"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.
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.