How We’re Learning

By Claudia Duff

Where Did I Put That?

It is the losses that keep you up at night.

I lose things a lot, like every day. I say things like, “I can’t find my hairbrush. Where are my keys? Where did I put the __?”  When my husband and I went away to celebrate our 25thwedding anniversary, our Dufflings were old enough to stay home alone for 8 days. Don’t worry, we didn’t break any laws; they were 22, 20 and 18. I stocked the fridge, pantry, and freezer and made sure the POV had a full tank. We were good to go. I advised a Duffling that there was “emergency money” tucked safely inside the green purse in my closet. Only to be used if there was an actual emergency.

A few days into our cruise I got an urgent message from the Duffling asking, “Mom, which green purse? You have like 4!” I was able to guide them to the correct purse. Apparently that Duffling had looked for a couple of days and had even begun calling my friends, asking them if they knew which green purse, lol! Once home, I asked, “What was the emergency?” Their answer, “We ran out of food!”

Just for the record, I bought more than enough food to last 8 days. But, the boy Dufflings stayed up late at night playing video games and managed to eat their way through the food in a matter of 3 days! Needless to say, my Dufflings found themselves in a place of much lack, want, and need.

But, have we not all been in that same place with regard to our personal walk with God? I know I have. The Lord is teaching me to see what has already been provided.

 And David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” 1 Samuel 30:8 (NKJV)

David was struggling with a great loss. Even more so, his losses were at the hands of a fierce enemy. Left alone to sit on a pile of ruins that used to be his home, he went to the One who could help him. I love this part of the story:

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. I Samuel 30:6 (KJV)

How to Be Free From Lack, Want, and Need:

The strongest weapon in overcoming an overwhelming situation is to seek the Lord. Sounds simple, but not always our first thought, at least it’s not usually my first thought. But David got it. He encouraged himself. The Lord is teaching me to become brave enough to do the same and look my lack, want, and need in the eye and DO something.

So, I am learning to:

  1. Own my hard places and be honest by saying, “Lord, this is a hard place I am in, what’s next?”
  2. Lay my hard places of broken relationships or sinful behavior into the Father’s hand.
  3. Believe the truth and power of God’s Word. Meaning, I am armored up for the battle to believe. 

Your Turn:

We will be bombarded daily with tuff stuff.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NKJV)

This is no empty promise! The Word declares victory before we even get started. Using this verse as a map, begin to journal the following:

  1. Own your hard places by naming them.
  2. Surrender them to the Lord with an action to lay them in His hands. (Lord, I give you my anxiety of this broken relationship by asking for their forgiveness. Fill me with Your grace.)
  3. Write a prayer of thanksgiving, repentance, declaration of victory–however the Holy Spirit leads for your hard places.

But Wait, There Is More!

Our blessed Redeemer can only redeem what we place in His hands. Picture this: your Lord with His hands outstretched, reaching for your hard places. Do not disappoint Him; place them in the more than capable hands of Jesus. Now walk away.

Prayer:

Lord, I am grateful for my seasons of lack, want, and need. They remind me that I have a Savior who loves to rescue me again and again.