Shipwrecked…

This week has been a struggle, with cravings and deep desires to eat non-stop.  That is pre-Weight Watcher’s behavior, and I have been pondering why I wrestled with this.  I finally realized last night that it was purely STRESS EATING DESIRES.

This week, a dear friend was given a very serious diagnosis.  Yesterday, the young grandson of a quilting friend passed into eternity after a brave battle with cancer.  My heart has been heavy, and my mind has been preoccupied with those things rather than concentrating on my eating habits. 

I don’t often ask the question, “Why, God?” but this week I have.  I even wondered if my prayers were heard, and if they made a difference.  There are so many difficult questions in times like these.  I have felt my faith has been “shipwrecked”, cast upon the rocks, battered by the storm. 

That was last night, but today is a new day.  If anyone understood SHIPWRECK it was the Apostle Paul.  He reminds us in 2 Corinthians 11:25 (KJV) 
    “…thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;”

I find it interesting that he used the term SHIPWRECKED when he wrote to Timothy (1 Timothy 1: 5, 18, 19, Holman Christian Standard Bible)

  “Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith… Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in battle, having faith and a good conscience.  Some have rejected these and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith.”

What causes shipwreck?  For ships on the waters it might be caused by rocks, hidden from view, a danger lurking beneath the surface that catches the sailor unaware.  It might also be storms, that perhaps the captain sees coming but they are unable to reach a safe harbor before it overtakes them.  The causes of a spiritual shipwreck can be compared to those, also.

ROCKS, things lurking beneath the surface, things that come up suddenly that catch us unaware.  Plans for good things that don’t go as expected.  Traps the enemy set for us that we step into. 

STORMS, we might can see looming on the horizon.  Perhaps they are due to family issues, things that you personally can’t control, but you see the approaching storm and your loved ones sailing straight into it unaware.  Even if you try to warn them of the storm they don’t see it so they just keep moving toward it.  And because we love them so we feel the effects of the storm along with them.

So what do we do?  Paul told Timothy to STRONGLY ENGAGE IN THE BATTLE.  When we feel the effects of the storm we can NOT stop engaging in the battle!  Perhaps we want to give up, but if we stop fighting the good fight of faith our ship will be dashed on the rocks!  We must man our post!  The thoughts (rocks) that flow through our minds that cause us to doubt God, to ask questions, to ponder if we really make any difference, those must be taken captive.

2 Cor. 10:5 (KJV)      Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

I have great promises to lean on.  Promises that tell me to pray in faith and things will be changed.  Promises that God loves me, cares for me, hears me, and answers when I call.  Promises that he is guiding my steps and watching over me.  He will never leave nor forsake me.  God IS faithful!  I may not always understand, but yet I will stay ENGAGED IN THE BATTLE. 

Isaiah 61:3 (KJV) 
    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Today I will rise up from the ashes and walk forth in beauty. I will praise the One that so faithfully keeps me.  Today I am “locked and loaded” with the Word of God.  Ready, aim, FIRE!  Take THAT, enemy of my soul!

KAT