Devotions
Tune Out the Voices
Tune out the voices, and put your trust in God.
I reached a breaking point.
I had a Covid meldown yesterday. A full blown cry all day, filled with rage, meltdown. I woke up teary eyed and it got progressively worse as the day went on. It escalated while in line at the fabric store, where I stood for an hour in the cold waiting to be let in. The latest news report was that we are all required to wear cloth face masks as the next restriction and protection in the Covid19 pandemic. The conversations around me were more of what I had been seeing and hearing on TV, in social media, and everywhere.
The world right now is that of fear and displaced dependence. Fear of the virus. Fear of the law. Fear of death. We are in isolation. We are becoming financially dependent on our government and relying on elected officials, doctors, and scientists to protect us. My breaking moment had come because I had succumbed to it. I took my eyes off God, and I was listening to the words of the world.
My Devotions
Days earlier I had been reading from this month’s book selection from Faithbox, Jesus Calling for Easter, by Sarah Young. The following passages are from the text.
“I am worth of all your confidence, all your trust. So refuse to let world events spook you. Instead, pour your energy into trusting Me and looking for evidence of My presence in the world.”
“When world events are swirling around you and your personal world feels unsteady, don’t let your mind linger on those stressors. Tell yourself the truth, ‘Yes, this world is full of trouble, but Jesus is with me and He is in control,’.”
“I also speak peace to you, for I know your anxious thoughts. Listen to Me! Tune out other voices so that you can hear me more clearly. I designed you to dwell in peace all day, every day. Draw near to Me, receive My peace.”
And the Bible says, John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 10:10 The thief comes only to seal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that Just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ
God Sent
It wasn’t until hours into my meltdown when God sent me an invite through my friend Karen, to participate in an online Christian Art Challenge. The assignment was to “Journal your purpose and create a piece of art that reflects it. So here I am, blogging my raw experience, my weakness and my redemption, along with my art.
Like Eve in the garden, I was giving my attention to the lies of Satan, and I see so many doing the same. Our response to this situation needs to be that we put our reliance and faith in God. Not our PPE. Not our stimulus check. But on God. I’m not saying to live recklessly or to not seek financial assistance. I am simply saying that we need to shift our focus to God. We are consumed with messages of fear and dependence on things of this world. I myself, fell into this trap. The consequences were awful. I was so angry. I was emotional. I had been stripped of my joy and my spirit was broken.
This whole day reminded me of Peter in the boat, when Jesus tells him to keep his eyes on Him, and walk on the water. But as soon as Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. I took my eyes off Jesus and I was drowning in my own sorrows. Thankfully, I am saved.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for saving me from myself. Forgive me for taking my eyes off you. Forgive me for turning from You, and tuning into the words of the world. Thank you for being in control of the circumstances, and thank you for your peace while we live in them. Lord, while I pray for protection for myself and my loved ones, I also pray for peace from the fear, sorrow, and anger that is instilled. I pray, Lord, that we rely on You more than our elected officials, and doctors. That we turn to You for guidance and safety, and for meeting our needs. I know you have the power to conquer this and you will in Your time. Mold us to be what it is You want us to be. Be louder than the voices of the world. In Jesus name, Amen
1 COMMENT
I needed to see this… I too have been in a rut.. saddened by our financial disparity. Saddened by not seeing family that I worked so hard to be closer to. My new normal is wake up clean, watch tv, put on different pajamas.. etc… I was so angry 😤 all the time!! We had a nice Chunk of money saved to buy a new camper.. this money has now been used to keep a roof over our head and food on our table…. maybe this was my lessen? Maybe this money was supposed to be used this way?? Maybe I need to be grateful and not angry!!!