As I was thinking about the weight of adversity, there came into my mind this, the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
Okay, so for the last four decades I was under the impression - a good impression at that - that other gods pertained to things.
Worldly things like body size, Monday Night Football, money, scrapbooking, quilting, Twilight, and believe me, my list goes on . . .
But this last week, my mind caught hold on this thought:
If I put my adversity - my trial, my challenge, my weakness, my hardships - BEFORE God, then I am, in fact, breaking the first commandment.
OUCH!
Because sometimes a trial can consume me.
Overtake me.
Try me in ways that I never wanted to experience.
But the first command from God is that even trials that test my very ability to cope with them CANNOT be placed before Him!
Or they (those ugly trials) become my god.
No wonder the Savior pleads, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
For in so doing we put HIM first.
Keeping the commandment AND finding the relief - the very peace - only He can provide!
I am a horrible "friend". Thankyou for the card and encouragement. As I read this post I asked myself what am I putting first???
ReplyDeleteI an very thankful for you! an inspired friend :)
I think of you often and hope things are going well for you and your awesome family.
Horrible, no! Friend, yes! :D I am so happy to hear from you!
ReplyDelete