Scripture for Today: Psalm 142:2 “I pour out my complaint before Him; I show before Him my trouble.”

I cannot remember the last time I saw a sign for a “Complaint Department.”  And I can understand why they would not want to be too visible.  Making this department as inaccessible as possible seems smart!   Inviting a disgruntled customer to express his frustration seems like inviting trouble.  To be the person handling the complaints would require enormous patience.  I would not be the best qualified for this position!  Perhaps the complaint department has been replaced by expressing poor reviews on social media.

The verse for today was written by David while hiding out from Saul in a cave.  He had plenty of reason to complain.  Saul was intent on killing David without cause.  His complaints were voiced out loud and he cried out for God to deliver him.  David did not try to sugar coat his emotions.  He complained of his troubles.  But like so many of David’s psalms, he ends it on a positive note with confidence that God will work in his favor.

I take heart when I read this psalm.  The Lord knows exactly what I am thinking and feeling.  I might as well voice it and get it all out in front of Him.  Nothing shocks the Lord and He can take it.  Unlike the person handling customer complaints, His patience with me is infinite!  Not only does He patiently listen, He has all the power to do something about it.  And like David, voicing my complaints and troubles to Him puts me back on my knees in prayer.  Before long, He reassures me that He is on it.  I can look at my troubles differently after handing them over to Him.

Thank you Lord, for patiently listening.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.

Scripture for Today:  Luke 12:25 “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

Flat feet are no fun.  Not only do they cause feet to quickly tire, but they are also painful and can cause swelling on the inside bottom of the foot.  Flat feet can also cause back and leg pain.  To be “caught flat footed,” is an expression having little to do with the problem.  This saying, meaning “taken by surprise,” or “unprepared,” originated from baseball slang in 1912.  The idea was to be “on your toes,” and ready for anything.

My husband often expresses that he does not want to be caught flat footed.  I am blessed to be married to someone who thinks through possible consequences and plans for contingencies.  But life is full of surprises.  Today’s verse takes preparedness for the future to a different level.  How easy it is to slip into worry!  One cannot foresee and be ready for absolutely everything that may happen.  No matter how thorough, one can suddenly feel flat footed at an unexpected development.

I am glad the Lord does not have this problem.  He is never unprepared, knowing all from the beginning to the end.  Nothing surprises Him.  There is tremendous comfort in knowing He knows.  Worrying about what may happen drains me and adds nothing positive.  There is value in thinking through a problem but when it slips into worry somehow I am doubting God’s control and care.

When I feel the urge to worry I often imagine all kinds of unlikely scenarios.  It is during those times I need to remind myself that with God, nothing is impossible.  I can give over to Him all the “what if’s.”

Thank you Lord, that in giving it all to You I can experience peace rather than worry!

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.