When the Brook Dries Up - Martin Wiles

But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. 1 Kings 17:7 NLT

Life is rarely enjoyable when the brook dries up.

One of the brooks I regularly drink from is writing. God gave me this gift some years ago, and I attempt to use it to honor him. But despite knowing he gave the gift, the brook runs dry more times than I wish.

Rejections. They are never easy for writers. Somehow, our self-esteem gets tangled up in our writing. Rejection letters strike devastating blows. In reality, the manuscript, article, devotion, or poem may be perfectly good, but the editor simply doesn’t have room for it. Yet, our self-esteem suffers. The brook dries up.

Elijah had just delivered a dangerous message to the king: no rain for an extended period. Then the Lord told him to hide by Kerith Brook. His water would come from the brook, and ravens would deliver food. Things went well…until the brook dried up.

Dry brooks come in many forms: financial crashes, relationship upheavals, marriage unfaithfulness, physical limitations, injuries, unemployment, rebellion, and addictions.

When the brook dries up, it isn’t a sign God has left and isn’t working. God is always working behind the scenes. We may not see God’s hand, as we don't see the set preparers at a play, but he’s there nonetheless. When the set changes during a play, we wait for the changers to finish their job. With God, we believe by faith that he is working. We continue doing what we were doing until we receive further instruction. Elijah remained by the dry brook until God told him to visit a nearby village.

When the brook dries up, God may be testing our faith or preparing us for more outstanding service. God tested Abraham’s faith when he told him to sacrifice his only son. God prepared Moses for greater service by having him spend time on the backside of a desert. Elijah was being prepared for greater opportunities. He would soon have a mountain showdown with four hundred pagan prophets.

Dried-up brooks offer the chance to examine our obedience. If we obey God, we can be sure the brook will again overflow its banks. Others may try to discourage us, but our faith and God’s power will carry us through.

Think of better ways to respond when the brook dries up.

Father, when the brooks dry up, increase my faith and determination to follow you obediently and to depend on you for wisdom.

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The Green-Eyed Monster - Martin Wiles

They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them. Numbers 12:2 NLT

He planned to get that trophy—he had even prayed about it.

On the Andy Griffith episode, “A Medal for Opie,” Andy and Barney sponsored a Sheriff’s Day boy’s race. Andy’s son, Little Opie, wasn’t the most athletic boy in town, but he suddenly decided to win the race and get the trophy.

Deputy Barney Fife knew a little about everything—or at least thought he did—so he offered to help Opie train. Opie hadn’t thought about the training part, but Barney told him that was a part of winning. Opie ran, jumped rope, and did other things Barney told him in hopes of winning the trophy. Before he went to bed at night, he prayed for God to help him win. And while he slept, he dreamed of all the medals he’d win and how he’d ultimately get the trophy.

Race day came, and Opie was ready—or so Barney said and Opie thought. Barney stood at the starting line, pistol at the ready, and Andy positioned himself at the finish line, timer in hand. Opie and several other boys lined up. When Barney fired the gun, the boys took off. But Opie didn’t win. In fact, he came in last.

As the other boys congratulate the winner, Opie lumbers home, sits on the couch, and sulks. Later, Andy walks in, sits beside him, and tells him they need to discuss being a good loser. Opie was being a sore loser. Opie didn’t want to congratulate his friends because they had stolen his medals. When Opie refuses to change his mind about how he is acting, Andy says, “Well, I want you to know, I’m disappointed in you.”

His father’s words hurt, but they brought him face-to-face with a problem many of us have: jealousy. After thinking about what his father said, Opie apologized and walked to his office and apologized.

Aaron and Miriam had the same problem as Opie. God had chosen their brother Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land. Along the way, they decided to do a little jealousy-grumbling. Why should their brother get all the attention? Make all the decisions? God rewarded Miriam’s attitude with a dose of leprosy—probably because she led the jealousy coup.

I suppose I’ve acted like Opie occasionally. Pouted because somebody outdid me in something. Got something I thought I deserved. Seemed to get all the breaks. Got a better job. Landed the book contract. Secured the agent.

Dad always called jealousy the green-eyed monster. Defeating him has much to do with trusting others. Some will try their best to outdo us in everything, maybe even using crooked means. But believing the best about others—not seeing them as enemies out to make our lives miserable—helps keep the green-eyed monster at bay.

God doesn’t create us to be good at everything. Someone somewhere will always be better or at least get more breaks than we do. Life often is about competition, but it shouldn’t be. God wants us to do our best. He has created us with gifts and talents for our unique circumstances. Others may have similar gifts and skills, but they have a different set of circumstances. Our job is to find our niche and give God our all.

