Ryan and I took a walk yesterday afternoon, while it was nice out, to give ourselves and Lexi some exercise. We have some of our best deep talks during our walks, and yesterday was no exception.
We talked over situations and decisions before us, and Ryan said about one of them, "I'm praying, but I'm not praying with panic. I'm praying with..."
"Peace?" I asked.
"Yes! I'm praying with peace. I really believe God will take care of everything in His time because we know He does."
"We've seen it," I added. "We've seen it in our own lives in situations just like this. We don't have to rely on the history of others for this one. We can look back over our own journey with Him."
That realization and declaration brought such joy to my heart. To have a personal history with the Lord that has stretched long and far enough to an understanding of Him from experience is a gift. It is something I looked forward to in my younger years, and I am thrilled to know I've lived long enough to see it come to fruition for me.
It's also why I love journaling. Our minds remember things more clearly when we chronicle them. The words and pictures of the scrapbooks and journals I keep have helped me more clearly remember these previous answers to prayer that are now fueling our prayers for the future.
It's not new information that God is good and faithful. It's not new information to the world, and it's not new information here in this space. But we all need that reminder, especially when we are facing times of recurring prayer/
Maybe you need the reminder today, too. If you've lived and walked with the Lord long enough to have that personal history, don't be afraid to recall it. Be encouraged by what you've seen in your own walk.
This is also why it's important to share your story with others. For those who may not have the established history...lend them yours. Let them be propelled forward by the accounts of what He's done for you!
And above all, never stop praying. Pray with peace. He's not panicking. We don't have to, either!
2 comments:
My dad was a heart patient and had three bypass operations and multiple hospital emergency room visits when he would experience chest pains. My mom always reminded us of God’s faithfulness to help my dad as He had in the past by singing this hymn out loud. “The Lord hath helped us hitherto by His surpassing favor. His mercies evermore are new, His kindness did not waver...and hitherto hath helped us,”
Loved your comments, "For those who may not have the established history...lend them yours. . . . Pray with peace. He's not panicking. We don't have to, either!" --Janice
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