“Thankfully, in this time of need, the Lord responded immediately.”
Satan knows how, where and when to strike. Most of us know this. Why, then, do I always seem to be caught off guard when he launches his attacks? Please tell me it’s not just me! I’d feel rather foolish if I’m the only person who can’t anticipate his every move.
The past few months have been good for me. Not perfect. Never perfect! Even with the day to day challenges, I have felt confident, joyful, and peaceful. And then this week happened. Within 24 hours, I went from having a wonderful brunch with some of my favorite women, to feeling completely defeated and discouraged by the time I went to bed that night. I woke up this morning with raw emotions still at the surface, and as I knelt down for my morning prayer, all I could do was cry and ask for comfort. Nothing that took place can be solved by me – these issues are completely in the Lord’s hands.
Thankfully, in this time of need, the Lord responded immediately. I had recently been reminded of a favorite speech given by Ronald A Rasband. He talks about the importance of identifying a “protection scripture” – words that you can call upon when you need strength or comfort in a trying situation. As I sat down to read my scriptures this morning, I was directed to Isaiah 51:3:
For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. (KJV)
As I read, those words hit me like a ton of bricks. I am in the midst of a ‘waste place’ – my own personal wilderness. But, the Lord is promising me joy and gladness, right here in the middle of it. And the joy came throughout the day, in multiple ways. Ways that told me that He is pleased with the work I’m doing and He knows that I’m doing the best I can right now.
Invitation: If you find yourself caught off guard, feeling like the wind has been knocked out of you, I hope that you will take some time to find your own “protection scripture.” This is where you can find the comfort and strength you need to find the joy in your ‘waste places.’
Find other wilderness articles here!
Photo by Eddie & Carolina Stigson on Unsplash
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