Girlfriends in God- October 22, 2020

 

October 22, 2020 Savoring in the Time of Suffering Lisa Morrone   Today’s Truth Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8b, NIV). Friend to Friend I don’t know a single adult who will look back on the year 2020 and not shudder! Living through this past spring and summer have felt like I’m running a marathon (which is a serious test of my endurance)—that I did not sign up for (unexpectedly thrust into my life), which turns out also to be an obstacle course (people and places to avoid, protests and riots to skirt around)—that I must run by myself (isolation), confined primarily to my own home/property (social distancing), all while wearing a SUPER uncomfortable “uniform”—a face mask, and early on, surgical gloves! I know you’re feeling me; ‘cuz you’re living it, too. Each week I intentionally spend time talking on the phone with loved ones who find themselves really struggling during this season of doom and gloom. Given the present climate, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and hopelessness can slowly seep into any of our day-to-day existences until we become emotionally undone—or completely numb. This world, we are promised, will always present us with stressors to some degree or another (“In this world you will have trouble” John 16:33, NIV). So, you and I need to discover a way to manage the stress so it doesn’t manage us. This I know, my fellow Christian: If Jesus has overcome the world, so can we! Now, you’re probably thinking I’m going to suggest the well-worn Christian remedy: “Pray and read your Bible daily.” Well, I’m not. Now, it’s not that I don’t believe those two things to be a vital part of our everyday lives. It’s just that I have been practicing something in addition to those foundational disciplines which has really helped me to cope during these unprecedented times, something which is also inherently Scriptural: SAVORING. Say what? Savor? Isn’t that what you do with the last bite of your favorite ice cream or your final day of summer vacation? Well, yes. But there’s much more to savoring. The definition of the word savor is this: To taste, or (it’s more relevant second part) to enjoy something completely. Given that compound definition,you’ll understand why different Bible translations have chosen to express Today’s Truth in descriptive ways such as these: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; ...”  (Psalm 34:8b, NIV) “Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God.” (Psalm 34:8b, TPT) “Examine and see how good the Lord is.” (Psalm 34:8b, NCV) To combat the onslaught of “not good” around me, I’ve been making it my purposeful practice to savor the many good things the Lord has simultaneously placed in my midst. These days I pause to FULLY and COMPLETELY experience the elegance of a butterfly in flight, how soft and cool my bedding feels when I first slip into it at night, the heady fragrance of a ripe peach, the uncurling of a new fern leaf, the unique call of a backyard bird, the balance of flavors in the dinner I’ve set before for my husband and me, the sound of a friend’s voice…and on and on. By adding the practice of savoring to my spiritual habits, the weight of the negativity and hard times I’m subjected to have become outweighed and outnumbered by the things and people I purpose to savor with my five God-given senses. Friend, even in the most difficult times, Jesus will give us something sweet worth savoring! Let’s Pray Lord, I am truly in need of some refocusing! Please allow me to become acutely aware of the small joys and big wonders You place in my path each and every day. Discipline me to pause and behold them—not to just quickly glance their way and deflect my attentions elsewhere. Help me to store away the packages of peace given to me by these daily treasures so I can withstand the unsettling storm which is swirling around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Now It's Your Turn Starting right now—turn up your “savor-sensors” and be on the lookout for the special stress-busting joys the Lord has sprinkled throughout your day. Then discipline yourself to pause and drink in deeply of the love Jesus has for you, the love that’s expressed through what looks, feels, tastes, sounds, and smells so divine! More from the Girlfriends Overcoming Overeating: It’s Not What You Eat, It’s What Eats You (Harvest House Publishers) is one of Lisa’s six books in her Restoring Your Temple® health resource collection. Her books are available on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com,or wherever books are sold. Lisa Morrone, PT is a physical therapist, professor, author of six books, radio guest and event speaker who encourages people to “Get Healthy for Heaven’s Sake.” Visit Lisa’s website for more information and to sign up to receive her informative and life-breeding “Monday Morning Health Tips”! Seeking God? GirlfriendsInGod.com

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