"Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it. I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)
Seeking Change
I am sure everyone would agree that we could use some much-needed respite from the struggles we have all been facing lately. The birth of the pervasive pandemic which has been choking the life out of the world for nearly two years. It has brought job losses, increase in crime, price increases in food, clothing, housing, and gas, and increased racial and political divide, just to name a few.
Life brings a myriad of challenges for all of us, but some people may feel they have more than others. On the surface, it may seem this way; however, life has taught me that the challenges are just different with some being hidden more than others. We wonder how we lessen these challenges. A Job change? Ask for a pay increase? Try to get away from your abusive situation? These pressures are too much for us to solve on our own, that is why the Lord implores us in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast all our anxieties on Him because he cares for us. Trusting God does not mean that everything will be perfect; it just means that we can find peace, comfort, and spiritual guidance as we wade through these challenges.
Finding Comfort in the Most Unusual Way
I took up praise dancing at the ripe old age of 32. I did not think I could do it but my friend, a dance instructor and powerful woman of God, reminded me that we are never too old to respond to God's calling on our life. Soon after I started training with her, we performed a praise dance together to the song ‘Times of Refreshing’. I had never heard the song before but remember smiling and feeling so free as I listened to the first two verses of that song – “Times of refreshing, here in Your presence, no greater blessing that being with You. My soul is restored, my mind is renewed…”
Hmm, hmm, hmm. Such peace, such joy, to be reminded of His wonderful gift of restoration.
At the time, I had been going through a really rough time in my life and the song just left me in awe! I pictured myself resting in His bosom and as I practiced the dance, I felt like King David in 2 Samuel 6:16 when he danced before the Lord. With each dance practice, my focus shifted from my situation to God. I did not feel the crippling weight of the situation like I did before. The song was now stuck in my head, and I continued to sing the song even when I was not rehearsing, which generally moves me into prayer and meditation.
After our performance, it dawned on me that my situation did not change, but my mindset did! The most amazing part – someone I barely knew offered to help me with the very situation that was causing me grief. I focused on God and His promises, and He gave me a much-needed time of refreshing.
Be comforted knowing that He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever more.
Paula Hamilton
Copy Editor and Contributor
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