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Oct. 27, 2009
Feeling Discouraged?
Lately, I've been feeling a bit like Anne of Green Gables when she says that she is in "the depths of despair". I've been overwhelmed - with work, housework, our schedule, and all the various things that are going on around me (which are way too numerous to list here). I actually even went to the doctor last week (which is amazing for me!) because I've just felt like the burden is getting heavier and heavier and I'm sinking under the weight of it all. (FYI: blood test results came back yesterday - and everything is normal [thyroid, cholesterol, and blood counts])
Sometimes I'm just amazed by God. I know we should always be amazed; but I confess that sometimes God's timing is just so perfect that I'm extra amazed. It's like he's tapping me on the shoulder saying "this is just for you". Such a time occurred this past Sunday morning . . .
I walked into the adult Sunday School class at church, only to find out that the regularly scheduled teacher couldn't teach that day (due to a recent death in his family); so the pastor was teaching. Someone passed out a handout; and when I looked down and started reading, I immediately knew that this lesson was FOR ME. It was a study on Psalm 3 and the paragraph at the top said this:
"This is a psalm where 'enemies' may symbolize any misery, problem, difficulty, or distress. It is a psalm to use when you are at your wit's end, totally discouraged, seemingly surrounded by problems, defeated. It is an example of what I Peter 5:7 tells us to do." Needless to say, God definitely got my attention with this! Even my mom leaned over and said "this is for you, isn't it?" it was all I could do not to cry (and I've been doing an overabundance of it lately).
[I Peter 5:7 - "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."KJV]
If you're feeling discouraged or defeated as well, maybe this is just what you're needing. I'm planning on committing Psalm 3 to memory this week. Why don't you do the same?
Psalm 3 (English Standard Version)
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
The psalmist's COMPLAINT to the Lord about his enemies:
1O LORD, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2many are saying of my soul,
there is no salvation for him in God.
Selah
The psalmist's CONFIDENCE in the Lord despite his enemies:
3But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4I cried aloud to the LORD,
and he answered me from his holy hill.
Selah
The psalmist's CALMNESS in the Lord despite his enemies:
5I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
6I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
The psalmist's CALL (or CRY) to the Lord about his enemies:
7 Arise, O LORD!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
8Salvation belongs to the LORD;
your blessing be on your people!
Selah
NOTE: The words in italics are my own notes, showing the way this particular psalm is organized. The psalms weren't just written with no rhyme or reason, rather the psalmists chose certain formats for writing the psalms - this one has an a, b, b', a' theme.
I share this in the hopes that it will speak to someone else as well. If not, though, that's ok. I'll take my own personal tap on the shoulder from God. I needed it!
Copyright 2006-2009 by Reviews & Reflections
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Oct. 27, 2009 - Untitled Comment
 Posted by Anonymous
Thank you Heidi. I needed this today. Lots of pressure here for me right now. This really spoke to me.
Blessings,
Michele
http://koreamom.blogspot.com
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Oct. 27, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Ruth
Heidi~thank you for sharing this. God is so good and He is always with us. Thank you for the reminder that He will work everything out in His time. I pray that I learn whatever lesson He wants me to learn through all of this.
Ruth
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Oct. 27, 2009 - Oh my dear friend...
 Posted by proverbsmomof3
thank you for sharing this. I am so sorry that I have not been aware of your burdened heart. I am praying that the weights that have been bringing you down are being relieved. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. (((HUGS)))
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Oct. 28, 2009 - thanks so much
Posted by Jolanthe
I left your page open this morning to come back and read later and I'm so glad that I did! :)
SO needed to hear this right now in this moment. :)
Jolanthe
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Oct. 28, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Uh, are you inside my head? That is for me too-I should have been there next to ya Sunday morn. I am finding scripture and some good ole fashioned episodes of Lost in Space are some of the best medicine out there as of late! And if I am really struggling-I will watch episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 as they will also do the trick! You should check it out if you find you need some comedic relief in between the Lord's word.
I know some of Psalm 3 cuz I have been memorizing it for Beth Moore's Scripture challenge. I also love Psalm 91. I will add ya to my prayer list-dear friend!
Blessings-
Sheri
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Oct. 30, 2009 - I'll be lifting you up in prayer, too!
Posted by SevenSmiths
I also really appreciate you sharing this! I've been feeling burdened, too, of late. One epiphany I've had lately is that I've become convinced I need to memorize more Scripture. I think I will include this psalm in my weekend plans.
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Nov. 2, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
So glad that your tests came back ok. I had been praying for you and thought I would check in at your blog!
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