I feel the best when the sun is out and the temperature hovers right around 65-70 degrees with 0% humidity. How about you? When do you feel the best?
How much of the time do we actually get to spend in that small space of perfection? I live in central Indiana. The weather changes in minutes. There is a very short window of time when I get to actually live in my optimal space. If my joy/contentment/peace was dependent on Indiana weather I would most likely struggle with greater depression and anxiety.
Learning to trust God in the midst of the ups and downs is a life-long endeavor.
“Naked I come from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”
Job 1:21-22 NIV
How can Job trust God in the midst of such heart-break? How can he praise the Lord after the loss of so much?
I don’t know. I don’t know enough about Job and what was going on at that time in his life. What I do know and see is his willingness to be honest.
- He ripped his clothes.
- He shaved his head.
- He grieved.
- He wept.
So much of the time I hear people say they can’t be sad because it wouldn’t demonstrate trust in God. I believe, however, that honesty and genuineness in how we feel is exactly where the Lord desires us to be. Our feelings are a part of being created in His image. Feel them. Share them with God and trusted others. Allow God to meet you in that place…to comfort you…to guide you.
Our emotions are not bad. Our actions out of those feelings can be helpful or at times, can be hurtful. Allow God to into that space. Allow trusted friends and family into that space.
For me, inviting trusted followers of God into those hard, hurtful, and sacred spaces of my life bring peace…contentment…joy. Not right away…but over time.
Dear God, you know our hurt, fear and pain. Denying them does not hide them from you. Show us how to bring them to you. Show us how to feel the hard emotions with you and safe others. In this moment, Lord, may you provide the peace, joy and contentment that we so desperately desire. Amen.
Mandy (mkaybaldwin)
Sixty-six books in a year 
Great words this morning. Thank you so much.
Dave