From Distracted 2 Distraught

 Distractions happen. To the best of us. To the worst of us. To the average among us. Perhaps, you were distracted by a bumblebee, causing you to trip over something, whereby you've fallen down and hit your head. Then there are those times in life; seemingly Job-like moments, as though situations and circumstances been timed and aligned just right, that if you don't recognize and act on the importance of putting one thing on hold so that you may devote your energy and focus to the completion of the other thing (at least through the critical stage, if completion is a ways in front of you), then the potential for things to go downhill is great.

The frustration comes when the distraction becomes such, that it actually succeeds in its' attempt to derail you. Perhaps not physically, but mentally, spiritually, emotionally... it may not take much for anxiety and fear to set in. Next thing you know... you're distraught. And the tone has been set for the remainder of the daylight hours... which means you could be in for a long day.

Thankfully, if God cares to watch over the sparrow, how much more will He not care for you? I understand the dilemma of trying to understand the what and the why... for some moments, as you attempt to make sense of what's happening, the brain races; considering what you did wrong; what was beyond your control, what should have been within your control, but wasn't. The list can get quite long with possibilities and reasons.

Yet, there remains hope. God doesn't waste our experience. He doesn't wast a miracle. Despite our best efforts, even when others it seems far from accurate, God is still in control and has you in His Hand. You are "not stuck in the rut you created" as the band Fireflight sings, in their song The Hunger (sorry, it was just playing and line worked). All-knowing, loving, Father God full of grace and mercy will see us through; but remember, His love for us life-changing; and where there is change, there will be challenge so be prepared for difficulties.

On this #missionsFriday, pray for missionaries... in circumstances and situations where it may have started as a distraction and now it is causing unrest for their souls and sleepless nights. May the power of the Holy Spirit comfort them and may the Word of God light their path anew and guide their steps. Pray this would be a time they press into God and trust Him all the more. May they resist the feelings of regret; of wanting to walk away and throw in the towel. Pray God would remind them, He is with them always... hasn't left them, hasn't forsaken them. Even for the role they may have played in the problem, more than the solution; pray anxiety would go and there would be a peace... to the external storm of circumstance; to the internal storm of confusion.

When distraction leads to distraught;
May our faith arise to defeat it.
Not on our own strength;
But greater is He who is in us.
For the glory of God.

-PNC                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

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