How we all face difficulties, testings, suffering and persecution. When these times enter our lives we worry and fret and stress takes over. We then forget to trust God and try to work our way through these times alone.
It is during these times that we must pray without ceasing. Pray, pray and tell God all that is on your mind and in your heart. Tell Him all that tempts you. God is giving us permission to come boldly casting our cares upon Him. Tell Him everything the way you would to a very close friend.
I am reminded of an old hymn:
"What a friend we have Jesus,all our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
Oh what peace we often forfeit,oh what needless pain we bear.,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."
How very true the words of this well known hymn.
So when worry troubles slumber and those dark dull days invade, God inspires us to fix what we can,release what we can't and He will help us to know the difference.
"Casting all you care upon Him: for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7
"Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God,believe also in me." John 14:1
And a few photos of my back garden:
Oh and do I know those times well! The past three years have been more than difficult for us. My husband lost his employment in 2007, no one would hire him, (he was 5 yrs from retirement), had to hurry and apply for his pension, then I lost my job, my son lost his job of 22yrs., then my husband had a knee replacement last Oct. and in May of this year, he fell and broke his hip. His recovery is very slow and he is very discouraged. We are in financial debt. and the future looks bleak for us. HOWEVER, I am clinging to the hem of HIs garment as I believe He will as He always has brought us through the darkness of the night.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend. This was an outstanding post, Linda!
My hubby is out of work too. Plus we moved 1300 miles from friends and family. It has been a very tough year. I keep reminding myself that the Lord is a light in the darkness. It has been a very lonely year for me. I have spend many nights in the bath crying. But I seem to have a tighter bond to God too.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely reminder Linda, hope your week is going well.
ReplyDeletesending hugs
Denise
Hi Linda...such a sweet reminder Linda. Sometimes we go to friends of family first when we have a care, & then go to the Lord after we have exhausted other avenues. How we need to cling to Him & go to Him! He is ever faithful. Love you Linda. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder, Linda! Prayer is SO important! One of my favorite authors, Nancy Leigh DeMoss put it best: "The outcome of our lives is not determined by what happens to us but by how we respond to what happens to us." It's our choice. As circumstances get difficult, I'm thankful we can pray and then choose the right response! Have a blessed weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and yes - His grace is enough even when going through tough physical suffering as I am right now!
ReplyDeleteI am eager for His 'touch' upon my body - but until then - His grace is sufficient!
Blessings, Stephanie
Thanks for you visit to the bridge today and for picking up the pencil to let me know that you were there. I appreciate your kind praises for the hand of God in Dad's life. Also - thanks for the welcome back. It is nice to know I 'm missed.
ReplyDeleteI love that Hymn ..I love all hymns! And PRAYER... is my occupation :)
Have a great weekend! God bless
Patrina <")>><
Lovely reminder to trust in Him, thank you.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is beautiful. What are the blue flowers in the first photo?
Thank you for visiting Love Living Simply, I'll be back to visit here as well.
Blessings,
Catherine
Praise the LORD!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thank you for your recent visit to one of my blogs and your warm comment. I wanted to return the blessing to you so I popped in to visit. What a beautiful blog and a powerfully true message. A mile, road and journey all are familiar with.
I'm thankful that we can "cast our cares upon the LORD" for He cares for us!!
You quoted one of my favorite songs since childhood and my Grandma's favorite to sing around the house. She is now singing a new song in the Lord as she has been with Him since 1990.
May the Lord's hand of blessing rest with you Linda and I look forward to visiting with you again.
Love and blessings!
Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday! What a wonderful reminder to call upon God. I love that hymn, too!
ReplyDeleteLiving for Him,
Joan
Yes, the old Hymns are full of truth and wisdom and encouragement...I *love* them and those Bible verses are very wonderful to consider. How GREAT and WONDERFUL our God is! Might we truly TRUST and REST in HIM.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful LORD's Day!
Blessings,
Camille
Hi Linda! Just dropping by to say hi and what a blessing I got! Thanks for the reminder that He cares for us all the time! HUGS
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