Many things happening

Many things I see lately are very encouraging: God moving "suddenly" in a family to restore a mother/daughter relationship. Praise and worship that lifts up Jesus and as a result, people are drawn to Him. Men seeing the gift that God has given them in their wives. A healing that is miraculous and described by a doctor as "amazing." Churches opening up their door overnight to the homeless. The list goes on and on. Thank You, Lord, for what You are doing and also for letting me see these things.

At the same time, distractions abound which scream for my attention. Snares which threaten my brothers and sisters and lies which seem to entrap them. People caught up in worries and anxious thoughts which cause them to try and provide for themselves. Choices which lead people away from God rather than closer to Him. Bondages that don't have to be there.

Looking at the latter items, I find myself discouraged and/or angry. I am reminded of the verse, "set your mind on things above," as well as "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." My discouragement comes from the misbelief that though I see the negative, I do not know what to do. The truth is, I can turn to God in prayer and cry out in need and dependency. I can praise Him for all the good I see as well as acknowledge Him as the One Who "uses all things for good..." I can allow Him to do whatever He wants through me. That may be intercession where I allow my heart to be broken, confrontation (gasp), or whatever He chooses. These very things can be used to cause me to realize even more deeply the truth of my dependency on Him. I can turn to my Loving Father Who knows all and loves all of His children more than I could ever fathom. These things that are so negative, I can watch God turn into positives and know even deeper what a good, loving, omnipotent God I serve.