Desert Song

A great song to be singing when you are in the middle of a trial!

Controlling Your Environment

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." ~ Proverbs 18:10

Ever notice how cold, sterile, and lifeless some areas of a hospital can be? One would think that in a place where healing often takes place and where lives are saved, the spirit of God would be overwhelming. In my experience, however, the enemy lurks and dwells behind every corner, in every room, attacking families and loved ones with doubt, fear, anxiety, stress, anger - anything to keep the focus off of our Creator, the One who gives us life.

My youngest daughter had a second seizure this week and I rushed an hour away to Sacred Heart Hospital. Dejavu. Except this time, I was without my husband, essentially, all alone. My daughter was seizing for 3 hours, and upon walking into the ER I could see people staring at her seizing, I'm sure wondering what in the world was going on. These stares gave me a sense of panic and worry, as I now was shaking and so afraid that I couldn't get tears out. After being admitted, I spoke to my husband on the phone and he reminded me to "control my environment," to not let the enemy fill our hospital room or wing with those feelings that can overtake you. 6 months ago, we weren't so wise, and the atmosphere of our room was very tense, so tense that our pastor walked in and immediately told us to take control over the enemy.

Yet, this time was much harder because I tend to be a worrywart, and without my teammate, my better half there with me to help, I had to fight this battle all alone. I found ways to welcome the Holy Spirit into my room - through prayer, through opening the Word, and through playing worship music in my room. By just welcoming the Spirit and pushing to focus on my Father, an overwhelming sense of peace filled my heart. I refused to let the enemy beat me this time, even though he would whisper words to me like permanent damage, or death.

While reading Proverbs in the hospital I came across one that was very appropriate for my situation: "A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." - Proverbs 17:22. I realized that by choosing to be positive and focused on the Lord, it would serve as "good medicine" and fill my spirit and the room with a sense of peace. It would also give me strength. And it did.

God was so faithful to me this week. I prayed for everything to go smoothly this time, I prayed for an answer and a solution to her seizure. In comparison to the last time, things were completely different. This time, there was peace. Tests went smoothly. We got an answer, and a solution. Just because we are Christians and have God on our side doesn't mean we won't face trials. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Lessons learned:

Refuse to let the enemy win. Control your environment by welcoming the Holy Spirit. Do whatever it takes. You will have peace in doing so.

You will face trials. But remember that, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe." Cling to Him, focus on Him, don't forget about Him!!!

"Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart and lean NOT on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge HIM and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

Correction, Insult, and Wisdom

"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning." - Proverbs 9:7-9

I struggle with the desire to argue with people when they "mock" me, especially when it involves my faith. I take it personally and feel I have to prove them wrong, so I quickly jump to my Bible to quote scripture and engage the argument further. Even as a child/young adult, I enjoyed arguing so much that at one point in my life I thought I was going to be a lawyer. As I was studying Proverbs last night, this verse really spoke to me because of a situation I encountered 24 hours prior. I never cease to be amazed at how the Lord will direct me and challenge me when I face issues in my life. It is simply amazing to me that I can deal with something one day, only to read the scriptures the next about how I should have reacted in a certain situation.

"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse." This is so very true. I have never had an arguement in this manner that did not end in me being insulted or verbally abused. I am usually brought to tears and drag my poor husband into the mess, who I am sure is tired of the drama I bring upon myself. I open the doors to this insult and abuse when I choose to correct the mocker. What an eye opener for me this was. It makes absolute perfect sense, however, that a wise man would welcome correction and rebuke. A wise man/woman seeks truth and wisdom and is disciplined and humble enough to accept another's loving correction because they are not threatened by the person with the wisdom. They see that person as a deliverer of the truth.

Lessons learned:

Ignore mockers or those who wish to stir up the pot. It never ends peacefully and you are only bringing insult upon yourself. You don't need to correct them or fight God's battles, God can handle it.

Seek to be the wise person who welcomes proper correction and rebuke from others.