On Hitting Your Knees BEFORE You Hit the Phone
When you are in a hard place, dealing with an issue or person that is tempting you to behave badly or when behaving badly is precisely something a spouse or child has done and the news of it rattles your soul, what do you do? To whom do you turn?
If you are relational like me, instinctively you often turn to a close and trusted friend. Somehow having a living, breathing person to help you process life’s curve balls and strike outs can bring a sense of calm.
Years ago, I would often call a dear friend to vent, cry, process and pray. {Four of my poor closest friends/mentors have put in more counseling hours than Drs. Laura, Phil and Dobson combined over the last 25 years just listening to and advising me!}
Nowadays, we can send an email, shoot a quick text or log onto our computers and private message someone on Facebook or Twitter. {Twitter never works for me. My problems are wa-a-a-a-a-ay longer than the 140 characters allowed}
Certainly all these quick and convenient ways of connecting can help us to process our frustrations, deal with our sorrows and ease our pain. But, BEFORE we do any of these, we should take our tangled emotions and sometimes twisted thinking (“This is the end of the world!!!” or “I’ll never get through this one!”) to the only One who knows exactly what happened, precisely how we feel and how we are ever, EVER gonna be able to keep on going.
Yes, we need to hit our knees before we hit the phone.
Or send the text.
Or pound out the email.
No Pollyanna post here. I’ve had a really rough two weeks. I didn’t feel led to broadcast it to the entire world but I did know I needed to reach out to a few trusted friends and the members of our life group at church for perspective, prayer and advice. And these people with whom I “do life” were the pictures of grace, acceptance, “I’ve been there” support and hope.
Tweet ThisYes, I sent an email, whisked off a desperate text, listened to the voice of a few dear friends speak truth into my situation right there in my living room or pray powerful prayers over the cellular connection between us.
But BEFORE any of that ever happened, I sat cross-legged in my walk-in closet, my open Bible catching my salty tears as they fell. Then I did a face plant nearly sucking the very fibers of the carpet as I wept and prayed.
Not pretty. But needed.
Running to God first when I feel overwhelmed has not always been my habit. But making myself learn to do it has made all the difference.
Are you overwhelmed by life right now? Maybe it isn’t anything soul-shattering but just frustrating, irritating or perhaps it is a situation or person who has worn you slap out.
Take it from me, the one with the brown carpet fibers still stuck to her face but with a renewed hope and an amazing peace that passes all understanding….
Hit your knees BEFORE you hit the phone.
God never lets it just roll over to voice mail. He always picks up.
I’m praying for you today. Return the favor?
Lifting you up to Heaven! Thank you for your always encouraging words and your
honesty!
Thank you for speaking words of truth.
Hitting the knees Is my solution for every heartache, disappointment, hurt, decision, when asked for advice. and thanksgiving.
Make your prayer cries o our Father as constant as breathing. The result, peace like a river. I am praying for you as the throne room intercedes for us when I seemingly choke for words.
Sure did need this today, it has been a tough week, Satin is working overtime in relationships.
Karen, what scriptures did you go to? I think I need the same sort of remedy for a current situation too – would appreciate any scriptures that have proven helpful. Thanks & God bless.
Too many times we (or is it just me?) respond with troubles by telling everyone else first and then saying, “Well, now all I can do is pray!”–when the very FIRST thing we should do is pray!
Thanks for the reminder, Karen!
This hit me right between eyes today, as I did just the opposite yesterday (even though I knew better)! Thanks for sharing – God knew I needed the reminder! Praying for you, dear one!
Just the words I needed to hear this day!
Praying for you! My son had a really tough weekend, I am going to read this to him. Thank you for sharing in your trying times!! Praying for you and God to guide you. God be with you! :)
Praise The Lord. Just the words I needed to be reminded of. Please pray for our family! I will lift you to the Father as well.
Oh, how I needed your post today! I just LOVE how God works! Praying for you, Karen.
Great words;great ministry. Praying for you right now.
Praying for you. Those were wise words … To go to the Lord first. Something i need to learn.
Great words, much needed this morning. Praying for you Karen. Thanks.
Jajajajajajaja…. Abba Father! There is NOTHING better then to hear your voice & laugh with you! Amen!
High five Daddy! Hallelujah!!!!!!!
Praying for you. I too have learned through trials that it is best to get on my knees first and lately I have been down there a lot.
Great words! And a reminder to me that that’s is exactly what I did this last weekend when we received what seemed to be very bad news about my new grandson. The first thing my husband and I did was pray. Then pray some more…then just simply ask for prayer, without any explanation as to the details. What great prayer warriors God has brought into my life and through them I have learned to turn to God first. Not that I always do it – but the Holy Spirit reminds me even when that was not my first thought or action. thank you Karen for your honest testimony. I am praying for you!
Praying for you that whatever has got you down will straighten itself back out.
Thank you for this much needed reminder!
Blessings and Prayers,
KK
Will definitely begin doing this! Thank you for sharing, Karen!!
Praying for you now, friend!
Thank you for your truth filled words today!
Wonderful post, Karen! Yes, let’s pray for one another!
Thanks needed this!
Thank You for a much needed reminder. Just what I needed to read, just when i needed to read it. Prayers for you going up.
I agree! Much needed advice. Major conviction here too. Thank you!
oh such good advice. Blessings to you Friend!!