On the way to work yesterday, after a pretty rough morning with banana, I decided to try to memorize an encouraging verse. So that in the middle of hard times, I could easily recall it and think positive thoughts. Yesterday's was Psalm 37:23-24 which says "The steps of man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way; when he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." I don't know about you, but that verse is hugely encouraging for me. The rest of the day went really well, and when her sister came home from school discouraged and blue, I was able to share my verse with her. She even came back later and asked me to tell it to her again "now that she was paying attention". That one verse, taking the time to memorize it during a half hour commute to work, helped to refocus me, which helped me have a good day myself, and helped me to be there for my daughter with patience.
So, today, during the same boring commute, I picked up my little scripture notebook, and worked on learning Jeremiah 33:3...Call on Me and I will answer you and I will tell you great and mighty things that you do not know.
I know I shouldn't be surprised...but seeing as scripture memory has never come very easy to me, I have been a bit surprised...just doing one small thing differently the last two mornings, has greatly impacted the kind of day that I had. Not only that, but every time I caught myself start to worry about the changes that are coming, or how things are going to be able to work out, or whatever...I have three verses now to set my mind on instead... The third one is Deuteronomy 31:6, which is the verse God has given me for this month...and the big changes coming...be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Put those three verses together, and that's quite the power packed team to counter fear of the unknown.
