I love Christian Fiction books and just finished reading "Blind Sight" by James H. Pence.  It is a great novel about people who are in peril and find comfort in God's promises.  I highly recommend it--especially if you are "into"  mystery and intrigue.  Any-Whoo.  A verse is quoted in it that I admittedly had never come across in all my years as a daughter of our King, The Lord Jesus Christ.   It is Habakkuk 3:17-19  

The reason, I think, it hit home with me is because of what I felt for the past couple of years as we have struggled with the insecurities of being retired and not having a steady job and fixed income and because of the tedious process of ridding my body of  mercury poisoning and all that entails, attacking not only my physical body, but my emotional being as well. 

God is NOT done with me and He continues working in me and my life.  I am learning more and more to JUST TRUST HIM--not matter what the circumstances.  Sometimes He  brings us to a point that, THAT is the ONLY thing we can do.   In the face of adversity, there can be peace and tranquility--just  trust HIM and commit it to Him.  

Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree does not bud & there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails & the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.   The Sovereign God is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

Yesterday I heard a message on self-confidence.  Each of  us have  tremendous opportunites to "lift others up"  For instance, when someone does something nice for us, do we take it for granted,  do we say a flippant "Thank You"  or do we lift them up to someone else--letting others know about it?  Or, just as bad, maybe even worse, do we take credit for something someone else has done--thus "lifting ourselves up"  And, how does that make that person feel?   I pray that God will help me take advantage of the privilege of lifting someone up today. 

(Inspired by a devotional by David McCasland)

Much of our self-confidence comes from others.  the feedback of family and friends is vital in helping us discover our unique gifts.  As followers of Christ, we are charged with making an honest, positive contribution to each other.  We can apply the words of Paul to this critical process, "let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another...Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Eph. 4:25, 29

Between the extremes of hazardous flattery and destructive criticism, we should aim for beneficial reality in what we say to each other.  In the "WE" of Christian community, the "ME" of personality is shaped.  It's a great privilege and responsibility to help each other discover who we are in Christ. 

My Precious Child,

I can't wait to hear from you! You are the joy of My heart!  I created you to have fellowship with Me, and I love your company when you pray to Me.  You are so important to Me that I want you to bring every big and little thing to Me for help, advice, or sharing your joy!  I am always available.  You will never get a busy signal, and I don't have a secretary.  Prayer is the way you reach Me.  Whether it's an arrow prayer or a lengthy one, I welcome it all.

Don't worry if you continue to take back your worries.  I am patiently waiting  for you to turn them back to Me again and again.  I know that you'll grow stronger each time you focus on Me.  I am confident that My Spirit will continue to work in you to learn this challenging surrender, so don't think I'm upset or unhappy with you.  I'll never stop drawing you into My loving embrace.

My child, you are valuable and precious to Me.  Talk to Me often.  Release you worries to Me.  I stand ready to respond and take your burdens.

I love you,

Your Heavenly Father                   (excerpt from book, "Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries"      

                                                                        by Kathy Collard Miller