With things going crazy around us, it is understandable that some of us may be going through a lot of emotions during this season. Life, in general, is a roller coaster, and adding to that, our current situation can easily make us experience more lows than highs. With that in mind, I thought I should share some of the strategies that I have put in place over the years that have come in handy. These are the practical things that I have done and continue to do because God is not done with me yet. There is a lot more that I still need to learn and I am excited about the journey ahead with the Lord.
To
stay the course means - to persevere
with as much determination, energy, or fortitude (courage in pain or adversity)
as one can until the end of the race. OR to continue attempting something
difficult to its end or conclusion. (source: Free Dictionary)
Our
purpose here on earth is to glorify our Father in everything we do, and we have
the awesome privilege of being Jesus’ hands and feet. What an amazing time to
live in, and we are so honored by the Lord to be able to shine His light in
these darkest hours the world seems to see. Think about that for a moment! So, my
precious friend, life is not about us (though we tend to think it is), but
about the One who has sent us.
In
trying to understand our purpose, we sometimes think that we have to be strong,
know-it-all people before God can use us, but He says “come as you are, I know exactly
where you fit in in the bigger picture.” So, knowing our purpose means we need
to know our strengths and, equally more important, our weaknesses and
limitations. If we look at our weaknesses and limitations in a negative way,
then we will struggle to allow God to work in and through us. But if we view
them positively then we’ll realize that our weaknesses and limitations are an
invitation for the Holy Spirit to help us, in order for God to be glorified in
every part of our lives. 2 Corinthians 12:5a says “I will boast only of my
weaknesses…” God’s grace, my friend, is all that we need, His power works best
in weakness.
I pray that you will be blessed by my journey
and I would be delighted if you could share your journey as well in order that
I, too, can learn from you. J
a)
Being
real with God, my Father: There is no darkness
in Him because darkness to Him is as light to God – Psalm 139:12. I journal a
lot, writing my raw feelings to Him because He knows them anyway. This helps me
when I look back and reflect, seeing His grace upon my life and how He has always
carried me through in those up and down moments.
b)
Mentorship:
Years ago I had a longing for someone to mother me in my spiritual walk. God
answered that prayer by sending me a special lady who continues to encourage
and lift me up when I am down. She also challenges me to do things that are way
out of my comfort zone. Through her prayers and much encouragement, I have
learned and I am constantly learning to walk in bold faith. I am grateful that the Lord
brought her to me in a way that only He could.
c)
Godly
friendships: Proverbs 15:22 - Without counsel plans fail, but with many
advisers, they succeed. We are relational beings and life is not meant to be
lived alone. One has to ditch the saying that goes “love them all but trust no
one.” Ask the Lord to show you or bring about Jonathans in your life. People
that you can openly talk to, about your every issue or the challenges you face.
Not only that but to talk about your dreams and desires of your heart. These
are people who are happy for you when things go well and will also cry with you
when things get tough. I have surrounded myself with people whom I have given
permission to speak over my life. Good or bad - as I may view their opinions at
times - I know that these people are FOR me and love
me lots. Whatever they do or say always comes from a good place.
d)
Knowing
the season that you are in: The Bible says there
is a time for everything under the sun. What has God called you to do in this
present time? I have stopped wasting time doing things that I am not called to do
now! I am a divorcee but God has not called me to the ministry of encouraging
divorcees, though I do not shy away from helping when He directs me to, my
heart is for single parents. I enjoy
having conversations about this journey and also discussing the practical
things single parents can do which would allow us to live content in every
situation and at the same time raise God-fearing kids.
e) Getting rid of offense: This is one sure way to give the devil a beachhead over our lives. For Christ’s sake and our sake, we just have to let go of any offense, then we will experience the freedom of walking in forgiveness! We’ve got to trust that God is a good judge and that He will never allow the guilty to walk free. He is faithful and He stands by His word. Let us allow Him to minister to us through our disappointments, heartaches, and feelings of betrayal.
f)
Expecting
obstacles: “I have told you these things, so
that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. This does not mean that we need
to be miserable souls, seeing trouble in everything! It simply means that when
trouble comes, we need to understand that Jesus already has a solution for it.
Sometimes we walk around feeling defeated, forgetting that over 2000 years ago
Jesus won the victory for us. We need to face challenges with this mentality
and that is what will keep us going. The Bible also says that God is faithful
and He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can endure. 1 Corinthians
10:13.
g)
Choosing
God over any circumstances: Choose life, choose
His joy. Nehemiah 8:10b – “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” You know the
saying that goes, “Fake it till you make it?” Well, I say, speak God’s word
until your perspective or your situation changes. We can call into existence
the things that do not exist - Romans: 4:17
h)
Speak
the word of God over your life: I say again, SPEAK
IT OUT! With His spoken word, God created the universe, so it makes sense that
we, as people created in His image, also need to speak things into being. As
mindful as we are of what is going on around us, we resolve to trust that God
has something great in store for us. We’ve got to remind ourselves of who God
says we are before others tell us who we should be. Death and life are in the
power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21a. Speak life!
i)
God
wants to use you where you are: The Bible has many
examples of people being used by God while in difficult situations, and I think
He did this just to show us that His power is not limited or linked to any
earthly title/s we have. His Holy Spirit inside each one of us is the One who does
all the work. One such example is the young girl who was used by God to bring
about Naaman’s healing – 2 Kings 5:1-14. She is easily overlooked in the story,
as we tend to concentrate on the miraculous healing of Naaman – and there is
nothing wrong with that. This servant girl’s name is not even mentioned in the
book. All we know is that she was taken from her home and to a foreign country
against her will. But that’s the point! God knows who she is. She was now a
maid to Naaman’s wife. But even as a maid, she knew her identity in the Lord. Her
earthly title did not stop her from living out a life that is totally
surrendered to God. She did not hold back from preaching the Good News to
Naaman’s household and eventually her words came to the king’s ears. Even
though the Bible does not say much about her, I am convinced that, as a maid,
she had lived a God-honoring life, which gave her credibility when she spoke
about her God.
The
world would love for us to keep believing that we need to have some sort of a
title before we can do anything of significance. God knows the real us and has
entrusted the spreading of Good News to us – what a privilege! So we need to stop
trying to get recognition from people. Getting feedback from people is good, but
our lives should not depend on it. If we get crushed every time no one says
“well done,” we will be discouraged and shrink back from serving God
wholeheartedly. God knows who we are, and that is enough! Let us allow Him to
use us wherever we are. There are no external bondages or circumstances that
can ever chain us – Christ set us free. Paul preached the Gospel even when was
in prison. I pray we will be a generation that proclaims the Lord’s goodness even
when things do not seem to go our way. “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed
you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1
May the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face
shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon
you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
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