Anticipation is based on attitude.
I can anticipate the worst case scenario. But if I do that I
will fret and worry and all parts of my life going forward will be hindered. I
will be sick with apprehension. My heart will be filled with fear and dread and
my energy level will be zapped. My focus will be negative. My spiritual walk
will be stalled because I will be too busy thinking about self and, worst of
all, not enough about God. I know all this is true, because I have traveled
that road.
That’s door number one.
Door number two: I can anticipate that ‘God’s got this’. When
I am positive, endorphins [neurohormones] go into action. Endorphins,
my ‘feel good’ hormones, modify the way in which my nerve cells respond to transmitters
– maybe God’s gift to us when we look to Him instead of self? I’m sticking with
that. And I’m also sticking with door number two because it is the best way (I
have discovered over the years) to deal with the dirt; to conquer the seemingly
insurmountable and to swallow the hurt and the torment.
Love isn’t a Band-Aid. Love is hope and hope is a sister to
endurance. ‘Love conquers all’ might initially seem like a platitude but if I
turn that into the ‘Love of God conquers all’, then in my life, I find it to be
truth. I am a ‘fix-it’ kind of a person so I am first to stand up with my
hammer and nails or my first-aid kit complete with Band-Aids, but some things I
have learned I have to leave to the Love of God.
I don’t believe God inflicts disease and catastrophe upon
us.
It is
God’s will for you to be healed. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him,
saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Then Jesus put out
His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his
leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 8:2-3
I do believe He
allows it to happen.
Beloved, do not be
surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though
something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share
Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is
revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because
the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a
murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a
Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
1 Peter 4:12-19
I also believe that once we have gone through the fire we
have two choices – thanking God, because we are stronger; more trusting of God’s
awesome power; more understanding that only God is in control OR cursing God
for the pain and heartache; denying God’s power; and fighting harder to gain
control and becoming bitter as a result.
The trials continue. The fiery darts fill the sky. But I
know when I anticipate that God is there before me; beside me; behind me, I can
be assured that all is well. Not all is well with the world. But all is well
because He is King and then Easter was not all for naught.
Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king For this I have been
born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth Everyone
who is of the truth hears My voice."
John 18:37
Her latest children's book - Hopeful Homer offers hope and encouragement.
