Is That Door Opening in Front of You,

 Meant for You?

Do you ever feel as if your window of opportunity has closed? Do you ever feel like if you don’t walk through that door right now, as soon as you see a little glimmer of light peeking through the small crack in the opening, that you just might miss it? Like it might just close before you get your chance?

I’ve been pondering these questions lately, seeking God’s will and God’s answers. What if this is it? I know I have a calling. I have the desire but is this the right thing for me at this time? Is it truly God’s will or are my motives wrong? Does God have something else for me or is it time to wait? Lord, show me through your eyes, let me see your perspective. Swing the door wide open, or shut it so tightly that I’ll know exactly what Your will is.

Opportunities arise but questions abound! After a lot of prayer and Godly counsel, here’s the conclusion I came to.

When God closes a door, He doesn’t always open a window. Sometimes He would have us sit still in the room and wait patiently on Him. Just because God closes the door to an opportunity doesn’t necessarily mean that He has something bigger and better. Sometimes He has nothing. Nothing right then. Something later maybe, but nothing right then. And we need to remember that our ‘better’ and God’s ‘better’ are often two very different things.

We often hear in Christian circles, not to worry if God closes the door because that just means He has something bigger and better and more amazing than what was behind that door He just closed. And sometimes, that is the case. But not always.

Sometimes we have to sit in a dark room for a while before we can see the light. Sometimes God is silent as He wants to grow our faith and trust. His silence is not a lack of love, it doesn’t mean that we are alone. His silence is a time to trust. It’s a time to hope. It’s a time to grow.

Too many times I have been guilty of seeing an opportunity, seizing it with both hands, only to find that God wanted that door closed, but I was too busy trying to keep it open with my foot, then rushing headlong into it, only to find myself flat on my face wondering what happened.

Not all opportunities our ours to lay hold of. We may see an open door and think it is meant for us, when God has someone else in mind. We rush in boldly, not waiting on God’s leading, cutting off others, like a young child trying to push in line to be the first to get their ice cream, fearing that if they are not first, it will all be gone. Guilty? Yes, I am, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

I am so glad that God’s ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts. What a mess I’d be in if I only lived my life in my own strength and with my own plans, without thought of God’s eternal will.

Opportunities will arise from time to time. Opportunities to minister in some way, but keep in mind that the door you see open may not be the door you’re to walk through. A good little saying to remember is this. “Stay out of it unless you have clear direction to step into it”

Pray about each and every endeavour. Get on your knees before the Lord and be serious about receiving an answer. Pray in faith, expecting God to come through. Expecting Him to show you clearly what it is He wants you to do.

And when you see that door closing in front of you, or you see someone else fulfil a role you were sure was yours, then stop. Wait. Rest. Trust. Remember that God’s ways are perfect.

Psalm 18:30, 32 - As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. ... It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

God will open the right doors and close the wrong doors and He will give you the wisdom to know His will, if you trust Him and walk close to Him, listening always for His still, small voice.

Ephesians 5:17 - Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Forget all the quirky little sayings you read about opportunities and seizing the day. Let God be the deciding factor in all of your decisions. Let His will be the standard. Don’t rush through a door just because it’s open. Not every open door is yours to walk through.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let God Plans out Your Days

 

Phew. It’s been quite a day. And we’re not even halfway through yet! I know you understand what I’m talking about. Those days where everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. And just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does.

It’s on these days that we can begin to doubt that God really knows what He’s doing. We know He is in control, but we wonder if He really understands what we’re going through and how much we can really handle. Does He truly understand the stress we’re facing? The anxiety, the pressures, the exhaustion, mentally and physically. Will He be able to help us hold our heads above the waves? Will He keep our feet from slipping?

I’m here to tell you that Yes, He will. Yes, He does. It doesn’t matter what we’re facing, how hard the wind is blowing, how high the waves are, He knows all about it and He cares.

