With everything that has been going on in our lives lately, my surgery in July, Rob needing more hip surgery, waiting on the Lord to send us a family, and working so much and so hard in the meantime, it sometimes can feel "out of control" for me. And if I let it, then I tend to forget the words in Colossians that I need so desperately to remember and dwell on in my heart:
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:15-17
I have to remind myself not to listen to the many and varied lies of the enemy:
- "You'll never have a minute's peace".
- "You'll never have a family".
- "Rob will never be better".
- "You'll never be able to stay at home."
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20
When I decided to totally commit these verses in Colossians to memory (I have bits and pieces of them, but need to polish them), all I could visualize were "holding hands". I think that's what I picture because I know that the Lord is holding my hand through all of this and in turn, Rob and I are holding each other's hand as we approach his next surgery and in trusting the Lord for a family. As Rob and I reminded each other today of the "good, bad and the ugly" that we had to endure during his last surgery and that we were about to have to endure it again, my spirit checked itself especially with verse 17 of Colossians 3. Trust me, it's easy to be in the midst of the recovery and be so overwhelmed that you just want to throw your hands up and tell everyone just "deal with it, I'm done". But, I'm thankful for the experience that we had before, what we learned then and what we will take into our next experience. By no means will it be easy. But I'm thankful for the extra wisdom I gained the last time and excited to see what I will learn this time. The same goes with the experience of trusting Him for a family. I know and firmly believe:
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
I know that there is much to be done in the days to come. It won't be easy, I know it will be tiring, but I made it once and I'll make it again. So for now, my memory verses for this week will hopefully continue to remind me to keep my attitude in check, keep songs and hymns in my heart and to do everything as unto the Lord.
