Sometimes God throws us curveballs. Sometimes He brings a person in our lives who need Him, who need us to show them Him through our lives. Sometimes God brings people into our lives that make us doubt our entire purpose in life, and make us wonder why He brought them. We know He does not bring people in to our lives to hurt us, but sometimes, hurt is exactly the outcome. Sometimes our hearts are so broken we wonder if it is even possible for it to be put back together. Sometimes the hurt is so deep, we want to wallow in it, think about our inadequacies and our wants and our own selfish needs. Sometimes it makes me so upset I just sit and cry.
I recently came upon a new song by Lauren Daigle, that totally describes my life; the struggles and situations at this time in my life. The song is called Trust in You. It talks about when God doesn't do things the way we think they need to go, when He doesn't tell us things we want to hear. That He knows the future, He has seen it, and that He is all we need to live. I literally find myself needing a reminder on a daily basis. A reminder that there is not a thing that has happened in my life, that He didn't plan, that He didn't already know was coming, that His timing is perfect. Not a breath I have taken without Him knowing. Sometimes the obstacles, they are there because He knows we need to be closer to Him. Sometimes the mountains are a reminder to trust in Him, that He has control.
Let us not forget our Maker, our Steady Hand. He is in control, He is our life planner. He makes the rules, He encourages us to follow them. He gives us the freedom to choose otherwise, but who would know more that which is better for us than the One that allows us to breathe our next breath.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW38n3NJxbc
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Being Right or Loving?
In John 13:35 Jesus says, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." I am just as guilty or more guilty than the next person with one-upping, and just bluntly knowing that I am right(obvi). All the time. If you throw a compliment my way, I will one-up you all day, rather than just accepting it. Maybe it is because I doubt myself, my worth, my accomplishments, my qualities, my talents. Or maybe, I tell myself, I am just being nice, and trying to return the compliment with another. Either way, I should not be satisfied with myself, because I should always strive to be more like Jesus, but on the other hand, I am made in His image, like Him, thus I should be content with what He has given me to work with.
And when it comes to arguments, well they are usually a waste of time and accomplish nothing, but they are bound to happen. When in the midst of an argument, I find myself thinking, what is going to change anything if I win this argument, or even more importantly if I lose? My life will not change, my mind will still be set on my initial standpoint, thus this argument is literally a waste of breathe and time we could be doing something to build each other up instead of trying to tear the other person down. Thus, I choose love. I love to argue sometimes, but I love to love more. Nothing brings me more pleasure than throwing a thick layer of love on another person. It really is the little things; backing down from an argument, choosing to put the discussion to rest, making a point of showing the other person that regardless of the outcome, you love each other and are willing to bury this discussion. We as Christians fumble through life just like the non-believer does, but we have a Rock to lean on, His Word to turn to, fellow believers to keep us accountable, so many resources to turn to for help. What more could we possibly need than the Man who created us?
We need to spend more time listening, and less time arguing. More time caring for others and their needs, and less time proving them wrong. We need to pray for a sense of humility. Pray for understanding when we are confronted with people of different views than our own. The God whom we put our trust in is able to show others when they are wrong in a far better and more healingly way than any of us ever could. Let Him handle them, and you just love.
And when it comes to arguments, well they are usually a waste of time and accomplish nothing, but they are bound to happen. When in the midst of an argument, I find myself thinking, what is going to change anything if I win this argument, or even more importantly if I lose? My life will not change, my mind will still be set on my initial standpoint, thus this argument is literally a waste of breathe and time we could be doing something to build each other up instead of trying to tear the other person down. Thus, I choose love. I love to argue sometimes, but I love to love more. Nothing brings me more pleasure than throwing a thick layer of love on another person. It really is the little things; backing down from an argument, choosing to put the discussion to rest, making a point of showing the other person that regardless of the outcome, you love each other and are willing to bury this discussion. We as Christians fumble through life just like the non-believer does, but we have a Rock to lean on, His Word to turn to, fellow believers to keep us accountable, so many resources to turn to for help. What more could we possibly need than the Man who created us?
We need to spend more time listening, and less time arguing. More time caring for others and their needs, and less time proving them wrong. We need to pray for a sense of humility. Pray for understanding when we are confronted with people of different views than our own. The God whom we put our trust in is able to show others when they are wrong in a far better and more healingly way than any of us ever could. Let Him handle them, and you just love.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
How to Pray When You Can't Find the Words
Sometimes our hearts are too broken to find words, our minds too boggled, our emotions a wreck. You name it, any problem that comes about in our lives that leaves us at a loss for words when speaking to our Heavenly Father. In Romans 8: 26, Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit intercedes, he says, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." The Holy Spirit dwells within us, after we have given our lives, our hearts, our souls over to Him. And thanks be to Him for that, as there have been several times, even just this year, when I have sat, either in my car, in my room, in church, or outside in His awesomeness, and just sat. I could not find the words to say, I could not make sense out of what was running through my mind, what was going on in my life, what was going on around me..so I just sat. And I find comfort in this verse, knowing that God is hearing what He knows I need Him to hear, as the Holy Spirit intercedes for me.
It is at those times that I am at my weakest, and am reminded of a verse found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, again this is Paul writing here, "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (Paul continues) "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Everyone faces hard times, everyone has bad days, everyone has had struggles in their past, and will in their future, God watched His only Son be crucified and mocked on a cross, no battle that you face today is beyond what He can handle, what He can control.
God did not make us like Him, He did not make us all-powerful, completely able to handle ruling an entire world, an entire universe. He did not give us the ability to walk on water, or any other unattainable act. He gave us life, and a reason to live it, for Him, to bring Him the glory, all these battles we face daily, these challenges, will come to pass. He has a plan, and He already wrote the ending, so just fill in each chapter as you face each day, and give every struggle, every battle over to the One who brought them upon you and who will help you overcome. And remember, when you can't find the words to say, the Holy Spirit dwells within you, and will let God know everything He needs to know. In 1 Peter 5 vs 7 it says, "cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." No matter what, He is there, He is listening, He is always in control. Lift your concerns, your sadness, your doubt, everything. Give it to Him. He. Cares.
It is at those times that I am at my weakest, and am reminded of a verse found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, again this is Paul writing here, "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (Paul continues) "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Everyone faces hard times, everyone has bad days, everyone has had struggles in their past, and will in their future, God watched His only Son be crucified and mocked on a cross, no battle that you face today is beyond what He can handle, what He can control.
God did not make us like Him, He did not make us all-powerful, completely able to handle ruling an entire world, an entire universe. He did not give us the ability to walk on water, or any other unattainable act. He gave us life, and a reason to live it, for Him, to bring Him the glory, all these battles we face daily, these challenges, will come to pass. He has a plan, and He already wrote the ending, so just fill in each chapter as you face each day, and give every struggle, every battle over to the One who brought them upon you and who will help you overcome. And remember, when you can't find the words to say, the Holy Spirit dwells within you, and will let God know everything He needs to know. In 1 Peter 5 vs 7 it says, "cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." No matter what, He is there, He is listening, He is always in control. Lift your concerns, your sadness, your doubt, everything. Give it to Him. He. Cares.
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