Funnily enough, I only got those first 3 paragraphs written before another phone call changed the trajectory of my day for the zillionth time and I was off in the truck on a 3 hour round trip through blinding rain and slick roads.

Sometimes I’m sure the Lord has a sense of humour. He looks down at us, running around like busy little ants, merrily planning our days activities, possibly without thought of what He would have us do, and He steps in and throws what we see as a spanner in the works, and changes our perspective just a bit, so that we have to rely on Him and trust Him more than we have been.

He gently reminds us that He is in control and that although we feel that we can’t handle the chaos that swirls around us, He is the peace in the midst of the storm. He is who we need to cling to when we’re overwhelmed.

Psalm 61:2 - From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Bad days have a way of reminding us of what is important in life. We tend to think that our nicely laid plans that we have jotted down in bullet point form in our daily diaries, the alerts and reminders on our phones are just the way our day should go. But this is where we’re wrong! Yes, it’s great to set goals and we should. But let’s not be so determined to achieve them that we forget who is in control. Heads up – it’s not you!

There’s a word I want to remind you of. Surrender. Yes, only 9 little letters, but put them together and they hold great significance.

Surrender means to stop resisting and submit. It means to give up or hand over. It means to relinquish possession or control of something, and to give up in favour of another.

Do you see where I’m going with this? We have to learn to surrender our strategy, our plans, even our goals to the Lord. Instead of planning out our day then praying our plan to the Lord, we need to pray that He will show us His plan and that we will learn to be content with exactly how He orders our day.

 Before you open that diary or that calendar on your phone, close your eyes! Sit before the Lord, pray about what He would have you put into your day. Rest in who He is and His faithfulness.

I’m finding that I need to leave a lot more room in my day for the Lord to reshuffle. If my days plans are so cluttered that there is no room for more, I’m going to end up disappointed. Because not only does it become like one of those slider puzzles where you only have one spare space and limited moves, but God sometimes has to throw some pieces out to make room for His move.

We have to stop resisting. We have to submit. Like I’ve said before, it’s a lot more comfortable to come to God with open hands then for Him to have to pry our tightly clasped fists open.

We need to surrender and we need to trust. By trusting God, we begin to relax and wait on Him in faith, knowing that His ways are perfect.

Psalm 18:30 - As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Isaiah 55:9  - For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Now, I’m not writing this because I have arrived. Oh no! Far from it. I still have my days where I’m dissatisfied with God’s order and I pout and stomp my foot in a childish tantrum, hoping that He’ll change His mind and do things my way. But the older I get, the more I learn about God, and the closer my walk is with Him, the more I feel I can surrender to His will and His way. I trust more. I love more. I rest more. I rely more. I surrender more.

There are going to be days where you feel beaten down, trodden under, pulled in every direction. It’s on these days that we need to trust God more and cling desperately to Him, resting in His arms and relying on His strength to get us through.

Our lives are so full and so busy, but remember that the speed at which we travel is not as important as who is in control of our travel.

Let go of the reins, and let God take control. You will never be able to experience real peace until you fully surrender to His will.

Only then will a calm descend upon your soul. A peace that you know could only come from God. You’ll be able to take a deep breath and sink into His everlasting arms, content in knowing that He will do what is best for you and He will give you the strength you need for whatever your day brings.

It’s taken me 3 days, in little snatches to write this short post, because of the crazy, unpredictable last few days, and every moment that my plans changed, I breathed a quick prayer to the Lord, asking for patience, for strength, for wisdom. And you know what? I’m still here. I’m still breathing, I didn’t faint away, I didn’t fall apart and it’s all because of God’s amazing grace and mercy to me. He is worthy of all my praise. It is nothing I’ve done. All I did was pray and ask Him for help.

1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

And so, I praise Him. I lift my hands in worship to Him. Excited in what adventure God has next for me. A little cautious, afraid, somewhat fearful, Yes! But secure in Him.

