When Life Stands Still

Traffic sometimes backs up before the exit to the main gate at the U.S. Army post where I work. Such was the case, last Thursday, when enhanced security procedures created a major slow down.

I’m sitting there, a dozen or so cars before the top of the off ramp, twiddling my thumbs and thinking about being late, when I notice the personalized license plate of the car in front of me.

I’ve learned to interpret such ironic happenstances as messages from God. “Ok, Lord. What do I need to accept?” I knew better than to think this was all about a ten minute time-out on the shoulder of the interstate.

Full disclosure: someone I dearly love struggles with mental illness and substance abuse, and I’m struggling to acknowledge the fact that these two monsters may totally consume them.

So, what does one do when life becomes a parking lot?

Here are a few verses from the Bible I’m holding close to my heart:

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31 (NIV)

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 55:22

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:16 (NIV)

Kind reader, I confess: worries and fears–over things beyond my control–sometimes threaten to consume me. Can you relate? Yet, healing comes when we pray for one another. If you’d like, let me know how I can pray for you; likewise, would you please lift my situation up to the Lord?

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.


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33 responses to “When Life Stands Still”

  1. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, brother Chris. I am grateful for your prayers. In turn, I am also praying for you!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Chris G Thelen Avatar

    My prayers and the prayers of so many are covering you and your family during this difficult time. It makes me think of Hebrews 12:1 and the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Beth. Yes, God is so much more than capable!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you for sharing some great scriptures, Jeff. They are compact enough to easily memorize. I’m also a Trekkie, so the reference from the Borg works!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Beth Alisan Avatar

    “Accept” is a hard word, David. I personally struggle with accepting without in turn giving up hope that it will change. I appreciate the verses you selected. It reminds me that to accept means to release the reins and put them in God’s much more than capable hands.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Jeffrey H. King Avatar

    Here are some verses that sustained me in my darkest days.

    Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. Psalm 50:15

    Be strong & of good courage; do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

    The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. Psalm 121:7

    Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14

    For I am persuaded that neither death nor life…will be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:38-39

    One more quotation just for grins. It won’t fit on a license plate like “Accept,” but it works – “Resistance is futile.” Star Trek

    Liked by 2 people

  7. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Peggy. God Bless you too!

    Like

  8. peggywritesblog Avatar

    Beautiful story and advice for all of us. Accept. Praying for you and your friend in need of healing. Blessings, David!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I am grateful for your prayers, SimplyB! Yes, it is hard to turn situations like these over to God, but He is faithful. His best to you and yours!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you for your prayers, friend! Yes, the car in front of me has a great license plate—but it’s already taken. 😩

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    What a wonderful idea to have “accept” as you licence plate!
    I’m so sorry someone you love is struggling is such a major way. It’s heartbreaking, and we feel so helpless. Praying for wisdom and peace for you, and for work of the Holy Spirit in this individual’s life.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. SimplyB Avatar

    Thank you for your words and illustration. I’m so sorry and I can relate to your waiting room and the mental illness/substance abuse issues of a loved one. It truly is a powerless, sad feeling. I will pray for you. The verse you share from James promises that prayer is effective. Holding you up to Jesus.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you! God Bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Loved by the King of kings Avatar

    Sending up a prayer for this person and all who love them.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Your encouragement means so much to me, Manette Kay, because I know you have lived every word you said. Repetitious surrender to a sovereign God is the key. Jesus did it, and so can we—through God’s grace, and by the Holy Spirit.
    Thank you, sister. You got me to preaching!
    🙏His richest blessings to you. Thank you for your prayers.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. musingsofmanettekay Avatar

    It takes a lifetime of repetitious surrender to naturally accept what we have no control over. The real irony is that we control nothing. So why does it take us so long to learn to graciously accept that and trust? You’re leaning into truth and the one in whom you can put your trust.

    David, I’m continuing to pray for you and your loved ones.

    Liked by 3 people

  17. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, my Brother in Christ from the Kingdom of Fife! It’s capitalized because it’s a true title—you are a member of the royal priesthood of God (1 Peter 2:9) and a dear brother in Christ. Thank you for your prayers and friendship! 🙏for 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇱🇺🇸

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Alan Kearns Avatar

    I continue to pray for you and your family often brother, may our Father God continue to guide and provide for you in all things – He has the steering wheel! Amen 🙏

    Liked by 2 people

  19. Petrina Avatar
    Petrina

    You’re welcome
    And Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Petrina. I am grateful for your prayers. God’s best to you.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Petrina Avatar
    Petrina

    I pray for God’s continual grace, mercy, healing and deliverance of this person who is struggling with mental illness and abuse.

    I pray that you will continue to be a blessing to this person.

    I pray that God prepares and strengthens you and helps you to continue to have faith in and trust in Him and that He gives you peace in the process.🙏🏾

    Liked by 2 people

  22. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Jessy B. God Bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Jessy B. Avatar
    Jessy B.

    This was a much needed post. You are in my prayers.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Yes, prayer is our most powerful weapon! I read a devotional about when the apostle Peter was in prison and about to be executed. But the “church was praying earnestly for him.” We know how that story turned out—God sent an angel to break Peter out of jail!
    Thank you for your prayers, Bridget, and your faithfulness to your writing ministry. I will certainly pray for your parents.
    Blessings!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Bridget A. Thomas Avatar

    Thank you for this, David. I love the license plate and the reminder to accept what comes our way and cast our cares on God. It’s not always easy. We want to do something, but we feel helpless and inadequate. Thankfully we do have prayer, and prayer is our most powerful weapon. I am definitely praying for your situation, David. And please say a prayer for my parents. They have been going through a lot of health related struggles recently. 🙏

    Liked by 2 people

  26. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Vera. God Bless!

    Like

  27. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I love your logical way of doing life Chris—yet it also through the eyes of faith in God. It helps to remember that the Lord is truly over all things, and that He holds everything together.
    Thank you for sharing. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Chris Hendrix Avatar

    I too start getting worked up when things like this happen. I’ve learned to accept it’s God’s design and plan. When my plans get frustrated, His plans prevail. Who knows what He’s keeping me from (accident, something I’m the road, etc.) or what He’s placing right in front of me (license plate message, person in need, etc.)?

    Liked by 2 people

  29. Vera Day Avatar

    Praying. Take care.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Betty Avatar

    Thank you, David.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Betty. And I’m praying for you and Dan as you volunteer this fall/winter in Florida. God’s love shines through every day!

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Betty Avatar

    David, you’ve been in my daily prayers for a while now, and I will continue to pray for you.

    Liked by 1 person

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