Topical! Hurricane Lorenzo is currently doing the rounds in Ireland. I don’t think we’ve got the worst of it, the West Coast will probably get that, but it is very windy and I watched the rain descend from the hills this morning. I love that part about living here.
Since living here, there have been all sorts of feelings and real practical things we/I have had to deal with that we have found difficult (I can only speak for myself really, (Cathy) but I do know Chris has had different challenges). I’ve mentioned many of them as I’ve gone along on my blogging journey but not all, as some are private. The main ones that I have seen have been that moving somewhere completely different often firstly brings out the worst parts of you in to broad open view….because things that make you stressed/worried/frightened are there and cannot be avoided. If these are then brought to God and submitted to Him, I’ve found that they then change into better areas and God changes you, sometimes slowly, but He does and the situation under His guidance suddenly doesn’t seem as bad.
It’s really easy to lose perspective too, lose the reason why we are here, to get super submerged in ourselves. But you know what I find, we love God and really want to be submitted to Him and when you love God and want Him to be in control, He tends to work through these things, ungodly though they may be to start with.
I’m being a bit vague, but it doesn’t really matter. I’ve had some really basic things that scared me, such as venturing onto the pre-school premises and getting a place for J, but I did it and it was fine. I got quite scared and wanted to hide for a while when we first came, but it’s starting to change. There are other things that worry me now, other, bigger, things.. but I am learning more and more to submit them to God and to trust Him, because there is no other way basically. I know He is good, I know He is there, I know Jesus died for me and rose from the dead to give me new life and a relationship with God. I know I have God’s spirit, the Holy Spirit to guide me and help me at all times and I know I so often fail, but his mercies are new every single day and Jesus died for every single sin we commit, past present and future. You can have this too by the way, it’s not an exclusive club…
I LOVE this quote a good friend sent me quite a while ago now:
Do not concern yourself with what might happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today, will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations. (St Francis de Sales).
So true, I have personally found this quote combined with scripture and chats with friends extremely helpful. My life is not my own, I am seated with Christ in Heavenly realms, I was bought at a price and that price was Jesus. Jesus is our peace, nothing and nobody else will suffice.
The Shepherds Adventure 