Seasons

As the weather has seasons, so does life.  About a year ago, I realized a season of my life was turning…it was painful because I wouldn’t let go when I needed to.  God was wanting me to move into something new, but first I had to let go.  When I did, great things happened.

Solomon had some wise words:

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There is a season for everything.  Seasons are meant to change. Just like summer to fall, seasons look and feel different.  When you feel like a season is turning in your life, remember to let go and allow God to move you into that next season.  You may find exactly what you are praying for.

  

Peacemaker

Have you ever stood on something and felt like it was about to crumble right under you?  I have.  It can be scary.  No one likes falling.  No one likes to have an uncertain foundation.

Life can be like that.  Are just trying to make it and you are not sure if the foundation you built will hold you.  As an adult, this aspect of life makes me want to be a kid again like nothing else.

Life has dealt me with some of those moments.  It can be super stressful to not know what your future holds – especially when your fate is held in others’ hands.  There is one thing that I know for certain – it is my foundation that never failed me.

Like the parable of the house on the rock versus the house on the sand – no matter what comes your way – if you allow God to be your foundation you will be okay.

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? (‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭30-31‬ KJV)

Prayer: Lord, I ask you to help me trust you in everything.  Please help me understand that, no matter what life throws at me, you will always be there.  I thank you for being my foundation and the rock I can stand on no matter what.  I love you.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Be blessed everyone!

  

The Feast

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. (‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭1-6‬ NLT)

How many times have you read that scripture?  Probably hundreds…kikr me. How many believe the promises in this Psalm?  Do you apply those promises to your life?

Sometimes God has to remind me that He protects me & prepares a feast for me.  Even when He gives me a peek at great things to come, I have a hard time trusting Him.

 I know I should trust Him, but my fleshly mind wants to try to apply logic where there isn’t, at least earthly speaking.  God works in a different realm than we live.  Because of this, His works rarely make sense to out sheepy brains.

I just went through a season of receiving confirmation after confirmation that something is going to happen…from God…and I was still anxious that it wouldn’t happen.  I knew I shouldn’t feel that way, but these earthly centered emotions got in the way.  My Father (and yours) already laid it all out before me.  I just had to wait for supper time to enjoy the feast.

Are you waiting for something, you know it is coming due to confirmation from the Holy Spirit, but you continue to struggle with doubt and anxiety?  Wait and trust.  The wait is worth it.  Let Him lay out the fine china and make that extra dessert.   It is all gonna be great, I promise.

Pray this with me: My dear Father, thank you for always taking care of me.  No matter how many times I doubt your works, you continue to do for me.  Forgive me, Lord, for not trusting you.  Help me do better. I love you with my entire being.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Be blessed, everyone.

  

Confessions of a Control Freak

Trust – one of the most beautiful things in this world. There is something about someone giving you their trust – it shows you how much they value you. It is also one of the hardest things to give to people and yet is the one of the few components in a relationship that you need to be in relationship with someone. I think our society, especially, has an issue with trust as we are so independent. We take care of ourselves and then take care of those around us. Eat or be eaten, right?

How this is so far from the message of Christ. One thing that strikes me in the story of the time between when Christ is captured and before He is crucified is how He just takes it (see John 18). He doesn’t give His accusers the satisfaction of saying that they are right, but He also doesn’t try to run. He knows His assignment and puts up with whatever He needs to do in order to get His job done.

I am all for independence and fighting for what you believe in, fighting for your boundaries, and keeping your dignity. God does not want us to be miserable. He desires for us to be happy and content, living well. Is this always the case? No, it isn’t. Unfortunately, because we live in a world where there is turmoil everywhere – we will have to face trials.

If you are like me, when you go through trials – you try to figure things out. I can actually make myself sick trying to figure things out. I want to know what is going to happen when I take the turn in front of me. I don’t want to put myself at risk for being hurt or to be put in a more precarious position that I already am in. The issue with this mindset is that I do not control the universe. I didn’t speak the world into existence. I am not omnipresent or live absent of time. I am here on this Earth, walking this thing out, living day to day. I do not have the capabilities of controlling such things. I MUST trust God.

There are times when I will struggle with this for days. As a result, I must repent. Why? Because not trusting God is actually a sin. We are telling Him that we know better than He does – with is rebellion. That is the original sin. I am making more of this situation than I need to – all is asked of me is to trust Him and follow Him. Simple, right?

Ponder this scripture: When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 NLT

For all you fellow control freaks – know that whatever you must endure, God will not allow it to consume you, but will be right there beside you (Matthew 28:20). God has it all planned out. Just trust Him!

Be blessed