Hi
you! How's it been? (life that is, lolz).
On
my part, everything's been just dandy! #britishaccent. I'm taking my final
exams for this semester and i'm just so excited about what i already KNOW my
results looking like. D'you ever get that feeling? Like you just know something
you've only ever dreamed for has practically fallen right in your lap? Well,
that's how i feel at present. ^_^
On
other matters/topics, i was reading my devotional today (my email one) and
there was this lovely piece i thought i should share (again) with my wonderful
blogspot fam. <3 It's basically on how we let current happenings trigger off
some wierd reactions from previous crappy events that might've occurred in our
lives and i think that sometimes happens to the best of us. Come to think of
it, it's kinda associated with one or two principles i've learned in psychology
(#showoff moment, hehe). Anyhow, hope it blesses you.
Is
My Pain Talking?
We
take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. — 2 Corinthians 10:5
Thought
for the Day: Our Lord doesn’t whisper shameful condemnations.
Have
you ever been in a situation where something little felt really big? Maybe a
look from someone that suddenly makes you feel they don’t like you at all. Or
when someone doesn’t return your phone call and you feel like it’s an
indication that you’re not important.
Usually
these things aren’t true. The look was just a look with no hidden meaning. The
missed phone call was just a slip on that person’s to-do list. But if we’re not
careful, those misguided feelings can create issues that distract us,
discourage us, and trigger past pain to start taunting us.
It
happened to me on a certain Friday. My sister, Angee, and I got up at 3:00 a.m.
and were in line at a certain retail establishment thirty minutes later. I
know. I agree. That’s crazy. But like a hunter stalking prey, I was after
something. In this case, the buy-one-get-one-free washer and dryer. Angee was
after a half-priced computer.
When
the store doors opened at 5:00 a.m., we both scored. Happiness abounded. Then
we left to get some breakfast. This is the part of the story where the
happiness faded.
In
the drive-thru, my credit card was “not approved.”
Let
me get this straight. It was used at the store just five minutes ago when I
made a major purchase. But now for a little two-dollar bundle of egg, cheese,
Canadian bacon, and English muffin, suddenly I’mnot approved?
Not
approved.
Not
approved.
Ouch.
My
sister wasn’t fazed a bit. She whipped out cash, paid for my breakfast, and
headed to the next store on our list. But those words “not approved” hung like
a black cloud over my head. It bothered the stink out of me. I knew it was just
some technical glitch, but that’s not what it felt like.
When
that girl leaned out of the drive-thru window and in a hushed tone said, “I’m
sorry, ma’am, but your card keeps coming back rejected,” it felt personal.
Really
personal.
Suddenly,
my past pain and current embarrassment started running its mouth inside my
head. You’re nothing but a loser. You are unwanted. You are unloved. You are so
disorganized. You are poor. You are not acceptable. And all that pent-up yuck
came spewing out on my kids later that afternoon.
I
wish I could tie up this story in a nice bow and give you a pretty ending, but
I can’t. It was anything but pretty. I felt awful. And I went to bed wondering
if the Lord Himself might come down and say, “Lysa TerKeurst, I have had enough
of your immature reactions. You are no longer approved to be a Bible study
teacher. Look at you!”
But
that’s not the Lord’s voice. Our Lord doesn’t whisper shameful condemnations.
Convictions, yes. Condemnations, no.
As
I stared wide-eyed into the darkness that enveloped the room, I whispered,
“Give me Your voice, Jesus. I need to hear You above all this mess. If I don’t
hear You, I’m afraid this darkness is going to swallow me alive.” Nothing came.
I couldn’t hear a thing.
So
I had a choice. I could lie there in the dark replaying the awful events of the
day, or I could turn the light on and read God’s Word — His truth — which is
the best thing to do when lies are swarming and attacking like a bunch of
bloodthirsty mosquitoes. Lies flee in the presence of truth. And while reading
God’s truth that night didn’t change the fact that I needed to make things
right with my kids the next day, it sure did give me the courage to do so.
Dear
Lord, please drown out the other voices . . . please hush them . . . and speak.
I want to hear You above all the noise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Alright
people, have an amazing friday and enjoy the rest of your weekend! :)
xxx,
kwiksie~
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
