"Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods."
~ Psalm 40:4 ~
I've been thinking of this verse quite a bit because it's a memory verse in a Bible study I'm working through. I've decided it's also my SSMT August #2 verse as well. I feel like this verse really fits with all that's been going on in the recent days. Again, there's so much . . . good, stressful, and normal for life.
My car, Bennie, is the forefront of my thoughts. I guess I'm old-school in that I believe in owning a car and driving it until it can't drive anymore. The downside of course is the repairs, but to not have a huge payment is really nice. After twice having issues with my brake system in less than 1 month apart because my original mechanic did NOTHING but take my money, fix the leak, and put things back together though . . . I wasn't prepared yet for the latest diagnosis: "new rear struts." It really got me thinking....if the engine is good, I'm the 2nd owner in Bennie's life, and he's got decent miles for his age...what do ya do?!
Then, there's the Day DTS tuition. haha God's gotta miracle there to work out on His own. Where HE calls, HE provides. The end. Period.
Trusting in the Lord for practicals has been nothing uncommon for my life. When I went to college it was no different. God had a lot to work out for me to even be able to complete my financial aid process, but He did. Then, there was my car accident a few years ago where I nearly died and was discharged 3 days later. I got my first bill 10 days later and it was $45,000. What's really interesting is through that journey, that process, that lesson . . . I no longer freak out about finances like I used to. Pay day and dates bills are due used to be a huge source of major anxiety for me, mostly because I had no one as a young adult teaching me what to do. A lot of what I have learned has been trial and error mixed with Suze Orman because I love getting solid info from a woman! (Sorry Ramsey fans, I'm not on that bandwagon!) My sister has been a HUGE support and HUGE source of wisdom followed by my 2nd oldest big bro. It's nice to be able to reach out to them for practical wisdom and advice on what they think and compare it to what I'm thinking and what I'm discerning from God. By the way, that $45,000 hospital bill turned into me actually paying about $45 of my own money! God's so good!
Then, I read the next phrase "does not look to the proud." Well, now isn't that interesting?! I think about my life and lessons I've learned about relying on God for even my daily needs like food. There was a season when I lived in Bemidji and wasn't going to college, but was working. I was struggling with a lot of depression and PTSD struggles at the time, so working took LOTS of efforts. I was able to finally get a part-time job and worked as much as they'd let me--30 hours per week to avoid having to pay me any benefits. When that money proved to not be enough and I had no food, God and I had a serious chit chat. He told me, "Go to the food shelter. They'll help you. And in 3 days (Monday) go to the Human Services building and meet with them about assistance." What?! ME?! I'm a single adult, standing on my own two feet. I'm not one of "them!" (Ever said that to yourself?) God's response is, "Yes, you are one of them. You're a human on a very fixed income that's less than the current poverty level. So what? I think you're fabulous and I want to provide for you. Trust me." Well, this conversation was over until the next day. God repeated the same thing. And I'd like to say that was it, but Sunday at church came and we had the same conversation again--a third time. When God speaks repeatedly, even in the Bible or directly to you, I recommend listening. I decided on Monday, I would go to the Food Shelf (3 days later than I was told to by God) and go from there. I had never been to a Food Shelf before in my life, so I had to fill out a sheet of paper and meet with someone. I actually cried during the entire process. I remember the lady said, "Honey, I'm glad you came in. There's so many college students we know who don't come in. They don't think they qualify for help, but they do. Any person. Any need. This is what we do." Any person? Any need? I asked the lady, "Do you have advice for what to do about my situation?" She said, "Here's a card to a social worker. I'll email her your information today. Call her tomorrow after 1pm and tell her I sent you. She'll help you out." This is God at work. Not only did He have mercy on me being hard-headed, but He provided a way for me to skip the usual long process and get help. And that day I left the foodshelf with enough food to last me for 2 months because I had never been there before and was child-bearing age. I did meet with the social worker the next day and, for about a year, I was able to get help with food stamps and cash assistance. It was a HUGE blessing for sure! When I think of not looking to the proud, I avoid mirrors. Haha! Lots of times, that means getting myself out of the way!
"to those who turn aside to false gods" . . . Okay, so we don't have a lot in our culture that fits what was going on in the Bible-times. However, I think we have gotten more sophisticated with our false gods. What's the first thing you do when you wake up? If the answer has anything to do with a piece of technology being needed I think there's a potential false god. What about Tuesdays at 7pm? Do you go to the Small Group you were invited to? Or do you have a series on tv that you HAVE TO WATCH? Potential idol (false god). Mine used to be food and boy did it derail a lot of what God had planned for my life.
This is my point: Trusting the Lord, not pride or false gods, is what God desires. It isn't easy to follow His will, but His will is the most blessed pathway we can walk on.
