Day 79: Righteousness

I'm not going to lie... I doubt myself often. Well, maybe not doubt, but I'm very hesitant, even about stuff I may have done before. Whether that's a good thing or not, I'm not sure, but that's just how I am. I'm what you might call a "worry-wart." I know that I worry more than I should, but sometimes my body just won't listen to my mind; however, I think I've been improving little by little in that respect. I just keep reminding myself that God is with me, He loves me, and He will guide me through, over, or around anything that arises in my life. And even if I don't "succeed" at what I attempt doesn't mean that I've failed; it just means that God has shown me a different way to succeed--a way that couldn't have come about unless I tried something else first. I guess sometimes you have to fall before you can rise up.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
~Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

Children of God should not be afraid of anything other than God, and even then, it's not a "run and hide" fear; instead, it's a respectful fear, as a child might fear the wrath of a parent. A fire can be very dangerous if one doesn't heed proper etiquette, but when it is respected and not fooled around with, it can provide much for you. This is a poor analogy because God can do infinitely more for us than a simple fire, but hopefully you can see where I'm going with this. But I digress. We shouldn't fear anything other than God because God loves us and is always with us to guide us. He promises numerous times throughout the Bible that He will always be with us to protect us and provide for us and strengthen us, and that He will never abandon us. God is the absolute epitome of righteousness, and with that power, He (as it says in the above verse) upholds us--His children--and blesses us with everything that He knows that we need. It is amazing to think that not only does God know exactly what each of us needs, He is able to give those things to each person in the precise manners at the precise moments without fail. God is certainly spectacular beyond contemplation, and it just proves how much He loves every single one of us as our own simple, imperfect, human selves.

Lord, thank You for this day, for it was indeed a beautiful day. Thank You for my family, friends, and pets; I ask that You please watch over them, bless them, and keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy. Lord, please watch over the defenders of Your name and this country, and please bless them with courage and strength, and please bring them home safely. Please watch over their families and friends, and bless them with peace and serenity while they are separated from their loved ones. Please bless those who need blessings most, whether it be the basic necessities or some sort of strength, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual; please shine Your light on their paths and bless them with family members and/or friends whom You can work through to help provide for and/or strengthen them. Lord, please cleanse me of my sins and continue to guide me down Your path. Please use me as You will to do what You have planned for me to do and, if it is Your will, to help others by spreading Your word through both words and actions. Lord, I love You with all of my heart and all of my soul and then some, and I always will. You are my one and only Lord and Savior, and I will follow You and only You forever and ever. You are my Guiding Light--You always have been, and You always will be. Thank You SO much for who I am and what I have. Thank You for all the goodness and happiness in the world, and thank You for all the goodness and happiness in my life. Only You could have made my life so perfect for me. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.