My Last Resort?!

It isn’t “what” happens that really matters… is it, Lord?  It’s how we respond to whatever happens.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7)

For awhile today, I was NOT at peace.

I had finally decided to update my cell phone’s software, after almost incessant reminders that it was time.  I figured it would be no “big deal.”  I could just connect it to my computer (since my cell phone doesn’t work here in the “boonies”), click “update” and just wait for the computer to do “its thing.”  And it did… until it didn’t.

Error message:  “There is a problem updating this cell phone.”  The update website told me what to do next… so I did it.  Which led to an ERROR message:  “This cell phone cannot be restored.”

YIKES!  My cell phone was blank.  Totally blank.  It wouldn’t turn on.  It appeared to be dead.  Dead and stripped of any “identity” it used to have as “Diana’s iPhone.”  No apps.  No contacts.  No text messages.  No NOTHING.  I couldn’t even imagine the hassle involved in starting over.

After three failed attempts to update, I thought:  “What now?”  I called my tech guy in Florida.  I couldn’t reach him.  He is on vacation this week.  How dare he!!!  🙂   I tried to find the phone number of the nearest Verizon Wireless store (20 miles away).  No phone number available.  Are you kidding me???

I finally went to Verizon Wireless online in search of tech support.  I found a long-distance phone number,  I called it.  Within ten minutes, my problem had been SOLVED!  “Diana’s iPhone” was BACK… with every app, every contact, every text message.  Every EVERYTHING!  Updated software in place!  All data backed up!

Interestingly enough, the tech guy told me he hadn’t actually done anything.  He just tried what I had already tried and “crossed his fingers” hoping it would work.  This time, it did!

But here’s the rub:  When did I first think of You, Lord?  When the final update attempt was starting to succeed.  That’s when I began to say, “Thank You, Lord!”  And I meant it!

But what about before?

What a great teaching moment, Lord.  And You took full advantage of it!  🙂

What would have changed if I had made You my First Resort, Lord?  Would the problem have been resolved any sooner?  Maybe… maybe not.  Would the solution have taken fewer steps?  Maybe… maybe not.  Would I have felt more PEACE than panic?

YES and AMEN!!!  🙂

This was a little challenge.  An inconvenience, to be sure.  But on a scale of one to ten in the overall scheme of life’s challenges?  Maybe a one or two…

But what about a bigger challenge, Lord?  Like the kinds of challenges that will one day become commonplace for believers all around the world?

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of birth pains.  Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me.  

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.  Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”  (Matthew 24:6-14)

Today, a cell phone update gone awry.  Tomorrow… ?

Today — a great time to practice making You my First Resort, Lord!

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”  (Isaiah 55:6)

Seeking You still,

Abba’s Girl

2 Comments

  • LuAnn says:

    I feel like this message was written for me. A negative interaction I had with a chiropractic physician yesterday, still had me stewing today. Your message was just what I needed to change my focus to where it belongs.
    Thank you and love you.
    LuAnn

    • Diana Furr says:

      The Lord never ceases to amaze me! How He orchestrates our steps — and even the timing of the words He puts in our hearts and on our lips — so He can “pay forward” His many blessings! I trust He has given you new “eyes” through which to “see” that interaction. How is He fulfilling Romans 8:28 in you, even now? Much love to you, Diana

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