An overwhelmed heart

These last few weeks have been tough. 
Really tough.

Our beautiful sister suffered a stroke a month ago. An unexpected, hard to stomach shock that left our family reeling.

She should be ok but it will be long tiring road to recovery.

Everyday new curveballs get thrown into the mix; financial pressures, health issues and mounting uncertainties have at times left me feeling like I'm treading water desperate to keep my head above the dumping waves. 
 I too had a health scare a few weeks ago that shook me to the core and forced me to my knees. Forced me to surrender, to accept that my life is not my own, that I have placed my trust and dependency in Christ

I'm so thankful to have Someone to run to amidst the chaos... He has gently reminded me that our days  are perfectly numbered and He has us securely in the palm of His hand. 

Despite this believing and trusting its hard not to feel overwhelmed, to rest securely and peacefully in the knowing.

I  turned again to this verse... this truth that never fails to restore and comfort my soul.

From the ends of the earth I call to you when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I - (Psalm 61:2)

It is so reassuring to know we are not alone.. never left to sink. We have a rock that we can cling to while the turmoil and waves crash around us. 
While the circumstances may not change, and life may not take the direction we would choose, we are not abandoned amidst the pain... 
As my beautiful friend reminded me yesterday
'I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand I shall not be shaken.'  (Psalm 16:8)

I pray my friend that you too will know His peace, and His grace will sustain you with whatever you may be facing this week

xxx

a mothers fear...

.... I know I'm not alone in this so if this is a battle for you - be encouraged!!

Fear is a constant struggle for me.. fear of something happening to my children, husband, parents, sisters, brothers, etc etc...

Ever since I found out we were expecting our baby it has been an even bigger battle for me. Having lost 3 precious babies before conceiving Theo I was on tender-hooks constantly during my pregnancy - fearing the worst!
I prayed and prayed and surrendered and surrendered and trusted God but it was something I had to do over and over and over again. Daily. Hourly. Minute by minute.

It was the sweetest moment when he arrived. Safe, healthy and totally perfect. I relaxed and enjoyed every precious minute with this darling child.

However sin is an insidious thing.. it creeps in and takes hold of your heart sometimes even without you noticing.. I was caught up in the delight of my baby and love of my family and wasn't guarding my heart and my mind.

2 Corinthians 10:5  ... bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...

Slowly but surely my fears returned.. I would read a story of a child hit by a car and suddenly would want to stop my dear ones from biking.... or of a baby that had died of cancer and I was sure that this would soon be my baby... or a mama dying of cancer and icy fear would grip my heart and I was sure this would be me...

I had lost my peace. My trust. My assurance that I serve a Good God. 

I had allowed fear to rob me of Joy.

I had lost perspective.

I was speaking to a dear friend yesterday and she was such an encouragement. It is not enough to just discard those fearful, anxious, sinful thoughts - we have to surrender. Give them over to our dear Father who holds our hearts so tenderly... He has ordained ALL our days... we cant add even one more through worrying and fretting. 
Then we need to confess... repent for not trusting, not submitting not acknowledging that He has planned all for His Glory.
Finally... believe. 

Isaiah 14:24  Surely just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand.

As God plans... so it stands. Yes any of these tragedies might happen... we have no guarantee of even one more day here on earth but I do have assurance that He has everything in His hands and I can fully trust in His Goodness.

I am reading more of Ann at the moment in a effort to change my thinking to one of Thankfulness and Gratitude.. I loved what she quoted from Julian of Norwich...

See that I am God. See that I am in everything. See that I do everything. See that I have never stopped ordering my works, nor ever shall, eternally. See that I lead everything on to the conclusion I ordained for it before time began, by the same power, wisdom and love with which I made it. How can anything be amiss.

The thing is... its not enough to just discard the fear, we must replace it with Truth. We must believe that God is in total control... that he holds us in the palm of His hand... that He has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, power and sound mind. We must dwell on that which is True and be anxious for nothing and believe with all our hearts that when we do this the peace of God which surpasses ALL understanding will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Without God's Word as a lens... the world warps (Ann Voscamp)