why?

lately i keep asking God "why?"

i think it's my human, sinful nature that needs answers/solutions to all of life's little (and big) trials.

no, life isn't perfect
no, it's not the way i want it to be
yes, i've made mistakes
is God ever going to answer all my "why's"

i have a choice. wallow in the "why's" of all my challenging situations or start asking "how?"

how?

how can the trials in my life bring God glory? for this is the ultimate answer to "why?"

let Me help you through it; let others see Me in you; bring others closer to Me; learn more about Me; know me; love me; lean..on...Me;

how can i bring God glory in my current trials?

i will not let satan use my weaknesses (pride, worry, control) to draw me into myself. i will reach out to God (day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment) and give him control over my worries, my hurts, my pride, my will.

i love when my focus on God becomes sharper, the focus on myself becomes blurry. how much more am i able to cope when i am clearly focused on the right target? not only cope, but actually become joyful?

how?

to Him be the glory

unchanging

i am thankful that God never changes

imagine that. imagine being perfect and never slipping, falling, stumbling.

for some reason i haven't been reading my bible a whole lot lately. it happens. something always draws me back though.

worry has had a terrible hold on me recently. it started keeping me up at night. sometimes i pray and pray until i fall back asleep. the other night i had to get up and read my bible though - i needed to hear Him a little better.

i asked God to show me where He wanted me. here are some highlights.

i opened up to 2 Timothy. i was encouraged about the outcome of a faithful mother and grandmother.

in Titus i was reminded to love my husband and children; "to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind..."

Hebrews 13:5 was especially encouraging as i struggle with living within a budget: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

then i smiled as i read the next verse; "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." riley has this verse posted right across from her bed so she can read it at night and has memorized it.

and i ended my time in The Word with:"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Heb. 13:8

i thanked God that although.... i fail, friends and family disappoint, spouses struggle, kids disobey, bosses accuse, co-workers gossip,....i slip...i fall...i struggle....God never changes. He is perfect in His actions, words, thoughts, intentions, plans and His love for us.