Psalm 37:23
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.”
I
Isaiah 30:21
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
Comfort is defined as “to soothe, ease; freedom or relief from pain or distress.” Comfort has been redefined for me during the last two years. The Holy Spirit is the true “Comforter” and His presence in my heart has not changed who I am internally. However, the external comforts we most often think of have been redefined, or let’s say, they have become less important. The pain journey I have been on has caused me to set new priorities, to seek fewer things for comfort, to keep a slower pace, to take fewer steps towards doing and more towards being. Now that Fall is here, I feel as if I am stepping into a new phase of comfort, the one defined above— one of ease, and (hope of) relief from pain and distress.
Early on in my journey, the Lord reminded me (again) to walk by faith and not by sight. Such a familiar verse, that, but He gave me a fresh perspective. I would need to walk by faith, one day at a time, because if I knew what was ahead, I might tend to despair. And the longer the days of pain went on— and even got worse— I began to understand what God has spoken to my heart.
Looking back, if I had known when the journey began two years ago, and God told me it would take this long before I had real improvement, I would have cried, “No Lord, oh please Lord, I can’t do it.” But, His gentle whispers encouraged me, “One more step, dear daughter.” My steps have not brought me grace, they have helped me take notice of the grace that He has already given me through my walk of faith each day with Him.
God also restores in other small steps of faith:
• getting up at a regular time and preparing to meet the day
• eating nutritious meals at regular times
• taking that walk or exercising when you don’t feel like it
• sending an email to a friend that you’ve been procrastinating
• spending quality quiet time by reading His Word, praying and then pondering what you learned about God
• asking Him to instruct you how you can apply it to your life
• taking out a recipe that is an old “friend” and preparing it for the joy it brings you and your family
• turning on a praise song and letting the words and music minister to your soul.
• praying for someone who is also in pain or going through the same struggle as you
• taking a nap when need to, without guilt; your body is speaking to you
• going to bed at a regular time each night
Do the next thing before tomorrow comes by aligning your heart to enter the new day with peace and confidence that God will help carry you through it. Whatever God has chosen to keep hidden—the whys and the how longs—will be revealed in His timing and for His purposes. Whatever has been stripped from your life, He has allowed for a reason, but has made sure you kept what would sustain you.
Ask yourself, “What am I pulling from tomorrow into my day today?” “What is one step of faith I can take today?” “How can I live by faith and not by sight?”
Walk by faith, dear readers, with eyes on Him,
~ Marsha
Heavenly Father, we praise You that You are the One who guides our steps, whispers to us which way to turn. Even when we hesitate to take the next step, or falter as we walk, You are there. Lord, may we listen to Your voice that gently encourages us on the path. You know the destination at the end; give us strength and courage to keep going; increase our faith daily for the journey. We thank You for the plan You have laid out, for You are our good, and faithful God, and it’s in the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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