When we put others ahead of ourselves, the jealousy monster slinks away. Jesus said the greatest commands were to love God with our entire being and our neighbors as ourselves. Doing that keeps jealousy from rearing its ugly head. We’ll congratulate others for their achievements rather than lumber home, sit on our couches, and sulk. Life will become about others, not us. And we’ll enjoy life as God intends.

Let God help you squash that green-eyed monster when he rears his ugly head.

Father, give me strength to seek unity so jealousy won’t overtake me.

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Swim Don’t WADE - Martin Wiles

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. Matthew 14:29-30 NLT

My plans were in place, but circumstances beyond my control changed them.

I was in college, finally preparing for what God had called me to do: preach. However, I had always felt a part of that call was also to teach.

Twenty miles away was a university that worked with my college. If a graduate entered their master’s program, all their earned credits would transfer. Within one year, I could complete my graduate degree and be certified in elementary education. 

But a few months before graduation, my plans melted. I had recently quit my part-time job, and now my wife’s employer told her she was closing the business. By graduation night, we were both unemployed.

I was devastated. I could preach, but my chance of teaching—at least in the public sector--had vanished like a bad dream. Peter may have felt the same when he tried to walk on water. Wasn’t he one of the disciples who had left his business immediately when Jesus called him to follow? Hadn’t he palled around with Him and listened intently to His teachings? Wasn’t he the one who understood Jesus was the Messiah? Now, he wanted to test his faith. But he was disappointed. When Peter saw the waves’ angry arms grasping at his ankles, he sank like a stone.

Since I can’t swim, I will only wade. But some wading I don’t care for, and this tends to happen when disappointments wash over me. I Worry, even though God says worry is unnecessary because He’ll care for His children’s needs.

I’m also prone to drift toward Anxiety. God’s Word also reminds me I don’t have to be anxious. Instead, I can submit my prayers and concerns to God, and He’ll calm the waves.

When I wade, I can drift toward Depression. After all, depression is just around the corner when worry and anxiety are present.

But the worst-case scenario when I wade is that I’ll experience Emotional burnout. Rather than controlling my emotions, my emotions will control me. When moods fluctuate, trust in and service to God also do.

Don’t WADE. Trust God regardless of your circumstances.

Father, thank You that no waves are too high that Your love and sustaining power can’t help me overcome. 

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Conquering through Praise - Martin Wiles

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. Psalm 100:4 NLT

 

On any given day, disappointments can be overwhelming. Conquering through praise doesn’t come easily. 

 

Enter the life of a middle school Language Arts teacher. For the first three weeks of school, the program we use for grades, homework, lesson plans, lunch, announcements, and payment was up and down because our internet was up and down. 

 

On one particular day—as the students attempted to work through an online grammar exercise—the internet dropped us at least fifteen times within forty minutes. Frustrating. Making lesson plans was challenging due to the intermittent connection. What normally took an hour took an entire day. Student lunch orders didn’t process. One fellow teacher threatened to throw her computer out the window. I thought about it myself. Of course, all of this had nothing to do with our computers. 

 

Since our lives as teachers are so dependent on the internet, several weeks of issues tax us and make finding anything positive difficult. And of course, we have to toss in staff meetings, parent meetings, and other student-related matters. 

 

Yet, many reasons to praise exist. We work in a smaller atmosphere where peer and student-teacher relationships are closer. Fights among students are almost non-existent. So is backbiting and jealousy among teachers and staff. We also get to bathe everything we do in a Christian worldview. I can talk about Christ and biblical principles as often as I choose. In fact, I’m instructed to. 

 

I’ve encountered some disappointing times during my lifetime. When I’m under a heavy load of whatever, it’s challenging to discover the light—but there’s one. And it is for everyone if they want it to be. 

 

Knowing Christ as Savior gives us reason to praise Him. Realizing all our sins—past, present, and future—were forgiven at the cross is worth shouting about. God is also omnipotent. He controls everything. The reason for the disappointment is immaterial. He has authority over the situation. Looking for the positive in all situations helps, too. We can see glasses of water as half full or half empty. The choice is ours. 

 

Let God teach you how to use praise so you can conquer disappointing times. 

 

Father, teach me to praise You even when it appears I have no reason to do so. 

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Bottled Up - Martin Wiles

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. Psalm 56:8 NLT

They are bottled up on the cabinet, snuggled on the shelf, and frolicking on the floor, but none are doing what they were initially designed to do.

Old bottles are one of my passions. I don’t go out of my way to find or collect them, but when I come across one at a decent price, I snatch it up. Many in my collection were given to me by people who saw no purpose in having them, and others I’ve bought at discount prices from store owners who didn’t know their true worth. They range from soda bottles to medicine bottles to milk bottles and everything in between, but they all have one thing in common: they’re empty.

