I will straight-up admit to you that I am a dramatic person. But this time, I'm being completely serious.
I am incredibly stressed. I am overwhelmed. I am discouraged. I even feel physically sick at some points.
But right now, I'm just thankful to be alive and breathing. I have a family. I have a roof over my head, food in the fridge, and fresh water to drink.
Life is fragile.
Life is so, so fragile.
The past few weeks, my heart has been bombarded with grief and sorrow and worry for so many. I'd like to share just a few of them with you today. I would humbly ask that you be in prayer for these situations.
I have several friends who attend Master's College in Southern California. Yesterday, while at the beach with other incoming freshman, a sand pit collapsed around a 20 year old Korean foreign exchange student, and he passed away. My heart is just broken for his family, his friends, his campus.
I went to a cardiology appointment this morning with a dear friend of mine. I'm pretty sure I was more nervous than she was. She is so filled with grace and peace. My heart is just praying and believing that God has a plan no matter the test results.
For the past seven months I worked for a sweet mom who lost her husband to cancer. Two days ago, it had been 365 days since she and her two young children said goodbye.
My little sister has been in and out of doctor's appointments, trying to get a diagnosis for the pain in her body. So far, the doctor's are at a loss. Wisdom and clarity, come quickly!
Fires. There are so many fires. Homes in danger, air quality incredibly poor, and firefighters apart from their sweet families.
I could go on and on about these, and about a dozen others that just hurt my heart. I wish I could fix it all.
I wish I could miraculously rid the world of disease, pain, confusion, and stress.
And tonight, I'm sitting here completely overwhelmed to the point of tears.
I am asking Him to humble me... asking Him to remind my soul of his perfect hand in my life. I feel as though He's tattooing my soul with the words “He is Mightier."
Psalm 93:4 “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea- the Lord on high is mighty.”
Mightier.
When exhaustion and despair are thriving, you see yourself at a dead-end, and you are tempted to give up... remember the Red Sea, and venture forth. He is mightier. (Exodus 13:17-15:21)
When you're battling in the midst of a storm, your heart is a sea of turmoil, and your joy, comfort, and hope have been battered and tossed until raw and fragile, remember the Sea of Galilee, and be still. He is mightier. (Mark 4:35-41)
When life slows to what seem to be stagnant, and you are burdened by the absence of direction or momentum, remember the Psalmist’s stream, and find joy in an opportunity to nurture roots and draw strength. He is mightier. (Psalm 1)
If you find yourself blown completely off course, detoured from your intended destination, and are tempted to quickly correct your route, remember Paul’s storm and dare to entertain the thought that THIS is where you are meant to be, and find purpose. He is mightier. (Acts 27)
When you stumble or wander into drought, thirst, and a parched spirit that drains any traces of life inside, remember God’s promise in Isaiah, and watch for “a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Remember, too, the water springing from rock, and know, He can bring forth sustenance from desertion. Take heart. He is mightier. (Isaiah 43:19, Exodus 17:1-5)
If you are searching tirelessly to find redemption, listen to those four beautiful words- “Wash and be cleansed!” Read about Naaman and the Jordan river. Rest deeply in the simplicity of solid truth and the way that is better than all the "extras" our muddied minds imagine are necessary in order to obtain forgiveness. He is mightier. (2 Kings 5)
When the doubt, ridicule, and unkindness of others threatens to waylay you, or tempts you to choose an easier way than the calling before you, remember Noah’s flood. and press on. He is mightier. (Genesis 6-9)
When all seems lost, imagine Mary’s tears as she stood crying outside the empty tomb. Remember the words of a Risen Savior: “Woman, why are you crying?” Remember a perfect Jesus who conquered the most unconquerable thing known to man: death. Remember, and live. He is mightier. (John 20)
He is mightier.
... I choose peace. Jesus, you are welcome here.
Love,
Lyss
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