It is well with my Soul - Jane Butler
Today’s devotional comes from Jane Butler.
Are You in Need of Some Soul Stability?
Very early last Tuesday morning, the Holy Spirit got my attention when I was jolted from a deep sleep which caused me to bolt out of bed and into the darkness of the living room with a frustrating feeling of melancholy. While pacing, I considered the cause… was it the shutdown getting to me, was it the delay in getting to see or hold my new grandson, was it the sadness the positive results of his diagnosis brought, was it the news that my son would be moving to California for training in a few weeks without me being able to celebrate his graduation or even see him before he leaves or was it that unexpectedly the Covid 19 issues in NJ had temporarily stalled my time in a frigid state where I see nothing but lifeless cornfields and hear the seemingly endless blowing of wind day and night?
Hmmmmm, right now you are thinking, woman, what a pity pot you are sitting on…. and you know what, you would be exactly right…. that is precisely what the Holy Spirit was trying to get across. Has He gotten my attention through all of this negativity? You bet He has….So perhaps, just perhaps…. was He NOT getting the attention He deserved when He was busy blessing me?
My prayer journal provided a clue….the journal was filled with my daily prayer entries, but what I found missing were gratitude entries, my journal noted they ended in March and the saddest part was I didn’t even notice. On the date of the last entry, I was in NJ to visit my grandson at Childrens’ Hospital in Philly, to be with my daughter and celebrate her baby shower and to take a side trip to Boston to attend a Match Day ceremony at my son’s school. Well, none of those events occurred because of the stringent Covid rules that were put into effect shortly before my arrival.
After wiping away the tears, I stopped the pacing, exited the pity party and went to the Word. That morning, Matthew 28 was on the Bible reading list. As I read about the Marys who had just been approached by the angel who told them to go back to the disciples and notify them that the tomb was empty, what came next spoke to my heart…. The passage continued….. and as they were going, Jesus met them and greeted them. He said, “Don’t be afraid” and the Marys grasped His feet and worshipped Him. It was then I remembered what a friend texted me last year on the anniversary of the loss of my firstborn son. The text said. ‘Even at the bottom of your worst pain or your deepest loss, Jesus will meet you there.
My heart swelled reading and remembering those words because yes, He is happy to greet me and He wants to meet me, even when I forget to say thank you!!!! But wait, then I should have joy unspeakable even in the deepest part of the valley, right?…that is what I should have, so how come I didn’t? Why wasn’t I on my knees at His feet worshipping Him instead of pacing and feeling like He was no where near me? And then I recalled a message Pastor Mike gave. In that sermon, he said, the measure of joy in your life is directly proportional to the measure of THANKFULNESS in your heart…no wonder my soul was feeling unstable. The ME focus got me so sidetracked, I didn’t even realize I was off track. The formed habit of thanking Him daily went out the window and my level of joy reflected it.
So, the wait to hold my grandson, who remains hospitalized may feel unbearable in the coming weeks. However, I know Jesus is with me in the waiting, and I will thank him that the trials mold and shape me. I also know how important it is to stay connected to Him no matter the circumstances. Sarah Clarke’s message on the WAIT reminds us to stay Jesus focused:
Worship-in a multitude of ways-spend more time with Jesus-seek His face
Attitude-keep one that reflects Jesus-show His love and kindness
Intercession-pray one for another
Trust-His timing and be thankful
Clearly God has gotten our attention during this season of Covid, but I challenge you to let it be an attention to the blessings and provisions we may have easily taken for granted during this seemingly endless disruption in our lives.
Have you checked yourself lately? Is most of your day filled with wondering what is taking God so long or with fear and anxiety about the unknown or is it filled with GRATITUDE? Does your soul feel unstable? Is you your joy flat and lifeless?…here’s a suggestion to apply that useful truth about JOY… put a reminder on your phone at least three times a day to verbalize a thank you, or place a jar and a pad and pen on your counter to write notes of gratitude. Fill up the jar with specific blessings or provisions for which you are grateful written to the One who never leaves or forsakes you.
An effective formula for soul stability is Philippians 4:6-7….. Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about EVERYTHING. Present your requests to God and THANK Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s PEACE which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
I pray for you church, and today I specifically ask our Papa to give you Joy Unspeakable-so no matter what, you will have the kind of soul stability that comes from having a firm foundation that is rooted in knowing that for the Creator of the universe; the rock of your salvation, nothing is too difficult.
And even when you are jolted out of a deep sleep and you can’t put your finger on your restlessness….start with a grateful heart. Thank Him that His grace is sufficient and know that even in the dark of night, being a son or daughter of the One true King, means you are tethered to Him by a rope of hope; a rope which is fray-less because of your faith. Always remembering who He is and what He’s done will let you sing with JOY, ‘It is well with my soul!’.
I love you, Lifecoast, and keep you in my heart!
Jane Butler