Philippians 4:13 – I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

Every day, I have a job to do that I really don't enjoy. Every day, the horse corral needs cleaning. Every day—winter, spring, summer, and fall—there are always piles and piles of horse yuck to be shovelled up and shovelled out. Yuck, yuck, yuck. And some days, as I begin the job and survey the piles, I am simply overwhelmed by the sheer number of them. On one such day, as I heaved a sigh and was considering the idea of simply turning around and heading back to the house, it occurred to me how aspects of life are a lot like this job of corral cleaning.

Day by day, yuck enters our lives; it cannot help but do so. Why? Because we live in a fallen world. Thus, we are always going to have problems and troubles of one sort or another, be they overwhelmingly large or irritatingly small. After all, Jesus said:

Matthew 6:34 – Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)

Yes, each day does have enough trouble or yuck of its own. None of us, I'm sure, has any doubt concerning this truth. The bigger issue, however, is dealing in victory with it, day in and day out. How do we not let it get the best of us and rob us of our joy or overwhelm us with its sheer regularity?

I believe that the answer is really quite simple: one pile at a time, one prayer at a time, one moment at a time. For as today's Scripture reminds us, we can do everything through Him who gives us strength, which includes dealing with the yuck of the mundane, day in and day out.

So today, as you see those piles of yuck before you, remember: one pile at a time, one prayer at a time, one moment at a time in His strength will allow you to deal victoriously with each situation as it arises, and in the end, to leave the corral of your life clean and tidy behind you.

Prayer: Father God, thank You that You have provided a way for us in Christ Jesus to deal victoriously and even joyously with the daily yuck of the mundane, one pile at a time, one prayer at a time, one moment at a time, in His strength. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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