Humble Yourself Before God's Mighty Throne

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that
He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares upon Him,
because He cares for you.'" (1 Peter 5:6,7 NIV)

Laltely, I have been changing the way that I look at things.  In
addition to living with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, I also suffer
from Bipolar Disorder and panic disorder.  Saint Patrick's
Day has always been difficult for me, for it is the anniversary
date that I went into Congestive Heart Failure with pulmonary
emboli (blood clots) in my lungs.  Over the past 6 years, I have
been "Nervous Nellie" fearful of dying and afraid of my own
shadow.  Living life to the fullest, with life full of joy had eluded
me.  This year was different though.  I am learning how to relax,
I am taking a yoga therapy class in which I am learning proper
breathing along with gentle stretches of my body.  I am reading
books that bring me joy, listening to music that fills my soul with
comfort and happiness and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

Last Friday, while at lunch, I told one of my friends how difficult
Saint Patty's Day was for me.  She asked why, and I told her. She
said to me, "Kay, look how far you have come!" Thinking about it,
she was right. God has blessed me with improved health.  My heart
has improved immensley.  God has blessed me with a team of
wonderful doctors, a devoted and loving husband, and  two sweet
dogs whom I cherish.  What about you beloved? What has God
blessed you with?

Ofen it is difficult to see the forest through the trees. When walking
in the midst of suffering and pain, it is so important to find things
that bring us joy  What are your blessings? A sunrise or sunset....your
medications....a call from a good friend....the unconditional love of
a pet or a child....your team of physicians....your Bible.....most
importantly, Jesus.

"'For I am the LORD your God, Who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)
Wow! God cares for me! God loves you beloved and longs for you
to come to Him so He may bestow his glorious riches upon you.
Take time today and every day to count the blessings in your life.
Keep a journal, write your blessings down. On painful days, read
your blessings in your journal and thank God for each one.  Little
by little you will begin to realize just how much God loves you.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that
He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares upon Him,
because He cares for you.'" (1 Peter 5:6,7 NIV)

God's Blessings.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Kay DeCarlo, devotion coordinator for Rest Ministries, lives with
her husband and two sweet dogs in beautiful New England, USA.
Kay lives with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Bipolar Disorder, Diabetes
and other chronic ailments.  As a survivor of Hodgkin's Disease and
two other life threatening illensses, Kay has never lost sight that
God is bigger than any trial nor circumstance she faces.