Speaking the Truth of Scripture to Ourselves

“It is written:
 ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.”
 (II Corinthians 4:13).

Negative self-talk is a real weakness in me. Whether it’s fear about my “pain of the day”, discouragement about my inabilities, battling with depression, or countless other things, many of my thoughts do not fit the description of victorious Christian living.

I am currently working on the Beth Moore Bible study Believing God. She mentions the effectiveness of verbally speaking God’s Word. Of course God’s Word is active when we read or meditate on it silently, but there is something very powerful in verbally speaking His truths. Satan cannot read our minds but he can hear our voice. When God’s Word goes forth, Satan trembles and flees.

If I truly believe God’s Word in faith, speaking it out loud confirms that truth in my spirit. I have seen God work miraculously as I verbalize my faith through Scripture. If I am constantly speaking negative, untrue thoughts to myself, I actually contribute to my health problems and see myself as Satan wants me to rather than as who I am in Christ. Proverbs 15:4 says that the tongue of the wise is a tree of life but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Many times Satan’s deceitful lies have crushed my spirit – my life is hopeless, I can’t endure this pain any longer, I’m useless and insignificant. But speaking the truth of God’s Word does bring healing – perhaps not physical healing but a healing of my attitude, bringing hope and the ability to persevere with faith.

I have collected various Scriptures that apply to my most difficult struggles. When I am tempted to dwell on negative thoughts, I read aloud the verses that speak truth to that particular situation. God has accomplished mighty things through this action and I trust in faith that He will do more. “The Word that God speaks is alive and full of power (making it active, operative, energizing, and effective)” Hebrews 4:12 AMP. Thank God that His Word never returns void.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the self-discipline to speak Your Word to myself, for Your Word is truth and Your truth sets me free. Amen.

God's Unfailing Faithfulness through Pain

“He who called you is faithful; he will surely do it”
(I Thessalonians 5:24 ESV).

One of my biggest weaknesses in my walk with God is my lack of faith in believing that He will bring me through each new trial, regardless of how faithful He has been in the past. I have wanted to increase my faith and trust and recently God gave me two opportunities to do that.

I have had back problems for 25 years but this summer has been especially difficult with the inability to sit for very long. A friend of mine and I had planned a two-day trip and I was to do all the driving. I was very apprehensive, and yet after prayer, felt I should have faith that God would bring me through. I chose specific Scriptures to speak to myself throughout the trip. By the second day I was in a good bit of pain but wanted to trust Him in faith. God truly worked a miracle. He did not remove my pain but He gave me strength to persevere through it and still enjoy things immensely.

Six weeks later we had a trip with our daughters that involved 10 hours of driving in two days as well as sitting for a show. Our girls had planned their vacation times around this trip, and after much prayer, again I didn’t feel I should cancel it. Even after God’s previous provision I still struggled with fear and lack of faith. Once again I took Scriptures with me to speak aloud, reminding me that God is faithful and would bring me through. He did. Miraculously I had virtually no pain the entire trip.

God works differently in each new situation but He is continually performing miracles in our lives of pain. Whether it’s giving total relief for a time or giving the endurance to persevere through it, either way, we win. And perhaps these miracles are more meaningful to our spiritual growth than complete healing could ever be.

Prayer: Gracious God, to the faithful You show Yourself faithful (Psalm 18:25). Help me to see the miracles You work in my life every day and use my pain to increase my faith and trust in You. Amen.

Strengthened and Stretched by Suffering

“Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”
(Hebrews 12:12, 13).

This summer is not going as planned. We had hopes of taking some trips as well attending various local events, but my major regression with back problems has changed all that. So far my summer has consisted of more pain and physical therapy than pleasure.

My physical therapy includes various strengthening exercises to build up the back muscles since surgery and medications are not options for me. I see some spiritual applications in this process. Just as I am strengthening my back muscles, God is using the difficulties and pain in my life to strengthen my faith and walk with Him. If I continually apply the truths of His Word, reminding myself that He is in total control, has a plan, and will bring me through any and every moment, my “muscles” of faith, peace, hope, and others will be strengthened.

My back muscles are also tight in places so I have stretching exercises to do as well. In the same way, God uses trials to stretch my faith. I can grasp too tightly to the things I think I need, including certain abilities or enjoyable experiences and opportunities. God is stretching me to release these things, reminding me of what is truly important.

I will have to do these back exercises for the rest of my life. I will constantly have to monitor them and adjust them to my changing conditions. I also need to do my spiritual exercises daily, being consistent at staying in God’s Word, praying, and abiding in Christ. I am hoping and praying that before too much longer I can take some trips we planned and enjoy the remainder of the summer. But whatever happens, I know that if I allow God to strengthen and stretch me, I will be in the best shape to face whatever lies ahead.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please use the pain and disappointments in my life to strengthen my walk with you. Thank you that as I am stretched and strengthened, I will not be spiritually disabled, but rather healed. Amen.

Some "R & R" from God's Word

“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations”
 (Isaiah 61:4).

For many people, summer brings anticipation of vacations and long-awaited “r & r” – rest and relaxation. While reading this verse in Isaiah, I noticed some other “r” words that benefit me more than any vacation.

This passage describes what God’s redeemed people will do. They will rebuild, restore, and renew. Although I am very familiar with these words, I looked up the definitions again. To rebuild is to remodel extensively or reconstruct with new parts. To restore is to bring back to a former condition, health, or strength. To renew is make fresh or strong again or to revive.

