Monday, November 14, 2016

If We Can Only Wait


"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."   ... Matthew 23:12



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My, my, my. You know things are bad when Oprah tweets, "Everybody take a deep breath!  #HopeLives" and people go all red-faced conniption-fit-like. 

Hey, it's Oprah. Millions love her--or did until she spoke too radically (I guess) this time, suggesting we give President elect Trump a chance. 


You're in a scary world when you get yelled at for promoting hope. Actually, I've been there--and felt the sting of unfairness.

Anyway, fear not. 

As Americans, we've never quite been here before, so it would be foolish to assume things will go horribly--or--that they'll be just peachy-swell, either. That's like stepping off the train in Paris for the first time, ever, and assuming you know exactly what you'll now see, hear, do and think.

What I recommend? 


Pray like crazy for our leaders. 
Pray for everyone else, also.
Ponder. Listen. Watch your blood pressure. Stay calm.
Seek quiet time with God. Seek wisdom. Seek to love patiently.
Speak out only when you feel God's nudging. Then speak humbly.


And learn to wait well. Most things we won't understand until Time and decisions have passed. Other things, not until we have---and find ourselves standing before the huge God who knows exactly what's going on--always--no matter who's doing what.














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Give God time.


" ...  let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."   --- James 1:19, 20


"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience..."   ... Colossians 3:12

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5,6







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3 comments:

Nan said...

Even Bernie says he will keep an open mind. If you'd like, you may read the rest here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/opinion/bernie-sanders-where-the-democrats-go-from-here.html

Pam said...

Good advice from Oprah, and your advice about praying is spot on, Debra. I love the verse that tells us to pray for one another so that we might be healed (James 5:16). Prayer is powerful and don't all of us need to be healed? I sure do!

Anonymous said...

So many of us prayed BEFORE the election.... we can't stop now... we must continue to make it a daily habit to pray for our country and it's leaders. Tumultuous times are nothing new to God, he'll help us all.