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods."
~ Psalm 40:4 ~
I've been thinking of this verse quite a bit because it's a memory verse in a Bible study I'm working through. I've decided it's also my SSMT August #2 verse as well. I feel like this verse really fits with all that's been going on in the recent days. Again, there's so much . . . good, stressful, and normal for life.
My car, Bennie, is the forefront of my thoughts. I guess I'm old-school in that I believe in owning a car and driving it until it can't drive anymore. The downside of course is the repairs, but to not have a huge payment is really nice. After twice having issues with my brake system in less than 1 month apart because my original mechanic did NOTHING but take my money, fix the leak, and put things back together though . . . I wasn't prepared yet for the latest diagnosis: "new rear struts." It really got me thinking....if the engine is good, I'm the 2nd owner in Bennie's life, and he's got decent miles for his age...what do ya do?!
Then, there's the Day DTS tuition. haha God's gotta miracle there to work out on His own. Where HE calls, HE provides. The end. Period.
Trusting in the Lord for practicals has been nothing uncommon for my life. When I went to college it was no different. God had a lot to work out for me to even be able to complete my financial aid process, but He did. Then, there was my car accident a few years ago where I nearly died and was discharged 3 days later. I got my first bill 10 days later and it was $45,000. What's really interesting is through that journey, that process, that lesson . . . I no longer freak out about finances like I used to. Pay day and dates bills are due used to be a huge source of major anxiety for me, mostly because I had no one as a young adult teaching me what to do. A lot of what I have learned has been trial and error mixed with Suze Orman because I love getting solid info from a woman! (Sorry Ramsey fans, I'm not on that bandwagon!) My sister has been a HUGE support and HUGE source of wisdom followed by my 2nd oldest big bro. It's nice to be able to reach out to them for practical wisdom and advice on what they think and compare it to what I'm thinking and what I'm discerning from God. By the way, that $45,000 hospital bill turned into me actually paying about $45 of my own money! God's so good!
Then, I read the next phrase "does not look to the proud." Well, now isn't that interesting?! I think about my life and lessons I've learned about relying on God for even my daily needs like food. There was a season when I lived in Bemidji and wasn't going to college, but was working. I was struggling with a lot of depression and PTSD struggles at the time, so working took LOTS of efforts. I was able to finally get a part-time job and worked as much as they'd let me--30 hours per week to avoid having to pay me any benefits. When that money proved to not be enough and I had no food, God and I had a serious chit chat. He told me, "Go to the food shelter. They'll help you. And in 3 days (Monday) go to the Human Services building and meet with them about assistance." What?! ME?! I'm a single adult, standing on my own two feet. I'm not one of "them!" (Ever said that to yourself?) God's response is, "Yes, you are one of them. You're a human on a very fixed income that's less than the current poverty level. So what? I think you're fabulous and I want to provide for you. Trust me." Well, this conversation was over until the next day. God repeated the same thing. And I'd like to say that was it, but Sunday at church came and we had the same conversation again--a third time. When God speaks repeatedly, even in the Bible or directly to you, I recommend listening. I decided on Monday, I would go to the Food Shelf (3 days later than I was told to by God) and go from there. I had never been to a Food Shelf before in my life, so I had to fill out a sheet of paper and meet with someone. I actually cried during the entire process. I remember the lady said, "Honey, I'm glad you came in. There's so many college students we know who don't come in. They don't think they qualify for help, but they do. Any person. Any need. This is what we do." Any person? Any need? I asked the lady, "Do you have advice for what to do about my situation?" She said, "Here's a card to a social worker. I'll email her your information today. Call her tomorrow after 1pm and tell her I sent you. She'll help you out." This is God at work. Not only did He have mercy on me being hard-headed, but He provided a way for me to skip the usual long process and get help. And that day I left the foodshelf with enough food to last me for 2 months because I had never been there before and was child-bearing age. I did meet with the social worker the next day and, for about a year, I was able to get help with food stamps and cash assistance. It was a HUGE blessing for sure! When I think of not looking to the proud, I avoid mirrors. Haha! Lots of times, that means getting myself out of the way!
"to those who turn aside to false gods" . . . Okay, so we don't have a lot in our culture that fits what was going on in the Bible-times. However, I think we have gotten more sophisticated with our false gods. What's the first thing you do when you wake up? If the answer has anything to do with a piece of technology being needed I think there's a potential false god. What about Tuesdays at 7pm? Do you go to the Small Group you were invited to? Or do you have a series on tv that you HAVE TO WATCH? Potential idol (false god). Mine used to be food and boy did it derail a lot of what God had planned for my life.
This is my point: Trusting the Lord, not pride or false gods, is what God desires. It isn't easy to follow His will, but His will is the most blessed pathway we can walk on.
