Remember PT

Do you know what I like about David?
I'm referring to the David that killed Goliath, had to run from King Saul for many years and eventually became the King of Israel.
He was real.
High or low
     Brave or afraid
         Obedient or caught in sin
              Focused or needing direction
David was real.
He told God exactly how he felt.  In turn, God called him “a man after God’s own heart”.



I want to be that!  I want God to call me a woman after His own heart.





David was definitely a man’s man who was full of courage. He also wrote poetry and played the harp.  I love that.
I encourage you to read the stories of his life. It is interesting to read them as if you were reading a biography and trying to get to know David’s personality. You will see he was a bit of an impulsive young man who grows into a great leader.  His best days of leading happen when he checks with God BEFORE he makes a decision.
Hmmmm - Imagine that.
By reading the stories of David’s life, you will gain a greater perspective into his poetry.
Sometimes he was bursting with joy and gladness. We can better understand his true dependence on God as his strength and his source.
Other times he is angry or scared.
Most people have at least heard of Psalm 23. “The Lord is my Shepherd…….” This psalm of David invokes courage and comfort as he declares God as his protector and provider.
           
                              But have you read the Psalm right before it?
My Bible says it is a psalm of David that is meant to be sung.  Really?

The first verse was quoted by Jesus on the cross. “My God, my God,  why have you abandoned me?”  Then David goes on to write, “Why are you so far away when I groan for help?”  He goes back and forth in the first half of Psalm 22 between expressing his anguish and declaring the power and character of God.  Even in his confusion and pain, David praised God as he laid out all his troubles before Him.  As he does this, you can almost see David’s strength and courage coming back.  He goes from speaking in fear as if he is going to be consumed by his enemies, to speaking of the future when he will praise God in the assembly.

Friend, this is the key to facing our struggles.  We have to keep praising God.  We have to keep reminding ourselves
         Who He is
               How powerful He is
                      How faithful He is
         And How He loves us fiercely.

This reminder is for you and for me.

I started out with great faith and courage when I was first given the news about a positive biopsy.  I knew this part of my journey was going to be a battle fought with continuous praise and thankfulness.
However…….
In six days (2 of those were the weekend) I spent about 10 hours at the Breast Cancer Center.  The news was not too bad in the scope of such a diagnosis - surgery & radiation (no chemo),
But just like drug commercials on TV, they have to tell you about the rare but possible negative outcomes.
I started out well. I was able to silently pray and praise God in my mind.  But with each nurse or resident or doctor, I would find myself a little more focused on the problem and a little less focused on the goodness of God.
The problem with losing focus is the fear that is right there waiting to jump in.
And fear does not travel alone.  There are a multitude of other negative emotions that want to quickly follow.  Ugh!

Sometimes it is easy to live a life of gratefulness.
                        Other times it is a battle to stay focused.




Like us, David certainly did not get it right all the time.  But our God who is full of grace and compassion, called him a man after his own heart.

The peace and strength God gave David is laid out with clear instructions for us in Philippians 4. Verse 4 tells us to rejoice in the Lord.  David did that when he spoke of God’s strength, love and character.  Verses 6 and 7 tells us God offers His overwhelming peace to us for every situation. Our part is NOT to delve into worry but tell Him our troubles and continue to give Him thanks.

Oh Friend - Let us both

Never Forget the Truth…..
God’s incomprehensible peace is available to us!

If you find yourself slipping into worry, remember - you need PT……
       Prayer and Thanksgiving
If you feel frozen by fear or anxiety
    Or you don't have the words or energy to pray -
       Try opening to the book of Psalms and reading God’s word out loud.
(23, 34, 91 & 103 are a few of my favorites when I am overwhelmed)

I am praying for you even as I write this.
May the peace of God which passes all comprehension, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.