The Build Up
"I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the
LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my
trouble." Psalm 142:1-2 NIV
I had been keeping my eye on the snow build up on the hen house and cottage roof
for a few weeks. If it snows anymore or we get a warm spell and then another
freeze, I'm going to have to pull out the roof rake I mused. Still I decided to
put it off for a little longer as clearing the roof was the least of my
favourite jobs. Maybe I would get lucky and the snow would melt. Later in the
week however as I listened to the evening news and heard about the number of
people who's roofs had collapsed, removing the snow from my out buildings
suddenly seemed like a really great idea, one I didn't put off any longer.
Like snow, life issues can also create a problem with build up in our lives.
Everybody has problems. Kids, adults, seniors, we all experience the stress of
being snowed under from time to time. Things happen to stress us out. Little
things here and there with a few bigger storms now and again blowing into our
lives, much like snowfall in the winter. And for the most part we all manage.
Sometimes however we don't. Sometimes we have those seasons where it seems to
just keep snowing problems. We become tired and testy, burdened and yes, perhaps
even chilled with fear wondering if the sunny days of our life will ever appear
again.
At such times I have learned to grab my spiritual roof rake. I cry aloud to the
LORD; I life up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaint before
him; before him I tell my trouble. Why, because I have discovered that when I
cry out in faith to my God I am not disappointed. My prayer may not change my
circumstances immediately but the very act of unburdening myself before the Lord
changes me. It reminds me as the apostle Paul stated that "He
is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his
power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20 ; a
promise that for me has the power to melt away the burden of being snowed under
by life's problems.
Prayer: Father God thank you for the promises of your word and the power and
privilege of prayer. Bless us today with faith to know that you are indeed able
amidst any and every situation which may have us feeling snowed under. In
Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, B.C.