Monday, September 25, 2006

Our God is So Good!

If you experience chronic pain, you'll relate with my day . . .

I was driving into work this morning feeling the Monday morning blues, whining and complaining about how lousy I was feeling and how I wanted things to go . . . well, my way . . .

As I moaned and groaned, the words of my favorite hymn filled my heart:

". . . Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me."

Then, I arrived at my desk and settled myself in for the day, and I had two more reminders of how good God is.

First, I have a little promise box, and the verse I pulled out today was from Job: "He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (23:10) Don't you love that? I may be facing trials and difficulties, but He knows the way I take, and I'm being refined as gold--I'm beautiful and valuable in His eyes!

Second, I have a perpetual calendar that I bought at Women of Faith in 1997 (yes, it still sits on my desk almost ten years later!), and this is what it says today:

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace." Isaiah 55:12 Pray for and practice a calm attitude. Remember: upset minds upset; peaceful minds bring peace - Barbara Johnson

Couldn't have said it better myself!

So, today, my friend, I pray for God's peace in your heart. I pray that, as you face your own times of trial and difficulty, you'll remember that you too are gold-to-come. You too are beautiful and valuable in the eyes of our good God!

Be blessed and filled with love and peace and joy.