Lysa TerKeurst writes
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
It was one of those days. I was driving to the airport in the pouring rain. The skies were grey. The day felt a bit gloomy. And honestly, so did I.
There were just a lot of little things swarming my thoughts. Feelings of inadequacy stinging. “There are so many things I’m responsible for and never enough hours in the day. I do enough to keep things from sinking. But I just wonder if I’m doing anything well. I don’t think I am … doing anything well.”
The more I focused on these thoughts, the more overpowered I became. The more overpowered I became, the more withdrawn I felt.
I pulled into the parking space and started the fight with my luggage. My suitcase has two wheels missing. And of course I keep intending to do something about this. But I don’t have time. So I make do with a crazy suitcase and a crazy life and a crazy sense I should just pack my family up and move out west somewhere. Live on a ranch where we grow our own food and I cook beans in a black pot over an open flame.
Surely that would fix everything.
Except that I know it wouldn’t.
Because the chaos isn’t from my circumstances. It’s inside me.
I boarded the plane. I stared out the window. I watched the grey clouds envelop us.
And then the grey broke.
Suddenly, we rose above the clouds and the sun was shining brightly. The sky was fabulously clear.
The clouds were just a temporary covering. They didn’t stop the sun from shining. They just prevented my eyes from seeing the sun. And it wasn’t just the sky that appeared a little brighter. My mood did as well.
I started to shift from feeling overpowered to empowered as I realized three things:
Just because I feel it doesn’t make it real.
Just like I felt the sun was gone but it wasn’t, I might feel like I’m not doing anything well, but it doesn’t make it true. The fact that I have weaknesses doesn’t make everything about me weak. I have plenty of strengths.
All I have to do is ask a couple of my friends or my family members to help me see what I do well. I can celebrate those, and then get a plan for bettering things that need improvement. I can start by identifying one thing to improve on this month. And do a little toward making that one thing better.
There are a lot of people who would trade their best day for my worst day.
Yes, I have a lot to manage. And yes, sometimes things get a little foggy. But that doesn’t mean I have to stay swallowed up in the grey. That means I need to get my head above the clouds and see all the many places where the sun is shining brightly in my life. So, I can start making a list of things for which I need to be thankful.
My mind needs some space to think.
If I always run at a breakneck pace, I’m eventually going to break. My mind is a powerful tool, capable of seeing things that can be done more efficiently and effectively if I give myself time to think. When is the last time I just sat quietly with a pen and paper and asked the Lord to help me think?
As 2 Corinthians 12:9 teaches, God’s power is made perfect in weakness. When I’m sinking in thoughts of inadequacy and plans to relocate out west, I remember that my ability is not based on what I can do. My ability and strength come from the One who can do all things. With the Lord working in me and through my weaknesses, I can feel the transformation from being overpowered to empowered taking place.
If the clouds have been looming close lately, maybe it’s time to stop. Pause. Lift your eyes to an altitude that can rearrange your attitude.
Dear Lord, only You can provide all I need to stay the course. Please replenish me with a new attitude as I try to see above my grey clouds today. Help me to refocus my attention to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This was very fitting for my life right now! Thank you for sharing.. Helped remind me what I need to do to keep on His path for me. Thanks!
blessings.
When reading this I realized how much it mimicked how I have been feeling. I know He has a path for me, I just think I need to be still and let him speak. Reading this has helped me so much as in a reminder on what I need to do and how to go about it differently. Thanks for sharing.. Blessings.
I’m one of your new blog followers. This post was EXACTLY what I needed to read today. So glad you shared. Thank you!
Awesome Debbie, so glad you got here to read it. It was by devine appointment..
Debbie
THANKS FOR THATS BEAUTIFULL TESTIMONIE, I GEL FEEL LIKE GOD TALK TO ME
Wonderful post Debbie! Thank you for sharing that – especially this month – when here in the south – we’ve had so many cloudy days – it’s good to remember the sun is always shining and WE can reflect that! Phil. 4:13
TY..Awesome Words to ponder…<3
I can totally relate to the overpowered feeling. Great post. I love the analogy of just because you can’t see the sun, doesnt mean its not shining; just because you feel doesnt make it real. thank you for ministering to me. I think you’ll appreciate this post. http://defininghope.blogspot.com/2012/09/winning-words-wednesday_12.html?m=1
I really needed to hear this. I’m going through a hard time and its good to be reminded to stop, think, pray, listen, and give thanks. God will provide in HIS time, not mine.
It is so uplifting to hear your story. Thanks for sharing!
Kathy, you are most welcome
Debbie
I love to read testimonies. When I am feeling unsure, I recall this favorite hymn of mine “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
Thank you, Debbie. A very uplifting testimonial. I know when I feel “grey”, I give it over to God and ask him to help me see the light. God provides.
Love it… ♥ ♥ ♥