Yesterday I sat down at my computer to resume work on a project I started on Monday. I found the document name and tried to open the file, nothing was there.
It was all gone! My heart sank and I tried not to panic. It was a creative writing project, a book. I had some basic guidelines written down but I would develop the thoughts more fully as I went along and now it was gone.
I spent the better part of my day searching through the files on my computer to see if somehow I had renamed it or moved it to another folder and I even looked through all the documents in my desktop trash. I sent a text to my son-in-law Stephen and asked for his assistance.
He was able to call me and we talked it through. Then he said those words I really didn’t want to hear, “unfortunately Mom, it’s gone”. You see, the program I was working in was a temporary file and it automatically deleted after a specified time. I hadn’t realized that when I started the project.
This morning I woke with a verse running through my mind.
“My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge.” Hosea 4:6a ERV
Not having enough knowledge of the program I was using caused me to lose my document. As emotionally taxing as that is, it was only words on a page. Maybe I won’t be able to recreate it exactly but I still have the basics.
Then I started a search on the word “knowledge”. Of course there are many verses in Proverbs that deal with gaining knowledge and wisdom.
“If you listen to him (God), you will understand what is just and fair and how to do what is right. 10 You will gain wisdom, and knowledge will bring you joy.
11 Planning ahead will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” Proverbs 2:9-11 ERV
Knowledge will bring you joy! I needed some joy.
Sometimes we get so caught up in our day-to-day activities that we lose sight of what’s really important. Just yesterday morning I was reminding all of us that God has a plan, a good plan, for us; one that gives us a good future filled with hope. Then a few hours later I almost forgot that.
This morning I have a deeper understanding of God’s peace and letting it guard my emotions.
“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV
I don’t know what your “blank screen” is. It may be a health issue, it may be a problem at work, possibly a relationship that has been deleted. I’m here to tell you that God wants to send his peace into your situation to guard your thoughts and emotions.
Father, I thank you for bringing peace to my turmoil. Thank you that Your plans for my future are good!