iShineInMinistry

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

There have been so many life-altering transitions over the last two months. God is really shaking me up, making sure that my eyes stay on Him and I don’t get too comfortable anywhere. As I continue to get settled in my new job, new apartment and other changes around me, I realize that I am not quite sure this is it for me (again – oh my stars!). Do you ever get those unsettled feelings, like God is telling you, “This isn’t it either?” How does your heart respond in those moments?

Right now, I am mostly walking through each day, allowing Him to handle what’s right in front of me at the moment. I am surrounded by quite a few unsaved people, most of whom I can figure out with regard to motives. As I discern how to react, move forward and respond, all I can do is pray and trust. If you find yourself in this “interim” season as well, here is what we can all do as we walk with Jesus.

Pray that God leads us on the path He has and that we follow the directives He is giving. Trust that if things turn out differently than what we hoped or thought, He is still faithful. Remember that there are things that will happen that we do not understand, but He does and He is always going before us.

Now, with that said…how do we actually let this play out in our lives without teeth-grinding during sleep at night, stress eating or getting anxiety during the day when things seem uncertain? Well, the true answer is…sometimes we can’t. Some days will be great and we will be filled with trust, joy and expectancy. Other days, we will just want to throw in the towel, eat cake and hope for the best. We are allowed to have these feelings and process through the emotions and thoughts that crowd (and cloud) our minds. We all know that everyone has their moments of, “Why is this my season? Can it not be?”

David had his seasons as he was being chased by Saul and challenged by his own son, Absalom. Abraham had his seasons as he hoped for a son…and then had to take that promised son to the altar of sacrifice. Elizabeth and Hannah endured that season as they were literally barren and dismayed. Everyone has these seasons…no one is exempt.

This week, I encourage all of us to write down everything before bedtime. Every thought, hope, dream, desire, rant, annoyance…everything that is reeling. Then, surrender it to the Lord each night and keep giving it back to Him (no matter how many times it takes) and press forward so that we can keep living #thecharmedlife and giving all glory to God, no matter what comes our way! Have a wonderfully blessed week.

Hearts and Hugs,

Jacquelynn Marie

Psalm 121:7-8

"The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore."

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.