Your Periscope

Good evening everyone.
O magnify the Lord with me. Make your loving God Daddy the only thing in your periscope. What else is worth looking at anyway? I am talking to myself. Right at this moment, I am trying to type. But my head is not lined up right so I have to blink five or six times sometimes to get the letter, and now I have a choice. Do I let frustration steal my inner peace or my focus on the Lord? Sometimes it is not the big things that get us off, because they are obvious battles. It is the Lego you step on in the dark, the cheeseburger that comes with mustard when you specifically ordered mayonnaise, the train when you are already late. The little darts the devil throws at us are like mosquitos buzzing around our ears. Not very powerful. In fact, really nothing, but they could drive us crazy if we let them. how do we beat him in the little things? ‘thank you Jesus for _____. ‘ fill in the blank with something different every time. That is sure to swat him dead!
I have an illustration. About eleven years ago, we moved to Kansas. We were there less than a year, but we hated it. It got to the point where I would look in the mirror (almost daily!) and say ‘I hate my life’. Now, why would I do that??? I was healthy and strong, I had a loving husband, two pretty healthy kids, a big house, and did I mention I was healthy and strong? Why was I so down? Truth is, I was depressed before we moved and I thought the new place would fix it. It wasn’t Kansas, it was my periscope, my focus. I was unthankful, never looking at what was good. Everyone can find something to thank God for, no matter how dire their circumstances. And everyone, even the richest, healthiest person with the most loving and devoted family, can find something to complain about. The choice is ours.
How did I come out of it? Even after we moved back I was in a pit of self pity. The devil had me where he wanted me. By the grace of God, a friend kept badgering me to go to bible study. (don’t give up on your friends!) I finally went and was completely overwhelmed by love and truth! So much joy was in that room, I could only dream of being that happy. I watched them with their kids to see if it was real. It was. Change didn’t just fall on me, but the Lord drew near to me as I drew near to Him. Thanks be to God! I can honestly say that today I am far better off than eleven years ago. I still have two healthy kids and a loving, devoted husband. I am healed by the stripes of Jesus, and we will see it in the land of the living. And inside, I am in the peace, the rest of God. It’s a wonderful life! O magnify the Lord with me! See the truth in your periscope, and thank the Lord!
I love you all,

healed by His stripes,
Nancy Bass