A Soul Poured Out...

Wow! I know I shared one of these devotions the other day, but this one was one of those "Are you talkin' to me" moments. I can reflect so much in the past & present where I have totally went to one of my friends in total need before seeking the Best Friend I have in life. I can honestly remember a time in my life when facing some huge struggles when I would reach for the phone and the person I was trying to call's phone would be busy! Was that a coincidence? I don't think so, it was a huge eye-opening opportunity to call the One who's line is never busy and has total control over my life.
Don't get me wrong, friendships are a gift from God and He has placed and continues to place some amazing friends in my life who speak truth into my life, encourage me, challenge me, pray for me and just all around help me to be a better Christ follower, wife, mom and friend, but we have to remember that there is a time and place for that friendship. We need to consider if we are putting more focus on the strength we gain from them than the strength we gain from God. And we need to be aware of the times we pick up the phone for encouragement (which is awesome, just in proper priority level)instead of calling on the One who you don't even have to dial a number. How much easier is that, simply calling on the name of Jesus first will cut down on the steps you have to take for sustaining encouragement and direction.
I love, love, love my friends, but I sometimes find myself in this same scenario of life, maybe it is just because they are SO stinkin' awesome, and God has gifted them with SO many gifts that they impress upon in my life, but I have to humble myself and remember who placed them into my life and then remember first and foremost Who gave His life for me and is there 24/7, no busy lines, just pure, open, life saving, sustaining truths that flow from Him without any apology needed.

Read on...
______________________________________________________

Today's Truth

"I am a woman who is deeply troubled...I was pouring out my soul to the LORD."

(1 Samuel 1:15, NIV).

Friend to Friend

The Old Testament book of Samuel introduces us to Hannah: a godly woman who had some serious problems. Her problems weren't brief and they weren't simple. They were year after year problems. Challenges that made her feel empty and frustrated. Have you got a few of those in your life? Sure you do. We all do. Each of us goes through trials and face pain.

Hannah experienced infertility and she had a disturbing rival-wife problem that was miserably complicated. Yes, cringe with me, I said rival-wife. She was one of two wives to her husband...a cultural norm at the time...but terribly difficult no matter how you slice it. (Read 1 Samuel 1-2 for the full story of Hannah.) Refreshingly, enough, in her pain Hannah didn't pretend to be okay. She openly admitted, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled" (1 Samuel 1:15 ).

There are many lessons we can learn from Hannah, but today I'd like us to look at her response to the problems that burdened her heart. Hanna took her problems to God. She cried out to the Lord. "In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD." (1 Samuel 1:10). She took her burdens directly to God.

Now, I don't know about you, but all too many times, I go to the phone before I go to the throne! Who do you cry to when you are deeply troubled? Do you pour out your soul to the LORD, or just pepper Him with vague prayer requests? Hannah didn't just briefly bend a knee here, she poured out her soul! She poured out her sorrow, her disappointments, her frustrations, her depression, her confusion, her anger, her embarrassments, her anguish and her grief.

She poured out her emptiness! And guess what happened? God filled her with the fullness of His peace! Before spending time with the Lord, Hannah lost her appetite and sank into despair. After she poured out her soul to God, the Bible shows us that her appetite returned and her countenance had changed. "Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast" (1 Samuel 1:18 , emphasis mine). Hannah was "no longer downcast" because she experienced the One and Only life-changing God in the chamber of His presence.

God is faithful. He longs to fill our souls with peace regardless of the circumstances we face. Hannah was changed in the presence of the almighty LORD! However, realize this: Hannah didn't just do a "drive thru" prayer time with God. She parked there for a while and did some serious business with Him.

Have you done any serious business with God lately?

Got any problems?

Are you dealing with any difficult people?

Are you faced with any seemingly impossible situations?

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens" (Psalm 68:19). When you get serious with God...when you get real honest and pour out your soul to Him, He will faithfully replace your empty with the fullness of His peace, whether he removes your burdens or allows them to remain.

Don't doubt it for a minute, friend.

Jesus himself said, "All things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27 ). Let's each take courage and approach God with confidence today, knowing that He loves us and is able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we can ask for or imagine. Spend some time pouring out your soul to Him right now.

_________________________________________________________

How sweet is that, knowing when we get serious with God, totally honest and pour out our souls to Him, He faithfully replaces that emptiness with the fullness of His peace regardless of the outcome.

I ask that you pray this with me and for me as I pray this with and for you...

Heavenly Father, I come to You today and humbly ask Your forgiveness for all of the times that I've taken my burdens to others instead of bringing them to You. Help me to turn to You first when problems come my way. Please blanket my heart with your peace and give me strength for today. In the name of Jesus, Amen.