[su_dropcap style=”flat”]S[/su_dropcap]O THAT’S it then. Do you ever feel like that? We all have those pivotal moments when all we can think is, “Well, that’s it then.” A lost job, a long anticipated visit comes to an end, a habit thought to be buried in our history worms its way back into our present, an illness suddenly bears the label ‘terminal’, the devastating death of a loved one. That’s it then.
In those moments, faced with a broken heart or personal devastation, wouldn’t it be perfect if we could turn back time, even for a little while, and have a do-over of the occasions we wish we had done differently? What if we had a survival mechanism like that? I don’t know about you, but there are quite a few occasions I would like to rewind and try again. Remember David? The one with the slingshot, the stones, the harp, the lyre, and king who actually wanted him dead? Yes, that David. He lamented in Psalm 69:2 “I sink in the miry depths, where here is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.” Doesn’t that sound hopeless? Already in the depths and unable to even gain a foothold. Life can dole out some pretty crushing events and circumstances that leave us drained and deeply distressed like David. In those moments don’t we want peace, safety, and to believe that it’s going to be OK? I know what I want. I want my moments back. I want to feel secure, hopeful and to have peace.
I’ve learned that human hurt requires the touch of the Master who transcends human hearts. God lets me complain to him, cry on his shoulder, argue my point, and run a marathon through every emotion. He hears me when I rebelliously declare, “Well, that’s it then.” He reminds me that all this is temporary, but his plan is eternal and has no dependency on conditions of this life. The Master gently speaks 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 to softened hearts and opened minds, “As it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— these things God has prepared for those who love him— they are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”
I wish I had it all together, but I don’t. I hurt sometimes. I want to wave the white flag in front of life and surrender, cry uncle, just give up. But then I hear this gentle whisper “My child, get up! Start again.” And I’m reminded that God breathed his Word for times like these, His ultimate Immunity – my personal Immunity. Proverbs 22:19-21 “So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth?”
Do you need immunity from hurts of this world? Start with moments with the Master of Immunity. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Power is from God, not from us.
Lord, I’m crushed under the burdens of this life. I can’t breathe. I confess that I’ve forgotten that I don’t have to do life on my own. Please take this thing that’s holding me back and robbing me of the joy, a gift from you. I have faith that you will fix it in whatever way is best. Even if it doesn’t make sense to me, Lord, I trust your heart. I know this might be unfixable, and if it is, please change my attitude to see new potential instead of impossible obstacles. Thank you for being the sovereign Master of Immunity, the protector, provider, and inimitable source of peace. God, I love you. I give you this day. Let me see the possibilities as you see them.
Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called, “Today”. – Hebrews 3:13
Somehow, writing this brought this song by Michael W. Smith to my mind. – Breathe
Great Article in the realm of all the hurts and sadness lingering, but nothing can suffocate the Joys and Blessings when we just Breath!! this is well done!
You’re right, Lynn. Joy is a gift and the more recognize how blessed we are the less opportunity there is for burdens of hurt and sadness to take over. The thing is, practicing an attitude of gratitude gets easier. But like Vince Lombardi said. Practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. I think that applies to attitude and reactions too. Thank you for sharing hope.