Rainy Days & Fridays

I was just sitting here feeling sorry for myself (I do that occasionally). I think it's the combination of a few things - a rainy day, some troubling news from old friends of ours, and I'm feeling a little hungry. It is so easy to focus on the junk of life (especially as a pastor) and forget that there are a million things to be thankful for. As I sat here God put David into my mind. Talk about mood swings. Read the Psalms and you find the heights of exhilaration and the depths of depression. "Why so downcast?" was the verse I remembered. Read Psalm chapters 42 and 43 and you will see what I mean. David had so many troubles (some self-induced) and yet he was able to look beyond the junk and see God.

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:5 (NIV)

Put your hope in God. Stop dwelling on the problems. Lift your eyes and you will see God and His incredible love for you. So, yes, I needed a little shot in the arm and God has done it again. I am thanking God for His love and grace. He has blessed me with a great wife and two sons. My church family means so much to me. Thanks to God for His blessings. Don't forget - be careful where you focus - on the issues at hand or on the One who can handle every issue you throw at Him. Oh, by the way. It is still raining and I am going to find some lunch.