When crises arise…
20/20 Hindsight teaches me that God uses those times to get my attention, so He can bless me with an awareness of His involvement in my life. He walks alongside me and you, through it all, hand-in-hand. He reminds me that I am NOT on my own. He is always at my side, guiding, directing, loving, disciplining when needed. All because of His deep abiding love. I forget that sometimes.
Pushing through vs.stopping and seeking
I’m thinking of the times I have pushed through—rather than stopping to worship—while I try to figure out what God might want me to do. Are you like me? I can get into a “zone”. So busy working out the details in my own mind, blocking out everything! Even God!
He sees. He hears. He knows what we need.
GRATEFULLY, He always manages to get my attention and remind me that there is a God and it is not me. Here’s an example of how deeply He is involved with the details of our lives.
This one day, as I waited for a landline call that never came
I’d been stuck and unable to write a letter I needed to write. Suddenly – in that time of waiting – I created the perfect piece for the need. Then my cell phone rang. That friend informed me that my landline wasn’t working. Coincidence? God? You decide.
And then there are the times when
I am on my way out and something delays me. I might even be frustrated that I am delayed. But then, GOD happens. When I do leave to go out, I run into someone that desperately needs a word of encouragement. Or maybe they just need to know someone cares enough to listen. And sometimes I hear about a need I can meet. Coincidence? God? You decide.
Sometimes life is a painful uphill battle
In 2 Chronicles 10, the people were asking the king for mercy. Their burden was difficult. The king consulted with the elders that had advised his father, and the elders advice was: (v. 7) “If you will be kind to this people, and please them and speak good words to them then they will be your servants forever.”
But the king didn’t value the counsel of the elders which they had given him. He then consulted with the strong men who grew up with him and served him.
The young men’s counsel was to be harsher than his father had been with the people. To be tough. And the new young king took his young friends’ advice.
Was that a coincidence? God?
The thing is that all of this, as odd as it seems, was all part of God’s plan: “So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from God that the LORD might establish His word, which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam, the son of Nebat.” – 2 Chronicles 10:15
Who was in control?
The king thought he and his young friends were in control. But God is the Blessed Controller of all things. The people rebelled.
The stories of the Kings
I don’t know about you, but all the stories of all the kings in the Old Testament can be very confusing for me. The part of the story I want to bring out is that EVERYONE in the story had a choice to make. Who to believe. Who to follow. What to do and when to do it. It is the same for you and me.
The best place to go
When your sinful nature threatens to drain the life out of you, look to the source of your salvation, Jesus, and be strengthened by the power of His Spirit.
– Our Daily Bread (6/19/19)
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness” and “intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
–Romans 8:26-27
7 Steps for a successful “battle”
- Choose not to be discouraged, by focusing on God instead of the problem
- Seek wise counsel. Usually the best counsel is from those a little more experienced than you, in trusting God and following Him
- Agree with God that the battle is His and not yours
- Stand firm in the knowledge of His love for you
- Believe He will use whatever is necessary to bring to you what is best for your growth and maturity
- Stand firm, knowing that He will confirm His direction for you
- Wait for as long as it takes; and see what God is up to on your behalf
Whose battle is it?
There is even a song about the battle belonging to the Lord. You probably know it. Is it difficult for you to live in that reality? Sometimes it is for me, too!
God’s design
The funny thing is that we are all created different by God’s design. And some things might be difficult for you but not for someone else…like waiting, or asking advice, or trusting someone else (or God), or wanting the approval of friends.
Soon, I will be switching over to my original website: www.LoavesandFishesCoaching.com and I will be more focused on helping you find your God-given strengths. This OBEYING GOD THING…and surrendering to Him as the Commander in the battle of life can be a challenge when you don’t know how the Creator designed you to be.
Together, we will be Discovering, Embracing, and Living the life God designed each of us to live. Joyful, fulfilled, & at peace—inside–where it counts!
Until next time…
God bless you bunches!
Awaiting His shout,
The MomCourager™
Dear Pam, this message is most perfectly what I needed now. My current situation both personally and job-wise have left me feeling lifeless. Thank you for this message of wisdom and encouragement! I have taken written notes from the context so that I can easily refer to them for direction in my personal prayers. Thank you for your wisdom, guidance, and perseverance in your ministry to me and to others. Lori
WOW! Thanks for taking the time to share, Lori. Glad the post was helpful. What an incredibly encouraging comment! Thank you!