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unplugged and disconnected

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HHH UNPLUGGED

Right before David wrote Psalm 38, 2 Samuel 19-21 happened.

It was far from pretty. David was a wreck. He had just lost his son Absalom, whom he loved, even under some unlovable situations. The kingdom was in an uproar. People were turning on king David. He was attempting to return to Jerusalem. It wasn’t just a bad day, it was a continuation of bad days. David was getting up in years, his health was deteriorating. Heads were rolling (literally) and then to top it all off? A famine of epic proportion. Read it for yourself here.

King David was chosen for such a time as this – he was hand-selected by God Himself to be a battle king. David’s whole entire life was spent in battle. He had a few inner battles as well.

Yet, David was given a gift – the gift of words. He could pen a psalm even in the midst of all hell breaking loose. He also knew how to retreat.

We call it unplugging.

Disconnecting.

There is nothing abnormal or weird about it.

It is utterly necessary at times.

Most of you know I have gone mute on politics – a few months ago I realized I had some anger issues – maybe righteously so, but it wasn’t very attractive…this week the news has left me speechless. I am going to do what my brother David did in his anger, shock, and grief…

But I’m deaf and mute to it all,
    ears shut, mouth shut.
I don’t hear a word they say,
    don’t speak a word in response.
What I do, God, is wait for you,
    wait for my Lord, my God—you will answer!

God has a plan and I am trusting Him. I have no intention of climbing into a cave or unplugging my computer but I do intend to wait for my Lord, my God, and know that He will answer.

My HOPE is in Him.

Not a political party.

Not an election.

Not a politician.

In Him.

And, HOPE changes everything because it changes me.

xo

And, HOPE changes everything because it changes me.

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Linking up with a few friends today: Beth, Crystal, Holley, Holly, Jaime, Jenny, Jennifer, Kristin

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Comments

  2. So often the things that you write about are running around in my head and heart as well. The patient husband and I are reading through the Bible together and when we were reading about David’s reign, we remarked about what a MESS it was — very little time to just enjoy the place God had given to him, and some of this his own fault. I’m sharing a post tomorrow about David’s prayer from the cave. Not nearly as creative as your words about social media, but reflecting the fact that God was with David there in the cave — and He’s with us too when we retreat. Blessings, Susan!

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  3. YES!!! Susan! Exactly why I gave up the news. I stayed in a state of perpetual anger. I love David’s words here!
    But I’m deaf and mute to it all,
    ears shut, mouth shut.
    I don’t hear a word they say,
    don’t speak a word in response.
    What I do, God, is wait for you,
    wait for my Lord, my God—you will answer!
    Well done my Friend!
    XO
    Tammy

    Reply

  4. I haven’t given up the news. I would have to move out of my home in order to do that. LOL However, I have found over these months that I can watch it all and be “ok” and that’s progress for me, so, I’ll take it. There are times that I LONG to have a week (at least a week) truly unplugged….no computer, phone or TV. But, in my home-setting that isn’t realistic. It isn’t going to happen. So, when I feel that at this time of year I “retreat” to the swimming pool. Yeah. It works for me. Nobody out there except myself and Jesus. And I can pull His peace down into me and march forward after a few hours doing much better. Works for me. I can read something GOOD (not necessarily the Bible….although, yes, often, the Bible)……and it brings me into retreat mode. Yeah! My dream (which is merely a dream) would be to go to a cabin in the woods somewhere with no running water (a good well, please) and no electricity and truly be unplugged from the world for a while. Dream on!
    As always, Susan, thank you for your writing. It speaks to me.

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  5. Beautifully said – one of my “go to” phrases is “God Loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life!” Thank you for the reminder this morning. Joining you from #sittingamongfriends

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  6. Hello Susan, visiting from Sitting Among Friends link up party. What a great post. I have been struggling with disconnecting and unplugging lately. In bible study with some teens last week one of them said, “Holly is a facebook junkie!”

