Love It When He Speaks!

     Amazing.  Simply amazing.  Hearing God remind me of His Word this morning as I was walking took my breath away.  You see, my heart is in a struggle.  Hurt and anger are trying to control me.  Defeat is lurking at the door just waiting to get in.  That old saying isn't true.  Words do hurt.
     Over the past week I have received many beautiful words of affirmation over my life.  Encouragement from people who are so kind and generous.  It's a good and pleasant place to be.  But when you let your guard down, allowing that weak spot in your armor to gap open, Satan has an easy target.  And I made it easy for him to hurl that fiery dart and make contact today.
      Pride has a way of doing that to you.  Wanting to be right.  Should've kept my mouth shut and not answered what was not asked.  Should've known that my advice would not be easily accepted.  Should've known that pride was rearing it's ugly head.
      As I walked this morning I knew what was at stake.  I could waller in the self-pity and pain that were trying to consume my thoughts and very quickly become a woman with a bitter and angry heart.  It was one of those times when my spirit had to cry out, "Lord, help!  Don't let me be consumed by this," because I was too bogged down pray much more.  That's when it happened...
     Just a quiet whisper... "Think on these things."  Again.  "Think on these things."  Again and again it came.  What things?  Which things?  Not those things that selfish me wanted to be right about.  Not those thoughts about what I should go back and do or say.  Not the revenge that would make me feel worse in the end.  Gently and quietly He reminded me of what "these things" are. One at a time.  Not really in the order they are written. 
     The first word that came?  Pure.  "Whatever is pure.  Think about that."  Well!  That sure takes the wind out of the sails of your quest for revenge!  Little by little the verse came.  As soon as I got home I grabbed my Bible to look it up.  Even more amazing -- I knew where to look!  Not because I had made an effort to memorize but because God had something to say.  Here it is:

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But keep reading.  Look at verse nine. 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me

- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 

Philippians 4:8-9

     OH.  MY.  GOODNESS!!  How will I deal with this stab of pain?  What do I choose to think about?  Truth?  Honor?  Purity?  Loveliness?  Commendablility?  Excellence?  Or do I choose my own way?  My own response?  My own evil thoughts and words that will hurt in return?  Will I  practice the things I have heard and learned?  Or will I devise my own method?  Will I be bathed in the peace of God?  Or will I be consumed by thoughts that destroy?
     I choose the peace of God.  It's not easy.  It's been a couple of hours now and I am still struggling.  Satan knows I am weak at this moment and he is hovering like a vulture, just waiting for the right time.  But I have a shepherd who loves to protect me and pour his strength into me so that I many get up and keep on going.  Wrapped up in the blanket of His peace, I choose to think on His things.