Sometimes I get scared. I try to take things into my own hands. I get frustrated. I lose hope.
But, friends, that’s not what God wants!
I have been dealing with some fear, frustration, and uncertainty recently. Although I don’t want to go into detail about why, I want to share with you what helped me the last couple days. To do that, I want to share part of what I found myself praying this morning. (See Romans chapter 8)
Dear Lord,
I consider that my present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in me. I wait in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For I am subjected to frustration, not by my own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected me, in hope that I will be liberated from my bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of a child of God.
I know that the whole creation, including me, has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but I, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as I wait eagerly for my adoption as a daughter of God, the redemption of my body. For in this hope I was saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if I hope for what I do not yet have, I wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps me in my weakness. I do not know what I ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for me with groans that words cannot express. And You who search my heart know the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for me and all the saints in accordance with Your will.
And I know that in all things You work for the good of those who love You, who have been called according to Your purpose. For those You foreknew you also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of Your Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those You predestined, You also called; those You called, You also justified; those You justified, You also glorified.
What, then, shall I say in response to this? If You are for me, who can be against me? You who did not spare Your own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will You not also, along with Him, graciously give me and those I care most about all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom You have chosen? It is You who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at Your right hand and is also interceding for me. Who shall separate me from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things I am more than a conqueror through You who loved me. 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 me from Your love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord….
I love you, Lord. Thank you for being there for me whenever I need you. I can depend on you for anything and I know that Your Spirit intercedes for me even when I don’t have the words to say. Thank you for writing my story. I trust you, even when I am fearful, frustrated, and uncertain. I know you have my steps ordered before I even have time to be scared about anything. One thing I know for sure: You are there.
Your beloved child,
Laura
Beautiful :)
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