Have you ever gotten your collar ruffled? Well, I must admit that I got my collar really ruffled not too long ago. The first place I ran to was to my corner—to my Comforter, the word of God. At this time, God directed me to Romans 8:18: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
The word I specifically looked at was “sufferings.” Looking up the meaning I found that it perfectly described me at that moment. That word suffering also includes emotions, a stirring perturbation or excitement of mind. I really enjoyed that word perturbed which means
- To disquiet thoroughly
- To disturb greatly
- To agitate
That exactly described me at that moment—very perturbed!
- I was thoroughly disquieted
- I was greatly disturbed
- I was really agitated
In fact, I was really in a state of perturbation! And then, as I prayed, God heard, as stated in Psalm 91:15, “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.”
As God put a smile on my face, I felt all of the perturbation melt away! It is so much easier to bear life’s troubles when we take everything to God in prayer, for these troubles are really His workmen—and it worked! Our God is so merciful—He truly unruffled my collar right then!
I read my verse again, only putting my new word into it, “For I reckon that the ‘perturbations’ of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory (character of God) which shall be revealed in us.”
God had again saved me from the devil’s ploys, or schemes, to destroy me spiritually, emotionally and physically:
- spiritually, because I did not represent Christ’s Character but the devil’s at that moment and
- emotionally and physically, because uncontrolled emotions destroy the immune system and cause all kinds of reactions physically, mentally and spiritually.
Remember, trouble makes this earth undesirable and this causes us to lift our hearts to God! This ruffling of my collar caused me to run to God and to sit in heavenly places with Him. And, in His presence, His Holy Spirit put a smile on my face and all of the stress of that moment faded away.
Jesus said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Prayer is the most appropriate thing to do in the times of trouble. Take everything to God in prayer. Go, talk to God!
Father: Thank You for drawing me into Your presence where truly I find fullness of joy. My ruffled collar melted under Your touch and I am so thankful that You protected me from the terrible results that would have happened had I hung onto that perturbation, which really was the attitude of the devil. Truly, in Your presence is fullness of joy! My time with You is always a blessing. Amen.