One thing that really stands out to me about women (and maybe just people in general, but I notice it strongly in myself and my own gender) is that we crave control.
We want things to go our way. In our time. According to our desires.
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
When I was younger, I used to naively think that this meant we could get the things that we wanted if we just did our best to serve and love God. The right husband, the perfect children and family, stable finances, a lovely home, a peaceful life.
The older I get and the more life experiences I walk through, I realize that the point of this verse is far more about delighting in the Lord and having our wills conformed to His, rather than having our every whim fulfilled. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee you that life will not go the way that you or I desire. There will be pain, loss, frustration, disappointment, confusion, difficulty, trials, heartache- the results of living in a sin-saturated, broken world as broken people.
What does it mean to truly delight in the Lord and submit our wills and desires to Him fully?
This is a question that Heather Bixler struggled with herself, and as she walked her own journey of learning to pry her fingers open from the things that she desired, and allow the Lord to show her what it meant to delight herself in Him alone, she realized that she needed to share it with others.
The fruit of her journey has been the 47-page ebook devotional, Desires of My Heart, based on Psalm 37:4. It's not as much a Bible study as it is an exploration of these issues (control, pride, humility, fear, faith, brokenness, intimacy with God), how they affect of us, testimonies of faith from other women, and encouragement to examine your own heart and learn to say "yes" to what the Lord has for you, as you drink deep of the peace and joy that comes from delighting solely in Him.
Get Your Own Copy for $0.99!
To keep it affordable and accessible to anyone, Heather has generously kept the price at a mere $0.99 (regular $2.99)! At that price, anyone can pick up a copy of this to use for their morning or evening devotions, or simply something that you read slowly as you allow God to work in your heart.
It is available in PDF ebook, Kindle and Nook formats. You can purchase it here.
*And just a note that if you happen to win the book, you'll receive a refund for your purchase of the book, so don't let that stop you from getting it if you're interested!*
Enter to Win a Copy Plus a Hand-Stamped Necklace!
She is also giving away two copies of the Desires of My Heart ebook for my readers, and each copy will include a beautiful hand-stamped necklace with a cross and the words Psalm 37:4 (value $30).
Here's how to get entered (remember to leave a separate comment for each entry):
1. Tell me why you'd like to win this ebook, or if you're willing to get a bit more personal, an area where you struggle with really trusting in the Lord and giving up control.
2. Follow Desires of My Heart on Facebook or Twitter.
3. Subscribe to Keeper of the Home by RSS feed or by email (and be entered to win our monthly email subscriber-only giveaways!).
4. Share about this giveaway through your blog or favorite social media (find us on Facebook and Twitter here).
Giveaway has now ended.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book to review. This post was generously sponsored by Heather Bixler and the book Desires of my Heart.
I'm a subscriber!
I follow you on facebook!
I'd love to win this for one specific reason:
My son was born 6 months ago with some digestive issues. He's my 3rd son. He is a terrible sleeper, doesn't really want to do anything but be held because of the pain he's in, and, as a result, I feel like I've lost my identity. I have guilt because I'm not able to be a "keeper of my home." This book would be great for me and the struggles I am going through. I must submit to the will of the Lord that I may continue on and fight strength in Him. Thanks for the giveaway.
Oh yes and I am a subscriber!
These are great prizes, thanks for the giveway! I was telling someone recently that I used to think I was a capable, strong person. The mere thought makes me laugh now. I thought I was strong in my own strength and the Lord has shown me clearly, yet tenderly, that I am nothing without Him. I would read Psalm 37:4 as a teenager and dream of a perfect husband and family. Now the verse is so much more dear to me and He has showed me that nothings compares to knowing Him. Even while I write this post I am thinking of how I can win the giveaway in my own strength, and He is reminding me that its not me! It is a constant struggle. To have the necklace around my neck would be a physical reminder of my Savior and the things he has taught me in my life. And the devotional sounds wonderful, submitting my will can be such a struggle!
Recently we have been struggling with our youngest to do what is expected. I have been praying for patience and to be more loving, but it can be so frustrating. The book would give ideas and the necklace something tangible to remind me that God has bigger plans.
I am a subsciber! I would love this book because I can not trust the Lord in all areas of my life depending on circumstances. It is sad but I do start to doubt & try to depend on myself or someone else in times of doubt or need before I go to the Lord. He should be my first stop!
I would also love this necklace~ it is a beautiful reminder!
Thanks for a chance to win
I subscribed to the RSS feed :)
Im now following Desires of My Heart on FB!
I am really looking for a devotional book on this topic so it would be great to win it!
I would love to win this book and necklace for my daughter who is in college. God has just turned her whole world upside down and everything she thought she had control over has come into question and she is searching Gods will and desire for her life and her future. This book would be perfect for her and she seeks God.
Follow Keeper of the Home with RSS
I want to win this ebook because I really struggle to give up control especially when issues arise in my marriage. Sounds like a great devotional!
Subscriber to Keeper of My Home emails
Follower of Desires of My Heart on facebook.
This book sounds encouraging and that it might be a tool for me to use when speaking with my dearest of friend whose husband has asked for a divorce. I struggle with what it is that God has planned for me to help her with this situation. A feeling of helplessness when your friend's heart is breaking.
I have a hard time dealing with daily stresses. Instead of thinking of what I could do to make the most of something going wrong, I panic, cry, blame others, and yell. It's been a burden to me and my husband who is the polar opposite of myself.
I shared this on my Facebook page.
I am already a follower on Facebook.
I have subscribed via email.
I would love insight into this verse. The desire of my heart is to nurse my baby due next month. I have a condition that physically I am not able to make enough milk to nourish my children. My son was breast and bottle fed (not that I am making any judgments as to how mothers chose to feed their babies) but for me not being able to nurse was devastating. I feel deep into depression. The Lord has taken me on a faith journey and my prayer is that he will heal my body and allow me this desire of my heart. I know His will is best and what I would chose for myself if I could see the entire picture!
I liked on Facebook and I am a subscriber!
Thanks,
Jennifer
i would love to win - i've been looking for a new devotional and this one sounds like it would be very challenging and relevant right now. thanks!
I liked "Desires of my heart" on Facebook.
I'd love to have this book to read on an upcoming road trip. A big, long-hidden issue just came to light in our family, and it's going to be a struggle to trust again.
Any devotional that gives u food for thought so u can keep meditating & growing with God is worth having in my Library for personal use
Follow on FB :)
I already subscribe via email.
I'd love to win this e-book. I have been struggling with comparison....Comparing myself to others...either to pull myself up or push myself down. Either way, not good.
learning to trust in the Lord's timing instead of my own.
This is totally where I am! I could really love to Trust the Lord with EVERY part of my life!
This book sounds fantastic!
My personal struggle at the moment >> I will be going to Bible College in 2012. This call has been on my heart for a long time now! Yet there are so many things (such as the dates the course will run) to consider, and it has been an immense burden on me in these last weeks and months. See, I want to know what will happen and when it will happen. I want a Plan Of Action, with every step mapped out!
Turns out, that's not necessarily the way God works :O :O :O
And I have been working on trusting Him with this!
Tough stuff!
I am a subscriber.
Since my 1st grandchild died at two days of age, I struggle with the thought of losing other family members. I believe & know God is the giver of life and has each of our days numbered, yet the grief of my grandson's death is still so vivid in my heart and mind two years later.
Email subscriber
I have a hard time trusting the Lord with my children.
Follow Koth on rss feed