Thoughts.com Blogs - Protection

This week, because of hurtful comments, a thoughts member felt the need to take a sabbatical from writing here. Her faithful readers [who worried and prayed for her] are left not knowing her fate and missing all the humor, courage and honesty contained in her posts. In the wake of these events many rallied to her defense, confirming to me again the words of Anne Frank ... "in spite of everything, I believe that people are basically good".

This morning, during my meditation time, the subject of her departure entered my thoughts. Her brave decision to walk away from a long time abusive relationship could put her in danger.  Like many I had been stressing over not knowing if she were OK .... who would she go to for advice, etc. etc.

As I allowed my thoughts to unfold I remembered the prayer I had been praying for her .... "God please protect and keep her safe from all harm." Could it be that everything is just as it should be and God is doing just that? The wounding comments could very well have given her the final push to cut all ties and get away to a place of safety. A place where new friends and many surprises await her arrival.

I believe, with all my heart, that all things work together for good. God is perfectly capable of turning any mess into a miracle. Remember how nasty (with their hurtful lying words) Joseph's brothers were. But when all was said and done, much to my surprise, God had been in control all along as Joseph, himself, declared "You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good."

When I read the painful sad story of another it's impossible for me NOT to become involved. I want to rush to their side, picking them up and carrying them to safety myself. But do I really know how to keep another safe ... do I know all the ins and outs of their situation? I realized this morning that while, God can ask me to be His helper (for a reason, season, lifetime) that only under His wings is real safety found. Now when those thoughts of concern, for my friend, cross my mind I will say a prayer asking God to protect and keep her safe from all harm, trusting that the Creator of the Universe can and is doing this for her.

My last email to this friend contained a psalm of protection.  In today's world (no matter what our age or situation) we all need protection from something.  For some it's the playground bully ... or an abusive spouse ... or a boss or family member who is being inappropriate with us ... or a deceitful ex-spouse ... or a scammer trying to gain access to our identity or bank account ... or from our negative thoughts and painful memories. My prayer, on this last Friday in March, is that each of you will find peace, safety and protection under the wings of the One who deeply cares for you. Peace.

Psalm 91
"The Message - Psalms"
Author: Eugene H. Peterson

You who sit down in the High God's presence,
spend the night in Shaddai's [God's] shadow,
Say this: "Yahweh, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you -
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing - no wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.

Yes, because Yahweh's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says Yahweh,
"I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!"