Mary Southerland tells us, “In an effort to escape the brutal summer heat of South Florida, our family headed to the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of our favorite spots for hiking, so we planned a day trip that included exploring a few hiking trails, a picnic and a visit to the beautiful and historic colonial home of Carl Sandburg.
We woke to discover the beautiful weather of the day before had dissolved into a soupy mix of drizzle and fog, but we were not about to let a little fog and rain deter us from our original plan.
We
had been vacationing in North Carolina for years and knew fog is a common
occurrence – even in the summer.
We piled into our van and made our way up the mountain. The closer we got to the Sandburg home, the heavier the fog became. In fact, when we arrived, the fog was so thick we could barely see the walkway leading to the gift shop where we needed to purchase tickets for the tour of the home and grounds.
We decided we would have to come back another day for the tour, but since we were already at the gift shop, it wouldn’t hurt to do a little browsing.
We piled into our van and made our way up the mountain. The closer we got to the Sandburg home, the heavier the fog became. In fact, when we arrived, the fog was so thick we could barely see the walkway leading to the gift shop where we needed to purchase tickets for the tour of the home and grounds.
We decided we would have to come back another day for the tour, but since we were already at the gift shop, it wouldn’t hurt to do a little browsing.
The
shop owner greeted us warmly and asked if we would like to purchase tickets for
the guided tour scheduled to leave in an hour.
Always the diplomat, I responded, ‘Are you kidding me? Have you looked outside?’
The owner smiled and said, ‘Oh, you mean the fog? It will be gone in a little while. Now – how many tickets do you need?’
I don’t like pushy salesmen, even when they are sweet and kind – and maybe a little near-sighted. ‘I think we will just wait and see if the fog actually lifts,’ I responded, convinced the thick fog would last all day, and resumed my browsing.
I lost track of time and was surprised to hear the owner announce, ‘The tour is leaving in 15 minutes.
This is our final call for tickets.’ I walked out of the gift shop to discover the fog really was lifting and the skies were actually beginning to clear.
I couldn’t believe my eyes! Within minutes, the sun was shining - as if the fog had never existed.
Always the diplomat, I responded, ‘Are you kidding me? Have you looked outside?’
The owner smiled and said, ‘Oh, you mean the fog? It will be gone in a little while. Now – how many tickets do you need?’
I don’t like pushy salesmen, even when they are sweet and kind – and maybe a little near-sighted. ‘I think we will just wait and see if the fog actually lifts,’ I responded, convinced the thick fog would last all day, and resumed my browsing.
I lost track of time and was surprised to hear the owner announce, ‘The tour is leaving in 15 minutes.
This is our final call for tickets.’ I walked out of the gift shop to discover the fog really was lifting and the skies were actually beginning to clear.
I couldn’t believe my eyes! Within minutes, the sun was shining - as if the fog had never existed.
It
sometimes feels as if the fog of doubt and fear of darkness will never lift
from our lives. The promises of God seem to get swallowed up by the problems we
face.
We want to curse our crisis – not praise God in the midst of that crisis. The hurt and pain overwhelm our faith, and we lose sight of the fact that this world is not our home and the troubles we face are only temporary.
Lift up your eyes, (my) friend. Fix your heart and mind on God – He is with you – and makes every problem point to a promise.
We want to curse our crisis – not praise God in the midst of that crisis. The hurt and pain overwhelm our faith, and we lose sight of the fact that this world is not our home and the troubles we face are only temporary.
Lift up your eyes, (my) friend. Fix your heart and mind on God – He is with you – and makes every problem point to a promise.
Promise of
direction Proverbs 20:30 "Sometimes it takes a painful
situation to make us change our ways."
God
uses problems to show us the way. We would walk through the wrong door if He
didn’t close it.
Years ago, I dated a young man I thought I would marry. I began to pray, 'Lord, if he is not the one, just close the door.'
The very next conversation I had with this young man ended our relationship and resulted in my taking a church staff position that led me to Dan Southerland.
Years ago, I dated a young man I thought I would marry. I began to pray, 'Lord, if he is not the one, just close the door.'
The very next conversation I had with this young man ended our relationship and resulted in my taking a church staff position that led me to Dan Southerland.
Promise of
correction Psalm 119:71-72 "It was the best thing that
could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your
laws."
God
uses problems to correct us.
When our daughter was a toddler, she was fascinated with electrical outlets. Nothing we said or did seemed to deter her … until the day she stuck a safety pin in the outlet. 'Ouch!”'she cried, holding up her little red finger for me to kiss.
She never played with an outlet again.
When our daughter was a toddler, she was fascinated with electrical outlets. Nothing we said or did seemed to deter her … until the day she stuck a safety pin in the outlet. 'Ouch!”'she cried, holding up her little red finger for me to kiss.
She never played with an outlet again.
Promise of
protection Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God
intended it for good.”
A
problem can be a blessing in disguise if it keeps you from being hurt by
something more serious.
I dreaded taking our children to get their immunization shots. I took a healthy child to the doctor and came home with a little one who was fussy, sore and running a low grade temperature.
Our pediatrician finally said, 'Mary, think of it like this. You are allowing your babies to experience a little hurt in order to prevent them from experiencing a bigger hurt. A tetanus shot is nothing compared to tetanus itself.'
I dreaded taking our children to get their immunization shots. I took a healthy child to the doctor and came home with a little one who was fussy, sore and running a low grade temperature.
Our pediatrician finally said, 'Mary, think of it like this. You are allowing your babies to experience a little hurt in order to prevent them from experiencing a bigger hurt. A tetanus shot is nothing compared to tetanus itself.'
Promise of
perfection Romans 5:3-4 "We can rejoice when we run into problems ... they help us learn to
be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us
trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong
and steady."
God
is at work in and around you. You may
not see His hand, hear His voice or even understand His process, but you can
rest assured that you can trust His heart.
Remember, every problem points to a promise.
Let’s Pray
Lord,
I am tired of trying to face my problems in my own strength. Today, I choose to
fix my gaze on You and praise You for Your presence and power in my life.
I will give You praise, knowing You take up residence in the praises of Your people. I will walk through my fear, knowing You are with me. I declare my belief in Your willingness to help me face anything that comes my way.
I trust You with my problems, Lord.
I will give You praise, knowing You take up residence in the praises of Your people. I will walk through my fear, knowing You are with me. I declare my belief in Your willingness to help me face anything that comes my way.
I trust You with my problems, Lord.
In
Jesus’ name,
Amen.”
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Psalm
121:1-2 (NIV) “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help
come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 46:1 (NIV) “God is our refuge and strength, an
ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 63:7-8 (NIV) “Because you are my
help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right
hand upholds me.”
Mary Southerland on www.Crosswalk.com on June 7, 2012
Web site: www.marysoutherland.com
Today’s 39th
truth: If you are “born again”, you are the light of the world. Matt. 5:14
Today's thought: Read stories of other's testimonies of God helping them. It will strengthen your own faith!
Tomorrow’s post: Satan’s Hidden Schemes: Prayer Note # 57 Dutch Sheets
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