Watch Out for Arrows

Something happened this week that is just part of "life."  Difficult things happen in life.  It's part of the world we live in.  But for some reason, this particular thing hit my heart like an arrow.  It felt like rejection.  My mind said one thing - my heart said another.  It weighed heavily upon me.

I took time to talk to the Lord and "pray it through" (a phrase my praying mother used often - we have to stay in the Lord's presence until we work our way through a matter).  As I took the matter to the Lord and allowed Him to give me His perspective, the heaviness lifted.  Peace and joy returned.  The arrow was pulled out. 

Walking through this reminded me of how easy it is for us to allow the "arrows" of daily life to pierce our heart.....and, when that happens, the enemy tries to exploit them.  He will use anything he can to distract us and draw our attention away from the goodness of God.  We can't allow that to happen!

When I took the arrow piercing my heart to the Lord, I could readily counteract it with truth and promises from the Word.  It wasn't even difficult - I just needed to spend time in God's presence to put things back in true perspective.  How good and faithful God is to help us do that.  And I will be more on guard when another arrow comes my way!!

"I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation."  Psalm 13:5

"Why are you in despair, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence."  Psalm 42:5

"You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence."  Acts 2:28

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13

I'm not a fan of waiting.  I guess, like everyone, I find it hard, frustrating, and often stressful.  In many ways I've spent the last few years waiting - waiting to see what would happen to Floyd, waiting to see what would happen with my cancer, waiting, waiting, waiting on lots of things!

I've learned that waiting and trusting (something I've talked a LOT about these last few years) go hand in hand.  You really can't wait well unless you trust......and some thankfulness needs to be thrown into the mix too.

I was thinking about all the times we have to "wait" - especially for answers and directions.  I suddenly thought about Jesus.  He had clear direction.  He knew where he was headed - to the cross.  He knew all that was ahead.  I can't begin to imagine how hard that was for Him.  There must have been times when He wished things would just go ahead and move along.

There were times when He went aside and talked to His Father.  He poured out His heart.  He worshipped.  He kept His eye on the goal.  And He ministered to people.  He didn't get impatient or angry.  He didn't give up.  He simply waited until the "fullness of time" came.

I'm definitely not as patient as Jesus!  But I'm trying to learn the lessons of waiting while I worship God for His goodness, faithfulness, strength, and grace.  One of the things I've seen these last few years is that there are lessons to learn in waiting that we don't learn any other way.  I'm grateful that God is a patient teacher.  He orders our stops as well as our steps.  He knows when we need to wait.

"Be still, and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."  Psalm 5:3

"I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry."  Psalm 40:1

"They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

As I walk through another season of waiting (for tests, results, answers), I'm trying to learn any new lessons the Lord has for me.  He always keeps teaching us!