Our refuge and our rock

Has anyone ever felt overcome by a sin, or a continual practice of something in your life that you know isn't building you up in Christ likeness, and hindering that constant growth in godliness? It feels as if you are sinking in it, even though your desire and heart is to be done with it, you feel like you fail time after time.

If that is you, or has been you in the past you are not alone. As of the past few weeks I have found it extremely hard to get out of bed in the morning at 6:15 (I know sounds pretty pathetic) to spend those precious hours "alone" with Christ before the day begins. In a perfect world I would hop out bed within seconds, head to the bathroom, them settle in my chair coffee nearby, my bible and my journal, mind completely focused free of distractions for the next hour or so until my kids wake up ready to rock & roll!

However, recently when I wake up having gotten between 6 and 8 hours of sleep I feel as if there is a layer of bricks hovering over me and to break through them to get up seems neary impossible. I was up today at 6:30 even though by body still felt tired like I could sleep for several more hours but I got up. It was within minutes that I realized I was hitting another wall. My mind was anything but focused. I was trying to pray and was having such a struggle. What is wrong with me I thought? Lord help me!

It wasn't to long after the kids woke up and we started the day. When It was "movie time" I hopped in the shower real quick. With a little more focus I begun to pray. By Gods grace it was like the wind was gently starting to move the sails. After I got out I quickly sat down to continue what had started moments before. I journaled everything I was thinking this morning but couldn't get out in words. It became my prayer as I was writing it down.

He was raining down his mercy and love and I knew I was sitting directly under it!

Then I read Psalm 119:133 " keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no inquiry get dominion over me."

This verse lept off the pages!! Keep steady my steps Oh Lord! When I begin to drift pull me back to the well that gives life!' You will keep and preserve your children! Your promises are unwavering!

Then came the second half. And let NO inquity get dominion over me. This is how I was feeling. As if this laziness was taking control and rule over me and it was going to win. This is how I felt, but I knew when held up to the word of God this could not be so. He brings victory to his people. He strengthens and enables the to do things through the power he has granted to all who believe.

I kind of feel like my little issue is so petty compared to other things people struggle to overcome. We had a ministry called " Teen Challenge of Memphis" come to our church this past Sunday to share the word with us, personal testimonies from men still in the program, and lead us in worship. It was so wonderful!!! To see chains of addiction be broken by the power of God, and men who before encountering Christ were hopeless, and now stand born again new creations is breathtakingly beautiful. I praise him for the work He is doing ALL over the world not just where my eyes can see.

I also know that he sees my struggle and yours too, whether big or little he cares! He will bring me out of it. His eyes did not pass over Hagar in the wilderness as she layed her infant child under a bush to die he heard her cries and answered her prayers. Thank you for a God who holds the whole world in the palm of his hand, sustaining everything around us and is a refuge and a rock, a ever present help for those who are weak!

Glory be to the one true God!