Laced With Grace

I have found it to be the same with my heavenly Father. As I have moved across the dance floor of my life, there have been times when I have chosen to ignore my Father’s leading. I have chosen my own path rather than following the one God had placed before me. Through my foolish pride I have not always trusted His directions. Sometimes it has been out of enthusiasm that I have been caught up in my own plans and have gone my own way. But at other times it has been out of direct disobedience to Him. The result of both has been the same. When I have failed to trust that God’s way was the best way I have gotten out of sync with Him and ceased to feel the peace that comes through His heavenly rhythm in my life.

Being out of step with God is exhausting, confusing and full of turmoil and pain. It is only by allowing Him to lead us that we can find true peace. “Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper” (Psalm 37:4).

When we have stumbled and forgotten how to dance with Him, He is still there, offering to guide us back into step. Our Father’s Word is trustworthy. Through it He offers direction and wisdom when we are lost and confused. He offers forgiveness when we have stumbled and fallen and He will gently pick us back up and continue to guide us…if only we allow Him to lead.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Living for Him,

This devotional was originally posted on Joan’s site, The Beauty in His Grip, on March 29, 2010. The Dance with My Father © Joan Davis, The Beauty in His Grip, 2010

How often do you seek comfort in the midst of trials? Do you pray and ask God to please take away all of your problems or pain?

It seems like most people are going through trials of some kind lately. Christians are not immune. Contrary to some popular preaching on health, wealth and prosperity … we are told to expect trials.

1 Peter 4: 12 says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”

Often our trials provide an opportunity for the Lord to teach us to depend upon Him. And if we permit Him, He will conform us to the image of Christ as our flesh gets chipped away.

But in the midst of this process … it hurts.

Each one of us may have temptations to find comfort in different ways. Can you identify with any of these?

• Comfort food
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Relationships with a person of the opposite sex
• Family
• Friends
• Shopping
• Internet
• Busyness
• Sports

Not all of the examples above are wrong or sinful. However, our trials should bring us to our knees before our Abba Father. After all, He is …the ultimate source of comfort.

We live in a time when we’ve become accustomed to instant everything. We hate to wait for anything, including our food.

But I’ve found that the lessons God teaches me take time. He’s more interested in building my character …than in my comfort.

Instead of always praying for the pain to be relieved, I’ve learned to ask that I learn the lessons in the midst of the pain. And that I would seek His counsel, wisdom …and comfort.

Today’s devotion was written by one of my longest blogging friends, Vicki at Windows to My Soul. Vicki was the very first person I ‘met’ in bloggy land. The below devotion was first published on her site in June and is used with permission to republish on Laced with Grace. Thank you Vicki for allowing me to use this post.

“…this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.”~ 1 Peter 5:12

It can be a frightening prospect to lose control and let God have His way with us when we’re in crisis. But the Lord moves in gentleness and peace. He can be trusted. While we come to the end of our own soul-strength (giving up our panic-driven struggle to stay afloat) the Holy Spirit makes the life of Christ within us a deeper reality as we depend on Him.

The cheerfulness of others seems ironic when I’m lost in pain, or overwhelmed with the unfairness of earthly living. Aw, but that’s all a moot point when my heavenly gaze is restored. What if no one understands my plight? The Lord is mine.

And yet this is a death process - losing my grip on earthly attachments, surrendering self. We talk so much about death and losses, but there’s a profound resurrection: joy and peace in the One who longs to live His strong life in us.

If you’re a friend to someone who is suffering losses, be sensitive and caring. Let the person grieve, lament, complain, even resist at first. There may be vocal despair as she comes to the end of herself. Our job is not the pep talk or reprimand. God bless the person who comes alongside us in heartache, praying when we cannot, loving us when we feel most unlovable, and ministering when we’re nearly nonfunctional.

Feeling reduced of all strength, God meets us in our extremity. I find over and over again, no matter my trial, His strength undergirds me.

Blessings, Vicki