Refuge for a Single Mom

Daniel’s Friends Protected   [Daniel 3:19-30]

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.

20 He commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire.
21 Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire.

22 For this reason, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.

23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.”

25 He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire.

27 The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king’s high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them.

28 Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God.

29 “Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.”

30 Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon.

Often, (very often, in fact) I fall back on God’s promise to get us ‘through’ adversity … That really sparked my interest of the word ‘through’ and I started thinking about how very deep it really is!

We must go ‘through’ hardship, ‘through’ difficulty, ‘through’ danger, ‘through’ trials, not over, around or under, but THROUGH!

From there, I got to thinking about how we could overcome adversity ‘through’ Him and pass ‘through’ it OR we could let the adversity go ‘through’ us and potentially destroy us!  Provocative?  Yeah, I thought so too!  *wink*

Through

The bible often talks about how we can get ‘through’ trials and tribulations by going ‘through’ the Lord.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:13

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.  Hebrews 11:29

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.  Romans 11:36

Through God we shall do valiantly, And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.  Psalm 60:12

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.  Isaiah 43:2

He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint.  Deuteronomy 8:15

Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews.  Acts 20:19

Simply put, when we share a deep and profound relationship with God, we are better able to trust in Him.  We can filter our problems, grievances, sadness, confusion, etc. ‘through’ Him and come ‘through’ our circumstances with something much more manageable.

Every bad thing in your life can produce something good if you’ve learned and grown from it.  Just as gold must pass ‘through’ the fiery kiln to become beautiful, we must pass ‘through’ the trials and tribulations of this world to fulfill the amazing plans that God has for us!

But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  Job 23:10

So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  I Peter 1:7

“And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”  Zechariah 13:9

Labels: Adversity, Perseverance, Strength, Tests, Trials, Tribulation, Victory

Yep!  You heard me right!  Give up!  Quit fighting, fumbling, stressing, wrestling and worrying with all this junk that you carry around and give it up - to God!

Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life.  Luke 21:34

This is something I’m working very diligently with right now.  I have a tendency to be very persistent and stubborn.  So when trials and adversity hit, nothing is any different.  I forget to go to God; I think that I can do it on my own and Viola!  I end up frustrated, stressed and very grouchy!  (Ask my kids!)  What did I accomplish?  Absolutely nothing!

But the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and chokes the word, and it becomes unfruitful.  Mark 4:19

There are several issues that I seem to be dealing with over and over right now.  I’ve mentioned most of them here (a few times) so I won’t beat the horse.  But usually, about once a month or so, I feel like I could literally explode.  I feel like every morning when I wake up I’m already on the edge.  So every time something happens, large or small, I just blow!  There are times when I physically feel like my head will simply shatter and blow right off the top of my head – like a volcano!

I think this is something that is especially characteristic of single moms, although I don’t think that we have the patent on it.  I know a lot of married moms that are seemingly raising their children as single moms.  They’re on their own all week, every other week or sometimes weeks at a time – they too understand this very well.

You are solely responsible for every function in your home, every event, every chore and errand.  You raise your children, discipline your children, attempt to have quality time with your children, maintain your home, and usually, we’re the sole breadwinner.

Now add the unusual junk, like a broken down vehicle, leaky roof, unexpected dental, optical or heath issues, or the all to well known and much dreaded TEMPER TANTRUM and well, that’s it!  There goes the “Mamma’s Peak”!  Come on!  How on Earth are we supposed to do all this?  How are we supposed to manage?  How can anyone expect us to be ‘Suzie Sunshine’ all the time?

Simple!  We go to God!  We give it all up and put all this junk in His hands.  Honestly, it really isn’t that simple, or I wouldn’t be here talking about it.  Indeed, we make it very difficult!  We hang on, laboring over it all wondering why we’re so exhausted, drained and irritable!

Duh!  We just aren’t made to handle it all alone!  God is patiently waiting for us to hand it all over to Him and we need to!  For us!  For our health!  For our kids!  For our family!  For our friends!  And, whether we realize it or not, for God!  He truly and passionately wants for us to admit how much we need Him!

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.  Nahum 1:7

GIVE UP!  LET IT GO!  LET GOD!

Do you understand the words that are comin’ outta my mouth?

GIVE UP!  LET IT GO!  LET GOD!

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  John 14:1

He has the shoulders to bear our burdens Sisters!  He can and He will!  Praise God!

My God in His lovingkindness will meet me; God will let me look triumphantly upon my foes.  Psalm 59:10

For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.  Isaiah 25:40

Labels: Anxiety, Comfort, Control, Discouraged, Strength, Tests, Tolerance, Trials

For truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,` and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.  Matthew 17:20

Around my house, the last couple of weeks have been a bit more trying than usual.  It seems as though we are simply muddling through and `just getting by`.  (Anyone else feel that way?)