None of my bottles are filled with their original contents, nor are they presently being used for their initial purpose. The beauty is now in their historical significance and the unique designs and raised markings they display. I could bottle them up with something—water if nothing more—but they still wouldn’t fulfill their earlier purpose. They serve merely as reminders.

The psalmist was discouraged. Enemy troops tracked him, slanderers stalked him, spies spied on him, and his emotions raged. Appealing to God helped calm his nerves. He reminded himself that God took notice of his situation and could bottle up his fears, disappointments, and sorrows.

Whatever was stored initially in my bottles could be uncorked or uncapped and poured down the recipient’s throat. Pleasure or relief from pain resulted. God can take sorrow, discouragement, and disappointment and bottle them up. But He seals them so tightly no one can release them again.

Life can be overwhelming. Sin taints the world so thoroughly that the results are bound to touch our lives repeatedly until we die. A range of emotions result when they do. Feelings that can lead us in unhealthy directions unless we remember God hasn’t abandoned us.

When I feel overcome with peace-destroying emotions and thoughts, I look at my empty bottles and ask God to do what the psalmist did—bottle them up. Seal them tightly. Cork them completely. And then I ask Him to help me to see clearly what I can glean from the confined contents.

What are some things that are overwhelming you? Ask God to bottle up the things that baffle you.

Father, I thank You that I can come to You with my petitions and pains and count on You to bottle them up so I can live with peace and purpose. 

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Never Beyond Reach - Martin Wiles

Notice that it says, “he ascended.” This means that Christ first came down to the lowly world in which we live. Ephesians 4:9 NLT

Though he tries, some things are simply beyond his reach. Yet, he longs for the day when they will never be beyond reach.

When our second grandson was a toddler, I couldn’t help but notice some of the things he wanted to do, but couldn’t because of his height. When the dog wanted to come in, he tried to open the door but couldn’t reach the handle. “Pop, the dog is barking.”

He feared the dark and wanted the light on to get his toys but couldn’t reach the switch. “Pop, it’s dark” was his way of asking me to do what he couldn’t.

And if he wanted a toy on the top shelf of his toy rack, I heard, “Pop, I want ______.” Anything beyond his reach, he depended on MeMe or me to help him.

If the early believers were going to accomplish the mission Christ gave them—to tell the world of his love—they would need an example, gifts, and power. To make them reachable, Christ descended to earth. During His short ministry, He gave the example. When He ascended back into heaven, He sent the Spirit who gave gifts, power, and authority.

As a six-foot-one-inch adult, I find some things are still beyond my reach. Salvation was. So, Christ secured it for me by dying on the cross to pay the sin debt I and everyone else owed. Now I can enjoy basking in what I could never have reached had he not descended to me.

Godly wisdom is often beyond our reach. The world is a confusing place. Situations requiring more wisdom than we can muster often confront us. But God’s wisdom is unlimited. When sound judgment is beyond our ability to touch, God raises us so we can grasp what we so desperately need.

The strength to face life’s trials, stresses, and temptations is also higher than our fingertips. Once again, God helps us do what we can’t. With his assistance, we can reach the power needed to walk through the trial and emerge stronger on the other side. God enables us to square off with Satan, knowing the battle is won because of God’s power bubbling in us.

God can raise you high enough to seize whatever is beyond your reach.

Father, thank You for descending to give me what I needed so that by Your power, I can reach what I need to live abundantly. 

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When Hope is Crushed - Martin Wiles

Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed. Psalm 119:116 NLT

We sat in a small group and talked about disappointment and appointments. And when hope is crushed, we experience frustration.

When I have an appointment, someone has agreed to meet me at a particular time, or I’ve agreed to meet them. Disappointment is the difference between my expectations and what happens.

If my doctor’s appointment is canceled when I really need to see him, I’m disappointed. If I expect my children to succeed in school and college and they don’t, I’m disappointed. If I’m looking for a pay increase and don’t get it, I’m disappointed. When I do everything I should to promote good health only to find out I have a terminal illness, I’m disappointed.

Disappointment and crushed hope have been friends of mine quite a few times. She showed up when my son decided to quit school. She walked in when a spouse walked out. When my drooling over a new car was sopped up by the salesman who said my credit rating wasn’t high enough for a loan. And when I was told someone else had been hired for the job.

For a shepherd, disappointments might be different. Perhaps the sheep didn’t produce as much wool as he had hoped. Or a wild animal killed a few of his prize animals. Maybe one wandered too close to the edge of the mountain and fell to its death. Or ate poisonous weeds.

