My heart has been disheartened from occurrences around me and why people choose to be in a place they don’t have to be in.
Long ago I was taught a couple things;
1. God has a reasons for all things that we endure; good & bad.
2. We should look for a way to say “yes” instead of immediately seeking a way to say “no”
In regards to God allowing for all things; when we experience good things we are to go about sharing the joys of the blessings bestowed upon us with others for all things come from God and are lent to us.
When things happen that have us feeling forsaken, those are times God is putting us through the storm to either direct us, correct us, or perfect us. The length of time we stay in the midst of the storm is dependent upon us, not God.
I have heard and seen people complain, blame, make excuses, and even cry, everything but stand on God’s word, do his work, and show some faith that he can and will make a way out of this very storm just like he has each and every one before this one.
If it’s that simple why do we stay for so long? We haven’t had a shift in our mindset which is usually what led us into the particular storm to begin with. That “correction” of your all your ways is pertinent to not ending back up in the same or similar storm in the future.
When I was at a cross roads in my career last year, I did get angry but not for long before I became grateful, I was grateful for God revealing people’s truths and for allowing me a period of rest to restore my mind and body.
I was full of excuses until I learned to use them as examples. God had led me to that particular place because bottom line; I as not being obedient.
I did get frustrated before I got faithful, but I never doubted that God would see me through, I just wanted to see it before I took the leap but in the end, I had to take the leap, believing and trusting that God would make a way and HE did!
Lord knows I cried tears of sorrow before I cried tears of joy! Those tears of joy came before God delivered. The tears came when I accepted that I had to stop blocking my own blessings.
When I got out of my own way, and allowed God to order my steps, I have never turned back.
Another personal example I talked about in my first post titled ” The Need To Marry”, I talked about when I was sick with double pneumonia and the flu, spending 8 days in Inova Loudoun hospital.
During those days when the doctors would tell me day after day that I was not getting better, my faith never wandered for one second. When they told me that the strain of pneumonia I had could turn into a staph infection and should that happen it could be fatal, I never blinked. In fact, my response was “ok.”
I remember the doctors asking me several times if I understood what they were telling me and I simply replied “yes.”
I had already conversed with God, I prayed that he not just heal my body, removing all ailments but that He would also touch and cover every person taking part in my care.
I knew it would get worse before things would finally turn for the better because that’s how our faith is tested.
I would spend my days & nights focused on all the love I had and was receiving. I had received so many flowers and gifts the nurses kept asking “Who was I” and saying I had to be someone special.
I would tell them that was God reminding me that I am not alone and that there were many more people praying for me than just my husband and I.
See, what some may have taken for granted, I took as a sign from God. I never gave one person the address to where I was and barely shared with people that I was hospitalized but God knew what I needed and he provided.
Let go, and let God. Give it all to him!
Now, on to looking for a way to say “yes”, instead of saying “no”. *Let me take a deep breath*
In my post titled “Let Downs” I said ” the same Grace & Mercy you want from God and others is the same Grace & Mercy YOU must extend.”
That sentiment is still the main point here.
We want people to see us in a favorable manner but seek, dig and really search for flaws within others.
We want people to forgive us when we make mistakes but we cannot let go what someone said or did to us in high school 15+ years ago.
Maybe you don’t have money to spare for a family or friend but can you give them some resources that may be able to help them?
Maybe you don’t have time to volunteer every week in your community or church, how about once a month?
We must be an active force in our own lives! We must be obedient. We must do good work. We must have a personal relationship with God so we move when and how he tells us to.
After my “Grateful” post, I have been so caught up on one line in the Hezekiah Walker’s version when Dave Hollister sings ” I’ll only move when you tell me to move Jesus.”
That is such a powerful statement, what if we only moved when Jesus told us to move!
My Pastor said it that very line today in church today and I thought to myself “Thank You Jesus!” I know that message was for me as I contemplate some things.. BUT like the song says; “I’ll only move when God tells me to!”
Think about that. Pray about that. Then move when he tells you to!
What a great reminder.. Love this.
Thank You for this!!