I have received word that things have been dull and boring at 'Simply My Thoughts' this week. I have been pondering some thoughts and have not known quite how to articulate. I have two posts in my drafts that I will most likely delete. As I have said before this blog is somewhat therapeutic in helping me process through what God has been working on, working out, and through me.
I have had a bummer of a week. Nothing major, nothing life altering. I have just felt really beaten down. Lots of little things that have added up to just feeling down about where I am in life. Do you ever have times in your life that you just want to throw your hands up in the air and say:
That's it!
No more!
Every one wants a part of me!
If I don't do it, it won't get done!
I want a do over!
I didn't sign up for this!
That has been me this week. Yesterday as I was thinking through this week and trying to figure out why I was so discouraged, trying to put my finger on the one thing that was making me so ugly. And the Lord showed me. Satan has been kickin' my rear this week, and I let him. I am such an easy target. He is not very creative, he goes for the same attack nearly every time. And I fall for it. He gives me a lie, and I let it set there and fester. He gives me a little discouragement and I dwell on it. Really he does very little, just puts thoughts in my head and I do the rest.
But today the sun is shining. My circumstances have not changed, but my attitude has. I am thankful for a God who pulls us out of the pit. I am grateful for friends who see me in the pit and inquire and try to pull me out. I need you guys. Thanks for being true friends.
Have I mentioned that I love Jeremy Camp?
7 comments:
Oh Jill! You are preaching to the choir sister. I had my "WHAT ABOUT ME?" moment a few days ago.
Completely spent. I felt that way for sure. Thank God He is *always* faithful to replenish this empty vessel.
Blessings as He restores you today!
Oh, Jill, I am sorry you have had a bummer of a week. I have been there myself too. I hear you friend, satan plants just a small thought of discouragement and we dwell on it and make it huge. To go along with that I usually feel pretty alone in all of it, I'm surrounded by great friends and family yet I let myself feel lonely. I know that if the enemy can keep me isolated it usually takes me longer to get out of my funk. So, thanks for sharing, I will definately be praying for you!
I find these verses from Isaiah 41 (The Message) to be ecouraging and helpful in getting my thoughts going in the right direction.
I pulled you in from all over the world, called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, 'You're my servant, serving on my side.
I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.' Don't panic. I'm with you.
There's no need to fear for I'm your God.
I'll give you strength. I'll help you.
I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
He has picked YOU! He will give you strength, He will help you. Praying for you to be encouraged and refreshed.
Jill, I am sorry too for what has been going on, and that I had no idea. I know you know, we are all there for each other to lean on. Funny how, satan can gain ground if we just stick to ourselves instead of letting others help us. So, I will pray especially for you and this area the rest of the week.
with love, Tricia
Jill,
I completely understand... maybe not the circumstances, but certainly the emotions. I wish I had something super insightful and encouraging to say, just know that you are loved and in my prayers.
Beth
Hey Jill~ Obviously from the other comments you know we all struggle with these emotions that can take over our thoughts and get a vice grip on our hearts. You are right, satan does not even have to try and be creative, especially with us women. Pretty pathetic we are, to get sucked into his nasty schemes, which make us completely blind to who we are in Christ. But alas, we all slip into his traps more often than any of us would care to admit. I just want you to know Jill (not to placate or anything like that) you are truly an amazing woman. You are a Minister’s Wife, which is definitely not all it is cracked up to be, and it ain’t cracked up to be much… You are the mother of five (amazing, I might add) children, ranging from toddler to teen and you are crazy enough to home school them ;P and on top of that you care for my toddler 5 days a week, at the same time you are a wonderful supportive encouraging friend to so many of us. Now you may be thinking I am saying you have a right to feel overwhelmed and down in the dumps, but I am not, so get that thought out of your head right now! What I am saying is… Satan is going to take the very areas that God is using you most, those places where lives are changed because of your faithfulness, and he is going to try to make you feel bitter and resentful. his whole aim is to make you despise the very things and places that God has called you to be His hands and His heart. I know that you already know all this but sometimes a little refresher course in “Kicking satan’s Butt 101” is nice to have. By the way, incase you did not read it between the lines, I love you Jill Shelby and you have blessed my life in more ways than I can count, and I only knowed ya like 6 months! ;)
~Carol
I have those down in the dumps days quite often lately...the only good thing about them is the relief that comes when I finally let God pull me out of it and encourage me. If only I could recognize Him moment-by-moment instead of after 3 days of wallowing in the slough of despair!
Thank God He is patient!
I seem to always be needing pulled out of one pit or another...mostly of my own making. So thankful for a gracious God who never tires of us :)
Great blog...I'll be back :)
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