“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren”Deuteronomy 4:9
It all began in September of “2023,” when I went for a routine eye exam. It was then that I learned that I had fluid and swelling behind my right eye. I was told by my Specialist that it was likened to a “Mini Eye Stroke”. I had never heard of it… How can an eye have a stroke?, let alone a “Mini Stroke”?
Well this so, called “Mini Stroke sent me on a trajectory, of monthly eye injections and 3 different eye drops throughout my already busy days. I was told that the swelling behind my eye could not remain there as it would cause other problems. I’ve already lost 20% of my sight straining my left eye, reducing my ability to see and because of the ongoing eye injections my eyes have become very sensitive to any kind of outdoor or indoor lighting. This would also include, headlights when driving at night. Okay Doc what’s next? Well, they tell me I would need to begin steroid injections. They had done and tried everything they could… but with steroid injections were other set backs. With the steroid injection, I began to have high eye pressure which was just adding to the drama for me… It is now August 2025 and additional health problems has caught my attention. By now you may being saying “Point”.
Though the story, in Deuteronomy 4:9; and Numbers 13:25-33 are far from the challenges of that of the Israelites had to face. However, the same principles in these verses are life changing lessons for us today.
When facing Doubt, Fear and Discouragement, they can become Giants’ in our life, when trials come to visit us… Those Giants bounce our emotions around as though we were a basketball. Tossing us to and fro as a player ready to score a sure basket in a hoop. We can begin to doubt God, asking Him where are you in this situation….
This is how satan disarms God’s children. Satan comes only to steal and kill and destroy. John 10:10. How, by casting Doubt and Fear and Discouragement. Once we become discouraged, we begin to focus on the flares of the deadly fiery darts…, known as trials. The obstacles we are facing.., we begin to lose perspective of the one who is mighty to save, and restore our peace Isaiah 63:1
So how do we stay grounded? By Recalling and Remembering, God’s Past Faithfulness. Remembering how He has always brought you through it. Remembering that God’s Faithfulness breaks the glass, pulls the lever, and floods our hearts with life-saving Hope that can not be taken away. Deuteronomy 4:9
For me…, I needed to Reset my Mind-Set: Has He been Faithful in the past?, (Yes). So my friend, can you recall? Do you Remember a time when you were in a hard place, a season of perhaps one thing after another that continued to flood your already devastating circumstances? I know I can. Were you able to exclaim with Praise to the Lord, or shout with everything within you…”Thank you Jesus?” Oh “Yes”, If we are honest we could push up many memories to which we could rejoice.., instantly as we recognize the hand of God, in our hard circumstances.
For me my hard place has caused me to be ever so mindful of what God has done in the past and is doing in this present time in my life. I find reasons to thank Him often for the small things.
Take a few moments to reflect as you recall on God’s continued Faithfulness in your life. Whether wandering in the wilderness of Discouragement, Fear or Doubt; Remember past blessings and acknowledge God’s goodness. Like Samuel who built the Ebenezer monument, saying “Thus far the Lord has helped us” 1Samuel 7:12.
What to Remember: That the frustrations, you’re facing. The delay that makes no sense. The prayers that aren’t being answered. The Thorn that won”t go away… It feels pointless.. There is no real outlook for the future. For the believer Jesus is our Only Hope. Amen.. Maybe even unfair.. Remember: (1Peter 4:12-13); (2Corinthians 4:16-18); (Romans 5:3-5);
Remember: God Wastes Nothing. (Romans 8:28)
Life has its bends in the road, disruptive moments sent divinely and filtered through the loving hands of the Father. Developing our Faith, deepening our Trust, all to prove God’s Faithfulness. I have been gently reminded that I’m to surrender my trials to the Faithful One.
Be Encouraged Today
As you…Recall God’s Faithfulness to answered Prayers, moments of Provision and the people God has placed in your life to Encourage and build you up.
