Not only has this past week, here in WA, been in COVID lockdown but it has also born some other devastating realities;
* Wild bush fires – 86 homes lost
* 1 in 10-year flood disaster in the northwest, washing away major roads and more
So I know that many have been suffering this past week, along with myself experiencing some very unpleasant and uncomfortable feelings that I have struggled to contain ☹
My previous blog at the beginning of this week, on Challenges, although written to encourage myself was written when (as pictures shows) I was quite literally at the foot of the mountain that my week has turned out to be!
Just to add to the mix - along the way, while out driving during this week, to be with my father I was run off the road (car driving towards me in my lane) by an oncoming high-speed car chase with police in tow.
I love the fact that I have been able to do this past week with my husband standing alongside me to support me through the chaos but last evening when he stepped out to purchase more milk from the local supermarket, he came back with a lovely card for me and a scripture - Philippians 4:4-9 inside 😊
It has been a great boost to me, and I wanted to break it down for those of you reading this today… (wording is from TPT)
4 Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One!
To be truthful, I have struggled to see the joy in things this week but at one moment, sitting at my dad’s nursing home (palliative care) bedside – he asked me a question and when I answered he gave me his cheeky grin and shrugged his shoulders, so I just had to stroke his head & say ‘I Love you’!
In some conversations I have had with organizations – I can’t truthfully say I have shown much ‘gentleness’ as I have blurted out how I really feel about their comments and when going to bed that night have asked the Lord Jesus to forgive me!
6 Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life,
I have been very worried but I know that we have had lots of different ones praying for us and at the end of each day (even though the days events have been ‘shocking’ and unbelievable) my husband and I have together ended our day on giving THANKS for what the Lord is doing in and through it all.
7 then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.[c]
So I must confess I have still been able to sleep at night so believe that is God’s peace over my life …
8 So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God,[d] praising him always.
… and as I continue to process thoughts on all matters pertaining to my current situation, I am still trying to make sense of it all – doing my best to be real, honorable, and believing for God to have the glory in it all.
9 Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things.
In the end, I know God will have preeminence and I am looking forward to the testimony that will come from this ongoing drama!
Now that my dad has gone home to heaven to be with his Lord and Saviour (passed away on 4/2/21 – ‘so you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at any hour when you do not expect him’ Matt 24:44) I am still physically dealing with a set of circumstances (in relation to my dad) that started back in the middle of January 2021 and because of this, I am still dealing with ongoing major controversies!
As I take each day, one at a time, and put the Lord first for whatever else is up ahead – I know that God must have great things planned for us to accomplish here in WA if the enemy sees fit to throw so much at us now, all in one hit – so Heavenly father my prayer today is Hebrews 13:21…
to equip us with every good thing to carry out your will Lord and strengthen us (making us complete and perfect in you), accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in your sight Lord, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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