You ever wake up and feel like today is the day you’re going to be tried? Maybe it’s your patience that’s tested, or your happiness, maybe its your health, perhaps even your faith, but you know before you even get out the bed that something is coming for you and you need to prepare?
Usually before I wake up like this, I have a restless night, it’s like my spirit is shaken and I’m gathering my armor subconsciously for a storm that’s brewing.
When you get out of bed, you have a choice…. you can be proactive in your prayer or reactive in your plea to God when things hit the fan.
I remember a day like this earlier this year after having a good day the day before, that night I tossed and turned and the next morning I woke up with an unsettled feeling, choosing to shake it off and keep moving forward with my day, I received a phone call that sent me to a dark place with a swiftness! Once again I had found myself under attack! Not from the caller but from the feedback she was providing me about the previous day. I remember sitting in my car trying to recollect my thoughts as I prayed to God once again to deliver me from this cyclone of emotions that I was constantly feeling from this particular group of people.
Then I started to challenge myself on what I had missed the day before, what signs did I overlook during my “great day” that led to such an immensely different perception of the previous day’s activities than I had.
I always challenge myself in my behaviors, my role and my preparedness for such times, I believe that’s how we grow.
Why wasn’t my greatness being recognized by this particular group I wondered? What is it about me that says attack? But then I started to pray, I needed discernment, I needed answers.
What came to me was I was fighting a battle that did not need to be fought. God was making me uncomfortable because he had ordered my steps and I was not following his word.

I was challenged on who I am living for, the favor of God or these particular people, because being so caught up in the quest of gaining their approval I was losing sight on what really matters.
These people’s opinion of me do not matter. The story they told themselves about me is a flop! God has written a best seller of my life!
I no longer even inquire as to what people think about me, it’s none of my business. If they look at me or have the opportunity to spend time in conversation with me and cannot bear witness to God living through me, it is them that needs to go in prayer and self-evaluation.
I encourage everyone reading this let go of any desire to be accepted by others. God accepts us into his kingdom, under His Glory and Power and that’s all that we ever need. -Amen