Praying with the Psalms
Good Morning, God August 19th, 2009
Dear God,
This morning I read the following:
“On this day of your life, dear friend, I believe God wants you to know…
…that illness is not a sign of spiritual weakness, but of
spiritual strength.
When we fall ill there are some who will say, “Why
did you create that for yourself?” They might convince
you to see it as a sign of spiritual weakness or failure.
It is not. It is a sign of spiritual strength.
All challenges are a sign a spiritual strength, and of
the readiness of the Soul to move on; to evolve even
further.” Neale Donald Walsch (author of Conversations with God)
Although I am not “ill,” I have been struggling with my weight issues which have a direct impact on my overall physical and mental health. These words from Mr. Walsch are so supportive and so encouraging to me! I do believe that all of life’s challenges are for my soul’s growth and evolution. Sometimes I even wonder why I have decided to make it so difficult (for my higher growth?). I also believe that all challenges can be of benefit to others. For example, when I finish losing weight and achieve my goal of super physical fitness, overweight people could look at me and think that I don’t understand their struggle. And, of course, they will be wrong and perhaps I will be able to make a difference and help other people with their struggle simply because I have gone through it and overcome it and know exactly how it feels to be in the midst of that struggle. If I had not had this challenge, I could never be as effective in helping because I would never have walked in those shoes.
Tomorrow begins the vacation and trip to Savannah. I have done some shopping and made some plans for keeping myself on track. I will have protein bars/shakes, water and 100 calorie nut snacks to help me avoid self-sabotage. I feel strong and confident and I know with Your help, I can do anything.
Psalm 28
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my
heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My
heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks
to him in song.
Psalm 30
O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
Psalm 30
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help.”
Psalm 33
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present
help in trouble
Psalm 46
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help
her at break of day.
Psalm 54
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who
sustains me
Psalm 63
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow
of your wings.
Psalm 108
Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
photo by deviantmonk @flickr.com
Cheryl, I can certainly identify with your need to eat whatever you want and whenever you want. That is a battle I have been going through for a long time now. I have clothes from a size 3 to a size 16 in my closet. And right now it is the motivation that keeps me from being faithful, but I know we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us and I agree with you for a successful vacation. May the Lord fill you with the beauty of His creation and satisfy your hunger with His Spirit.
I like the account in the Bible when Jesus visited the woman at the well and told her He had a well that would never run dry and that if she knew who He was, she would ask Him for that water and never hunger or thirst again. He is the Living Water and when we drink from His fountain we are satisfied.
Sometimes, I think physical hunger is really spiritual hunger. Could it be that it is easy to fill our lives with the temperary while we neglect the eternal and when we do this we are always thirsty and always hungry because it is like we have a hole in our lives and whatever we put into our life, it still leaves us empty and wanting more.
But when Jesus revealed himself to the woman at the well, she ran from the well and was excited about the new life she had found in Him and those she spoke to was impressed with the change in her and went to investigate for thmeselves. This woman who was of no reputation was able to make a difference as she became a witness for Christ (by her changed life).
I have always been touched by that story because I identify with the woman.
Love,
Glenda