My poor husband Kenya.
Both of his arms are full of itchy bumps and welts, and will likely remain that way for at least a
couple weeks.
Unfortunately, he unknowingly came into contact with poison oak in our yard, which led to a
nasty breakout on his skin. I felt so sorry for him last night as he rubbed topical creams on
himself, and took oral antihistamines, hoping to control the itchiness, without much success.
He was absolutely miserable.
Today, Kenya’s still doing his best not to scratch, though he says the burning and itching
sensation is nearly maddening.
He, like 85% of the population, is allergic to the oily sap found in poison ivy, poison oak, and
poison sumac, called “urushiol.”
When it comes into contact with human skin, if it isn’t washed off within the first 10 minutes,
once absorbed, wreaks havoc, causing a nasty outbreak of bumps.
Most people, just like my hubby, end up with the rash because they don’t know what the
poisonous plants look like. So they unwittingly touch them without realizing the negative
impact—that is, until the exposed skin reacts.
It’s so crazy that harmless looking leaves, or, in some cases, vines, can be that toxic, isn’t it?
Fascinatingly, though, urushiol is the same oil used to coat beautiful Japanese lacquerware,
giving the wooden products a gorgeous shine and a wonderfully resistant, protective finish.
In one context, the oil is toxic. But when placed in the hands of skilled craftsmen, they are able
to make what is poisonous into something useful, beautiful, and beneficial.
My friend, it is not what we are given that matters, but whose hands it’s in that makes all the
difference.
This makes me think about how, in this life, there are so many things that could hurt, hinder,
overwhelm, and overthrow us if we were the ones primarily responsible for handling it all. But
thanks be unto God, that our lives are not in our hands!
The Master is able to take what would be detrimental and make it beneficial. What might
otherwise be evil, the Lord has a way of turning around for our good.
Aren’t you glad you’re in His hands?
No matter what you’re facing today, or what kind of urushiol—toxic, harmful, or unpleasant
circumstance—you’re dealing with, don't worry. Trust God to do with it, what only He can.
You can’t do it by yourself. If you try, you’ll just end up with an outbreak of confusion, chaos,
drama, and a controllable mess. But when God’s hand is in your situation, despite who or what
comes against you, you’ll be able to victoriously say the words of Joseph.
In Genesis 50:20 NIV, he told his toxic brothers who had once plotted against him, “As for you,
you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…”
This is the word I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration today. And when you drink it down, you
will be reminded that you are not alone. God has not left you to navigate life’s difficult maze
without help. He is right there, working all things together for your good.
Psalm 46:1 NIV reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
As long as you abide in Him, He’ll be your covering, for God knows exactly how to handle what
could otherwise consume you and me. He is sovereign, all-knowing, and all-powerful.
Trust Him with your situation. He’ll take good care of you.
Now let’s pray.
Both of his arms are full of itchy bumps and welts, and will likely remain that way for at least a
couple weeks.
Unfortunately, he unknowingly came into contact with poison oak in our yard, which led to a
nasty breakout on his skin. I felt so sorry for him last night as he rubbed topical creams on
himself, and took oral antihistamines, hoping to control the itchiness, without much success.
He was absolutely miserable.
Today, Kenya’s still doing his best not to scratch, though he says the burning and itching
sensation is nearly maddening.
He, like 85% of the population, is allergic to the oily sap found in poison ivy, poison oak, and
poison sumac, called “urushiol.”
When it comes into contact with human skin, if it isn’t washed off within the first 10 minutes,
once absorbed, wreaks havoc, causing a nasty outbreak of bumps.
Most people, just like my hubby, end up with the rash because they don’t know what the
poisonous plants look like. So they unwittingly touch them without realizing the negative
impact—that is, until the exposed skin reacts.
It’s so crazy that harmless looking leaves, or, in some cases, vines, can be that toxic, isn’t it?
Fascinatingly, though, urushiol is the same oil used to coat beautiful Japanese lacquerware,
giving the wooden products a gorgeous shine and a wonderfully resistant, protective finish.
In one context, the oil is toxic. But when placed in the hands of skilled craftsmen, they are able
to make what is poisonous into something useful, beautiful, and beneficial.
My friend, it is not what we are given that matters, but whose hands it’s in that makes all the
difference.
This makes me think about how, in this life, there are so many things that could hurt, hinder,
overwhelm, and overthrow us if we were the ones primarily responsible for handling it all. But
thanks be unto God, that our lives are not in our hands!
The Master is able to take what would be detrimental and make it beneficial. What might
otherwise be evil, the Lord has a way of turning around for our good.
Aren’t you glad you’re in His hands?
No matter what you’re facing today, or what kind of urushiol—toxic, harmful, or unpleasant
circumstance—you’re dealing with, don't worry. Trust God to do with it, what only He can.
You can’t do it by yourself. If you try, you’ll just end up with an outbreak of confusion, chaos,
drama, and a controllable mess. But when God’s hand is in your situation, despite who or what
comes against you, you’ll be able to victoriously say the words of Joseph.
In Genesis 50:20 NIV, he told his toxic brothers who had once plotted against him, “As for you,
you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…”
This is the word I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration today. And when you drink it down, you
will be reminded that you are not alone. God has not left you to navigate life’s difficult maze
without help. He is right there, working all things together for your good.
Psalm 46:1 NIV reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
As long as you abide in Him, He’ll be your covering, for God knows exactly how to handle what
could otherwise consume you and me. He is sovereign, all-knowing, and all-powerful.
Trust Him with your situation. He’ll take good care of you.
Now let’s pray.
Life can leave us parched, but Jesus can quench
our thirst.
Your Daily Cup of Inspiration is a blog designed
to shift your focus from the things that leave you
thirsty and unfulfilled, and redirect you to the
thirst-quencher, Jesus Christ, who can satisfy
every need you have.
Written by Empowering Everyday Women
Ministries Founder, Dianna Hobbs, thousands
of women from across the nation “drink down”
her inspirational posts daily, leaving them
strengthened in their faith, and more confident in
the God of their salvation.
The wife, mom of four, and multi-faceted ministry
leader prayerfully writes simple anecdotal posts,
from which you can always draw useful wisdom,
strongly rooted in biblical principles.
Whenever you’re dealing with discouragement,
hurt, brokenness, difficult struggles, and
numerous life challenges, you're invited to have
a drink from the well that never runs dry.
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"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great
5:16b NLT
If you are struggling, suffering, hurting, and are in
need of a community of Believers in Christ to pray
for you, you're in the right place. Let the
Empowering Everyday Women Intercessory Prayer
Team stand in faith with you.
5:16b NLT
If you are struggling, suffering, hurting, and are in
need of a community of Believers in Christ to pray
for you, you're in the right place. Let the
Empowering Everyday Women Intercessory Prayer
Team stand in faith with you.
God, on my own, I can’t handle this. I don’t know how to work it out or bring
something good out of negative circumstances. But You do, oh God. That’s why,
today, I’m putting everything in Your hands and trusting You to work it all out for
my good, because, for You, there is nothing too hard! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift,
encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I
know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I
know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
Don’t Worry. It’s In God’s Hands
JULY 3, 2013
YESTERDAY's BLOG
MORE POSTS
This blog post today is just one other way God’s
“still, small voice” is letting you know
breakthrough is coming. As Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
says, “’For I know the plans...’"
“still, small voice” is letting you know
breakthrough is coming. As Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
says, “’For I know the plans...’"
