Psalm 23.1-4 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

Over the last week I’e had to learn to surrender my struggles at the foot of the cross, rather than doing all things in my own strength. It is a fight against the flesh and the spirit. Who will I listen to? I have to spend every day an hour or so at the foot of the cross, and let go of the struggles inside of me. I had to let go of my racing thoughts. I had to let go of my anxiety and let God be the soother of my soul. I had to learn to relax in his presence. It is no easy task, but it is possible!

Today – I woke up feeling slightly lighter than I have done in a while.  I felt like the Spirit of Oppression had lifted. Praise the Lord! I am still not out of the woods yet. But I felt like I had a small breakthrough through the valley of the shadow of death.  I felt like I was rising above the enemy’s taunts.

When I look back over the last week – I am amazed at the decision that I made to quit my job on the first day. This is not something I normally would do. A lot of people might view it as the coward’s way out. But it was the courage of God that helped me make that decision.  Realising that if I didn’t do this, would I ever get to where God wanted me to go? Because I always seemed to end up in the same kind of job that I was avoiding.  So I am thanking God that he gave me the courage to do what was right.  I am thanking God for the door that he is opening, and I am trusting that that door will open even wider, and that this door will lead to many more opportunities in serving him.  Everything in his good time. Trusting him. Trusting for God’s favour on my life!

This song Surrender by Sir Jules Riding is a reminder to all of us to surrender our struggles at the foot o the cross. To surrender it because when we don’t surrender our struggles it will push us downwards. It will laden us.  When I heard this song for the first time over two years ago I played it over and over and over again. It really helped me especially when I was still in the midst of grieving for my son Sebastian. Music can be very healing for our souls…

Dear Lord – Thank you for the peace that you have given me today. Thank you for taking the Spirit of Oppression away and that I feel lighter. Lord, I trust you for a good God outcome today as I keep my eyes on you. Lord, I pray for those Thai boys, coach and all that are involved with the rescue and their families that you keep them safe, and that you give them comfort at this time. Amen.