Each one of us has, or currently is, living “one of those weeks,” or series of days, where no matter what we do or say, we come away with the very strong conviction that we are damned if we do, and damned if we don’t.
And the harder we try to analyze the situation—what we could have done differently, why it mattered at all to begin with, will it happen again and will we handle it better next time?—the more maze-like our inner life becomes.
Finding our way out seems a fantasy and we fear we’ll continue to make things worse if we try.
These are times when even close friends or spouses, who lend a sympathetic ear and embrace us in hugs, cannot quite set everything to rights.
We know we have made mistakes, and don’t like ourselves much for having made them.
We know others have made mistakes, and we are frustrated with ourselves for not knowing how to graciously respond!
And then we feel guilty for being so hard on our self and on others, but aren’t quite sure what to do next.
That is when God is indeed our refuge. That is when we wait on Him:
“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“So my spirit grows faint within me;
My heart within me is dismayed.” Psalm 143:4
“I spread out my hands to you;
My soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Answer me quickly, O Lord,
My spirit fails.” Psalm 143:6-7a
“Let the morning bring me word of your
unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8
copyright Barb Harwood
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