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Girlfriends in God - Nov. 13, 2009

November 13, 2009 
What Dwelling? 
Bonnie Schulte

I hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions.  We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends.  From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry.  We call them our "Friday Friends."  So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend", Bonnie Schulte.

Today's Truth 
Psalm 91:1 (NIV) "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

Friend to Friend 
Having placed the box of Christmas decorations on a recently built shelving unit, I turned off the storage room light switch and walked up the flight of stairs leading into our kitchen. As I approached the top landing, I unexpectedly met my husband.

"Hey, hon." I greeted with a smile. "You're home early today."

His response floored me.

"Well, I guess I'm going to be home for a while. I just lost my job," he replied as he set his brief case on the floor.

Not again! We were barely out of the boxes from our most recent move just seven months earlier. It was almost impossible to comprehend what had happened. A reorganization in one department led to a realignment in another. Bottom line, we were left without a job.

Throughout the last fifteen years, I experienced the effects of changes in my husband's career. Because of promotions, downsizing, firing, and restructuring, we moved six times to six different states. You would think by now I wouldn't be fazed by what I just heard. But I was dumbfounded.

At a loss for words and with tenderness in his eyes, my husband gathered me in his arms. We embraced in absolute silence. At the same time, I clung tightly to the promises of our Most High God.

I became frustrated many times during the next months. I fought nagging fears about my family's future. Psalm 91 became my source of encouragement and assurance.

When we sold one house and purchased another, I thanked God for His provision. Yet, I craved stability. "Dwelling? What dwelling?" I called out to God. I was weary of living in a perpetual state of "temporary." Worn out from picking up, packing up and starting over, my heart of gratitude collided with a longing for permanence as I laid my worry before Him.

It's been said that worry is like a rocking chair. It gives us something to do, but it doesn't get us anywhere. In fact, according to one statistic, we can't do anything about 70 percent of our worries.

40% are things that will never happen

30% are about the past—which can't be changed

12% are about criticism by others, mostly untrue

10% are about health, which gets worse with stress

8% are about real problems that can be solved

When my thoughts became uneasy, I recited the words of Psalm 91. Filled with an abundance of beautiful descriptions of how God cares for us, the psalmist assures us God is concerned for our physical safety, as well as our spiritual protection.

He delivers us from every type of danger. Nothing can touch those whom He protects. We find rest when we dwell in the Almighty's shadow and protection from harm and disaster when we make the Lord our dwelling.

It's been eighteen months since my husband lost his job. He has a new position and we're getting settled into a new physical location.

I'm becoming familiar with our new community and working through the inevitable details of moving, including getting a new driver's license, transferring auto insurance plans, and locating a new doctor and dentist. A hairstylist? Aaahh, now that one can take a bit longer. Fortunately, I've adapted a fresh philosophy where my hair is concerned—it eventually grows back, even after a bad cut.

Spiritually, I'm staying firmly entrenched under God's shadow, in His Word, and in His promises.

I know life isn't all roses. If it were, Psalm 91:15 would have no meaning, "He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."

Let's Pray 
Almighty Lord, when I get scared I become frustrated. As I think about all the "what ifs," worries begin to consume me. I'm sorry for not trusting You. Please help me dwell in Your presence and find sweet rest in Your shadow.

In Jesus' Name I pray, 
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn 
There is a difference between legitimate concern and excessive worry. Look up Matthew 6:25-34. What does Jesus say about worry?

Philippians 4:4-9. What does Paul say are three steps to victory over worry?

More From The Girlfriends 
Leaving behind the familiar and facing the unknown is hard. Today's devotion was taken from Nomad Wife - Lessons Learned Unpacking Boxes. Grab a box and join Bonnie Schulte, as together with Jesus Christ, you pick up, pack up, and move on.

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Matthews, NC 28106
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