Judge or Be Judged

I’m ashamed to admit I have judgmental tendencies.  It’s a familial trait.  One I’ve tried to overcome. Sometimes I look at the surface not bothering to look any deeper and then the Lord puts me in my place.  Almost without fail if I’ve had a judgmental encounter, I’ll have a rough couple of days.  It’s the Lord’s way of telling me Remember the only reason you can get out of bed is because of me, so step it down a notch!  Not to say that every time I have a bad day is due to sin, but it’s one of the ways the Almighty gets through to me.

And then the tables turn and I’m the one being judged.  Many have said that I am not healed due to a lack of faith.  Or that my faith must be shallow since my church attendance is not adequate [in their eyes]. 

And most members of the church family that say this haven’t dealt with any type of chronic anything.  They only see what’s on the surface just as I had done.  And then I realized I’ve never shown them what’s beyond the surface.  They see what appears to be normal.  They see me with my make-up on, my hair done up, my clothes ironed and joyful to be worshiping my Father.

So through the course of the years, I’ve swallowed my vanity and allowed my family members to see me when I’m struggling.  Some have seen me at my absolute worst, laying on my deathbed while I nap on their couch and others get just a glimpse of me in my pajamas (yes, I’ve worn my jimjams to church) with no make-up on and the hair disarray.  It’s not a pretty sight, believe me.  But I think it helps others to see the reality of what I struggle with and makes it real for them as much as it is for me.

 My faith in the Lord gives me strength and I have faith enough that the Almighty can heal me.  He’s just choosing not to.  And as His purpose for me is to bring encouragement to others who are chronically weak then I will accept my illness and find the purpose in it, so that He will be glorified through my weakness.  

So heed my warning and please remember the next time you’re inclined to judge realize there is more to the story than meets the eye.  Keep your opinions to yourself lest someone’s eye be turned upon you.

Too Tired to Fight

First, I must ask your forgiveness for letting you down the past few weeks.  Two bouts of strep, two bouts of ‘the bug’, a staph infection and spring break have kept me rather busy.  My children are quite well now, but it seems taking care of them has caught up with me.  This week I’m battling migraines and only doing what I can as I can and I’m tired of the fight.

Today I read about David and his battle with the Philistines.  Uzzah has already died for touching the Ark of the Covenant and David has been anointed king.  The Philistines were upon David and he prayed to the Lord for guidance asking if the Philistines would be handed over to him.  The Lord put the mighty Philistines into David’s hand and David squashed them like a bug.  Then David wrote a song to the Lord.

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.

He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my

stronghold.

He reached down from on high and took hold of me;

                he drew me out of deep waters.

He rescued me from my powerful enemy,

                from my foes who were too strong for me.

They confronted me in the day of my disaster,

                but the Lord was my support.

                               

                                -Psalms 18: 1-2 & 16-18

This really resonated with me today as I am feeling the weakness of my human form.  Unable to handle all that is cast my way.  But the Lord is mighty and He will defeat my enemy for me, so that I may rest comfortably in the days to come.  As you go through your week I encourage you to lean on the Lord and be renewed in Him.