Believing God To Get You Through The Rough Stuff

I'm the type to smile and pretend that everything is a-ok. I'm not one to just offer up all the problems I'm having just because someone asks "Are you ok?" or "How are you doing?". I will just give my typical response of "I'm fine". I don't know why I'm like that - I just am.

I have been a part of the most wonderful group of women for the past two years. We meet on Monday nights for Bible study. I think part of the reason I love the group so much is that it is small - just 6 other women. They are slowly getting it through my head that it's ok to ask for prayer for myself. I never used to do that. I would sit there and listen to other's prayer requests and pray for them - but rarely offer up my own...or if I did, they were about other people - my kids - my friends, etc. - never myself.

This past year - we did a Beth Moore study called "Believing God". It was amazing. Knowing that you can lean on God for everything is something I "knew"...but didn't practice. We had a 5 statement pledge we said every week:

• God is who He says He is.
• God can do what He says He can do.
• I am who God says I am.
• I can do all things through Christ.
• God's word is alive and active in me.

I put out an e-mail to a few of the women from group last week and was instantly covered in their prayer. It felt so comforting to know that there were people that I could trust like that - to pray instantly - without knowing all the facts.
The problems aren't gone. We're still working on them...but it's nice knowing that there is someone out there praying for me.

Sunday's service seemed to have song after song that touched me. One stuck out in particular:

Trading My Sorrows

by Darrell Evans

I'm trading my sorrow

I'm trading my shame

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness

I'm trading my pain

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:

And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned

Struck down but not destroyed

I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure

And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night

His joy comes with the morning