If I’m not careful, bitterness can stroll in when my hopes are crushed. Unfortunately, there are few things in life I can control. The forces of nature or the actions of others control everything else. I can, however, remember God is in control no matter how bleak my circumstances appear.

God is never disappointed—or surprised. He knows everything that’s going to happen. He orchestrates world events and the situations in my life. Believing in his unconditional love helps us navigate the disappointments of life without them crushing our hopes.

Don’t let life’s disappointments crush your hopes. Trust God for the best.

Prayer: Father, guide us to look to You when circumstances attempt to crush our hopes. 

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Down in the Dust of Discouragement - Martin Wiles

I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by your word. Psalm 119:25 NLT

Rejections can put us down in the dust.

Writers know about rejection. The only way to avoid it is never to send anything out for publication.

We hear such things as “We’re sorry. We are not receiving manuscripts at this time,” or “We’d like to hold your devotional for further consideration.”

Then ten minutes later, another email arrives saying they decided not to use it after all. When rejection letters or emails come, I want to put down the pen—or, in my case, the keyboard. What’s the use? I think. No one wants to read my stuff anyway. Feelings of worthlessness can follow. Before long, I’m in the dust.

Why the psalmist was discouraged, I’m not sure. Perhaps he had witnessed the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by invading armies. Maybe, he wondered if it would ever be rebuilt or if he would ever return to his homeland. Whatever the source, he was down in the dust.

Satan loves to put believers in the dust. He’s had me there quite a few times. On one occasion, I had been out of work and sent out hundreds of resumes applying for positions in my profession, only to be rejected by every single one. I was older than those they looked for. I didn’t have the credentials they sought. I didn’t…. The reason wasn’t important. The rejections left me in the dust.

Satan knows putting us in the dust often leads to discouragement. If he can turn up the discouragement, we might give up and quit. Unhealthy emotions will take over, and before we know it, we’re depressed or feeling worthless. No initiative left. Dreams dashed. Goals evaporated. In the dust and useless.

God never intends for us to grovel in the dust, unless to repent. He wants us to know we can do all things through Him because He gives us strength. He wants us to learn contentment in every situation by realizing He’s in control.

Whatever you’re facing, God is all you need to get through. Trust God to lift you out of your down-in-the-dust episode.

Prayer: Father, thank You for lifting us up when we are in the dust. 

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Expectations - Cathy Joy Hill

What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

“Expectations rob joy.” 

I have become fond of this saying and have shared it with many people. I had become a believer in the lack of expectation and the perfunctory perfection of being surprised. If we don’t expect, we can only be surprised. There is truth in the saying still, but there is also the truth that removing expectations can steal blessings. 

Six of us sat around the table for the first time in forever and said thank you. The chair my dad once occupied was empty. I pushed it off to the side. I didn’t want to see, feel, or hear its void. 

My girls made the place cards. I reminded them repeatedly that we would be “doing things differently this year.” Different does not deliver, but it does distract. 

We made it through dinner well. The kids were ecstatic about the holiday plans. They were also old enough to notice the food and comment on the recipes, letting me know what was a keeper and a passer for next year. I ate it up, along with every buttered bite. 

Then came the moment after dinner and before dessert when we went from person to person and saluted those places, people, and circumstances for whom we were grateful. 

The kids were fabulous—laughing and reminding us that all the work that goes into this parenting thing is worth it. They see and hear, even if we think they are blind and deaf on most day 

My husband looked down the table at me. I was ready—joy-filled—but then, before I spoke a word, the tears came. Not over what I had lost but rather over what I had gained.

Suddenly, expectations did not seem like the villain I had portrayed for many years. I am grateful for what has been and terrifically ecstatic about what will be—beloveds around the table. Beloveds I will see again. That expectation does not disappoint. It heals. I smiled to myself. It is me, not my children, who often does not hear.

My mother lost two children who came and went too soon. She spent forty years waiting to see them again. Every one of those years, every trip to their grave, she said, “The day they went, heaven became sweeter.”

I didn’t listen until today. Mom’s sweetness came when her babies went home. Mine came when she and daddy went.

The stuff and the stuffing. They are all just decorations. The divine is starting to hold me. I catch my breath at the thought of it.

I am becoming grateful. I am learning expectations of heaven and Jesus are the grace with which we live and die—a grace-filled life packed with expectation.

What are your expectations? 

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Cathy is a writer, teacher, and entrepreneur. She met her husband Brian while studying in Paris, France. They make their home in Geneva, IL, with their four children and their daughter-in-love. She loves writing about the wonder and whimsy of life and her love for Jesus. Her first book is Destination: Fierce, Moving from Fear to Fierce. Learn more about Cathy at www.cathyjoyhill.com.

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