So as leaders we’ve been encouraged to every once in awhile take a day for ourselves, to step away from ministry, the team, and any outside stresses and just focus on us and God. I just recently had one of those. What’d it look like? First it was relaxing in the bathtub with almost unbearably hot water. Was dirty enough once again that when I finished the bottom couldn’t be seen. I then parked myself out in the yard under a beautiful Poinsettia tree/bush for the rest of the morning until 4ish in the afternoon.
In the World Race, we go through a lot. As a team and as individuals. For me, I wanted the day to be one of rebooting, re-energizing, and filling myself with some truths over things that lately the enemy has been coming at me with. These aren’t things that I was necessarily feeling in that moment on my personal day, but things that I’ve struggled with at one point or another recently. So here’s that journey and just the truth that God really spoke over me during that time.
So God kicked off my day with Philippians 4:6-7. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
What did God share with me about his providence for my life?
Psalm 68:9-10 – You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land. There your people finally settled, and with a bountiful harvest, O God, you provided for your needy people.
2 Corinthians 9:8, 10 – And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
His direction and guidance for my life now and down the road?
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Psalm 23:3 – He renews my strength. He guides me along the right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Psalm 32:8– The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
My times of feeling unworthy?
Romans 8:28-30– And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chose them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
My fears of failing or being failed?
1 Peter 4:19 – So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
Romans 3:23-24 – For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous.
The belief that whether things all go right or not is dependent on me?
Joshua 1:9 – This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Feeling burdened down by a lot of different things?
Matthew 11:28-30 – Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
Being tired?
Isaiah 40:29-31– He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. The will soar high on wings like eagles. The will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
About the pointless worrying?
Matthew 6:27 – Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Ouch.
Having the right words to say?
Jeremiah 1:7-9 – The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken! Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!”
And for the end of my day, God wrapped it up with this.
Philippians 3:13-14 – No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing. Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
I felt compelled to share all of this because there’s just so much GOOD stuff here. Sometimes we so much garbage gets thrown at us that we get caught up in and we just forget about all the good things God has promised to us or said to encourage us or just words we need to hear.
