Do you ever feel like there are times when there is just “ick” in the air? 

Nothing is going your way.

Everyone is in a bad mood.

Bad news surpasses any good news.

Headaches, harsh words, and hateful attitudes.

So much attention on lies, evil, and nastiness.

Sometimes we can rationalize it; sometimes we can’t. We know what is causing it and we try to fix it.

Sometimes we want to be lifted out of it; sometimes we don’t. We just sit and sour in it.

Sometimes the very person we are looking to rescue us is in it too.  Before we know it, we are even deeper in the ick because we not only feel it ourselves.  Our loved ones, our people are consumed by ick as well.

Sometimes we try to blame or criticize, thinking that will help the ick disappear.

Sometimes we want to give up, thinking that will shelve the ick for the time being.

Sometimes we allow others direct our thoughts and our steps, thinking that they can shift the ick for us.

If you are feeling the ick in the air these days, you are not alone.  It’s there.  And, the enemy is running rampant in it.  Because he wants you to get mad, he wants you to find fault with your family and friends, he wants you to feel hopeless and disappointed.  He wants you to feel empowered by your emotions, he wants you to think it’s ok to be influenced by the things of this world, he wants you planted firmly in the ick. 

So, if that’s where you are finding yourself today, let me encourage you to run to Jesus to keep yourself out of the ick with some Truth from His word.

He is sovereign; He is God. No matter what happens, He is on the throne today… and tomorrow.  We live under His authority. 

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”  Colossians 1:16 (ESV)

Our hearts align to His will, not that of man.  We can rest in knowing that His perfect plan for our lives to live out His purpose is already established and He is working for the good in our lives.

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)

He is always faithful, even when we may not be.  His infinite love for us knows no bounds, no conditions, no limits.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.”  Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV)

When our eyes are fixed on Him and our faith is rooted in His promise, we know all we need to know.  He is good and His love and His grace and His peace covers us.  He walks us out of the ick and into His favor and His purpose for our lives.  Thank you, Jesus!

May you be blessed and ick-free today!