In All Decisions

Thought for Today: IN ALL DECISIONS The unfortunate truth is that sometimes I forget to pray about a problem. I definitely ask God for His help with the big issues. But those I can solve alone, I often keep to myself. If it gets out of hand I bring God into the picture, but until then, I fly solo. I learned my lesson about this (again!) just last week. With five kids, we didn't go through this year's flu season unscathed. My 10-year-old started his bout with the stomach flu at midnight. He and I stayed close to the bathroom throughout the rest of the night and by morning his fever was high. A handy bucket, fever-reducing medicine and sips of ginger ale or water were the agenda for the day. It wasn't until evening that I realized I hadn't prayed once for my little boy. His fever was high and as I held his hot little body, I placed my hand on his head and asked in the name of Jesus for Robbie's fever to go down and for it to stay down during the night. I gave him another dose of medicine, soothed his feverish skin with a cool cloth and held him on my lap. Thirty minutes later his fever dropped from 103.6 to normal and Robbie slept peacefully and fever free through the night. He woke the next morning with a tender tummy, but feeling much better. As most moms know, a fever that high doesn't drop that fast on medicine alone. God definitely intervened. As I reflect on that incident I wonder how many other times I have relied on something other than God's power to solve a problem. Isaiah 31 warns about the tendency to exclusively seek help from the things of man and this world. In fact, Isaiah's words are "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, *****ly on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots ..." That's a strong warning disaster may follow when we neglect to seek help from the Lord. Any opportunity we have to solve a problem using our strength, skills, intelligence, finances, and creativity or those of others, is a chance to invite God's power to work. God sees the danger in relying on our own power. He sees the frailty and unfaithful nature of humans. He sees the schemes of Satan in perfect clarity. And God sees the distance that grows between Him and us as we neglect to invite Him into all areas of our lives. Relying on God is a habit, actually a discipline, which brings joy and peace as we develop it in greater measure in our lives. As I learn to depend on God in the small and big areas of my life, I find I have more stories to tell about how good, powerful and wonderful He is. Like the night He brought my son's fever down to normal in 30 minutes. My Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, Your power and might are unlimited. I realize that often I put limits on You by excluding You from my day. Please forgive my self-centered nature. I ask for Your guidance and help with all my decisions and actions today. In Jesus' Name, Amen. --by Glynnis Whitwer "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, *****ly on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord." Isaiah 31:1 NIV