The Closest Ones Benefit the Most

Tuesday's DEVO had this paragraph in it: "We can certainly notice the needs of others and have the right responses ready in any given situation.  We can speak encouragement, and we can point others to the love of our  Father.  As for healing, we can take a bold step and pray for someone.   Christ is the One Who patches things up, but our hearts and hands are the conduits through which His power travels."

I have been thinking about these words a lot since then, and I finally realized why.  It's because those who are closest to us are the ones who will benefit most when we notice their needs, give a right response, speak encouragement, point them to the Parent Who loves them more than we do, and pray for them.

A few days ago someone in my precious inner circle really needed a confidence boost; they  desperately needed to see that God was in control.  In a voice devoid of its usual fervor-pitched loudness, I brought it down a notch to really emphasize how relaxed I was in the midst of the mayhem.   And then I simply stated the situation was in God's good hands, that I had placed it there several days ago, that He and only He was in control, and that nothing and no one could stand in the way of what needed to happen.   It finally all worked out.  I was AMAZED  and grateful I could stay so calm in the middle of a very frustrating moment.

Had I not prayed about it, had I ignored the need, or had my initial reaction been to throw in the towel, the outcome might have been different.  Also, had I not bombarded the throne of God with requests and guidance for this matter, I might have not had the faith  -  NO  -  I would not have had the faith to be so sure He was in charge!  And honestly, folks, I do not have the right reaction every single time something heads my way; it's something I have to constantly work on by staying plugged in to my Lord.  But in this circumstance I responded with God-given grace and certainty. I was acutely aware of God having my back and the back of this precious inner circle member.  It was fortitude not of my own making, but one that only comes when we follow Christ's example.  I love it when God uses me to impact someone else's life, but it's all the more meaningful when it's someone really close to me.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We connect with You right now in prayer, and we thank You that this connection blesses our lives and mightily impacts the lives of those closest to us.  We pray for our faith and the faith of all those we love to grow stronger. Help us to always keep the right attitude and perspective.  Remind us that when we pray about something, YOU TAKE CONTROL! In Jesus' name, AMEN.