Life Plan Devotion #151 [Even in the wilderness]

Hi, Everyone.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and Labor Day holiday. I am thankful for all those who work so hard, especially in fields of service, many of whom were not able to have that day of rest. I thought of our service men and women, too, who have a job to do every moment of every day, every day of every week, and even when they have a few hours off, many are not in a place where they can truly relax. Let's pray for them today.
I was finally able to change the current weight in my signature line, as I dropped a pound. I know it's only one pound, but I'm grateful. It's not easy these days, with some of it being my fault and some of it not. One thing I do know is that the Lord has been with me through it all. I'm so grateful.
Please pray for those having surgery today or preparing for surgery, as well as those recovering from surgery. If you have any prayer requests, let me hear from you, too. As always, I love when you share with me.

Life Plan Devotion #151 [Even in the wilderness]

Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (NIV).

     We have been looking briefly at the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel, as they were led out of Egypt (the land of bondage) to Canaan (the land of promise). For the next few days, let's look at what it all means for you, right here, today.
     Perhaps you are smack in the middle of your own wilderness wandering, right now. Perhaps you will find yourself in one in the future. Perhaps you have been in one in the past, and you've learned a few things. Allow me to share some of the lessons I learned, from my own wilderness wanderings.
     I want you to know, fellow believer, lesson #1, that even in the wilderness, God provides and guides. The fact that you're in the wilderness does not mean He has abandoned you. Look to Him to guide you through the wilderness. He will do it. Look to Him to provide for you while in the wilderness. He will be faithful to do that, as you trust Him.

What this has to do with weight loss: I'll be honest. I want this weight-loss journey to be easy, to be effortless. I want each day to be like it was right after surgery, when no matter what I did or didn't do, I lost weight. It was exciting to get on the scale, to lose a pound or more nearly every day, it seemed, for months. Well, it isn't like that anymore. Now, the scale certainly shows what I've done or not done, and, frankly, some days it feels like I'm in some weight-loss wilderness, and it's difficult to walk it. Maybe you're there, too. Let us remind ourselves that even if it feels like it, we are not alone. We have each other, and, more importantly, we have the Lord who provides and guides, as we look to and trust Him.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me today that I can be strong and courageous, and that You do not want me to be afraid or discouraged. Thank You that the reason is that You have promised to be with me, wherever I go, even when I am in a wilderness. Thank You for your faithful provision and guidance through the most difficult of cir****tances, the times when the path is strewn with stones, for I know that with You on my side, I will make it to the land of promise. Remind me, if I forget, Father. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, encouraged, knowing that God is with you wherever you go.

Blessings,
Mary