Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good. Genesis 50:19 MSG
Last night I was praying. Which has honestly been very difficult lately. What do I pray? At one point, I found myself repeating the Lord’s Prayer through tears in the shower. Because the words just won’t come. I haven’t known what to ask for.
But last night the words from Genesis came to my mind and I prayed them out loud. Lord Jesus, in these times, let what Satan intends for evil be turned into good. For Your glory. Amen.
And I felt a peace resonating in my soul. Confirmation that what I was asking was God’s will and I have never been more convinced that: He is doing it. It’s already done.
We are living in interesting times. That seems like the understatement of the year. I know the phrase “flipping the script” has been trending and, boy, here we are and has it ever.
So, what now, mama? I’ve seen so much negativity and “woe is me” and panic and fear being spread, I felt the need to write this out. In clear, calm words. If even one mama reads it and is uplifted, that’s all I’m asking for:
We were born for this.
Don’t think we weren’t, that you weren’t. Because we were, mama. You and I, we were born at the perfect time in history. There are no mistakes with God. Just as Esther, we are here, right now, breathing in and out, for such a time as this. Don’t doubt it.
We might feel weak, overwhelmed, afraid, but so has anyone who has ever lived through interesting times. That doesn’t mean we weren’t born for this, it doesn’t mean we should give up, give in to panic, throw up our hands in resignation.
The world and this country is being shaken, sifted, but what does God’s Word say?
I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
As I’m sure is becoming quite clear, things and people will let us down, “normal” can shift wildly into the unknown at any moment, and what seemed like it would last forever can be completely taken away.
So, here’s the question I’m asking myself (and maybe you are, too, mama?): Where are my eyes focused? My mind? My heart?
Here are three key ways I am re-focusing when I find my eyes, my mind or my heart drifting:
1.) Go back to the Word. What does God say is true? What has His Word shown us? In the darkest of times (think: the Cross), there was still hope. There is always hope because of Jesus.
It is no mistake that all of this is happening in the days leading up to our remembrance of what Jesus did for us – His death on the cross for the sins of the world and His resurrection.
All seemed lost, but it wasn’t. Nothing made sense, but He had a plan. The darkness threatened to take over, but it didn’t. It looked like death had won, BUT THEN HE ROSE AGAIN.
All the hope we need for these interesting times we’re living in is found in Jesus. He is our source. Don’t forget it, mama.
2.) Turn off the news and unfollow anyone who chooses to spread panic or fear.
Talk about social distancing – now is the time to pull back from anyone who pulls you down into despair. By any avenue. The news, social media, acquaintances or personal relationships. Shut it down. Turn it off. Tell them to stop.
Not because we want to live in denial, our heads buried in the sand like ostriches. No – BECAUSE WE KNOW THE TRUTH. And the truth is what sets us free in times when we feel hemmed in.
There is no panic or fear or difficulty or darkness that was not answered by what Jesus did on the cross, by what He did when He walked out of the tomb whole and alive.
Now more than ever we need to be vigilant that we’re not looking to other things or people for our hope or our peace. So, turn it off, unfollow, shut it down, mama.
3.) Do something to care for yourself. You know I was going to say this. Choose that one thing that grounds you instantly.
Is it a detox bath? Walking outside barefoot? A yoga session? Prayer journaling? A power nap? Meditating for five minutes? Making a warm drink? Reading a book? Decluttering something? Turning up the music? Making something to fuel your body?
Whatever it is, do it every day. And choose to make it an active form of re-focusing for yourself. As you’re soaking, walking, flowing, praying…call your eyes, your mind, your heart back where they belong.
The ultimate act of self-care is reminding ourselves where our true hope lies.
Hint: it’s not in our self or anyone or anything else.
It’s in Jesus. The One who died and rose again. The One who lives so that we might live. The One who is the Beginning and the End. The One who is not surprised by these interesting times.
The One – the only One – who can take what Satan means for evil and turn it into something good for us. Amen.
This post is part of the #smbsfreestyle series. Where I write a stream of consciousness type post once a month. Less structured and more journal entry feel. The topic(s) will be something from my heart about everything from motherhood to self-care (of course) to health + wellness and beyond. More like a relaxed conversation between friends and less like a “how to” lecture with bullet points.
I’m over on Instagram and, if you haven’t signed up for my email list, I’m there, too. If you sign up, I’m giving you my Healthy + Healing Warm Drink Guide FREE.
Let’s care for ourselves,
Hannah