Afflicted – A 2MefromHim Devotional by Norma Gail

Posted by on Jun 26, 2017 | 7 comments

Afflicted – A 2MefromHim Devotional by Norma Gail

Afflicted. How often do we allow the struggles of life to defeat us. Yet, as Christians, we have all the power that raised Christ from the dead at our disposal. God never intended us to feel inadequate. He intends us to live victorious lives trusting in Him. 

 

2MefromHim Devotional

Afflicted

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. Psalm 102:25-27

Afflicted scripture

I feel afflicted and weak from time to time, in body, but also in my spirit and soul. What struggles frighten you and make you feel inadequate? We tend to act the way we feel, and allowing inadequacy and fear to take hold makes us weak.

A weekend trip to Colorado reminded me of just how small and insignificant I am. The mountains stand strong, robed in majesty, as they have for centuries, a testament to the power of the God who “laid the foundations of the earth.” God is so much greater than I am.

Afflicted 1

Recently, I experienced a setback in my plans, a rejection of years of work. I felt weak, insignificant, inadequate, doubtful, and uncertain of the future. It reminded me of how small I am and how many people are better and more capable than I am. Surrounded by successful, confidant people who won awards for their work, the rejection of my own efforts was even harder.

The part of Psalm 102 that struck me almost as much as the word of the psalmist himself was the note my NIV Bible placed at the beginning. “A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord.” I was allowing myself to feel afflicted when, in spite of rejection, I received another opportunity and an unexpected blessing. God never leaves us at a dead end. He always has something else waiting up ahead.

Just as those mountains showed me how small I am in the scheme of things, they reminded me of how great my God is all of the time. The mountains will not stand forever. An earthquake could destroy the mountains in seconds and God will someday  replace them with something better. However, the psalmist goes on to say that God remains the same forever, no matter what happens to His creation.

Afflicted 2

If you struggle against fear, inadequacies, and insignificance, look to your Creator. He has a plan for you, and He will see it carried through to completion. All that is required from us is to take the opportunities offered and do our best, seeking God’s help. He will never let us down when we are trusting in Him. He will offer another path. Look for it and go forward in His strength. I may feel afflicted, but God never fails.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, June 23, 2017

Norma Gail authorAbout the author:

Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normagailwrites/

Book Links:Land of My Dreams cover

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

 

7 Comments

  1. So true, Norma! Thank you for the encouraging words!

    • You’re so welcome, Sandra! God bless!

  2. Hi Norma, I am also an RN, now working PRN after eight months of retirement. Loved your blog post so encouraging.
    Christian fiction awesome!

    • I am so glad you enjoyed it, Helena! I miss nursing a lot.

  3. I’m thinking of that verse that says where we are weak, He is strong

    • Perfect example!

  4. Norma, you are so precious. I often remind myself of my favorite quote. It’s from Charles Spurgeon.”God is too good, to be unkind. He is too wise to make a mistake. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” Isn’t that great? I hope it will encourage you too.

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