Every morning is an opportunity to start fresh and new.  We wake and the previous day, with all its issues and challenges is behind us, and we survived them.  That does not mean that the circumstances of life or the consequences of our decisions have changed.  It simply means that we have made it through one day and are ready to face another, and HOW we choose to face that day will define how that day goes.

We can face our challenges alone or with God.

Alone In My Work

For many years after I was saved, I continued to focus much of my energy on work.  I pushed myself, and I did not ask God for any guidance or help in it.

I prayed every day in the early hours, and I studied Gods Word before I left for work, and I often tried to study at work, if I would take the time to take a lunch break, which was rare and short usually eating at my desk.  I pushed myself to be the best, and it was not until much later that I realized what motivated me.

During this time I would pray to help with study and understanding the Word.  I would pray to grow closer to God, but I missed everything about rest and rejuvenation.  I prayed, but I used selective hearing when it came to listening to God’s direction.  I think that it got to the point that He stopped pointing out those passages in His Word that would lead me to better set my priorities and left me to manage that on my own as I seemed to prefer it that way.

Choosing No Rest for the Weary

I had gotten to the point that I was wearing down, but I refused to see it OR show it to those around me.    God, Pat and I were the only ones that knew how tired I was getting, but I refused to let up.  I was convinced that the most important thing was the projects I had going on at work and I could not let my coworkers, manufacturing or field sales down.  So I kept on pushing, and things got worse.

I kept working but end up working from home for 3 out of 5 days, but that did not help, other than to keep me off the road.  Finally, one of the days I went into the office things got weird with another screaming headache and this time I my body had decided for me and I went on disability.

Drawing Near to God

When I ended up at home, it was pretty demoralizing.  I was in pretty bad shape.  But I had ordered this Bible study with videos and everything, and it came in the mail within a few days of me being home.  So I started that study.  I could read, and I could listen to videos.  There were a lot of things I struggled with, but these two things still worked reasonably well if I rested and did not push things to hard.

As I started the study, I could not put it down.  In it I grew closer and closer to God and this passage in James came to mind.  “⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8).  Within the first day of this study, I could see how foolish I had been.

I had thought I was doing pretty well with God, but in truth, I had a pretty large chunk of pride I carried around on my shoulder when it came to my work, and I did not see that pride until I lost my ability to do that job.

Humbled

God allowed me to run myself into the ground and in it, he humbled me.  That period of time was when the last bit of my human armor was being stripped away and being replaced with the Armor of God.  In the days that followed I came to better understand that passage better than I ever imagined, but in addition to that, I learned to draw great joy from the verses before and after James 4:8.

James 4:7-10

These passages are not harsh they are powerful and to the point.  They reminded me of who I was and that Jesus paid my debt that I could be saved and pulled from the grip of sin by Him.

James 4:7-10 (ESV Strong’s)

⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

I read that passage and recognize how unworthy I am to receive such a gift from God.  I am overcome with joy that He who spoke the universe into existence loves me and desires to live with me gave his Son to suffer and die for me when I was wicked.  I like how Paul explained it to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV Strong’s)

¹ And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 All I can do is say is “Thank you, Jesus! Glory be to God in the Highest!”

Closing Thoughts

There is very little that I can say in closing.  I guess the best thing I can add is better said by Paul…

^“6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Phil 1:6 ESV).  That fills me with such hope and joy.  I know every day that I put into prayer and study makes that day and the next better than the day before, even if the circumstances may be more difficult.

Strokes are not joyful, even on your best day, but with God, they are much easier to face.  With God, it is much easier to accept where you are and how you will continue forward, even if the pace is different.  With God all things are possible.

You see God prepared me with a Wonderful wife and family as well as a great church home so that regardless of all is good.  I am blessed beyond measure.  I walk a bit slower, and I talk a bit slower, and I struggle with crowds and stress of any kind, but I can study, pray and write a bit slower.

Prayer

Father God, Thank you for all your provision.  Father thank you for everything I give you praise In Jesus name! Amen!