us.
Habakkuk 3:16 NIV
The verses on the photo are his sacrifice of praise to God. A sacrifice of praise, is when everything seems to be going wrong. It's when we praise God out of our distress. It means a lot to Him, He understands how hard it is for us, and He renews our strength and courage. I think it's ok to have a meltdown once in awhile, as long as we turn back to God. I love these verses. Habakkuk's story always puts mine in perspective.I took this photo after a New Jersey ice storm. It had rained and then froze. The roads and trees were covered with an inch of ice. But it sure was beautiful. I chose this photo because winter symbolizes a season of death and cold to me (we really don't have deserts here). To me, it's the perfect season to celebrate Jesus' birth. During a very dark time, He was born in a manger. For Christmas we put up lights that glow in the night. Jesus is our light.
Challenge sponsored by Katie Lloyd Photography.
Your post resonates with a verse that I am memorizing.
ReplyDeleteConsider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1: 2-4
I love that verse. Yes, we gain so much from our troubles. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you --- and God bless you, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Clint : ) and God bless you!
ReplyDeleteSo glad everything is OK! having said that, I just knew you were gonna say you march to the beat of a different drummer:) We are never out of tune with Jesus~ It's the world that is out of tune.
ReplyDelete~Blessings~
Paul teaches us to be content with whatever state we're in, to rejoice always, and to give thanks for everything, because this is God's will for us (1 Thess 5:16-18). Which, I believe, means not only that it is God's will for us to be thankful, but also that we should be thankful for everything, because whatever happens is God's perfect will for us. God works all things together for good for His children (Romans 8:28). Trials can be painful to go through, but I believe He allows us to go through them to deepen our faith and reliance on Him, to give us greater compassion for those going through similar trials, and to appreciate the mountaintop experiences because we have been in the valley. Your blog is a blessing and I will follow it, and I invite you to follow mine, Saved by Grace: http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteLove in Christ, Laurie Collett
Thanks so much for these comments! Lisa- you are so right it is the world that's out of tune. And I must remember my calling, and not dwell too much on the things that are not.
ReplyDeleteLaurie- I am following your blog! Thank you for letting me know about it. I will enjoy reading your posts.
As I read through these comments, I was reminded that faith is more than feelings. It's a choice. These verses are so perfect. I was also reminded of how good it is to be honest, and not pretend to be perfect. The rewards for being humble, and having faith even when we don't feel like it are awesome! All through scripture the message is the same. I also appreciate remembering the compassion I gain through each trial. How much better it is to serve Him with compassion. Thanks!