Fix Your Toughts On Jesus

I had some encouraging messages recently that I shared in a video message to Floyd this week.  The therapist said he was so alert and responsive to what I shared.  I'm so glad it touched and encouraged his heart.  

I had a couple answers to prayer this week.  They were very specific things, and I saw very specific answers.  I was so grateful!  It meant a lot to me, and was a real boost to my faith.

I guess it also made me freshly aware that there are things I pray for where I don't see an answer - or at least not that I'm aware of.  I think many times God is working on our behalf to bring answers, but we can't see what's going on.  I certainly don't feel that any of my prayers are wasted!  Quite the opposite.  But it was nice to have some clear specific answers to things I had prayed.  It's caused me to "ponder" these things. 

I've had people write and tell me they're discouraged because Floyd and I haven't been healed.  They don't feel God is answering their prayers.  That's not my perspective!  I believe God is actively involved in our lives.  I don't know all of His plans and purposes for this season.  We may or may not be healed.  But I am fully, 100% aware that God is at work.  I feel His presence, grace, and strength each day.  I sense that God is working in this time in ways that I can't see.  I don't feel He's ignoring our prayers - just the opposite.  I feel He's working around the clock in our situation to accomplish things that are on His heart.

I've lived long enough now to see that some prayers I prayed that seemed like they weren't being answered.......actually were answered in a different way to what I thought would happen.  Aren't you glad we can trust God's wisdom in what is best and not just trust our own way of doing things?  He takes our prayers, sees our hearts, and then wisely answers them from His perspective and wisdom. 

I will never stop asking for healing - in whatever way God brings it!  God gives us that freedom to keep asking.  I've seen lots of points of healing along the way.  And I'm still alive in answer to prayer!  I am so very grateful for all the prayers of those lifting us up.  I will continue to pray for healing or heaven for Floyd.

I guess the bottom line is that prayer is about relationship with the Lord.  We call out to Him in our need.  We tell Him how we feel.  We seek His help and strength.  The Bible is full of both answered and unanswered prayers......and I see in each situation the importance of drawing near to the Lord.  Prayer isn't a button we push to get what we want.  It's not about the answers, the results we get - it's about walking in fellowship with our Father.  Jesus took time in His walk on earth to pray to the Father.  He set the example for us of walking in fellowship through prayer.

"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."  Ephesians 6:18

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."  Jeremiah 29:12

"Is anyone among you in trouble?  Let them pray."  James 5:13

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."  Romans 12:12

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him."  Psalm 145:18

"Pray continually."  1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer is perhaps one of the biggest conundrums of the Bible.  Hundreds, maybe thousands, of books have been written on the subject.  We'll never have all the answers of the why and why not to our prayers.  But I'm so grateful for the gift of prayer in being able to lift up my needs to the Lord.  I'm grateful for the intimacy and fellowship that comes through prayer.  

I've recently had some difficult days.  One day in particular I was feeling quite sick.  I was calling out to the Lord to help me get through the day.  I had this impression come to my mind - "find me in the moment."  I was a bit puzzled as I was already praying.  I stopped and thought about it, and began to focus on who Jesus is.

He is my healer - my companion - my sustainer - my help - my rock - my refuge - my strength - my Savior - my friend.  I focused on who He is.......not just what I needed from Him.  No, the yuckiness of how I was feeling didn't disappear - but my focus changed from me and my needs to His greatness and all that He is.  I can't quite explain it, but this change of focus lifted the heaviness off my difficult day.  I was still sick, but my day was "lighter." 

As I focused on Jesus and His greatness, it felt like something was released.  As I "found Him in the moment," I also found new grace, new strength, new comfort.  I somehow tapped into His provision for me by focusing on Him.

Some years ago Floyd bought me a telescope for our living room so that I can look out and enjoy the ocean.  When I look through the lens, I can see the ocean......but I have to adjust it and focus in on things to really enjoy the beauty of what I'm seeing.  I think this is what is happening as I look for Him in the moment.

It has given me a new "guideline" of what to do in my times of need.  I look to Him - I focus on Him......lifting up my need to him......but choosing to direct my attention to His goodness and mercy instead of concentrating on what I need.  The change of focus is powerful.

"Holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess."  Hebrews 3:1

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11:28,29

"You will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:13

"You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  Psalm 16:11

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him."  Psalm 62:5

I mentioned to someone recently that each step of this unexpected journey we've been on reveals new truths from God's heart to my heart.  The sorrows aren't wasted.  The hard times bear rich fruit.  God is so faithful!