Simple Devotions

For the Complex Life

Statement of Faith | Link To Us | Donate $ | Contact Us

Have You Accepted God's Gift of Love, Salvation through His Son Jesus Christ? Tell Me More

For a better viewing experience, please enable Javascript

Icy Roads

"If you would have given me good directions," I snapped at my fiancee. We weren't lost, but we had definitely taken a detour trying to get to our destination. And now that we were nearly there, we once again missed our turn.

I really wasn't being fair to her, since we had both had a very stressful weekend driving over 600 miles to visit family in two states, and neither one of us getting much sleep. But regardless, we had been arguing all morning on and off, up to that very point. For at the moment I said that, we hit ice.

I remember so very clearly my thoughts as we pinballed off the curb and headed towards another car, "Lord, please stop the car." What must have been just a few seconds seemed like forever as I watched our vehicle glide uncontrolled towards the other. Praying and braking I was still not sure we would avoid an accident... but finally, we stopped about an inch from the other car's bumper.

The more and more I thought about the near accident, the more and more I realized that it wasn't just the car that needed to be stopped, it was also my attitude towards my fiancee. Instead of patiently working with her to find the place, I started taking things on myself, feeling that I could do it alone (Matthew 23:12). And it was when I took the detour back to our location that we hit ice, and things went from bad to worse.

I think this is something that we all do, not only with driving. We start to feel frustrated or angry at someone, or something, and when difficult situations arise we often isolate ourselves and try to take charge; instead of silencing ourselves and taking a moment to pray. So often, we forget that we have an Almighty, loving God who is just waiting for us to call on Him. So often we forget that we will never have absolute control over our lives, but that God is always in control. And so often, it takes a patch of ice, complete inability, for us to realize this.

Today what things are you stumbling with? What things in your life are frustrating you, angering you, and scaring you? No matter what your burdens, we have a God who loves us so much that He is willing to take away your burdens (Isaiah 40:28-31), forgive your wrong doings (1 John 1:9), and deliver you from the pain and suffering you are in (Psalm 91:1-16). And all we need to do is stop, and pray. And God has promised us, that in His perfect timing, He will deliver us, for nothing can separate us from God's promises, nor His love (Romans 8:38-39).

Post a Comment

In the Forums
No forum posts have been associated with this devotion

« The Meaning of Christmas

More Devotions

God's Unfailing Promises »

Matthew 23:12
[12] And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Isaiah 40:28-31
[28] Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. [29] He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. [30] Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: [31] But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

1 John 1:9
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalms 91:1-16
[1] He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. [3] Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. [4] He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. [5] Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; [6] Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. [7] A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. [8] Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. [9] Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; [10] There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. [11] For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. [12] They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. [13] Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. [14] Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. [15] He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. [16] With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Romans 8:38-39
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.