Frowns into Smiles
/
It seems like every direction I turn these days I hear of people talking about the pain, sorrows, and disappointments that they are dealing with. It's a difficult time on so many levels. We live in a broken world that desperately needs Jesus! The earth itself seems to be groaning in need of redemption.
I heard of a saying that God has angels whose job it is to change scars from frowns to smiles. We all bear "scars" from difficult things we have gone through. We carry "frowns" in our spirit, in our hearts from the sorrows and disappointments we've faced. Our hearts are often so heavy from the trials of life that we've walked through.
But I'm encouraged to think of ministering angels who are at work in our lives to change our difficult, frowning times into smiles. To me that speaks of the healing, redeeming power of the Lord. He is the One who can give "beauty for ashes......the oil of joy for mourning." He is the One who lifts the burdens on our hearts. He encourages us to "cast" our burdens on Him because He can carry them.
Someone mentioned to me recently that they were surprised that I wasn't sad and depressed from all I've gone through. They kinda expected me to be weary, tired looking, and discouraged. There was even the comment that I look good - which was unexpected.
As I reflected on that, all I could say was "thank you Jesus." The Lord has been with me through each trial, each difficulty, each sorrow. Of course there is some sadness in my heart over things that have happened. But more than that - there is joy because God has carried me through the hard times and sorrows. "The joy of the Lord" truly is my strength!! Day in, day out He has been with me to help me.
There may well be some scars in my heart from things that have happened - but God has helped turn the frowns into smiles by His help and grace.....day by day, minute by minute. I'm grateful for the ministering angels. I live and walk in joy because of His redeeming power.
"To comfort all who mourn.....to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:2,3
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
I have "down" days just like everyone else. But I am so, so grateful that God has taken every frown in my heart and turned it into a smile by His grace and help. He has truly redeemed each and every sorrow I've walked through. I am still "standing" because God has so faithfully helped me with everything that has come my way these last few years. How amazingly good and faithful He is!
As I continue on this journey, I do my best to take care of myself. I guess you could say I do the "possible" while I continue to ask God for the "impossible" of bringing healing to my body. I eat well. I take good vitamins. I get good sleep. I exercise every day. I try to find things that bring refreshment and refueling to my heart. I do everything I can in terms of self care.
On our "unexpected journey" these last years, I had to learn how to receive rest from the Lord. I could never have survived the journey without that. In this new season I'm finding I need that rest from the Lord even more!! Perhaps I'm just catching up from all I've been through. Or it could be having grief thrown into the mix......but, whatever it is, I'm finding I have to press deeper and deeper into the rest that only God can give.
For me it's meant some very specific things:
Slowing my activity down so that I can receive His rest.
Meditating on His word, His promises.....and believing that they are available for me right now in my daily life.
Sitting quietly in His presence and just letting His spirit wash over me.
Allowing the Lord to speak into my thoughts, my memories as they come while I process the emotions of my grief.
Being careful not to block the pain when it bubbles up in my heart, but allowing the Lord to pour His healing balm into it.
Seeking His wisdom to tackle the endless "to do" list rather than trying to rush ahead and just get everything done.
I think in some ways I'm "catching up" after 5+ intense years. The well has been drained way down, and God is pouring in fresh, living water to fill me up again. I was recently reflecting on Elijah. He had some wonderful victories - but then he was faced with weariness and discouragement. God met him with sleep and rest. He provided bread and water from a ministering angel. He spoke encouragement to him in a gentle whisper, and then He brought him a helper. God didn't rebuke him and tell him he was a failure! He understood his weariness, and helped him.
I've found myself worshipping the Lord and thanking Him for the rest He's bringing to me. It's what I'm needing right now, and God in His faithfulness is meeting me once again. I'm so grateful. He knows just what I need.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
"I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will feel my presence in your time of trouble." Psalm 91:15
"My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber." Psalm 121:2,3
"And He said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.' " Exodus 33:14
What an awesome God we serve.