Skip to main content

A worldly perspective

 

So much has happened over the last week! America started bombing Iran, Iran started bombing Israel and other surrounding countries. We are told petrol prices will go up in an already difficult economy, and goods may not be able to get through. Electricity prices are about to go up. Two days ago, my grocery bill was around thirty dollars more than my budget. Then I received a call to say my dear friend with cancer had passed away. I was so glad I had suddenly decided to pop in and see her that morning. We had already said our goodbyes, but it enabled me to pray over her and her family and wish her God-speed. We also received a quote for work on our roof, and it was a lot!

Life is hectic, and I am frequently tired and feeling stressed. I wished I could have avoided this week altogether.

However, my God is so faithful. None of these events have surprised Him. He is already working in and through them. I love Psalms 139 where it tells us that we cannot go anywhere that will take us away from His presence. He hems us in. I love those words and the wonderful picture it gives us of God. The Bible tells us that God is our refuge and strength, that in times of trouble He is with us. It also tells us not to fear because when we go through the waters we won’t drown, and when we go through the fire we won’t burn. So, in my exhaustion, and dealing with life, I put my trust in Him and He gives me His perfect peace.

No matter where you live, please pray for all those who are suffering because of war in the Middle East and Ukraine. Pray for those who are Muslim, that they might be saved, and for those fighting. Pray for peace.

May you too be assured of God’s sovereignty and receive His peace.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taking Time Out

  I had the privilege this week of attending a retreat with five other women. The retreat was over three days but unfortunately some of the nine women who intended to go, were unable to as other urgent commitments came up and needed to be kept. So it became a bit different than expected. Six of us attended the first day, but two of us could only go for the day. Another two were going out the following day for the rest of the retreat. Unfortunately one of our ladies became quite sick and to her disappointment missed it all. However, the day I attended was blessed.   The retreat was held at a beach house belonging to one of the group, at an isolated beach about an hours drive away. It was a beautiful sunny day. We deposited our bags and the first thing we did after admiring the view, was to have a cup of tea. This lead to a lovely lazy discussion about all sorts of things, a great introduction to spending time together. Following this we spent about an hour studying and discus...
Post a Comment
Read more

Friends

  I am so blessed to have a circle of really good friends in my life. I am a definite introvert so find it really easy to simply stay home, especially if I have a good book to read. I am an avid reader of Christian fiction. However, I do know that it is better that I have some socialization. Research shows that isolation increases the risk of an early death as well as the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease so obviously I want to avoid that if possible. Research also shows that socialization is good for brain health including making your memory sharper as well as increasing well-being and feelings of belonging. Although as an introvert I find socialization can be a little exhausting, I do enjoy time with my friends and it makes me happy. Introverts tend to have a few very close friends whilst extroverts tend to be friends with everyone and find socialization energizing—strangers are only ‘friends they haven’t yet met’! Now that is of course a very broad generalization, but i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Planting Seeds

  Carrying on from last week, I was wondering how I am sowing seeds. I realised that we can all sow seeds everywhere we go. I don’t go out that often actually, I don’t belong to any secular groups but I can still be responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Under his leading I made a determined effort to get to know the names of all the staff at my two favourite cafés that I visit at least weekly. I ask about their families; I support where I can. My friends and I find opportunities to give them all a little gift of chocolate and a card with a verse of scripture written on it. They all know we are Christians. I guess that might be called planting seeds. I converse with the supermarket checkout operators just to have a chance to bring a blessing to them. Some of them now know I am a Christian. I can easily bring God into conversations with unsaved family members, neighbours and strangers I stop and talk to in the park—with the leading of the Holy Spirit. I do not adopt a heavy...
Post a Comment
Read more