Delight!?

A Safeguard for the Soul

Souls are vulnerable things. They need safeguards. It was when Paul was in prison that this idea came to him. He had just been writing to the Philippians about the benefits that accrued because of his own sufferings and the possible death he might die. He told them of Epaphroditus' illness and anxiety, and finished with "In conclusion, my brothers, delight yourselves in the Lord!...You will find it a great safeguard to your souls" (Phil 3:1 JBP).

It would be very easy to allow depression and anxiety to overcome us when we look at the dismal circumstances in which we sometimes find ourselves. Who had better reason than Paul for depression? ("Oh well, but he was Saint Paul!" we counter.) He had learned by practice how to apply the soul's safeguard, which is not mere enjoyment. It is delight. This is a command and therefore an act of will, and it is done in the Lord. No circumstance is so dismal as to prevent obedience to the command. No trouble can blast that safeguard. Do it. Do it by faith. Delight yourself in the Lord. Maybe you will have to get out of bed, get up from your chair, go outdoors and walk, sing a song out loud, bake a pie for somebody, or mow the lawn as an offering of praise. You can do something which will help you to obey that command. It is amazing how strongly what we do affects how we feel.

Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Source: A Lamp For My Feet
Scripture: Philippians 3:1-1

Lord, thank you! How I needed this reminder today...

We are behind. Having spent 2 days out this week, the house is dirty and cluttered.

So, today is catch-up day! I think the children will be motivated, for I have promised them pool time in the front yard later :-).

And tonight we will have a campfire. Hubby and kiddos would have slept in the pop-up camper, but it is full of ants, so we will content ourselves with hotdogs and marshmellows over the open fire.

Tomorrow I will take Deborah to buy shoes and pick up the last plants for our garden. So far we have planted three rows of tomatoes, one row of peppers, five rows of corn, and lots of onions! The onions aren't doing so well. I keep waiting for them to fall over and signify they are done, but they remain stubbornly upright, though I know they have been growing long enough. I think the weeds (yikes!) have stolen away their nutrients, so we may have to content ourselves with green onions.

I'd better get busy!