In her book, “The Hiding Place,” Corrie Ten Boom chronicles her experience during World War 2 in a concentration camp with her sister, Betsie. In the midst of horrific conditions in their barracks, Corrie and Betsie led Bible studies to provide encouragement to the women around them. One particular barrack they were in was infested with fleas. They sought to give thanks in spite of their circumstances, thanking God for having a Bible and the ability to still be together. But when Betsie began to thank God for the fleas, Corrie simply couldn’t understand:

“The fleas! This was too much. ‘Betsie, there’s no way even God can make me grateful for a flea.’ “Give thanks in all circumstances,”‘she quoted. ‘It doesn’t say, “in pleasant circumstances.”  Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.’ And so we stood between tiers of bunks and gave thanks for fleas. But this time I was sure Betsie was wrong.”

As it turned out, the fleas kept the prison guards out of their barracks, which protected the women from all kinds of abuses as well as allowing for Corrie and Betsie to freely share God’s Word with the women around them. Corrie was able to see the wisdom of God in allowing for this nuisance when she realized the fruits that were springing from it.

Men or Grasshoppers?

In another story long ago, God promised to give the nation of Israel the land of Canaan. God instructed Moses to send a group of men into the land to inspect it and bring back a report. Out of the twelve that were sent, all of the men saw and agreed upon the beauty and plenty of the land, “It does flow with milk and honey!” However, for ten of these men, that mattered little when they saw the size of its inhabitants. They said, “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them“(Numbers 13:32-33).

Two men, Joshua and Caleb, had a different perspective of the land. They put the whole sum of it – the beautiful and the challenging, in God’s hands. The way they saw it, God had promised this land to their people, so why should they be afraid? “Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 14:9).

As Jennifer Kennedy Dean says in her book “Fueled by Faith“:

“The 10 said, ‘We are grasshoppers in the eyes of our enemies!’ Joshua and Caleb said, ‘Our enemies are grasshoppers in the eyes of the Lord!’ The 10 said, ‘They will devour us!’ Joshua and Caleb said, ‘We will swallow them up.’ The very same facts that caused fear in the 10, instead engaged faith in Caleb and Joshua. Caleb and Joshua saw an opportunity for God to act. They saw a platform for his power.”

What circumstances do you find yourself facing today that may elicit fear or defeat? Embrace these truths instead:

God is for you, so who can be against you? – Romans 8:31

God is working everything together for your good – Romans 8:28

God will never leave you or forsake you – Joshua 1:5

Since God has promised never to forsake you and to work everything (not just the things you understand) for your good and His glory, how might your perspective of your current circumstances change? Do you only see fleas where God sees His protection and the spreading of His Word? Do you only see giants where God sees a fruitful land that is yours for the taking, if only you will trust Him?

Ask God to give you eyes of faith today, a view into the unseen, and a heart to follow and trust Him at all times. Only blessings will follow.

Last week I had the privilege of spending an hour getting a massage. It was kind of humorous to see the response on the masseuse’s face when, in response to her question, “What in your life might contribute to stress or tension in your body?” I answered simply that I have four kids six and under, one who is only two months old.

She smiled and said that she hoped I would enjoy her services. For the next hour, she worked with great care on my tired body, pushing out knots, working diligently on muscles, and alleviating tension and stress. It was amazing.

I left pondering the thought that I wish I could give every mother of small children a massage – you know, a time where you are shut into a room (where your kids can’t reach you) and someone is focusing purely on alleviating your tension and contributing to your relaxation.

A masseuse has a pretty cool job. Once I was chatting with a lady who was massaging me and she said, “I love my job. People are always so happy to come and when they leave they are always so grateful for my services. It’s quite fulfilling.”

While we may not be able to treat everyone around us to a massage, there are other powerful ways to serve them, decrease their stress, and contribute to their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.

Upholding the Weary

Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” “Bear” in the Greek language here means, “carry, uphold, and support.” “Burden” in this context means, “heaviness, weight, burden, trouble.”

How can you carry, uphold, and support those among you who are weighed down, burdened, and troubled?

A few ways that come to mind:

Prayer – spiritually speaking, prayer is a powerful way to carry the burdens of others. When we engage in the act of intercession (praying on behalf of another) we entreat God’s Holy Spirit to be actively engaged and involved in their lives or situation. Whether they are going through a trial, personal failure, or just a hard week, knowing that you have brothers and sisters in Christ who are holding you up in prayer makes a BIG difference in providing strength and encouragement to persevere.

Presence – In an independent and often overly “plugged in” culture, the gift of physical presence can be powerful ministry. Dropping by someone’s house to simply say hello, or inviting them out for a walk or a cup of coffee can go a long way in encouraging them and showing support.

Practical Help – taking a meal, babysitting, cleaning a house, mowing a lawn, getting groceries – all these are ways that we can provide a service that offers relief to those who are currently over-burdened.

What are some ways that you have benefitted from others coming alongside you and assisting you when you were in need of help? How do you think bearing the burdens of others allows us to fulfill the law of Christ – the law of love?

Who can you “massage” today with your words, presence, prayers, and acts of service?

I’m doing a fabulous Bible Study on the topic of prayer right now called “Living a Praying Life.” One of the first questions in the study discusses times we have been disappointed with the outcome to specific prayers.

The author asks whether now, looking back at the situation (if some time has passed),  you understand more clearly why God may have answered your prayers and directed your steps differently than you had hoped for or requested of Him.

I couldn’t help but think back to a time in my life when I interviewed for a “dream job” as Senior Editor and Director of Communications for a well-known organization in Washington D.C. I was told my offer letter was in the mail and I was sure this job would take my career to new heights.

A few days later, while sitting on a Florida beach before a friends wedding, I got a call from the VP of the company. In an unforeseen series of events, the board of directors had called an emergency budgetary meeting and several positions had been cut as a result. Mine was included.

My “dream job” ended before it even began! I sat down on the warm sand quickly as though I had been punched in the stomach. I couldn’t speak. “This can’t be happening,” I told my husband. “How could this be God’s will?!” “Why would He bring me so close to my dream job and then take it away?”

My husband sought to console me the best he knew how – with words of truth from Scripture. That God knows the plans that He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and they are plans to prosper and not harm me, to give me a hope and a future.

He reminded me of the Sovereignty of God and His promise to lead me in the best plan for my life – where and how I can glorify Him best. Proverbs wisely tells us that “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Looking Back with Thanksgiving

Country singer Garth Brooks has a song that says, “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers…” While I agree with the sentiment of the song, I don’t believe that any prayers are really unanswered. They are simply answered differently than we may have hoped in that moment at that time.

I look back now at that moment almost a decade ago and rejoice that God knew what He was doing. I began another job, but shortly after God gave us the gift of our first child and I chose to quit work and stay at home.

Now, almost 7 years and 4 kids later, I see what a different path and plan He had for me than what I had originally envisioned. And it is exactly where I need to be.

Is there a plan you had, a direction you had purposed in your heart to go – and then the door was slammed shut in your face? Did you find yourself disappointed with God or doubting His goodness as a result?

Perhaps you still don’t understand why things have happened the way that they have. I want to encourage you today that God has plans for your life to do you good and bring Him glory. We are finite and don’t always see the big picture – but God does.

Sometimes what we think is good is not that good for us after all – but it may take some time for us to realize it. In the mean time, we can make a choice to trust God’s loving faithfulness towards us which will never fail and cling to His promises:

“The Lord God will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).