Our emotions can travel up and down a rickety track that is similar to the twists and turns of a roller coaster ride. Have you ever been up one day and down the next? Or even happy for a few hours and then the bottom drops out and you just want to crawl back to bed? I don’t think you are alone.
Life can be a lot like a roller coaster ride. There are ups, downs, curves, sharp dips and unexpected
drops. The most troublesome drops come when you are in the middle of a hard situation, or trying to accept something you have no control over, or grieving a transition or loss. I affectionately call these periods between a problem and it’s resolution…the meantime. And though that is my affection verbage, there is nothing warm and fuzzy about these times. In fact, the meantime often feels MEAN!
The meantime has these consistent themes:
- Not good timing…the meantime never is
- Inconvenient…the meantime always is
- Exhausting…the meantime takes us out of our emotional and physical comfort zone and that can really wear us out.
The dictionary defines the word “meantime” as the interval between things. And, one thing I have discovered about myself is that I do fairly well as a faith girl when life is cruising along and I am enjoying the smooth ride. But I don’t do too well when hairpin curves are introduced into the route. But, just today I was once again touched by the words of Oswald Chambers when he said,
“The greatest difficulty spiritually is to concentrate on God, and His blessings are what make it so difficult.Troubles almost always make us look to God, but His blessings tend to divert our attention elsewhere. Our difficulties, our trials and our worries about tomorrow all vanish when we look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter how many things seem to be pressing in on you, be determined to push them aside and look to Him.”
Though we don’t like ups and downs, problems or pain…perhaps they serve as interval training in the spiritual sense.To get spiritually fit, we all need some interval training, the stuff that living in the meantime is all about.If the bottom never dropped out we would never have a reason to draw close and tight to God. We might draw close in good times, but just ask someone who is grieving and they will tell you that they don’t just cry out to God, they climb right up into his lap…because it is there they find comfort.
When we go to an amusement park and take on one of those triple thriller rides the first thing we do is get seated, the next thing we do is get securely strapped in place. Well, back up…for me, the first thing I do just looking at one of those rides is get scared to death! And, if I get talked into getting on board, I make sure that I am fastened securely. On the sacred journey of relationship with Christ, getting seated correctly is sitting in God’s Word, and the strap that securely fastens us is defined by the Apostle Paul as rejoicing.
“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” Philippians 3:1
Rejoicing is a SAFEGUARD.
So the next time you feel like you are up, down and all around…stop. Ask yourself these questions:
- Have I committed my problem to God?
- Do I believe God himself is capable of guiding the path during this trial? Why am I up and down, what are my options? (try to control, surrender to God, scream, fret or ask for more faith…)
- Why as I choosing to stay here? ( I want to scream and control, but will choose surrender as I look to Christ)
- God’s Word. Read it daily. If you don’t know where to start, purchase a one year bible, and read it. Not enough time for each days selection? Then just do that day’s Psalms and Proverbs, or that day’s New Testament selection. And, if you get behind, get it out again and start on today’s date. We must be in the word to be fed spiritually. Get a phone app, or devotional. Be intentional about getting truth into your head so it can become part of your heart and begin defining your belief system.
- Gratitude and Praise. Do it daily. If you don’t know where to start just begin thanking God for all the things that you can. Fill your mind with the good things and focus there. Commit some verses to memory that tell you the truth of who God is and how much HE loves you. Thank Him for that love…daily, many times. And, if you had a grumbly day today, start over. While we are rejoicing in the Lord, we are looking to Him, focused on the unseen promise of His love and faithfulness and with that focus we are kept in a place of safety….mentally/emotionally/spiritually.We must praise God in all things if we are to be spiritually minded.
I have such a hard time with giving it all to Him and with giving Thanks in all good or bad… but reading this today gave me hope and light thank-you Debbie
Goodmorning Goodmorning, This is a day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I was shocked. This unknown author, this auther with so much to say. This author with so much insight on growth and the deeper things of God. First, when I read the forward and the dedication, I knew this dear and very different woman. It wasn’t till I saw your picture on the back cover, a very good one by the way, that I definatly knew you. A blast from the past. A very wonderful surprise. I am so very proud of you. Who could have imagined God’s perfect will for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you. I was there at Calvary when your old world imploded. I remember because my world imploded too. So much talent and such a heart breaking fall. Now, 25yrs later your live was change from glory to glory. I am a more fully developed follower of Christ, and you my dear sweet sister are awesomely blessed with the written word. What a huge witness of God’s ultimate journey and plan, kind of like Joseph, thrown unjustly in a pit. I stand so encouraged and amazed. I love our women’s bible study book; A Woman who Trusts God. You are an awesome writer with perfect words of training. Our church is a large church about 7000 members.
I live in Las Vegas,Nevada. We attend Central Christian Church. Our on-line campus is Central Christian. com the Feb 11th service was a good one,(hint hint) lol. We have 7000 members, and I enjoy our womens ministry very much. We have babies and the fully devoted. But either way we never stop growing. I’ve been married to Jim 31 yrs now, and like you, all our children are grown. And like you, I live in the word of God. Partly out of desperation, but mostly out of blessings and knowledge. I love the way scripture has become our mind. I dwell on it in all situations,in gratitude,strength, and for security.
I have been a banquet server at the Bellagio for 13 yrs now. I waited on God over ten yrs, and He rewarded me with a job that is very suited to my strengths. My husband is retiring from the FAA this October. We have been blessed by our consistent tithes and offerings and God has truley provided all our needs, just as He has promised in His word. I am looking forward to reading and giving out all your books. I’ve already givin a couple away for encourgment and growth of a friend, and one to my newly married daughter. In the “meantime” is inspired,MEAN is right. We walk in a fallen world. And as such, we are the light of the world. We are the salt of the earth. And, as you know, we have to be in Christ in order to be ready for any circumstance. Tough work but soo fun and rewarding.
Well, I wanted to say hi and let you know I am proud of you. Your books are wonderfully written and a true gift. All my love in Christ, Joyce Daigle
My cell number is 702-378-9763. If God leads you to be a guest speaker at our church, let me know. You are welcome at my house, and I will be with you every step of the way. My home address is 4452 E mesa Vista Ave. Las Vegas Nv. 89120.
p.s. If God is for us, who can be against us!
HI there!
I would love to speak at your church in Las Vegas. Tell your women’s ministry director about my website and maybe the Lord will open a door.
Great to hear from you. So happy to hear you are walking with Jesus and are well. Many blessings to you Joyce!
Debbie