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We are to trust in the Lord's wisdom at all times and remember that God
wishes for our best interest and promises to work things out for our good
no matter how bad a situation may seem right now. If problems have been
coming your way and you feel as if God isn't on your side, be encouraged
and know that God's ways are much higher and better than ours can ever be
and He promises to be there to bring an answer to your every problem. Trust
the Lord and know that His love, grace and mercy reach from everlasting to
everlasting. (Psalm 145:8-9) (Romans 8:28-30) (Psalm 103:10-18)
I hope you are encouraged by today's message.
WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN
Not too long ago I had "one of those days." I was feeling pressure from a
writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet
was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my
deposit had to start over three times. I swung by the supermarket to pick
up a few things and the lines were serpentine. By the time I got home, I
was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for
dinner. Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup, I grabbed a can
opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk
at the store. Nix the soup idea.
Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which was leftover baked beans. I
grabbed a Tupperware container from the fridge, popped the seal, took a
look and groaned. My family aren't picky eaters, but even They won't eat
baked beans that look like caterpillars. Really frustrated now, I decided
on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition free: hot
dogs and potato chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the
cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't
open. I tried again. Nothing happened. I took a breath, doubled my muscle,
and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly
gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left
holding the bag, and it was empty.
It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. "I Can't Take It
Anymore!" My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help. Within minutes he
was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage:
an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one
quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the
most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap,
landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and
dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process! I
stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile.
Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took
a leap onto the chips. And then I danced.
Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I
was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't
need a clean-up crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the
laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that. So now I have a
question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever stomped on your chips?
I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten
myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the
while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess
I've made of things.
What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my
prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the
manner that is best for me after all. Sometimes I can see right away that
God's response was the best one. Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months
before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer
the way He did. There are even some situations that, years later, I'm
still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later,
either this side of Heaven or beyond.
Do I trust Him? Even when He's answering my prayers in a way that is
completely different from my expectations, even when He's dancing and
stomping instead of sweeping and mopping -- can I embrace what He's offering?
Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines
and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance He's dancin'
with my needs in mind?
I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working
on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the
more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I
can trust Him.
Even when the chips are down.
Author Unknown
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 145:1-5 "I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless Thy name
for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise Thy name
for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His
greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to
another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious
honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works."
Psalm 40:16-17 "Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee:
let such as love Thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. But
I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my help and
my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God."
Psalm 145:8-9 "The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger,
and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are
over all His works."
Psalm 40:1-4 "I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and
heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the
miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He
hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see
it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that
maketh the LORD his trust..."
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: FOOT PRINTS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem138.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: THOUGH THE SAIL HAS BEEN TORN...
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony42.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
