There have been times throughout the year where I’ve been irritable and grumpy. If that attitude lasts too long then I get to be really ratty and unpleasant to be with, like a dark cloud is ever hanging over me and a growl acts like the lightning in that stormy mood. There will be something that I’ll take and magnify to cause a reason for the mood. It’s not pretty and I don’t share this to condone what I do.
I share it as the premise for the point of gratitude. When I’m humbled and corrected for that irritability and grumpiness and being the embodiment of misery I am pointed back to who God is and what He has done and is doing. One of the essential things He continues to do is provide for my daily needs. Everything He’s called me to do, He’s made a way for me to be able to do it. Food and drink, clothing, key relationships, resources, transport, inspiration, instruction and direction. Without fail from regular and unorthodox sources He has always provided.
Reflecting on those realities rebukes me in my irritability. It refers me once more to the route that God has made possible when I have issues and hang-ups. He says to worry about nothing but in everything converse with Him about the matter and then be grateful to Him for remaining the ever faithful and ever concerned God.
The provision of the means for communication through prayer is something that has been emphasised over 2022. It’s been inspiring being with people of God who passionately puruse God in prayer and nudge me further to take prayer seriously and see it for what it offers not just to offload to the heavenly Father, but be open to what He has to reveal through the process. The opportunity to pray with others has been pivotal in shaping and improving how I pray on my own. that’s been the case strongly over the year and I’m grateful to God for providing those platforms and opportunities.
As in previous years of a stretch, 2022 has taught me to trust God for providing the essentials even when the way is not obvious. Ineed especially when the way is not obvious. I can reflect on episodes this year where there was a need for God to come through and from the most unexpected sources what was needed came through and I can only put it down to the goodness of god. It’s those actions of grace that inspires me to rely more on the grace of God to trust Him more and follow His leading.
Experiencing the remarkable provision of God is not just something I’ve seen in my life. I’ve got to witness people make extraordinary strides in following God in their calling and seen Him faithfully provide the inspiration, the goal, the resources, the relationships and the wisdom to make those strides. It builds on my faith greatly to see God operate in these ways, showing great care for those that are His and ever providing in His way for outcomes that bless, benefit and build others.
One area in which God’s provision has come so much for me is when He’s emboldened me to open my mouth and ask for help. That’s not an easy thing at all times, but as He has made it possible to ask Him and see how He provides, so He’s eased up any sense of pride or self-sufficiency to be able to know that a great way in which He provides is through others. Grateful as I am for those individuals, I’m just as grateful for the way God makes for me to humble myself before them and ask for that help. It comes across as something that might be useful for whatever is about to happen …
I am grateful to God for His marvellous provision. All the needs of 2022 were met by Him. Each of those emotional, psychological, material and relational needs that were met highlighted the way in which God provided the most and the best. This was done when He gave His only Son to make a way possible to return to right relationship with Him, with myself, with others and with whatever has been put in my stewardship. This is seen when He also gives His promised Holy Spirit to live in me and show the way to Jesus. These truths of the amazing provision of God help to dispel those dark clouds that occur when I get irritable. It erases the clouds to reveal there are brighter days ahead in the light of who He is. For that provision, I’m grateful.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 