iShineInMinistry

Luke 24:21

But we had hoped...

 

I was reading one of my devotional books the other day and came across this area of scripture. It stuck out to me as I went through the reading and I thought about all the things I am still hoping for in my life. I have a large group of friends that are still in a holding pattern in one or more areas of their lives...some have admittedly decided that their faith has left that particular area of their life.

 

Will I ever find a job that I love? Will I ever be able to pay off my debt and establish real savings? Why did I end up with this illness? Am I getting married before the rapture? Do I have to stay in this terrible apartment? Why can't I seem to lose this weight? The list goes on...we've heard these questions from our friends, our families and our own mouths time and time again. The drain and pain of some of these issues presses against what we know about our faith and at times can take everything joyful completely out of us.

 

The real question is...are you doing to stay in this season of despair? Are you going to have an Eeyore outlook on life the rest of your days or just wait for the storm cloud to come through even when something good does happen in life? If this is how you are spending your days, might I ask what is the point? Why do you roll around in this complete and utter discouragement? Where exactly is it getting you? How exactly is it making your day to day life feel better? What productivity is coming from this thought process? I can give you the answer...there is no good thing from any of it. So, let us get out of that mind-set and fix our eyes on the truth, the One who is trustworthy, the One who can see the beginning from the end and the One who gives life more abundantly.

 

Won't you join me in getting our eyes off of the "this" that is plaguing us and get our focus back on our Savior? He is the beginning and the end. He is the miracle worker. He is the One that nothing is too hard or impossible for. He is who we shall place our trust in. Let's purpose in our hearts to walk by faith and seek the Lord each day, then let Him decide what is the best option for our lives. He will direct our paths with each set of 24-hour increments we live out and He will do what He has planned for our lives.

 

Psalm 39:7(ESV)

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?

My hope is in you.

For words, for thoughts, for joy, for rest...whatever you are battling we need to get ourselves back on track and get that dulled sparkle back to where it should be. We need to get back where we belong (as the Phil Wickham song says) and make sure we are not blocking anything that God is trying to do in our lives. Here are some ways to get your life back on kilter so we can be joyful and spread the love of the Lord.

 

Repent - Might there be something you did or said that needs to be brought to the Lord. I know that my prideful thoughts and coveting have been getting me in quite the mess lately. What about you? Is there something you need to confess to the Lord so you can get back on track with Him? Pray Psalm 139:23-24 and see what the Lord shows you.

 

Rest - Maybe you are running on empty and can't seem to stop the momentum of go,go, go! This is frequently one of my problems. You may need to sedate yourself or at least get a cup of tea and just take time to sit still. Grab a blanket and lay on the floor of your bedroom or living room and just be for a few moments. Don't force your brain to go into overdrive...maybe even take a nap if you are able. Just calm down a take a mini-Sabbath to regroup.

 

Write - Perhaps there are too many thoughts going about in your head and you need to get them all out to combat how overwhelmed you feel. Get a little notepad and a cute pen and be the hand of a ready writer. Jot down everything that is clouding your mind, whether it be a to-do list, a letter to someone you need to speak with in person or a series of written rants. Whatever the thoughts are, they are taking over and you need to take control of them before they get the best of you. Sometimes just getting them out is all you need to take the first step in getting back on track.

 

Cuddle - This probably sounds like the preschool approach, but sometimes you just need a hug...it's true. Maybe life has drained you and you just want a small moment of affection. Find your best friend, husband, mom, baby nephew or stuffed lion that sits on your bed and give a little hug. A little love goes a long way and could be all you needed to recuperate and get back in the game.

 

Pray - Clearly you should have done this in the first place. However, we sometimes go to our knee-jerk reactions rather than to the One we need most. Hopefully this was your first go-to before you started any of the other ideas I gave you, but I listed it just in case you didn't Talk to the the Lord and let Him calm your anxious heart. Cast your burdens on Him...He cares for you (and me). Also, read Psalm 4:1, it will be helpful!

 

I know that I personally like to do a high-impact workout to get some stress or confusion out as well. What are some of the other ways you get your mindset back on track when you are at a loss? I'd love to hear in the comments below!

 

Lamentations 3:22-25 (NKJV)

Through the lord's mercies we are not consumed

Because His compassions fail not,

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,

"Therefore I hope in Him!"

