Day 491 - Friday Faith Factor

Happy Friday everyone!  Today I am doing something a little different.  I have been doing the SheReadsTruth devotionals this year and they are introducing a chance for us to write our own devotion every Friday based on a passage they give us.  So this week I am participating in that.  So no food journal today, but it will be back tomorrow.  Click here to check out their site.

Psalm 130
The Message

1-2 Help, God—the bottom has fallen out of my life!
Master, hear my cry for help!
Listen hard! Open your ears!
Listen to my cries for mercy.

3-4 If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,
who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,
and that’s why you’re worshiped.

5-6 I pray to God—my life a prayer—
and wait for what he’ll say and do.
My life’s on the line before God, my Lord,
waiting and watching till morning,
waiting and watching till morning.

7-8 O Israel, wait and watch for God—
with God’s arrival comes love,
with God’s arrival comes generous redemption.
No doubt about it—he’ll redeem Israel,
buy back Israel from captivity to sin.

I studied this passage in several different translations and The Message was the one that stood out the most tt me.  I encourage you to read different versions and find one that helps you understand God's word.

I love this passage.  How many times have you felt like the bottom of your life has fallen out?  I can think of numerous times that I was not sure I could go on with the circumstances happening in my life.  Many times I have wondered if He even heard my cries for help.  

Currently I am on a journey to live a healthier, happier life.  The first 13 months of my journey were fairly easy and I lost weight on a weekly basis and felt so good about myself.  However, the past 2 months have been a struggle for me.  I have had 2 surgeries, one a major foot operation.  My activity level went from walking 4-5 miles per day to sitting on the couch with my foot propped up 24 hours a day for several weeks.  I felt like giving up.  I have gained and lost the same 3.5 pounds over the last 2 months.  I feel so discouraged. I would weigh-in and see a gain and just feel like I was not worthy and wondering if my purpose of motivating others was wrong.  Then I read this part of the Psalm:

"I pray to God....and wait for what He'll say or do."

I think I was becoming too dependent on my own abilities.  I started out including God in my journey and I tried to continue doing that, but I was becoming self-reliant in my own abilities.  I needed this little bump to turn me back to waiting for what HE says.  Thankful He does not keep a record of wrongs, that He will forgive my self absorption and for the promise in this passage that "No doubt about it" He will redeem us,

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come to you today with a heavy, but thankful heart.  I am so thankful that Christ's sacrifice on the cross means that you hold no records of my wrongs.  I ask you to forgive my selfishness in thinking I could do this alone.  I am crying out with despair for Your help.  I cannot do this alone.  All my accomplishments are done with Your strength and not my own.  I thank you for Your never ending love for me.

In Christ's Name,

Amen

I hope you enjoyed today's post.  Sending you all love and healthy wishes.

Keep Losing,

Kari