When I reflect back on my time in the wilderness, I see a woman who was holding on by a thin thread. I see a woman who was hurting, physically and mentally. Her world as she knew it had all of a sudden come crashing down, and she felt like she was drowning. This woman was so overwhelmed that it was hard to breathe, literally some days she could barely breathe. Some days she thought she could not take any more. But she did. Sometimes the boldest thing we can do is take the next breath. When we experience moments or seasons of complete and total desolation, it is important that we be still and breathe. And then go before God. He fills, replaces, and empowers. He overflows our soul with joy and a newfound trust. The God of hope never runs out of hope!

I am learning to thank God for difficult people I come in contact with. They sure can test our obedience to God and his word. Sometimes God will place difficult people in our lives because he wants us to grow in the fruit of the spirit and build our character. Joyce Myers calls difficult people “sand paper” people. She says God uses them to smooth down the rough edges in our personality. God desires us to love the unlovable, be kind to the unkind, be patient in the face of ugly impatience and bless those who are cruel. His glory shines out of us into the darkness of people’s soul. A couple of weeks ago while out with my son, I came across a difficult person.  I failed the test and had to be reminded by my son of all people that it was a test. I am not proud of the way I reacted that day. I will make every effort to do better. I know I can’t do it if I rely on my emotions. We can only do it when we are determined in our heads to be like Jesus. Lord knows it is not easy, but we have in us the Holy Spirit that enables us to love difficult people. Just as God shows us mercy and grace, we should do the same for each other.

I know some days you wonder if it will ever get easier. You jump over one trial and just feel your feet adjusting to walking the path again, and then a new hurdle emerges to overcome. We cry out that we have had our share of troubles; it’s someone else’s turn. If we read Elijah’s story (1 kings 19: 1-21), we find lessons on spiritual stamina. Right after God’s amazing display, the queen of Israel, Jezebel, threatened Elijah’s life. You would think he would have no fear after what he just witnessed God do on Mount Carmel. Yet Elijah was human. He was a regular man who made mistakes, who was afraid sometimes, but when it really mattered he trusted God. This time though he went out into the wilderness to pout. He claimed he was alone and he sat under a broom tree and said, “I have had enough Lord”. God responded to Elijah’s moping with these instructions; get some rest, eat some food, go back the way you came, and find the others who serve me to support you.

Like Elijah we sometimes want to say I have had enough Lord. We want to go sit somewhere and have a pity party. We feel like we are alone and that no one understands. We don’t call our friends or take some time to care for our soul. When an overwhelming problem arises, we need to take care of ourselves with food and rest. We must remember God’s faithfulness through past difficulties and go back the way we came, trusting him one day at a time. We need to use the people God put in our life who will pray, support and help us walk in a difficult journey. We must realize that food, rest, and relationships can be God’s gifts to help us maintain stamina in difficult seasons.  So whatever we are facing, Elijah’s story will help us remember the lessons to take care of ourselves, surround ourselves with godly voices, listen for God’s still small voice, and most important trust God. In order to gain stamina to run the race of faith, we need to make a conscious decision to choose the right foods, rest habits, and time with nourishing people. Be blessed and have a wonderful weekend.

Our first instinct in times of trouble is to keep our hands on the situation and control it to our advantage. I certainly have been guilty. I’m sure you have heard the saying “God helps those who help themselves”. Well contrary to popular belief, this saying is not in the Bible. God does not help those who help themselves. He helps those who are helpless and dependant on him. He helps those who look to him as their only source of help for their problem. We try to help ourselves, thinking that for certain matters we don’t really need God. I speak from experience. Thank you God for helping me to realize I cannot do nothing without you. Nothing means nothing, no matter how small we think it is. We have to step out in faith and trust that God is working within us and beside us.

 

The phrase “falling in love” is not a biblical expression. The Bible reveals that love is much greater than just a feeling. In the Bible love is primarily a commitment, rather than emotion. Falling in love sounds good, however if you can fall in love, you can also fall out of love. Those countries and cultures in the history of the world that practice arranged marriages have low divorce rates probably because they realized it wasn’t feelings or emotions that made or unmade marriages. Richard Walker, founder of Amor Ministries, stated, “Love is the giving of the very best you have on behalf of another regardless of response”. Even when it’s thrown back in your face? Yes, because isn’t that what Jesus did and does for us? I have to admit I am a work in progress. You speak on it.

I am a living witness that often God’s call is to follow in paths we would not have chosen and take us out of our comfort zone. My expectations in 2018 are continued restoration, reconciliation, and victory! Restoration of life is hard work and takes time, but our God offers us the strength to get through it. He promises to walk with us every step of the way. I have testimony after testimony of how God has been with me through every storm even when at the time I did not realize it. Your restoration journey may not occur overnight, (even though with God it’s possible). But it will happen! God will not only fulfill His promises in His time, but will also sustain you until that time. This is the double promise we have; the hope of deliverance one day, plus the provision of His comfort, strength, and shelter throughout our lives. (Isaiah 25: 1-8)