Sustenance for the Wilderness Journey

Manna.“What is it?” the children of Israel asked?  “Bread from Heaven,”  the Lord told them.“It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey... the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.” (Exodus 16:31-32)I feel like I’ve been walking in the wilderness lately, and God has sent me bread from Heaven.  The encouraging, sustaining words from some of my praying friends are strengthening me in the journey.May you be refreshed and strengthened with their holy sustenance:You are not alone. You are an encouragement to many. This e-mail encouraged me and I will pray that you reap what you sow--a hundred fold.Thank You Lord that You continue to hold us in Your loving arms through all of our valleys and mountaintop experiences.Prayers continue and know that you have done all that you could and God has to do the rest as you rest in Him.A mother's heart feels the pain her child goes through.His Grace is sufficient.  We are humans.  Relinquishment is required.“…just as we must learn to obey God one choice at a time, we must also learn to trust God one circumstance at a time.  Trusting God is not a matter of my feelings but of my will….” by Jerry BridgesPraying for peace and comfort with all that is feeling like a loss in the moment.  May the LORD do exceedingly, abundantly above all you could ask or think.  We serve a God of miracles.The truth is, "old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new." In my life it is more like they are becoming new. Praying for (him) to walk in newness of life as he draws closer to the Comforter in his pain.I know about control and struggle with it in many areas of my life.  Giving God total control of (my daughter) scared me... I finally understood that God wanted to change me too.  This wasn't just about her.  Do I like going through the wilderness deeper and deeper and feeling like progress she made is all gone to waste?? NO....  Am I the same person I was 4 years ago? Thankfully, NO! …Do (her choices) keep me awake at night?? Very few nights, I am happy to say, because when I go back to my old habits of trying to manipulate and control the situation, I look at scriptures and sayings I have written down to remind myself that God has this! May His goodness surprise you today!What about you?  What manna has refreshed and sustained you?c2012 Judy DouglassRelated articles:A Wilderness Experience: Loving Prodigals, Release, & RestIn the Wilderness: Words of Encouragement and AdmonitionWhen Faith Falters: Relearning Rest