THE TRAP AND THE PIVOT

Hi everyone,

I've just returned home from an amazing holiday with Jeff & Dad.  We did a tour of Southern Ireland and loved every minute of it.  One of the joys was seeing Dad have such a good time.  We flew out of the country on his 89th birthday, and it is a testament to his faith that he is so well.  

As good as it was, we are all happy to be home and looking forward to a settled routine, which for me will include a return to regular writing!

I revisited a recent journal entry this morning and was prompted to share it here, so here we go!

Have you ever found yourself discouraged because other people seem to be doing better than you?  We all know that comparison is a trap, and particularly when we feel like we deserve better!

 "For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness" Psalm 73:3. Here is the trap.  Envy, and may I point out, a judgmental attitude to boot!

Anxiety and depression are guaranteed companions to envy.  Envy is the trap.  And judgment hardens our hearts and closes our minds.

So, what is the pivot?  How do we release ourselves from this trap?

Drop down to verses 16-17 of Psalm 73... "So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God......"

17 The pivot point is getting ourselves into the Presence of God.  If envy and judgment bring anxiety and depression, the Presence of God brings peace.   The sanctuary of God is not limited to a Church gathering. It's that personal space where we meet with God on a regular basis.  The place where we
worship, where we cry, where we wait, where we pray.  

Let us avoid the trap of envy and judgment, and allow the Presence of God to wash over our weary souls.  Better still, make time in The Sanctuary of His Presence a regular part of our life; it might just help to keep us away from that nasty trap of envy!

Until next time,

Love, Lynda xx