Rosie, one of our dogs, ruptured a disc a few weeks ago. Painful and limiting, I get a doggy stroller so she can still come on walks. Pushing the stroller with our other pup on leash is clumsy especially with my injured shoulder. I notice looks from other walkers that say “Oh, you are one of THOSE”. Today, it becomes a bit more awkward since my foot has become swollen and red from a bee sting I got yesterday. I don’t feel strong. At all. I turn down a street and a sudden wind comes against us and actually pushes the stroller against me in a lopsided fashion. For a moment I am overwhelmed with negative, frustrated thoughts until I quickly hear Your Voice. “What pushes against you today will actually become a wind that propels you forward in the future. Winds of adversity, when overcome in My Power, become winds of victory in your journey.” Suddenly, I could imagine a sweet breeze pushing me from behind as I humbly asked You to train me in these places and forbid me from turning away in frustration and self pity. It didn’t get easier but it did become meaningful and hopeful.

Thank You for Your Word of Truth and Power that reaches in and grants reinforcement to my weary spirit. Thank You that it is never about how I am feeling but what You are doing.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10  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… Amen!

The waves keep crashing over my life and I fight to not feel deserted and overwhelmed. In Luke 9:43-45, I read ‘But while everyone marveled at all the things  which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men”.’

I hear. You were telling them there would soon come a time when things would not look marvelous. In fact, things would look fatal, desperate and irreparable. And I hear You say,”Remember, when it looks dark and hopeless, I am still in complete control”. Your betrayal and death would look like defeat and You warned them ahead of time so they would not lose heart. So they would be able to know-no matter how things look, You are God and have great purpose in all things.

And that is enough.