Hey Everyone,
This past year, I bemoaned a great loss in my life -- I had two wonderful doctors whom I trusted, but both left my healthcare network. One moved across the state, and the other was very direct in stating her frustrations with the state-run priorities of profits over people. From what I can tell, she's moved to a limited private network that I could never afford.
And so... I know God has been on me about finding new doctors. I was fortunate in that my former outspoken doctor was very also vocal in her recommendations for replacements, but I've been dragging my feet. Anyone familiar with the American (USA) health system knows what a pain it it is to find a new doctor and deal with insurance (if they even have it.)
To be honest, I've been putting it off... for several months. And I've been having some pain that comes and goes, but I always tell myself, "Eh, it isn't that bad. I'll be just fine." Until of course, things AREN'T fine.
I knew God was starting to burn the fire under my bum higher and hotter over the past week, and finally, I know that today I need to call a certain clinic as soon to see if they are accepting new clients.
This time, I ignored what I knew God was telling me for months. Sometimes, I can only hold out a few days.
I was reminded of a time when God wanted me to call my parents and tell them I was sorry for something that had happened 10 years earlier. They knew I was sorry and had we had all long moved past it -- but for some reason, God wanted me to call and specifically spell everything out, then tell them I was sorry for putting them through all that pain, stress, and worry. It wasn't something I wanted to think about (after all, it was so long ago! Or so I made the excuse,) but God cranked up the fire under my mental bum to a 20 on a scale of 1-10.
I couldn't sleep. I already have problems with insomnia, but if I'm literally up all night, thinking about the same thing over and over, I know God REALLY means business. Being my stubborn self, I held out for about 3 days and nights... But I finally had to make that call.
After I'd laid out all my cards on the table, my Dad said in a cracked voice, "Well honey, it's all water under the bridge... and we're just so glad (we've all made it through.)" I don't know why I was so afraid to call. I guess it was guilt and shame, along with the fear of even bringing the subject up again. And of course, not all stories of doing what God prompts us to do have a happy ending. But I think that call was specifically for my Dad, and though I grumbled at the time, I'm so glad God kept turning up the flames until I finally had to MOVE.
How about you?
* In what ways does God get your attention?
* How long does it take for you to take action?
* What kinds of instructions have you found fairly easy to respond to -- and what types of God's calls do you try to ignore?
* How did it turn out when you finally MOVED like God wanted you to?
* How do you teach your children, or others around you, to respond to God's calling?
Please note that I am NOT condoning ignoring or putting God off in any way, shape, or form.
But this is one of my struggles, and I'm guessing I'm not the only one who does this.
I would be very interested in hearing how others deal with trying to put off God -- and what happens -- too.
This past year, I bemoaned a great loss in my life -- I had two wonderful doctors whom I trusted, but both left my healthcare network. One moved across the state, and the other was very direct in stating her frustrations with the state-run priorities of profits over people. From what I can tell, she's moved to a limited private network that I could never afford.
And so... I know God has been on me about finding new doctors. I was fortunate in that my former outspoken doctor was very also vocal in her recommendations for replacements, but I've been dragging my feet. Anyone familiar with the American (USA) health system knows what a pain it it is to find a new doctor and deal with insurance (if they even have it.)
To be honest, I've been putting it off... for several months. And I've been having some pain that comes and goes, but I always tell myself, "Eh, it isn't that bad. I'll be just fine." Until of course, things AREN'T fine.
I knew God was starting to burn the fire under my bum higher and hotter over the past week, and finally, I know that today I need to call a certain clinic as soon to see if they are accepting new clients.
This time, I ignored what I knew God was telling me for months. Sometimes, I can only hold out a few days.
I was reminded of a time when God wanted me to call my parents and tell them I was sorry for something that had happened 10 years earlier. They knew I was sorry and had we had all long moved past it -- but for some reason, God wanted me to call and specifically spell everything out, then tell them I was sorry for putting them through all that pain, stress, and worry. It wasn't something I wanted to think about (after all, it was so long ago! Or so I made the excuse,) but God cranked up the fire under my mental bum to a 20 on a scale of 1-10.
I couldn't sleep. I already have problems with insomnia, but if I'm literally up all night, thinking about the same thing over and over, I know God REALLY means business. Being my stubborn self, I held out for about 3 days and nights... But I finally had to make that call.
After I'd laid out all my cards on the table, my Dad said in a cracked voice, "Well honey, it's all water under the bridge... and we're just so glad (we've all made it through.)" I don't know why I was so afraid to call. I guess it was guilt and shame, along with the fear of even bringing the subject up again. And of course, not all stories of doing what God prompts us to do have a happy ending. But I think that call was specifically for my Dad, and though I grumbled at the time, I'm so glad God kept turning up the flames until I finally had to MOVE.
How about you?
* In what ways does God get your attention?
* How long does it take for you to take action?
* What kinds of instructions have you found fairly easy to respond to -- and what types of God's calls do you try to ignore?
* How did it turn out when you finally MOVED like God wanted you to?
* How do you teach your children, or others around you, to respond to God's calling?
Please note that I am NOT condoning ignoring or putting God off in any way, shape, or form.
But this is one of my struggles, and I'm guessing I'm not the only one who does this.
I would be very interested in hearing how others deal with trying to put off God -- and what happens -- too.
