I hadn’t been that uncomfortable since…
Well…
Since the girdle days.
You know.
The pre-Spanx suck-it-in and pull-it-tight girdle.
Made from rubber ripped off the tires of the Ford LTD.
Like a tourniquet around your waist and thighs.
Thick, tight, hard to breathe…and extremely uncomfortable.
Once you got it on you needed another shower and a nap.
…Panting and sweating and worn out.
Remember?
Nothing comfortable about that body wear.
I felt that same discomfort a few mornings ago as I read David’s note in Psalm 19:14…
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
It was the meditation of my heart line that was bringing the discomfort.
Big time discomfort.
Don’t you just sometimes want to say,
But God, surely you don’t mean that my thoughts have to please you now…
You don’t understand. I am soooo angry.
The other person is mean, unfair, wrong, hurtful.
I don’t know how to love…forgive…pray for them.
In those moments, the meditations of my heart are not pleasing in anyone’s sight.
I just want that mean person to be miserable.
Lord, have mercy.
And yet…
I know in my heart that God doesn’t want me to be preoccupied, unforgiving, and focusing on the injustice or unfairness.
And He certainly doesn’t want someone else to have that kind of influence over my emotions and my thoughts.
He promises me Peace. Calm. Lovingkindness.
And my part?
Watching what my heart meditates on.
The two go together.
I love being a friend who stands up for those I care about.
Who sees injustice and wants to help.
I’m also learning about the danger of letting the injustice take on a life of its own…
Steal my Joy. My Peace.
The old girdle was uncomfortable…and it served its purpose.
Temporarily shrinking the inches.
David’s words were uncomfortable…and they served their purpose.
Forever expanding my heart.
Lord, please give me the courage to stop focusing on the wrongs of others..
Please help me keep my heart focused on those things that please you.
