The Preservation of My Spirit

You have granted me life and loving kindness; and Your care has preserved my spirit. Job 10:12 (New American Standard Bible)

One of the aspects of God’s loving kindness and watch care over us as His children is the preservation our spirit. To guard it, protect it, and keep it safe. In the midst of hurt, disappointment, troubles, or loss…when the bottom of life seems to fall out from underneath our feet….when life’s worst circumstances make their way into our once peaceful abode, He is faithfully and lovingly keeping our spirit alive and intact. That part of us that seeks after God, that desires fellowship with God, and that longs to know Him continues to pulsate with life even when our heart is breaking or our mind is in turmoil. It is as constant as the beating of our heart.

So how can we tell our spirit is being preserved? We are still open to God and His ways. Turning our back on Him and walking away is not our intent or experience. We are looking to Him for direction and comfort. We continue to stand on the foundational truths of His Word. We remain teachable to the things He wants us to know and learn. Over time we see the growth in our life that has come about by the very thing we thought would do us in.

Often though, we mistakenly think that because we shed tears, ask why, experience a full range of emotions, feel internally at odds, and walk with a heavy heart and mind that our spirit has not been preserved. That is not the case! Just as we will bleed if we are cut, the problems and difficulties of life will hurt. God is not surprised by our pain. He knows how deeply it hurts or scares us but He also knows what He will use to bring us out on to the other side of whatever we are walking through. He is holding on to us even when our own grip is weakening.

My heart’s desire is to come away from whatever God’s causes or allows in my life with more knowledge of Him, more trust in Him, more awareness of Him, and more love for Him than I had before the storm broke. That is a part of the preservation of my spirit. Who but God could do such a thing? Who but God would even think of it?

I don’t always get it right but He does. He is passionate about bringing me through this life molded into the image of His Son…complete, whole, and mature in Him. I trust Him for the process, timing, and accomplishment of it all.

Father, You keep astounding me at every turn. Amen.

You're Still God - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvclzwpAMxg

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