    That was my cue I need to step back a little. lol I think this is something we as believers are all going to struggle with and learn the meaning of self-control in the area of technology. Thankful for the Holy Spirit who counsels us amen?
    Loved what you wrote about David. And the psalm you shared, I will be writing that one down. Thanks again Susan!

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  8. Love my kindred spirit friend!! I have tried to ignore it and stay silent; but I am not always successful. 🙂 Yet, through it all, CHRIST is my only hope. We will soon be the outsiders in our own nation. Our reality is quickly changing.
    Disconnecting seems to be my main theme this year: from community activities due to injury keeping me down, or being out of town to help my parents repeatedly, or just the call to “Be Still”. This year is going fast and my sphere has been smaller than normal;yet, the lessons continue and my ears are opened.

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  9. So true, Susan. I feel your pain and frustration, particularly regarding our election this year. Since you’ve been studying at least 2 Samuel, you probably see the many similarities and messages that resonate with what our country is currently facing. We, as a whole, have turned from God, so it is up to us as God’s chosen people to repent and return to Him wholeheartedly. I’m not saying that you aren’t wholehearted, but I am saying that’s where I see our only hope–being willing to get on our faces before the Lord. No vote can change our nation, but only prayer and repentance. Love your heart, dear friend! Thanks for being a great example to us all on how to respond at this time in our culture and lives.

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  10. Yep hope changes everything because it changes me too. One of my fave things about my continuing ed trip to Colorado is that I’m disconnected most of the time. It truly is healing, refreshing and renewing.

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  11. Amen! Susan…I love your little morsels of wisdom! They always arrive right on time! Very much needed this time! Thank you my dear friend! Love and hugs….

    Reply

  12. Oh Susan, such a word of wisdom here. I’m discovering the gift of retreating too…in parenting: to the hallway to pray. In the aftermath of PTSD, I am still unlearning my unhealthy coping mechanism (anger to suppress fear). I’m learning what works best for me is to leave the room and pour out my heart to God…sometimes there are no words, just tears. ..and He always provides the peace I yearn for (often in Scripture or worship songs that come to mind). Thank you for encouraging me to do this even more.

    Reply

    • Anna, I do hope you’ll go read my “Hide and Seek” post – I believe your mothering side will appreciate it!

      Reply

  13. Amen! God is faithful and true! Thankfully we can trust in Him and His word. So many feel just as you described and getting alone with the Lord is what grounds us during these times. Still praying! Still praising! Being still and listening to Him. Blessings to you, Susan.

    Reply

  14. I deactivated my Facebook account last year for a variety of reasons, one of which I was so frustrated by the angry and contentious political-bashing going on. One friend would post something “left-leaning,” and right -leaners would leave mean comments. Another friend posted “right leaning” stuff, and the left-leaners left hateful comments. I couldn’t take the ugliness anymore, so I retreated. It’s been very good for me, and I don’t miss FB at all.

    Blessings,
    Patti @ Embracing Home

    Reply

    • Patti, I am so protective of my social media involvement – rarely do I even see those types of posts. It’s like the Lord has helped me put a shield around my eyegate!!!

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  16. Great words: HOPE, BALANCE, UNPLUG, GOD’S PLAN in his own time, not our’s even though we want it NOW! Our nation under so much evil. Pray for our country n our soldiers n leaders and always against the devil!

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  17. A timely post for sure, Susan! I think unplugging from political stuff is the only sane thing to do right now. Otherwise, I’d be overwhelmed. But God has it under control and He promised to never leave me. I can stand on that.

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  18. This is great! Unplugged and not from the world but from the distractions so we can rest in the hope we have in Christ! Thank you for inspiring us weekly and #SittingAmongFriends! Glad you are here!

    Reply

  19. In all of this, we can’t lose hope! That God is in control and I often have to walk away from the world or retreat for a time to tap into that hope again. I never want to put my head in the sand, but refocusing on the truth that God is soveriegn and just and loving….and still in control. Thanks for the perspective!

    Reply

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