How can she let me down like this?
She promised.
And I did my part.
I start plotting...
- ...how to get her to hold up her end of our bargain.
- ...how to make her.
- ...how to force her to…
Wait a second.
I recognize this feeling.
The I am SO going to make this happen sensation.
I recognize
- the tightening of the skin above my nose.
- the slight buzzing in my ears.
- the narrowing of my vision.
This is not time to take action.
This is time to
- pause.
- pray.
- ponder God’s word (instead of my oh-so-wordy thoughts!)
Slowly, I remember that I can not get her, make her, or force her to do anything.
I have control over my choices.
Only my choices.
(Not hers.)
As I listen for the next step God is leading me to take,
- my nose relaxes,
- the buzzing dies down, and
- my peripheral vision expands.
Calm returns.
I remember, with gratitude, that this process once took hours, days, even weeks.
I remember, with gratitude, that this process once took hours, days, even weeks.
Now, mostly minutes...often less.
God promises...
And I will give you a new heart,
and I will put a new spirit in you.
I will take out your stony, stubborn heart
and give you a tender, responsive heart.
(Ezekiel 36:26)
...and He will never let you down.
Your Turn:
- How often do you feel like you need to get, make, or force someone else to do something you want them to do? How do you deal with that feeling?
- What is your favorite verse to recall or look up when stormy emotions start getting the upper hand in your mind or heart?
- Anything else on your heart!