On February 11th I had my yearly physical. They used to be a quick visit, no problems to address, and off I went. But ever since I turned 40 the visits have lasted just a bit longer. The appointments always begin the same, “Hi Teresa. How are you doing?” “Hungry.” I reply with a smile on my face (the ‘no food or drink after midnight’ is never fun, especially for a coffee drinker like me.) This year, I reluctantly added that I’ve been more tired than usual, and my stomach feels terrible every time I eat. My doctor got out his stethoscope and kindly said, “Let’s check and see what’s going on.”
To make a long
story short, my final diagnosis was:
- My thyroid needed a little help. I’ve had hypothyroidism for 11 years now, and this is the first time I’ve had to increase my dosage of Synthroid. Thank you 40+ years old!!
- Too much acid in my stomach, so a prescription was written. The doctor also recommended I avoid a list of food, and of course many of my favorite foods were on the list.
I hate to admit
it, but it has been a huge struggle for me to give up certain foods. Even when
I know the food will make me feel sick a few moments after eating it, I still
eat it. And then I get mad at myself, which then makes me feel emotionally
upset. And being emotionally upset just makes me want to eat something that
will make me feel sick…and the cycle goes around and around. Oh, Lord, why
can’t I practice a little self-control?
Do you ever feel
that way? Do you struggle, too? Do you have an area in your life where you want
to do what is good and right, but instead you do the complete opposite? Some of
you have given up something for lent. How is that going? How are you finding
the strength and will power to let that go?
In my struggle
and frustration a verse came to mind. Two thousand years ago the Apostle Paul
expressed the same struggle. He wrote in Romans 7:18b, “For I have the desire
to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I
want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing.” I felt
his struggle. I understood those exact words.
Then Paul goes on
and on about sin living in us and being a slave to sin. And just when I was
feeling overwhelmed from reading his description, his final conclusion arrives
in verse 24 and 25. He writes, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me
from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
What a weight
lifted off of me. How I needed the reminder that my Savior rescued me. Peace
filled my heart…the Word of God settled me down once again.
My verse to
memorize this time is Paul’s conclusion. “What a wretched man I am! Who will
rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our
Lord!” Romans 7:24, 25 (NIV)
Elaine and I
would love to hear from you. Please comment on the verse you are memorizing,
and if you feel comfortable, we would also like to know how you are doing.
Together we can encourage and pray for one another.
Hugs to all of
you!
My next verse is: Psalm 25:9,10 (NASB)
ReplyDeleteYou lead the humble in justice,
And You teach the humble Your way.
All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth
To those who keep Your covenant and Your testimonies.
This is a continuation of what I memorized from the last blog posting. I love the picture of God leading and teaching those who walk humbly before Him. I also love the truth that no matter what pathway we are on, if we are following the Lord in faithful obedience, we have the assurance of His lovingkindness and truth to accompany us along the way. To me, there is no downside to choosing humility and obedience based on what Scripture has to say. Thankful for His Word!
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” PHILIPPIANS 2:14-15(NIV)
ReplyDeleteWe need to love one another and not fuss and argue about things that happened in the past. We can't go back and undo what happened, but we can forgive one another in love and ask the Holy Spirit to convict those who were in the wrong and draw them nearer to God, and to pray for their salvation. Those who say "I'll forgive, but I'll never forget" have NOT truly forgiven. I know from personal experience that when you do fully forgive and let go, you realize that God has restored your joy, peace and love.
Sylvia Allen
"I lift up my eyes to the hills;
ReplyDeletewhere does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
I love this simple question followed by the very definitive answer. When I read this verse, the song is playing in the background of my mind and is meditative. This was the first verse that my (now 5 year old) son said to me after spending the morning in a Moms Morning Out program at a local church. I asked him what he learned that day and his response, in his sweet toddler voice, was "my help comes from the Lord." 'Nuff said. Such a comfort to me.
"The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken—
ReplyDeletewho can change his plans?
When his hand is raised,
who can stop him?”
Isaiah 14:27 (NLT)
I fell in love with the phrase "Lord of Heaven's Armies" before it became popular in the musical realm. To me, it's awesome to know that I have a God who is not only in charge of the things I see, but of the spiritual battle that is raging around me. He is so powerful that when He speaks, I'd better listen. How can I not praise a God like that?
I have been dealing with some pretty big issues with our family lately and was led to the verses in Psalm 84:11-12. They are a reminder of who is in charge and that we will be blessed for trusting our powerful, loving Heavenly Father.
ReplyDeleteFor the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." ~ Hebrews 12:2 ~
ReplyDeleteI chose this verse for these two weeks because I don't want to be distracted by lesser things (even though some of that is inevitable since we're human) - I want to focus my attention on Jesus, and on His presence in my life.
"The Lord will fulfill HIS purpose for me; Your love, O Lord endures forever." Psalm 138:8
ReplyDeleteSometimes I get anxious about the future.....my future....many unknowns and hopes and desires. Going through a new season in my life (empty-nest) is proving to be a challenge for me. Loneliness and a very quiet empty house isn't fun. This verse is a great reminder that GOD knows my future and His purpose for me and He will see it through. And I can count on His love being there FOREVER for me!!
Donna Vonfeldt
The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent. Ex 14.14
ReplyDeleteI have a tendency to defend and to want to get my point across. I want to be understood. And often, I just need to sit and be still and be silent and let God work.
Mine is Ephesians 3:20, which says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." When I want my way, right now, I want to remember that God's plan is so much better that I can't even imagine it. And I love the promise this verse gives about God working inside me.
ReplyDeleteLeah
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very comforting verse for me; knowing that NOTHING can separate us from God's love that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!
Sylvia Allen