Today our dishwasher broke. It was totally out of the blue…full of dishes, while others waited their turn in the sink…and it just quit working.
This fact isn’t all that interesting, at face value. What was interesting was our family response to this occurrence.
I saw it had quit working and still felt total peace. I had no crazy thoughts. No pity party. I simply smiled and thought, “Ok, well we will have to start saving for a new one. In the meantime, I’m glad I get another opportunity to connect with my life as a homemaker.”
Now, I’m not trying to make myself look good, but this is the honest truth. I’ve come a long way. In the past I would’ve likely felt a flurry of emotions and likely would have cried. Called Chris and been sad. I would’ve sadly told the kids about it through a veil of tears.
But not today.
Today I faced it like a champ. I didn’t even flinch. The kids didn’t either. And on a side note, I noticed them looking to me before they decided how to react…and upon seeing me calm and joyful, they were fine too.
Mamas, we need to remember that we are the greatest emotional influence in our homes. We decide what the temperature will be in almost every situation.
Next, I texted Chris about it. He responded with a joking text…to my shock. Then he called and we chatted casually about it and decided we’d simply start saving and in the meantime, I’d just wash our dishes by hand. No biggie.
You may wonder how this story is a devotional.
Well, I want to share with you that every single time I’ve found victory in a situation that once set me in a swirl…the attacks in that area end.
We used to have frequent vehicle trouble, then I stopped letting it bother me and began praising God instead and instantly those attacks ceased.
We once had a succession of letters randomly from the IRS, each one making me feel sick to my stomach. Every time I’d reach out to our tax strategist, and she’d take care of it, no problem. In fact, most of the time we’d end up getting a check from the IRS because they’d made a mistake. Yes, you read that right. The tactic the enemy was using to scare us, ended up paying us dividends. The last time we got a letter, it went like this. I opened the mailbox, saw the letter, then laughed out loud and said, “You’ve overplayed your, hand devil.” I sent the letter to our tax strategist, and we never received another one.
Our response matters.
We can learn and grow and become more trusting of the Father. We can decide to believe that the news we receive in life will be good news. Blessings without sorrow.
This is how I want to live. Don’t you?
Today I encourage you to ask God to show you any area of your life where you invite trouble to continue because of your poor response. Let Him investigate your heart and then ask Him to mature you in this way. Ask Him to help you respond from a position of maturity and trust. He will do it!
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:1-8
365 Days in the Presence 