When My Mind is Mush

One evening, a few months back, I sat at my computer, my fingers dancing on the keyboard, when hubby walked in. “You won’t believe this…but it’s 95% certain I can’t go.”

He’s got to be kidding! We’d planned this vacation for a year; it was paid for in full. We’d looked forward to a bit of rest, a little distraction, and fun times to renew our bodies and souls. This time away was to be God’s gift to us. Really, it was.

I grimaced. “I can’t go without you. What fun would that be?”

“You’ll have to find someone else to take my place. It’s too late to cancel. We’ll lose all the money.”

I blew out a long breath, dropped my head on the back of my chair, closed my eyes and thought about how much I hate, hate these kind of surprises.

I know, girlfriend. You’re thinking what kind of shallow chick I must be to get worked up over this. I agree. In fact, this is nothing compared to the shock that slammed into my life before; more than once actually. The level of pain was so intense, it went off the charts.

Maybe you’re going through that right now. Beyond spoiled vacations, devastating news was thrown at you, unexpected and unfair. You stand there with a look of shock frozen on your face, your stomach cramped and your mind mush, trying to figure how or why. And your heart beats wildly in protest.

Been there. But guess what? The God of the universe, the King of Kings, the one who, cell by cell, knit you and me in our mother’s womb, knows all about these surprises, so he says to not be stunned or shocked. “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Rejoicing awaits us. That’s good news. So, when ugly news barges in our lives, trying to slap our emotions and crush our spirit, remember “the righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17).

Pray with me: Father, remind me moment by moment that you are close, so close that you heard the news along with me. You have the answer, the strength to sustain me, and the power to see me through anything. I pray this in the name of Jesus.

Until next time, may God spring life in those areas of your life that thirst for the water of His love.

Janet Perez Eckles jeckles@cfl.rr.com
www.janetperezeckles.com