Healing

Jeremiah 30:17a  The Lord has declared that He will restore me to health and heal my wounds.

1 Peter 2:2:24 He, Himself bore my sins in His body on the tree, so that I might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds I have been healed.  

I have these two verses on an index card I carry around in my overfilled, unorganized mess of a pocketbook.  So it was purely by "accident" that the index card with these two specific verses fell out and into my sight.  Accident or God's providential plucking out of the messy black hole that is my bag....hmmmmm, I'm thinking the latter.

So I mulled these verses over, ran them around in my head and couldn't for the life of me figure out how they were to fit into my day.  Healing...well yes, I have some physical issues, aches and pains, some things that will require more than just a little rest and an aspirin....but I didn't get anything in my spirit about this being a physical healing God was referring to.  It just didn't seem to jibe.  Okay, what are You talking about Lord?  What are You trying to say to me?  I know things like this happen for a reason, they are not random.  And after a day or so I got it!

I have recently written in this blog on how I believe the Lord is leading me to a year of thanksgiving. A year to focus on the blessings and turn my eyes away from what I consider problems A year to replace that negative way of looking and seeing with an attitude that trusts God and sees His hand on every circumstance, good or bad, seeing His blessing in all.  This was the healing my heavenly Father was referring to.  Wow.  Awesome.  Finally!!  Ahhhhh, sigh of relief and release!!

I've struggled for so long with complaining, faultfinding....to be free of that, to be healed....well I say I don't have dreams, (I gave them up long ago), but I guess this would qualify...a dream to be a grateful person, one who doesn't complain and murmur....Oh my heart just jumped for joy
to think on this!!  Going around in a constant state of disquiet, unhappiness, making petty problems into major upsets....always on edge....this is no way to live, and certainly not the peace Jesus said He gives us.  I can and will become a peaceful, thankful, contented Christian!!

Once again, God was stringing visits together, like a beautiful necklace draped around this new year to come.  From "Jesus Calling"--"Come to me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed...Do not cling to the old ways as you step into the new year..."  And then the next day--"Relax in my healing presence...." And then finally last night, I started a new book a dear friend sent me..."Fresh Start" by Joel Osteen.  The first chapter was entitled, "Be on the Lookout for God's Goodness."  In this chapter Joel teaches on thanking God for everything that happens, big and small.  Look for even the tiniest of reasons to give thanks.  This last week has been like a connect the dot book for me lately!  And as I connect these dots, I see God's plan and the picture of a grateful child of God will emerge!

God is so good in His teaching and leading.  I am so excited over these visits and to see how this new year plays out.  I know I will struggle against my negative nature, and probably fail many times...but thankfully (lol) our God is patient and full of mercy.  He never gives up.  I am so happy to be leaving that miserable existence of a complaining, bitterness of soul.

So this is my goal:  gratefulness.  Philippians 4:11  I am learning how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.

I received a new daily devotional book....it's more like on sentence inspirations for the day, "a thought a day journal" it's called.  And on December 28th, the thought was "You begin to move mountains away when you start carrying away small stones."  What a great and manageable way to look at removing the mountains in my life!!  One small stone, one small step at a time.

Thank You Lord for this new year.  And for Your new beginning for me.  Help me to reach to goal You have for me.  I want to keep my eyes on You.  Thank You!!