I remember, I remember...

Reading a little from the book dedicated to mourning and sorrow. (Lamentations 3)
The author writes about his grief: "I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall ...and my soul is downcast within me."
Basically, he reflects on his trials, but also how he has wandered away from God. And how all of this has caused him bitterness and frustration.
How often has affliction caused us to wander? Why do struggles often lead us away from God? You think we would have learned by now. In trials, Job was tempted to 'curse God and die'. In truth, that is our main temptation: to lose faith in the face of hardship.
It's the same old story: things are going well, we praise God. Things turn for the worse, and we have a decision to make - do we thank God for the struggle, or do we lose faith?
In a cloud of frustration, it's hard to remember that trials are meant to develop perseverance and maturity in us. God allows us to struggle because it has the potential to make us whole. It's his desire to make us whole. (see James 1)
If anything, let's take a cue from the Lamenter and remember our past wandering, and how that brings nothing but grief. Let us remember our former trials and how God worked in them to bring us strength, when we allowed it. May we allow it today.

And Gentlenesss for All

Couched in between two of my favorite verses is this kind reminder, "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." (Philippians 4:5)
Usually, that's not a tough one for me. But when facing a trial or struggle, it becomes a challenge to be gentle to everyone. Especially when some people really push your buttons... I am supposed to be gentle in my response?
Some definitions: "The quality or state of being gentle, especially in mildness of manners or disposition. Benignly gracious or kind in manner. Not harsh or stern. Mild, considerate and tender. Honorable, noble, distinguished."
Wow, that's a tall order. Not harsh or stern? Considerate and tender? Honorable, distinguished? All of that is supposed to be evident in my life to everyone? Everyone?!?
OK, I'm going to need some help here with that. I need to start thinking about how gracious God is toward me; how kind he is to always hear my needs; how he gently restores me daily.
I guess I need to grow some of that fruit - patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control to name a few. Interesting that they all seem to share a common theme. All blessing me to bless others. In gentleness.
So today I'll be taking a few deep breaths, keeping my eyes on things above, and making an effort today to be gentle to you and everyone else. (But it would really help if you would all be gentle toward me, too! Thanks!)

Panic vs Inspiration

It is much easier to do something than to trust in God; we mistake panic for inspiration. That is why there are so few fellow workers with God and so many workers for Him. We would far rather work for God than believe in Him. [Oswald Chambers, June 1]

Hmmm.... I would rather do than believe, I think. There must be a balance somewhere. Surely, God wants us to do something: Faith without works is still dead I'm told (James 2:17) -- action must accompany our belief. But what happens when faith does not accompany action? It's like shooting aimlessly in the dark; working for God but not with him. I wonder what kind of day we would have if we started with faith, and then added action? Perhaps if we seek him first, we'd find some inspiration for our daily grind...