The last 10 days have been especially intense and challenging. They have brought unexpected surprises and hiccups. And then last night, disappointment – great disappointment. Tearful disappointment. I went to bed mentally and physically exhausted – even overwhelmed.

Does this ever happen to you? I’m sure it does, after all, Jesus tells us that in this world we will experience difficulties.

My dog, Jake, wakes me every morning around 5:30am. Instead of resisting, I’ve learned that this is God beckoning me to Himself. He’s merely using one of His creatures to awaken me. (God is so practical!) This morning, Jake came in at 5:15am – a little earlier than normal. After last night and the last few days, God knows that I need extra time with Him today far more than I need my sleep. I need His perspective and His wisdom. I also need His comfort and encouragement.

When the pressures of the world are caving in on you – resist your body telling you that you need sleep, or a pill or a friend. You need God far more than you need any of these things. He and He alone is the only One who can give rest to your soul.

Right now, in this season, I begin my quiet time out of a daily Chronological Bible. Below was my morning reading. How relevant – how personal! I hope this encourages you if you, too are overloaded with the stress of your circumstances.

How cool! God is so personal and relevant to everyday life. As many times as I’ve read Psalm 61, I’ve never seen this! One of the things I love about an early morning quiet time – is that it’s a period of time when I don’t feel the weight of my burdens. They supernaturally disappear. And now I know why – He’s barricaded me in! When we go to Him, He put us in the force field – barricaded from our enemies. A place where the enemy of uncertainty, insecurity, financial pressures and disappointment cannot reach us.

What enemies are you facing today?

If you are weighted down by the pain and pressures of your circumstances – go into your fortress – your quiet time place. Read the Word! Read expectantly! Know that the God of the Universe wants to quiet your soul – so that your soul finds rest in Him alone. Allow Him to barricade you from your enemies.

I still have the same burdens. It’s 7:00am as I write this. But I’m not carrying them – He is! I’ve started my day in the fortress where my enemies cannot reach me! My burdens are lifted! I see things differently – right now at least. “Lord, keep me in the fortress!”

Extremely busy day. See you tomorrow-