Tag: straight path
Week 18–Day 1–Soul Care for Responders
Scripture reading for April 27: Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Responders invest daily in helping others who are sick, hurting, or in trouble or danger but they also need regular care of their own souls, minds and bodies. God is well aware of our needs and we are to ask Him for help. He does give us understanding of basic care in our need for daily rest, a balanced diet, and relationships that are mutually beneficial. But the writer of Proverbs provides some very clear and simple direction to find health and refreshment.
We are encouraged to trust the Lord and not just lean on our natural knowledge and understanding. Our understanding is limited and sometimes it is twisted or untrue. God asks us to acknowledge Him in all our ways. He wants to show us a straight path to the fulfilment of our needs and His plans. This requires us not to be wise in our own eyes. We can insist on our own way without respect for the Lord and His Word and end up in trouble or we can honor our Lord and ask Him for guidance and enable us to avoid evil and trouble. When we fear or honor our Lord, we find true healing for our bodies and minds and refreshment for our bones. When we commit our work to our Lord then He will direct and establish His plans in our plans. We begin to want what He wants!
Responders need healing and refreshing each day. When we choose to commit our way to the Lord and ask Him to direct us, we walk by faith through our day and each incident we are called to help with is not so stressful. We know God is with us and directing our path.
Prayer: Father God, help me to remember to commit my way to You each day and humbly acknowledge You and Your great wisdom and understanding that I desperately need. At the end of each day, I will honor You by casting all cares on You and trust You for needed rest and refreshing. Amen.