I know the plans He has for me are good.  Jeremiah 39:11 is on my heart and in my brain, too.  When I flipped this morning, I did NOT flip to 39.  In fact, I flipped to the very tail end of chapter 39 and was drawn to read, feel, explore and learn more about Chapter 40.

I read several study guides to Chapter 40 and linked over to a blog on christianity.com   I picked a female name of someone I did not know. I  read several good points in different  posts and ended with this one:

“Dealing with such people can be extremely difficult. If you are in an abusive situation, you will need outside help to stay safe. But the best way to deal with the ordinary, run-of-the-mill terrorists is to address their behaviors by changing yours. Stop allowing yourself to get sucked in every time they throw a fit. Find ways to create space in the relationship. Set boundaries you will not allow them to cross without appropriate consequences. Decide that you will stop overfunctioning so they can stop underfunctioning. And don’t forget to pray for them while you’re at it.

It’s been almost a month since I’ve posted anything here.  I have not been faithful the past month in flipping my Bible open every morning.  For the first time since June, I bet I only flipped one in three days.   I’ve had moments through worship at church or in my car with music where I know God was telling me to get back to that special closeness with him.  He was talking and I was a petulant child desperately needing a nap.     In fact, I have been withdrawn, suffered physical pain and faced a storm of emotional and hormonal issues. I have been beaten down the past month and know much of it is direct spiritual warfare.   I know He is there and here for me.  I have been like a stubborn teenager who just wanted to hide from the world in my room.

If I must hide, I need to return to hiding in My God Room.  It’s the only place I am truly safe and secure; in His arms, in His word.  I don’t understand much of the mess in my head right now, but I know this to be true.

Father God, please forgive me for my distance and for not being the woman you surely created me to be.  Please draw me close, Lord, and back to your light so I may be empowered to share that light, and You, with others.  Thank you for protecting me through this storm and loving me through my humanness.  I love you.