against the wind

There is a storm coming in and it was windy today.  I really dislike wind, but I needed to run.  Running in the wind is hard for me...I feel like I'm getting nowhere very slowly.  It's discouraging and I never feel like I've had a good run when it's windy.  There are times in life that feel this way to me...I give it everything I've got, but I just can't get anywhere.  This past week was like that.  And today, I have Bob Seger singing in my head...against the wind...

God reminded me today that I had written about wind in my journal this summer.  Here is what I found when I went back to read it...

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water, that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes [or wind]; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8

Yesterday, I walked past clumps of ornamental grasses that were taller than I was.  They were blowing in the breeze.  God said to me...this is you.  You are firmly rooted.  The winds will come and shake you, but you will not break or be uprooted.

May the winds of change make me beautiful as I sway and dance along.  Lord, keep me rooted and grounded so that I will not break or bend or come completely undone."

I ran past those same clumps of grass today and watched them move in the wind as I passed by.  But I kept going.  And even when I could have cut my run short and headed home, I didn't.  I kept going knowing that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing.  I had to stop and walk more than I would have liked.  And the truth is that when the wind blows in my life, sometimes all I can do is stand and watch things change around me.  I guess that's the part I really hate...the wind moves things around and changes them.

My head is filled with thoughts that threaten to paralyze me with fear if I let them take over.  Time to evict them and fill my head with truth.
Jeremiah 29:11...For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Joshua 1:9...have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Romans 8:28...and we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Philippians 4:6-7...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

That's where my thoughts are going to dwell...on the truth.  No matter what changes around me, God will work for my good.  Me worrying about things that might or might not happen doesn't change anything...it just gives me a headache.  God has plans to prosper me; plans to give me a hope and a future.  I can give all my worries to Jesus...and in return He will give me peace.  I can stand strong against the wind and keep moving forward!