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,

To the soul who seeks Him,

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly

For the salvation of the Lord.

Are you feeling disappointed today? Do you have this unsettling feeling in your heart and mind that something is putting a cloud over your joy? Is life as you know it feeling more like a routine set on auto-pilot than a beautiful picture of God’s plan for you? Are you waiting and starting to lose hope in letting patience have its perfect work? If any (some or all) of these statements is true for you, let me remind you to meditate on this area of scripture and also let’s remember how much the Lord loves us.

 

 

 

Romans 5:1-5

 

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

 

 

 

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow in endurance, character and hope as you start to get disheartened by how much longer this season is lasting. Jumping the gun and forcing your own way may seem like a good idea for the here and now, but think of the better option God has for you, think of all the unsaved people around you that are watching how you respond to life. Think of the amazing way the Lord is using you right now in whatever situation you find yourself in. Don’t lose heart!

 

 

 

We may not understand why things end up the way they do or how it all seems to work out, but we do know that the same God that willingly sent His only begotten Son to the cross for us always has our best interests in mind as He orchestrates each moment of our lives. Let’s trust what He is doing and let Him have His way in our lives…we will be much better off and an amazing testimony of His truth and faithfulness!

 

 

 

Please do contact me with any prayer requests!

Psalm 94:19 (NKJV)

In the multitude of my anxieties within me,

Your comforts delight my soul.

Lord, You know all of the tasks, duties and plans that are set before me today and in the upcoming weeks and months. I know that with God all things are possible and that I am more than a conqueror with You. I know that Your word says I can do all things through You, because You give me strength. I am feeling restless and overwhelmed right now, knowing that I will have to rely solely on Your strength to make it through all the things before me. I know that I need Your peace, Your truth and promises…and rest that comes from You. I thank You that I can come to You and seek after You to help me in these times of need. I thank You that You are strong in my weakness and that You go before me in all things.

Lord, I ask and pray that You will calm my anxious heart and allow me to be more intentional and well-balanced as I steward my time serving You. I pray for You to order my steps and make my plans…I pray that I will be flexible as You change the path and make detours along the way. I pray that I will not try to rely on my own strengths and abilities, but allow You to stretch me in this time as I seek after You with my whole heart and allow You to guide the way. I know that in the end You will be glorified, so I ask that I will be a joyful handmaiden of the Lord as I walk in this calling.

Lord I thank You for calling me faithful to do all of these things and I pray for a steadfast, diligent, devoted and obedient heart to do all the things that You have shown me to do for Your purpose and plan. I thank You for Your matchless love, Your grace and mercy, Your faithfulness and Your promise to be with me always. I thank You for Your promise to give me rest and stir the Spiritual Gifts needed to fulfill all the plans that You have placed before me. I Love You Lord and praise Your perfect and amazing name. In Jesus’ name, so be it…amen.

Psalm 56:3 (ESV)

When I am afraid,

I put my trust in you.

Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Lately, “You need to relax” has become my favorite saying. I currently use it around sassy babies, dramatic friends and basically anyone that happens to be in my line of vision that could potentially dull my sparkle with their negativity or drama. While I realize there are many hard things going on in our lives, in our world and in pretty much every minute of the day…I think this advice is much needed, because it gives us an opportunity to take a moment and understand that God is still in control.

We have to stay in that thought process…God is in control. There are so many crazy things coming at us at all times. This is the only truth that will remain; it’s a constant for us! When mayhem and madness ensue…God is in control. When our plans fall through, God is in control. When we don’t get our way and want to throw a tantrum, God is in control. When God specifically tells us that in this world we will have trials and trouble, but take heart, He has overcome the world…that just proves that God knows and is still in control!

Let us remember to take this truth to heart in every moment of every day. In every situation, whether joyful or heartbreaking. In all circumstances, whether we want to believe it or not…because it is true! We need to relax, and then remember who is in control. We need to lift our eyes to the hills and know where our help comes from. We need to say it is well with our soul. We need to say though He slay me, still I will trust Him and let God continue that faith work that He started in us. No one ever said going through the refiner’s fire would feel like the steam room or sauna at the day spa…but we can have peace and know that God is there with us.

Psalm 46:5 (NIV)

God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.