“Fill your mind with the thought that God is there. And once your mind is truly filled with that thought, when you experience difficulties it will be as easy as breathing for you to remember, my heavenly Father knows all about this. Therefore, you can rest in perfect confidence in Him.” –Oswald Chambers
I found this quote many years ago and it has remained one of my most favorite quotes. As a mom when I am going about my day, doing what moms do, I often find myself sinking into a hole of pity and despair. Life is overwhelming. Kids are fighting, the washer is broken, my phone is sitting in the bottom of the toilet (thanks to the toddler), the van won’t start again and I have no clue what is for dinner!
Some days are amazingly wonderful. Other days …I’m just not sure how I will make it through the day. This is called life. In the midst of life, how I respond to the surprises and challenges that interrupt my plans is what matters.
If I am thinking about how hard my life is and that is my focus, then it will feel ten times harder. I will be overwhelmed, worn out from trying to handle things on my own and eventually depressed.
This was me last week. I couldn’t focus on what needed to be done because I was focused more on what was going wrong around me. I was miserable and everyone around me was miserable too. That saying is totally true. “If momma ain’t happy, nobody is happy.”
When I do what Chambers says to do, my perspective completely changes. My mind is on the Lord in the midst of the difficulties. And because my mind is on Him I am able to rest in perfect confidence in Him.
Can I just be completely honest and transparent here?
This is a great quote & I love to keep it close, but I struggle with it. I know from what I have read about Oswald Chambers he also struggled with depression and great trials, so he knew this to be absolutely true and I do too. I have to be very purposeful in surrendering myself every day to the Lord. I know I can’t do it on my own even though I still try at times.
I can’t tell you how much peace comes from knowing that whatever I am dealing with, the Lord already knows about it and already has an answer. He loves me more than I can understand and won’t leave me. He is with me, every step of the way. But when I focus on my troubles, even though he is with me, I miss the blessing of resting in his peace and watching him work.
Fill your mind with the truth that God is with you so that when difficulties come, it will be as easy as breathing to remember that he knows all about it.
Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
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2014 M.O.M. Conference ~ BETTER TOGETHER
July 31st – August 2nd
Jacksonville, Florida at Trinity Baptist Church
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