Proverbs 15:23 says, “A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!” That verse sprung to mind this morning as I spent a few minutes on Facebook yesterday. I had awaken up feeling a bit overwhelmed and burdened. The last couple of months have been more stressful than our normal life.
Some of the stress, such as dealing with the declining health of older loved ones, is a normal part of life. It’s not pleasant, but it is unavoidable. Other stress is productive, as it pushes us to accomplish tasks that need to be done. Some other stresses are really external to my life, involving loved ones walking through difficult situations. Those are not really my burdens to bear. I can’t affect those situations except through prayer and offering godly wisdom when I am asked.
Even though I knew all that, I awoke feeling the weight of those burdens. I was feeling a bit ‘woe is me,’ and went so far as to ask the Lord, “Can’t we just have a couple weeks without so much stress?” That’s what I was feeling when I opened Facebook and the first status update I read was from a dear friend Joe:
So………. to all my friends………… remember and repeat after me,“THIS!……… is the day that our Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad!”Let no one define you today but you. Think about this, if you were writing the story of your life, why would you give the pen to someone other than yourself?
You are valuable and worth much to your Father in Heaven!. and to me too.
jus sayin’
Wow. What a timely word. As if that wasn’t enough to get me back on track, I skimmed down further and read a post from my friend Becky.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”Another very timely word. I am so thankful that God knows just what we need to encourage us as we walk through the trials of this life. Sometimes He speaks to me through His word, and other times He allows someone to speak a timely word to me.
Have you noticed God speaking just the words you need to hear at the time you need to hear them?
Susan's Reflections 