Before I explain the details I would like to take a moment and thank God for His many blessings.  Especially pointing out, that I am sincerely grateful to Him for the health and safety of my children, my Mom, myself and the rest of my family and friends.  I realize that things could surely be much worse!

So, I`ve been sizing up this next post and debating what material to use as a `jumping off` point.  This is tough, because I don`t want to gripe or complain!  *wink*

Maybe I`ll start by telling you that I got a bit of a raw deal with my new vehicle.  (Luckily it is only cosmetic.)  There is some body damage that was `hidden` and I didn`t find it until my first thorough washing/waxing attempt.  This could easily be a very costly job and obviously one that I cannot justify the funds for right now.  Can you say `GRRR`?

What`s more, while the nation was reeling in death and suffering, some idiot(s) had the audacity to enter onto our property (through a gated fence) and steal both of my sons peddle bikes.  (Both of which he saved his own money to buy!)  I realize that this is what the `world` has been reduced to, but I still find it hard to understand.  We left something outside, on our patio, propped up against our home, next to our back door, (in plain view) and this justifies someone TAKING what is OURS?  The police really can`t do much.  They did promise to increase their presence in our area, but  I haven`t seen them yet.  Alas, this is how THIS summer has begun with my neighbors.  A girlfriend asked me if I really thought they were involved.  Most definitely!  The effects of the `world` on my neighborhood have been unbelievable.  UNBELIEVABLE!  We just can`t get moved fast enough!

Simply put, there are a lot of `little` things that are building up.  Every once in a while I get a little overwhelmed by it all.  To mention everything individually would probably wander into the realm of complaining and I am doing my very best to stay out of there!  (Even though that little purple bracelet isn`t here yet!)  *wink*

Overall I am just feeling very alone and sad.  Not depressed or anything major like that.  Just that annoying `alone` feeling when you ache for someone to `make it all better`!  You want for those strong arms wrapped around you to soften all the blows.  Perhaps a loving whisper of encouragement in your ear.

Although in the natural we seem to be incredibly alone, we need to refocus, step out of the box, so to speak!  Each one of us has a friend and comforter like no other!  Certainly like no one on this Earth!

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;
7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.  II Corinthians 1:2-7

God is always working to `make it all better`!  His arms are the strongest and He`s always willing to wrap them around you!  He never stops whispering uplifting, encouraging, loving words in your ear – just be willing to listen!

We`re never alone!  Have faith!  Even that of a mustard seed!  (Which by the way, is not quite as big as the top of a pin!)

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the men of old gained approval.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.  Hebrews 11:1-6

Labels: Choices, Encouragement, Faith, Frustration, Growth, Learning, Patience, Tests, Trials, Way of Thinking

Along the same lines as tests are trials. (A fine line indeed.) We learn and grow from our trials too. Strength, Patience and Faith all grow from the trials we face. (As long as we trust in the Lord and seek guidance from Him.) But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

What is the difference? Well, in my `humble` opinion, a test is something initiated more by God. Something that is intended as a lesson.

A trial, on the other hand, is initiated by the enemy; it`s a result of the world we live in, an attempt to break us down. It is more relentless and merciless. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

For born again Christians, this isn`t bad news. Consider it a `challenge`. A challenge to rise to victory and prove that you are a conqueror. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. I John 5:4

I mean, are you really going to let any device of the enemy have power over you? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35

Or are you going to have firm roots planted in the Word of God? Those on the rocky [soil are] those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no [firm] root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. Luke 8:13

Don`t get me wrong. All adversity, tests and trials are uncomfortable. The Lord does not promise us that there will not be discomfort. What he does promise is that the rewards will far outweigh the sacrifices. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have [its] perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which [the Lord] has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

WOW! `Perfect and Complete` and `Lacking in Nothing` – I`d say that`s a worthwhile result. What about `Crown of Life`? Yeah? Me too! I want nothing more than to spend eternity with my Heavenly Father!

The world we live is full of sin and trials, girls. Most of us, single, married, widowed - we`ve seen a lot. (Many of us more than we`d like too.) Some days it simply amazes me at the sin and filth that lies in wait to overtake me, my children, my family, friends, etc.

How awesome is it to know that there is a better place? We do have refuge in our Savior! We have hope and promise. We can dream and aspire to be great women that make a difference! In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:6-7

Ladies, no matter where you are in life, no matter your position. You are someone to God! With Him you can be a perfect woman, a fantastic Mom, clever businesswoman, invaluable employee, reliable daughter, thoughtful sister, loyal friend – the list is endless. And don`t for one minute think that what you do is lacking by any means. Being a Mom is a huge responsibility! Minister to your children! Be a wonderful example for them! Right now that is where God has you. I`m sure it`s for a reason!

All My Love

Labels: Adversity, Conqueror, Discomfort, Distress, Trials, Victory