iShineInMinistry

When we are in the middle of a horrible life moment, a loss, a failure, a death, health issues, financial dilemmas, or simply just taking a look at the news to see all of the terrible injustices, unloving acts and heartless endeavors that are taking place on a normal basis, it can be hard to really think, “just have faith”. When we see our friend’s cancer diagnosis, get laid off, see that eviction notice or watch footage of yet another person being harmed by what should be a safe authority, it is all we can do to not try to hostily try and take matters into our own hands, or just look up at God in anger and deadpan, “Really?”

Life is absolute misery sometimes and while we can stay joyful in the circumstances, devastation sometimes just cannot be ignored. What do we do in these times? Well, first, I can tell you what we don’t do. We do not just forsake God and say it’s over, He’s not really there anyway and just go off into the world where all the evil is reigning day in and day out.

What we do is pray, seek the Lord and allow Him to show us the ways we can be the hands and feet in those moments. Pray for those, including yourself, that are going through hard times, terrible moments, anguish, hurt and defeat. Then, see what types of organizations and ministries are tangibly finding ways to help these just causes. Donate to a nonprofit that provides cancer research. Volunteer at an organization that helps people understand their rights if they are the victims of injustice and find ways to get that information into the hands of those that need it most. Set up a savings account for yourself or even a piggy bank to help yourself save more funds and get out of financial disarray. Find a career-savvy friend that can help you update your resume. Go keep that shut-in person company when their health gets too frail to leave the house, or run their errands for them (or both).

We can either sit by and watch the enemy take over this world from every angle or we can be the little things, the little moments, the small glimmers of hope that remind people that there is still good in the world and that God still reigns...He will win in the end. Let’s remind others and ourselves of that when it’s hard to believe.

Job 3:9 (ESV)

Let the stars of its dawn be dark;

let it hope for light, but have none,

 

It's been quite a while since I've written and sent a devotional out. After praying and really thinking about the last few months, I am beginning to think that my sparkle is going just a little bit dull. Usually everything around me gives me inspiration and points me to the Lord. However, lately, I have been at a bit of a loss...having a case of writer's block. I feel joyful (a little sleepy too) but the words just do not seem to be coming out. Clearly something is dulling my sparkle...or maybe it's just me?

 

We all go through seasons of ho-hum life where nothing is wrong, but something still feels like it's missing. Right now, my health and sleeping patterns, along with this winter remix weather that is New York seem to be taking the bounce out of my step. Perhaps, I am just drained due to the fact that while my bounce is not as bouncy, I still have not managed to hit slow motion on my life. Or, maybe I am straining to hear from God and He is just telling me to wait on Him and be still (for those who don't know me personally, "be still" is my least favorite set of words).

 

Might you be going through a similar slump? If so, I encourage you to keep the faith and keep grasping for God even when it feels like literally nothing is happening. There is no need to give up now' we have been walking this journey of faith now for some time...we just have to keep going. While it may seem dark and like your sparkle is losing it's glitter, remember that joy comes in the morning. This may be a longer night than usual, but let's believe the end result will be worth the wait!

 

Isaiah 60:1 (NKJV)

Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

 

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

... Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

 

I will be exalted among the nations,

 

I will be exalted in the earth.”

 

Is anyone else drowning in busyness lately? Every moment of every single day seems like it's jam-packed with tasks, follow up, this, that and everything in between. I keep taking things away from my schedule, only to have my precious minutes high-jacked by something else before I know what's happening. I literally cannot even deal with how exhausted I have been lately. I think we all need to take some sabbath moments in our day to re-set, recharge and restore our focus on the Lord so that we can do the things we have been called to do in our everyday life.

 

 

 

I believe I need my little break during the mid-afternoon. I need a little prayer and little devotional time, a little downtime and some quiet to regroup and recollect my thoughts. I know that I need to get my mind back on track before I begin to try and do things in my own strength just to make sure tasks get done. This break allows me to take a step back so that my heart and mind are on the right trail.

 

 

 

While 10 minutes may not seem like enough time to "get your life" it is clearly better than no minutes at all. We all need to get our hearts and minds back on the Lord when stress ensues. Take a breather with God and let Him help you de-stress.

 

 

 

Blessings, Hearts and Hugs!

 

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

 

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

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.