Thursday, July 31st, 2025
This has been quite the summer. In our area it has been ridiculously hot. And in the last few weeks we have gotten very little rain. When you live in a house without central air conditioning, you like to cook lots of hot things in the kitchen and you have multiple gardens that require water to thrive, it’s easy to get annoyed. A few days ago, I found myself immersed in annoyance. I was tired of sweating all day long. I had other things I needed to do besides watering. And I was desperate for my kitchen to be cooler than 85 degrees. Have you picked up on the Israelite whine yet?
I know, I didn’t like how I was starting to feel or sound either. As I sat in the air-conditioned car by myself with a 35-minute drive ahead of me, I knew I needed to do some praying and worshiping. It wasn’t an earth-shattering prayer. It was just a simple realization that I was doing lots of complaining, and I really need God to help me stop. I prayed about all the things I was thankful for, and I calmed my stirred-up mind.
Well, the next morning, something had changed. God answered my prayers by giving me His early-morning mercy. It was like everything I put my hand to felt different. I was enjoying my labors, I was way more patient with the children, and I was looking forward to my day regardless of how hot it got or how much watering I had to do. All because God answered a simple prayer from a repentant heart. I experienced Philippians 4:6-7 firsthand:
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Final Thoughts…
The enemy would love to make us cranky about our day, the weather, our kids, our spouse, our job or any number of things. The road of discontentment is a dangerous road to travel. Once you find one thing to complain about, a tidal wave of worries, frustrations and “if-only’s” comes rushing in that door. But our escape route is only a prayer away. Repent for any agreement with the lies of the enemy and tell God how thankful you are for all that He has given you. Ask Him to help you enjoy the present moment and work diligently at what He has put before you.