Challenged

Today in my quiet time, I prayed earnestly for help. Something to give me the strength I needed. I know God has a plan in all this, but sometimes my impatience kicks in. He gave me Psalms 118. I've read this before many times but I knew He wanted me to read it today.

⁵ Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
   the LORD answered me and set me free.
⁶ The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.
   What can man do to me?
⁷ The LORD is on my side as my helper;
   I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.  ⁸ It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in man.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in princes.
 ¹⁰ All nations surrounded me;
   in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
¹¹ They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
   in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
¹² They surrounded me like bees;
   they went out like a fire among thorns;
   in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
¹³ I was pushed hard,^[a] so that I was falling,
   but the LORD helped me.
 ¹⁴ The LORD is my strength and my song;
   he has become my salvation.
¹⁵ Glad songs of salvation
   are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
 ¹⁶ the right hand of the LORD exalts,
   the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”
 ¹⁷ I shall not die, but I shall live,
   and recount the deeds of the LORD.
¹⁸ The LORD has disciplined me severely,
   but he has not given me over to death.

We have been challenged. Challenged where I belonging is. Where are friends are. Where are motives lay. Where I hearts are. Personally for me, I've been challenged with acceptance. Something I've struggled with since I can remember. But I do not fear anymore, the Lord is on my side. I'm okay with not being socially accepted. I'm okay with being different. I'm okay with sticking to what I believe. I'm okay with being ignored. I don't care how many people on Facebook "like" this or what they have to say. I know my hope in the Lord is secure. This challenge, this discipline, serves a purpose. I know there is a far greater plan at work.

I prayed in my quiet time today for help. Out of my distress I called on the Lord, and He answered me and set me free.