I will give thanks to You, O LORD

I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up,
And have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD my God,
I cried to You for help, and You healed me.
O LORD, You have brought up my soul from Sheol;
You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.
Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones,
And give thanks to His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.

Now as for me, I said in my prosperity,
"I will never be moved."
O LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong;
You hid Your face, I was dismayed.
To You, O LORD, I called,
And to the Lord I made supplication:
"What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?

"Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me;
O LORD, be my helper."
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalm 30

Giving thanks to Him who can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine!

Unexpected

So, the enemy, Satan, certainly knows our weaknesses doesn't he? It has been extremely difficult for me to find time to be still before the Lord the last couple of months.  When I have, I certainly haven't had time to reflect and write about it.  Which accounts for the lack of posts since creating the blog. 
I have come to a crossroads so to speak.  I am having to let go and step back from some things in my life that I enjoy and at one time was called to do.  It has been a difficult decision to give up some responsibilities and committments for a variety of reasons.  Yet, I know for this season of my life, it is necessary. 
In some of the moments I have sat with the Lord and listened to Him, He has spoken to me about contentment.  I find it hard to be content. Perhaps it is my personality, either way my discontentment has become a barrier in my relationship with the Lord and even others in my life.  I have tried to hold onto some activities and things that are of a life I thought I would have during this time.  However, God in His wisdom, called me to some different circumstances and experiences than I expected.  I have been half-heartedly doing that, while still trying to do things I desired or wanted in the life I had planned.  Thus the discontentment and complete exhaustion!
So, sadly I have resigned some responsibilities.  However, it is amazing the absolute relief that washed over me as well when I finally let go of these things.  I don't doubt the decsion. Therefore, I know it is of God since I typically question myself repeatedly.  I have committed to try to embrace some of the unexpected circumstances and seek to serve God in places I didn't expect to be. 
When I committed my life to Him, I had it all planned out.  I just knew I knew the plans He had for me and how it would all come about and what He would call me to do. Surprisingly, I was not right! So, the test has really come to me.  Am I really offerring Him my life even when it unexpectedly turns off my life map?  I can't say that I have been passing this test with flying colors.  But, I can say I am regrouping and rather than just enduring it, I will find rest, contentment, and even joy through it.  I will not fail, I cannot fail, His sacrifice was too great. O Lord, I need your strength and nearness each day.  I pray that I sense your presence so closely that it is as if you are breathing on my neck.  Grant me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to serve others in your name in any place you may lead me.