should be glad, but I have been
anything but glad. I've been so anxious
and grieved. There have been times of
great anxiety followed by such grief and
loss, and the overwhelming sense of
tragedy in world events. Overriding all
of these is the constant burden for a
certain soul which has even made me
to fear rather than to anticipate Your
return. I repent of failing to choose
thoughts of Your mercy, grace, and
faithfulness more of the time. I have
been aware of them, but even those
meditations just bring tears and
increased travail for that particular
person. Strengthen my heart through
this time; don't let it be for nothing. I
will, I choose to, walk in Your presence
and joy, constantly handing my burdens
to You. Help me learn to leave them
there. Help me intercede with power,
patience, steadfastness, and faith more
than with pleading and tears. I don't
mind crying, Lord, but I want to honor
You with rejoicing, faith, and gladness
more. Thank You for the miracles we
have seen in answer to prayer. There
has also been such an overwhelming
sense of uselessness in my own life.
Except in prayer I seem to serve no
function. How am I to connect with my
church; how do I serve; what is my
gifting and part? The forever question.
I believe You have an answer.
Me? I have seen your anxious thoughts and your grief, and I have been with you. You have
been aware of My presence. You have brought all these things to Me, and you are still in the
process of healing. Tears do not mean weakness. I am holding you and walking you through
this time and these issues. Keep looking UP to Me, not because I am removed from you, but
because I am the lifter of your head. I am hearing every prayer, and I am answering each
one. My timing is sometimes different than you expect, but it is perfect. Your continued
prayer and faith during the time of waiting does honor Me. It brings you into My presence,
and in My presence there is fullness of joy and life in abundance.
I do not resist your tears and pleading when you bring Me the lives of others in prayer.
They do not indicate a lack of faith but a pouring out of My own heart of mercy and
intercession. I save your tears in a bottle, not to condemn you, but because each one is
precious to Me. I do not forget the heartbreaks, pleadings, celebrations, and thanksgiving
that they represent.
Value is never measured by deeds. Are your children precious to you because of their
actions? You are a part of My whole body, and I will lead you in that dimension of life and
service. Let your longing to contribute drive you to focus on Me as the vine and you as the
branch. Stay connected to Me and abide there, and I will show you My heart and will for all
the needs you see. Your primary answer to those needs is to pray for My will to be done in
each situation. As you pray you will know if I am leading you to some further action. Do not
pray for a mission; pray for the needs. Pray for My Spirit to be poured out. It may seem that
I am not hearing or acting, but that is never true. It is impossible for Me to not hear, and I am
always at work.
It does not matter if other people ever know "what you do" in the body. It is only
important that you and I know. People did not know Me for Who I was; are you greater than I?
Walk with Me, abide in Me, know My heart, and there gain power and peace and hope.
John 15:7-17; Matthew 10:24-27; Psalm 116:7
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