Bits & Pieces from the online journal of
Skye Louise Erickson (now Wensing)
(click here to read part 1)
August 16th
What does complaining reveal? An attitude of dissatisfaction, discontent and an ungrateful, untrusting heart.
Do we have much to be thankful about? Have we been redeemed by Jesus’ own blood? Has He given us a peace and joy beyond all measure? Does God not order your trials, watch over your needs, see your fatigue and weakness? Does He not have grace for those times? Is there really anything to complain about? Any need for discontentment? Any reason one might justifiably be ungrateful?
When it comes down to it, we have all we need in the man, Jesus Christ. If you find yourself complaining or discontent with your lot in life, seek Jesus. He’ll satisfy you—perhaps not in the way you desire, but if you give up your murmurings and seek contentment in Him, He’ll satisfy you in a much fuller, richer way than you originally desired.
God won’t give us everything we want because He knows what is best for us. Instead, He’ll bring us to a place of peace and contentment in Himself. . . which will stop the murmurings and complaints. Let’s not drive everyone around us out into the wilderness. God help us to be lights and examples to this world full of complaining people. . . let us be a people content and satisfied in our Lord.
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings.”
August 17th
Discouragement. I am sure we’re all very familiar with the word—both intellectually and by experience. We all know how it feels.
I was worrying over something that, in reality, is nothing when compared with God’s grace and sufficiency (which is reality). I struggled to get out from underneath the heavy blanket of discouragement, but looked in the wrong direction: at myself.
God, in His mercy, undertook for me as I cried out to Him for help, as I took my eyes off myself and placed them on Him. He brought a song to me that completely buoyed my spirits and gave me the focus I needed to give me wings to mount up above the natural circumstances and focus on His goodness, His grace, His all-sufficiency.
Soaring, I looked down and saw the cause of my discouragement: I was looking at myself. My focus was on me, me, me—my insufficiency, my weakness, my need. But I need to remember that He’s sufficient. That He has what I need. That my mountains are nothing to Him. That all things are possible with Him. The need is there and recognized, for sure, but the wrong focus only makes us more discouraged (because we don’t have what it takes!) and consequently, doubts replace blind faith in the sufficient Savior.
In your discouragement, where’s your focus?
I’m learning that discouragement flees in the warmth of His light. If I only look to Him in all the darkness of limited vision and wrong focus, He’ll shed His light on my path. He’ll give me wings to soar.
How good God is.
August 27th
Speaking of Abraham, the Lord says, “for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.”
Alone. Have you ever been through those periods when you feel like both friend and foe have forsaken you? When it seems that you’re down in the valley—alone? Everything seems so dark and dreary, your life looks bleak, and you wonder where everyone disappeared to.
Friends are wonderful blessings. People of God are great assets to our spiritual well-being. God tells us not to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together,” knowing full well how much we need other brethren to encourage and strengthen us through the Spirit.
Yet, I think even they can be a distraction to us at times. And for that reason, I think God calls us alone—to a season of separateness—apart from every other distraction. If we base our spirituality on others and depend on others’ experiences, rather than on the Lord Himself, He’ll be sure to knock down the props. Just when you think you need friends and the fellowship of others most, He’ll call you out alone to show you Himself and teach you how to lean on Him alone.
At first it might seem scary. You might feel all alone. But just think—God is wanting to reveal more of Himself to you! He wants your undivided attention. He wants to bless you, to increase you.
So when those times of aloneness come, don’t view them as times to give in to discouragement—view them as blessed opportunities! Times of spiritual increase and blessing! Times to draw close to the Father and get a bigger glimpse of Him and who He is! Be thankful. And open your eyes, see God and wait for the spiritual blessings and increase that is sure to come during those times.
If you grudgingly accept the valleys and the times away from everyone, you’ll miss the blessings.
These excerpts from Skye’s journal were originally published in the Spring 2002 YLCF Journal. Then, Skye was 20, and “aspiring to be a godly woman, with a passion and heart for God.” Now, she’s happily married to Matt, and together they’re loving the antics of four kids, including 1-year-old twins!
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