SNARLING DOGS! SNARLING THOUGHTS!

It has been quite a couple of weeks, I must admit.  Beautiful weather, but lots of drama!  Between finding out I have a patch of shingles on my back, a frozen shoulder to be undone, tendinitis in the elbow, colonoscopy is clear, and I don't have to get foot surgery on the heel spur; whew! And that was just a few things that went on.  How does one person get all that in a two week period of time?  Stress?  Yep!!!

I have seen a doctor every day but one this week.  In all of that questioning and fist raising to God, I did learn a lot about the subjects at hand today -   You learn that once again the body takes what is going on in the mind and decides how it will respond.  What a deal!  You think you are being cool, but you aren't.  After all these years of counseling and studying you would think I could get that fixed.   Humbly, no!  Monday, however, the Lord got it through my thick skull some answers  I want to share with you, that might help you on down the road.

Our mind, unfortunately, can be penetrated by the enemy with our own toxic thoughts.  Hence - Psalm 59.  Here is a snippet. . .Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;  defend and protect me from those who rise up against me.  .  .They return at evening, they howl and snarl like dogs, and go (prowling) about the city.  Behold they belch out (insults) with their mouths; swords (of sarcasm, ridicule, slander, and lies) are in their lips, for who, they think, hears us?  But you,  O Lord, will laugh at then (in scorn); You will hold all the nations in derision.  O my strength, I will watch and give heed to You and sing praises; for God is my Defense (my Protector and High Tower).   (Read the entire chapter)    Job, no doubt, learned all these too!

My point here is that our own thoughts become like snarling dogs in the night.  We get all caught up in the "Why" questions of life,  and why did I do that, well why did I make that decision, am I nuts?
We worry, fret, fester, stew, and steer.   I wrote a book on that once.  Fretting, Fussing, Stewing, and Steering.  Here is the question I had to ask myself when I looked at the last two weeks and all that is going on in our family right now . . . " Do I trust that God works ALL things together for good according to His purpose, or not?"  And, if I believe His Word, then why don't I act like it.  Telling me, "Shirley, you are human, we are all human after all!"  That just doesn't help.

What I needed to hit me was that I need to keep my snarling thoughts down to a dull roar.  I need to share with you that keeping your mind clear and at peace no matter what, brings praise, and clarity.  Trusting that, turning that all over to God, and not carrying it ourselves brings peace.  Trust brings peace.  

You will keep the enemy away more often, you will circumvent his snarling away at you so much.  You must also be about keeping your thoughts in steadfast prayer, peace, and trust.  Stop, Look and Listen to God.  He DOES work all things together, especially,  if we keep our mitts off of it!!!!

Hang out and rest in a beautiful tree, the TREE OF LIFE -  Jesus Christ!  TODAY!


I Peter 4: 7 - But the end and culmination of all things has now come near;  keep sound minded and self - restrained and alert therefore for (the practice) of prayer.