Surrounding the Surrounded

 Do you ever feel like you are surrounded? Maybe that's not the word we use most, but it can feel like we are pressed on every side. Sometimes, circumstances keep pressing in until life feels like it's a boa constrictor trying to crush the life out of us. The good news is that we have all made it this far, so far! But as life has its ebbs and flows, there are seasons when we feel like it's coming at us from all sides. We are surrounded!

That's how I've felt for the last few weeks, and honestly, it's not getting any better. There are so many things to juggle, plan, skip for more important things, and the list goes on...and on...and on...

Some days our sanity is about just doing the things (all million of them) that have to be done. Some aspects of caregiving cannot be skipped or postponed. They have to be done, period. A few things can be put off until tomorrow (which is already full, by the way), some cannot. If we are not careful, it can spiral out of control.

Thoughts like these have been running through my mind over the last few days as I could feel life's pinch. To say I felt overwhelmed isn't descriptive enough. It has felt like life is coming at me from literally every side. I thought about Elisha and his servant. When God opened their eyes, they saw past the army surrounding them to God's army surrounding man's army. No worries, right? 

I also thought a lot about David in Ziklag. It had to be one of the darkest, hardest times of his life. He lost it all in that moment. But he waited on God. We can too.

Then my mind went to a couple of verses. Sure, I am surrounded - and squished a little bit by life. But Psalm 125:2 reminds us that God's angels are camped around us like the mountains are surrounding Jerusalem. I love that visual! His angels surround the things surrounding us! 

Then in Psalm 32:7, David reminds himself that God surrounds him with songs of deliverance. I'm so thankful to know the deliverer of our souls! No matter what is surrounding or pressing in to our souls, God is surrounding that! He's surrounding us - around us and He's there to make sure our souls are not overwhelmed. 

Today, I will remind myself that nothing catches God by surprise. He knows everything coming at us from the smallest things to the biggest things and He is present. I'll think about what it means to 'deliver my soul" (mind, will, emotions). How will He do that? I have no idea! But I will trust that He has a plan and never needs a backup or JIC plan! His plan, His will, His ways - will always work to bring my heart closer to His. That's why my declaration today is I will trust Him. I can trust Him for one more day - will you join me? 

Command Your Morning is my latest publication and it's available on Amazon and Apple. When you take charge of your morning, the rest of your day will follow. Meet each morning with intention and purpose to follow God with all your heart. This devotional is all about taking charge of your day from the start. Take a walk through scriptures that talk about taking charge of your day and giving it to God to work with!