Historical or Hysterical
These two words are very different from one another. They have a common sound at the end of each word. Historical means to reach back into history to past events and how they pertain to our current existence. Hysterical refers to an outburst of emotion that is uncontrollable and irrational. I am pretty familiar with both of these terms when I simply think of my life’s journey. There have been times in my past where I was in a good place with the Lord. He was my Rock and my Redeemer. There have been other times when I wandered far from Him, while keeping up appearances that everything was good. I also have some events that happened along the way where I was completely irrational. I was probably the definition of hysterical. I clearly remember a plane ride to California when my kid had just been diagnosed with cancer. I clearly remember the first Christmas separated from my children. I’ve got a pretty good list of times when I was a total wreck and desperate for the Lord to show me where to go and what to do next. I remember what it’s like to feel lost and deeply afraid.
As I read Psalm 107 this morning, I could look back at the history of my relationship with God. I’ve “wandered in the wilderness” (v4). I’ve “rebelled against the words of God” (v11). I was a “fool” (v17). I’ve sort of “went off to sea in ships” (v23). I’ve seen first-hand the Power and the Presence of God. I’ve seen Him make a way where there seems to be no way. I’ve see Him bless the poor and helpless. I’ve been the recipient of His blessing. I’ve seen Him take broken people and the pieces of their lives and make them into something beautiful and incredibly useful in His Kingdom. The Lord turns my hysterical and “jacked-up” situations into something useful and even beautiful for His purposes. I’m still stunned by that level of love and patience. My Creator is still creating! Check this out….
42 The godly will see these things and be glad,
while the wicked are struck silent.
43 Those who are wise will take all this to heart;
they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord. (Psalm 107:42-43 NLT)
There are times now that I can appear calm, because I am. Not because the situation calls for calm, but because the Lord has the chaos under His control. My role is to trust Him. If I have learned anything from my history with the Lord, it’s the fact that He can be trusted without exception to show up and walk with me through the hardest of times and situations. I will “praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for” me. (v.8,15,21)
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. (Psalm 107:1-2 NLT)
I started my day with my “thanksgiving snooze” (7 minutes of gratitude after hitting the snooze on my alarm). This Psalm this morning really spoke deep into my heart and my history with the Lord. I’m am so thankful for His faithful love for me over the years.
Pressing On!
Dwayne