How do these words impact my own life? There are ruinous old thought habits that need to be reconstructed- thought patterns of fear, despair, negativity, and hopelessness. They need to be replaced with the truth of God’s Word which reminds me that God’s Spirit and power are within me, giving me the courage and strength to fight old ways of responding to my problems. Although in this life my body may not be restored to the health of years past, God is able to restore my soul and give me fresh strength to endure my earthly trials until I receive my new and perfect body in eternity. I need God’s Word and Spirit to revive me when I feel I’ve had all I can take of pain, suffering, and disappointment.

Sometimes my health conditions limit my traveling abilities. A summer vacation may not always be a possibility for me. And many times my aches and pains keep me from really feeling restful and relaxed. But these words in Isaiah are truths I can claim regardless of how limited I am, how much pain I’m experiencing, or how devastated I feel my life is. Praise God for His wonderful “R & R’s”!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me hope and faith to trust You for the rebuilding, restoring, and renewing that I need in my life. Amen.

God's Protective Canopy

“The Lord God will create. . . a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place form the storm and rain”
(Isaiah 4:5.6)

Each spring my husband puts up a canopy over our patio. It provides a lovely place for me to sit and enjoy my birds and flowers.

When I read the above verse, I think of this canopy. Our patio receives the afternoon sun. During the summer months it would be almost unbearable to sit there without the covering the canopy provides. And although it protects me from the intensity of the heat, I am still able to see and enjoy my surroundings. It is not a suffocating, imprisoning protection at all. God’s covering over me is much the same. He is my shelter and protection from Satan’s attacks of despair and depression. He covers me when I am afraid, gives me room to grow and learn while under His protection, and constantly gives me glimpses of His love and bits of heaven through His creation.

My canopy not only gives me protection from the sun but from the rain as well. When the storms of my life threaten to beat me down and drench me with many negative thoughts and emotions, God’s canopy is there to be my refuge and hiding place.

I think it would have been wonderful to have seen the visible signs of God’s presence in the cloud and smoke. Many times I long for a physical sign from God to encourage me. I may not be able to see my Lord face to face at this moment, but His presence is with me through my pain and suffering even as He was with the Israelites through their desert wanderings. Just as the glory of God’s canopy was their constant companion on their journey, His protective canopy will cover me continually until my longing to see His face is fulfilled.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to willingly accept and follow your path for my life, knowing your loving and protective canopy is always over me. Amen.

A Child of the King

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God”
(I Peter 2:9).

I recently watched the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Although I enjoyed the pomp and majesty of the surroundings, what struck me most was the couple themselves. They are a stunning couple – physically attractive and in seemingly excellent health. Part of me rejoiced with them and prayed for God’s blessing in their lives. Yet I must admit part of me struggled with envy, not simply for their surroundings but for their physical health and appearance as well.

As I dealt with these thoughts, God brought to mind some Biblical truths. I remembered that I have access to the throne room of God, who loves me in ways I cannot even comprehend; I am a daughter of the King of the Universe and the Prince of Peace is my constant companion; Buckingham Palace cannot compare to the splendors of my eternal home; the wedding feast of the Lamb will be beyond any earthly banquet I could ever imagine; when I meet my Bridegroom face to face, my body will be perfect and complete inwardly and outwardly.

Part of me still longs to look and feel like this royal couple. Pain, age, and medications have taken a toll on my earthly body. Yet I also know that even now I am clothed with the garments of salvation and arrayed in a robe of righteousness, and have been given a crown of beauty for ashes and a garment of praise for despair (Isaiah 61:3,10). God is enthralled with me (Psalm 45:11) and I am part of God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12).

For those of us who know God, our royal wedding is still to come. Our days of pain and suffering are our preparation for that divine Marriage Supper of the Lamb. May we let perseverance finish its work so that we will be mature and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, no eye has seen the wonders that You have prepared for me in your eternal kingdom. As I await that day while facing my daily struggles, give me the strength and desire to live as a child worthy of the King. Amen.

Pruned by God through Pain and Suffering

“I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener. . . every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 14:1,2).

Spring has sprung beautifully here in Virginia and I am blessed that I am able to take part in a beginner gardening course. We recently discussed pruning and I was reminded of the above verse. As we studied the benefits of pruning, I realized how God’s pruning tools of trials and suffering are for our benefit.

Pruning redirects growth. I need to grow in directions of joy, contentment, hope, and peace , rather than envy, discouragement, bitterness, or self-pity. Pruning thins out extra branches and strengthens the main branches supporting the tree or plant structure. God may remove certain things in my life to show me that He is enough and my strength comes from Him. Pruning rejuvenates old growth. I sometimes need a fresh reminder that God is in control and has the best plan for my life, regardless of how it seems at the moment. I can adopt new outlooks and methods of coping with problems, remembering I am new creation in Christ. Proper pruning encourages fruit growth. God’s purpose is for me to bear fruit for Him whatever my circumstances, and He gives me the strength and ability to do that if I am attached firmly to Him. Pruning shapes the object. Everything that God brings in to my life has the potential of conforming me more to His image so that I am transformed into His likeness (II Corinthians 3:18).

Interestingly enough, a well-pruned tree or bush which is exposed to severe weather will build up stronger supportive tissue and more flexible limbs than those trees which are not under such stress. God’s Spirit helps us to increase in perseverance and endurance through suffering, so that we will become mature in Him (James 1:2-4).

Improper pruning can destroy a plant. Thankfully our God is not a harsh gardener. Our scars show the cuts of His love and care, and He is shaping us perfectly for eternity.

Prayer: O God, You are the perfect pruner. May I yield to Your pruning methods in my life as You shape me for Your glory. Amen.