Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you (Psalm 116:7).
We had been living in Florida for almost 18 years when God captured our hearts. A few months later, He led us to return to our country, Santo Domingo. Even though we strongly felt His guidance, anxiety and fear frequently took hold of my mind and heart. I was used to finding peace in trying to control every detail of my life. I felt overwhelmed, and I poured my heart out to God every day in my journal. Months later, finally settled in Santo Domingo, I could see that God had literally carried our family through each difficulty and obstacle.
Seven years later, I still fall back into my "worry-and-need-to-control" bouts every now and then. In these times, it is so reassuring to go back to the journals I wrote during those last months in Orlando. I review my prayers, and my faith is strengthened as I look back and see how God used every delay, problem, and hurdle for good in my life. I have been able to connect the dots between seemingly isolated events, and have been able to see God’s hand through it all; like the weaving of a tapestry.
I was so dependent on prayer during those days! During my quiet time I laid out my concerns before God. Concerns like a house and a practice that needed to be sold, and a 13-year-old daughter who needed to adapt to a new culture. I recorded each one of my worries and prayers in my journal daily, along with the words of hope and encouragement God gave me from Scripture.
As I flip through these pages today, my heart is comforted. The reminder that God is indeed the One who controls every detail of my life strengthens me. I am reminded that I don’t need to strive to try to control the outcome of every situation. My heart gets a fresh perspective of God’s reality and guidance, and my heart moves from worry to thanksgiving and praise as I meditate on His past faithfulness.
Have you been journaling your journey to connect the dots? I encourage you to begin this rewarding discipline so you can trace God’s hand during each season of your life. If you need help getting started, what is worrying you today? And what hope and encouragement has God given you from Scripture?
Contributed by Laura Gonzalez de Chavez
