o/t May I ask for prayers?

[Tree House Academy]

Thank you all so very. very kindly for your responses and prayers. When we stray from the Lord, he will always draw us nearer to Him. I know he is working on me right now. Sometimes it is so hard to not have fear. I try so hard to keep my children from feeling like me - from fearing the things I fear. Every day is a battle. One of my current fears is the cytokine storm phenomenon that can occur with swine flu. My oldest son has not had so much as a cold in the last 6 years. His immune system is so very strong and I am so very afraid. It is in God's hands, I know. My son doesn't even HAVE the flu (none of us do...we just know, like everyone else, that it is likely coming...). I would not wish the OCD or hypochondria on anyone. The amount that it can take over your life is astounding. I havem't always been this way, though I have always leaned toward this, I never imagined it would get this bad. It all culminated after the birth of my second child and has been ever present since. A nightmare come true. However, I have found that, over the years, telling my story has caused many others to tell their stories. It has caused people who were suffering with similar things to ask me for help - ask me to point them in the right direction. I do the best I can, so I know God is using this to help others. I am okay with it. I just want to deal with it better so that my kids never end up like me!

Liz - thank you for sharing that deeply personal part of yourself. *hug* I think the prayer journal is a wonderful idea. Thank you so much for your prayers and kind thoughts.

[DHT1999]

Rebecca, I am praying for you today. I am adding you to my permanant prayer list. Would you believe that when I signed on today, I did so because I have an overwhelming need in my life, one that only God can accomplish and I wanted to post and ask for prayer but I thought, "No, that's not really the point of the board. I probably shouldn't do that." And, then, the very first thread that my eyes fell upon was your request for prayer. I am so encouraged to see that others have been responsive to you and I am very touched and encouraged by those who have encouraged you. You know, the Lord taught me long ago that He will always conform us to the image of His Precious Son through affliction. That is exactly how He molds us and makes us into who He wants us to be. I don't mean He is the Author of fear but He will allow that if that's what will best conform us to Him. And, He will even put us in a place where we are so out of control that we can SEE how out of control we are and then He will calm us. Atleast, that's how He has dealt with me. Can I be so bold as to suggest that you go overboard to protect your heart right now? Try to stay away from any source that brings you additional information or speculation (such as about the flu ) that brings confusion or turmoil into your soul. I have learned the hard way to not seek counsel, information or support from sources that may not be walking in the Light of the Love of the Righteous Son of God. It's hard to discern that sometimes but God will show you who you can trust and who/what to avoid. He's recently done that in my life. I have even had to separate from Christians who are behaving unBiblically. People whom I very dearly love. I guess my point is that when you feel rough or fearful, it is especially important that you protect who/what is influencing you. Stay in the Word and He will meet you there.


I am praying for you. Please pray for me. I'm in the middle of a terrible trial but I do know the Lord is changing me through it.

Many, many blessings.
Donna T.

[happy@home]

Praying for you here as well, Rebecca!

[Tree House Academy]

I will surely keep you in my prayers, Donna! *hugs* to you.

[Candice]

Rebecca and Donna,

A big hug and continued prayers for both of you.

Candice

[my3sons]

Rebecca and Donna - you are in my prayers this morning. May the Lord walk closely with you through these trials. Donna - what you said here really rings so true...

Try to stay away from any source that brings you additional information or speculation (such as about the flu ) that brings confusion or turmoil into your soul. I have learned the hard way to not seek counsel, information or support from sources that may not be walking in the Light of the Love of the Righteous Son of God. It's hard to discern that sometimes but God will show you who you can trust and who/what to avoid. He's recently done that in my life. I have even had to separate from Christians who are behaving unBiblically. People whom I very dearly love. I guess my point is that when you feel rough or fearful, it is especially important that you protect who/what is influencing you. Stay in the Word and He will meet you there.

I have found this to be true in my life. There are people I love very much that are not walking with the Lord, and it is important to separate that out in my mind when I'm seeking counsel. Counsel that is not Godly counsel is not wise counsel and often leads us astray. Going back to the Word, praying, and seeking counsel from believers truly walking with Jesus right now combine to be the best defense I've found against trials. I too believe the Lord uses trials to mold us into the people He wants us to be, to refine us to become like silver.

Psalm 66:9-10:
9 he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.

10 For you, O God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.

I'll continue praying for both of you - Rebecca and Donna - you are precious to the Lord, as precious as silver - and He will walk with you through the trials you are experiencing.

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Donna,

I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you and for the Lord to be very near to you right now too.

Blessings,
Carrie

[water2wine]

Donna praying for your too! Here is what I have been meditating on lately.

Psalm 34
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.

[DHT1999]

Water2Wine, would you believe that I have been meditating on that same Psalm ? Those words just blow me away. There are so many Psalms that He is using to comfort me right now, but that one in particular has been a constant magnet & balm for me. I have also been listening to the CD that came with Preparing! I have had that playing for weeks over and over again.

Thank all of you for your sweet words, encouragement and prayer. I have to say, what I've been through has been life-changing. It's not one of those situations that is just going to go away, so I am learning to have peace in the midst of it and to yield to God's will in everything.

I think there are quite a few of us on this board who visit other boards that we know in our hearts are not... umm... limited (so to speak, not the best choice of words) to mostly godly women. I find myself constantly being reminded that I should not be expecting to find God's peace in places that are not primarily "safe" for Christians. There is all this talk of terrible things and it does instill fear in hearts. And, as Christians, we can take on the worries that are common to non-believers when the Lord wants us to trust Him. I hope I don't sound like I'm rebuking anyone! I don't mean to come across that way at all. I guess I'm thinking out loud and reminding myself how important it is that I not deny God's power in my life by turning to unBiblical influences. He is going to take care of us no matter what!