Sunday, March 23, 2014

per·se·ver·ance




per·se·ver·ance
ˌpərsəˈvi(ə)rəns/
noun: perseverance
1.
steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Synonyms: Persistence, tenacity, determination, staying power,


indefatigability, steadfastness, purposefulness;

 indefatigability: able to work or continue for a very long time without becoming tired 


I long to be untiring. Indefatigable. Many years ago, I experienced times when my 4 boys were growing up when I had to be "energizer mom" and just keep on going way beyond where I thought I could. Baseball, cub scouts, music lessons and homework filled our days. We managed to fit in some camping trips and days on the lake. Leaning on Jesus and bubble baths kept me sane and smiling. Learning to love my boys with a balance of needed discipline was often difficult. I was far from being a perfect mom. Their dad, angry and not really knowing how to love, mostly failed at being the dad they needed and longed for. 

This past year has been an uphill challenge for me. At times it felt like riding a tricycle up Mount Everest. At times, it truly felt impossible. 

Do you ever feel like this? 


I'm in the midst of a desert. 
I am weary. I am tired. 
My hands aren't lifted high in praise, though I long to be able to praise my Father God in this challenge!
I'm low, way low on hope, perseverance and determination. 
I'm spent. Parched. Thirsty. Desperate. 

 Hear my cry, for I am very low!!
Bring me out of prison
so I can thank you.
The godly will crowd around me,
for you are good to me.”
Psalm 142:6-7

When my spirit is overwhelmed within me, You know my path.
Psalm 142: 1. Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry aloud with my voice to the LORD; I make supplication with my voice to the LORD. 
2. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. 
3. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, (Ready to sink and faint under the present affliction... Gills Exposition) You knew my path. In the way where I walk They have hidden a trap for me.… 
Barnes' Notes on the Bible When my spirit was overwhelmed within me - Luther renders this, "When my spirit was in distress." The Hebrew word rendered "overwhelmed" means, in Kal, to cover as with a garment; then, to be covered as with darkness, trouble, sorrow; and then, to languish, to faint, to be feeble: 

Psalm 77:3; Psalm 107:5. The idea here is, that, in his troubles, he had no vigor, no life, no spirit. He did not see how he could escape from his troubles, and he had no heart to make an effort.

Have YOU ever felt like you couldn't escape from YOUR troubles? Have you felt like you had no heart left to make an effort? 

What are we to do when we feel overwhelmed? 

1. Psalm 61:2 Cry out to YOU Father!
2. Psalm 142:3 Realize that you know my path
3. Psalm 88:1-3 Remember You are the God who saves me
4. Cry out to you day and night
5. Pray that you will turn your ear to my cry
6. Psalm 55:2 Pray You will listen and answer
7. Because You are worthy to be praised, I am to call on You and you will hear my cry, you will reach down from heaven and rescue me draw me out of deep waters. 
8. Psalm 143:4 remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands.…

Actually, there have been times just this weekend, that I felt overwhelmed. My Mom was admitted to the hospital with two pulmonary embolisms. She could've died! Pulmonary Embolism's are a known cause of sudden death.
Mom is still in the land of the living, and we are so thankful!

 A very special close friend comes to mind, who has recently been dealing with her aging parents. She and her family are having to make difficult decisions. Most certainly, they feel overwhelmed as they deal with the emotions that surface during times like these.  

The scriptures above are our "prescription" to fill when we feel overwhelmed. Our Father God desires for us to persevere. 
He will help us!

Wingdreamer signing off for the night... 

  http://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/119-32.htm


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