A Groundhog Day in June

Ever experience one of those days where you seem to be spinning your wheels? One where you end up backtracking and doing things over and over again?

I kind of felt like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day this week. It seemed as though I was reliving my day over and over, except in my day I was getting further and further behind as I had to go back to the same stores and redo and exchange items I had just purchased earlier that very day!

Frustrated was pretty much the word that summed up my entire day.

And both do-overs could have been avoided if I had only taken the time to scan the price or double check the size in the clothing label. Of course my mistakes set me back in my schedule.

It's like that sometimes in my spiritual walk. I find myself back in a familiar place and it would seem that God is teaching me the same lesson over and over again. I wonder if He ever thinks, is this girl ever going to get it?

I suppose I shouldn't feel so bad. Even the disciples were sometimes slow to get it. After Peter asked Jesus to explain one of his parables, Jesus asked them, "Are you still so dull?" (Matthew 15:16)

Can anybody relate? Does the phrase "3 steps forward and 2 steps back" resonate with you? It could be the story of my life!

However, let us not be discouraged!

Finding the Comfort Zone: James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you."

Drawing closer to God is usually the first step in getting back on track. Many times when I realize I have fallen backwards, it occurs to me that I have short changed my time with Jesus.

Getting alone with God regularly is necessary for continued spiritual growth. Jesus set the example of getting up early and praying in a quiet place. (Mark 1:35)

Oh how my day goes smoother when I slow down long enough to thoroughly read a chapter or so of His Word and spend time quiet time in His presence.

Not that our day will be problem free, for Jesus said in this world we will have trouble, but we can have peace through Him. For He has overcome the world! (John 16:33)

When we have bad days or become frustrated with ourselves, we can praise God that He is not finished with us! We are still an individual work in progress!

We can be confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

Father, we praise You for the peace you give us which is found through a true relationship with You. Thank You for not giving up on us in our "duh" moments, but for patiently allowing us to learn some of the same lessons over and over, and yes, even over again...we trust that You will complete in each one of us the good work You began.

(c) 2012 by Christy Long. All rights reserved.