Believe

When disappointment overflows

the banks of my peace

I must give my pain to God

as I wait and believe

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Experience has taught me

 the waters will recede

but I must trust in the Lord

before I can receive.

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Wendy/2015

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How to Beat the Blues in 3 Simple Steps

I’m not fond of change. In fact, I wore my hair the same way for almost 30 years before I finally decided to grow out my bangs. So when the van I loved (no one else in my family liked it) died recently, I was heartbroken. Yes it leaked through the roof, and it smelled like a musty old basement. But it was my office away from home. My devoted husband spent many hours trying to fix it to no avail. He can fix just about anything. But this time he couldn’t fix my old van. It would have required more funds than we thought it was worth. I wrote a eulogy of sorts on the dusty exterior. I said goodbye. And then I borrowed my husband’s truck for the new couple of months.

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1. Give it to God

It’s okay to be heartbroken. Give your disappointment to God, no matter how small or big it is. I admit the dead van is a small thing. But I didn’t know if we’d be able to find an affordable replacement that was as rust-free (must-free would be a bonus) and as easy to drive as my van was. I didn’t like driving my husband’s truck. But I got used to it and ended up listening to a Christian CD about forgiveness over and over and over again whenever I drove it. I needed that reminder, and my van didn’t have a stereo. Whenever anxious thoughts would surface about how we would replace my vehicle, I’d give it to God.

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2. Give thanks to God

There’s no room in a thankful heart for grumbling. Give thanks to God for what you do have when you lose something. It’s pretty easy to do when we’re talking about something as benign as a broken vehicle. But it’s just as possible and necessary with the bigger things. I don’t share about some particular personal stuff I’ve been going through regarding parenting. But I can assure you it ain’t no small stuff. I give thanks to God that my kids are alive. I give thanks to God that He loves them more than I do. Wow. He loves them more than I do? I waited and prayed for children long enough to wonder if they were ever going to arrive. Yeah. I’ve had to give thanks in some pretty dark valleys. You can too.

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3. Give God your Trust

Here’s something I really get excited about. I’ve noticed God loves it when I choose to trust Him no matter what. So when I want something, I give God my trust. I tell Him I believe He will provide me with whatever it is He thinks I need to have. Period. Then I rest in that truth. When anxiety resurfaces, I remind myself to trust, and I remember all the instances of His provision as well as the uncanny timing of them. Times when funds would show up that were within pennies of the needed amount. I knew those were Providential. Ain’t He good? The key is to give God your trust. He’s the Boss. If He thinks we need something—it will arrive in His perfect timing.

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So one day my husband asked me if I wanted to go test drive a truck.

Well now, I’d gotten mighty used to driving his. So I said, “Sure.”

Woo hoo! Can this Pathfinder ever find its way around town. And it’s got a stereo too. The price was so right there was a lineup of people wanting it. But you see, my husband got there first, because God said I needed that truck.

I’m lovin’ it.

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My daughter loves it too. I wasn’t sure what to write about this week. I trusted God would provide a topic and went outside for a break to find my daughter waxing my “new” truck. Thank you, God. You are trustworthy.

I can trust Him with my kids too. I know He’ll answer those prayers at the right and most glorious time. He always does. Father knows best.

Beating the Blues Blessings ~ Wendy

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I’d love to hear your tips, quotes, or verses for beating the blues.

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