Stranded

As a young mother, there were days when it seemed as if I’d been dropped on a desert island, alone, with 4 small children. But what I have discovered over the years is there are times at every stage of life when we feel as if we are in captivity to something. Today you may feel as if you are captive to illness, to caretaking, to financial stress, to the opinion of other people, to your age, to broken dreams and disappointments, to another person’s thoughtless or selfish actions, to addiction, worry, grief, or a thousand other things.

Would you be willing to ask the Lord to turn your captivity into a place of blessing?

Wherever you find your self today, God wants you to know there is the potential for this to become a beautiful place in your life.  I know what you are thinking, “she has no idea how hard or how bad this is.” I don’t but He does. Here are some words to encourage us from Psalm 91.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and fortress, My God in whom I trust!’” Psalm 91:1-2

Throughout Scripture we see His people alone and isolated in prison cells, the far side of the desert, banished to desolate islands, aimlessly circling the wilderness, and in storm tossed seas.  No human being has ever been as isolated and alone as Jesus was when He hung on Calvary’s cross with the sin of the world on Him. His friends deserted Him and His Father was not able to look upon Him while He bled and died for you and me. But in every trying and distressing place, God shows up with fresh revelations of His self.

When your circumstances strip away the external props, and you are left with nothing but Him, your place of captivity can become the most beautiful place of all.

There are blessings that can only be discovered while in captivity.

Dear Lord,

I feel as if I am a captive to ______________________________. I have tried everything I could to get out of it but still I am here. Today I am choosing to dwell in you and to abide in your shelter. I’m asking you to show me the beauty you have for me while I am a captive to these circumstances you have allowed. Thank you for stripping away the externals so I can see you more clearly. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.