Psalm 68:3 - But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Psalm 68:19 -  Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Be an Influencer

 

Be an influencer! Yes. I just said that. Now, before you go thinking that I’ve lost all my marbles, and decided to take the blog in another direction, please, calm down and read on.

My jumbled thoughts began bouncing around in my easily distracted, slightly scrambled brain today and got me thinking about this idea of being an influencer.

This word is tossed around so much in our present day that I started thinking, what about if we, as Christians, began to consciously, wholeheartedly, determinedly and steadfastly, set our eyes upon the goal of becoming influencers for God?

Before I go into more on this subject, I want to refresh your mind as to what an influencer is, in the world’s definition.

Firstly, an influencer is someone who has the power to affect the decisions of others, because of his or her authority, knowledge, position or relationship with their audience. Secondly, an influencer is someone who affects or changes the way other people behave and they have the ability to influence opinions. Thirdly, an influencer is a person who is paid by a company to show and promote that company’s products and services on social media, encouraging others in their sphere of influence to buy them.

With those thoughts in mind, switch your thinking caps on, focus and be ready to have your minds blown! Okay, so maybe not, but I would like to ‘influence’ you to think about what I’m sharing with you and see what you can do to apply what God has shared with me.

Did you know that we are all influencers? When we decide to trust Jesus as our personal Saviour and ask Him into our lives, we become influencers. Not just influencers, but ambassadors for Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20  - Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

As an ambassador for Christ, we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the precious gospel message.

1 Thessalonians 2:4  - But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

As we go through our lives here on this earth, we are representing another kingdom. The heavenly kingdom where our citizenship lies. And we need to take the message of God’s love to everyone we meet.  We need to be Godly representatives of the heavenly kingdom. But we have to be wise.

Matthew 10:16 - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

This world is full of wolves, and we are sheep. We must be wise. God is longing for His children to be good influencers. Wise ambassadors. People with clean testimonies, pure hearts and minds, Godly character, love, hope and joy.

As Christians, we are watched by the world. They are watching and judging all we do. We can choose to have a Godly influence over them and our fellow Christians, or we can choose to bring dishonour to God and have a bad testimony that brings shame upon God’s holy name.

The Bible reminds us that we are salt and light. Now that’s definitely an entirely different sermon on its own for another day. But let’s read what the Bible says.

Matthew 5:13-16  - Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We need to be salt, making the world thirsty for the living water. And we are to be light. A light in the darkness. Sharing the hope that lies within us. Letting God’s glory shine through us. When people see us, let it be God they see.

In the world, an influencer is all about getting attention. They want the glory and all eyes on them. Sadly, what starts as a small hobby or something to pass the time, can quickly become an obsession and a place of self-gratification. More likes. More great comments. More tags.  More more more. But as an influencer for God, we need to be turning all eyes upon Him. We need to be continually turning the focus back on the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to be influencing those around us to turn to God.

We can become ‘someone who has the power to affect the decisions of others’.  By our testimony, we can help show others the way that in turn, Lord willing, will see them come to know Christ on a personal level. We can ‘affect the way others behave’, just by setting a Godly example. Lives are changed yes, by God, but He allows us to have a part in that by being an example. Now, we may not be selling anything or encouraging anyone to buy a product, but we can encourage others to learn about the marvellous gift that God so freely gives to those who will accept it.

So, how can we be influencers of God? We need to be examples. Good and Godly examples.

1.    Be an example in our speech

Our words need to reflect the love of Christ and be edifying and thankful, full of grace and seasoned with salt.

Ephesians 5:4 - Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

Colossians 4:6  - Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 

2.    Be an example in how we act (our testimony)

1 Peter 1:15  - But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Our conversation, or testimony, our manner of life, our conduct, needs to be a good and Godly example. We can’t expect to be influencers for God if we act like the world.

3.    Be an example in love

Now, I know this is a lengthy and well-known passage, but can I encourage you to read it all the way through? We need to be reminded about the importance of love in our Christian walk. We need to show love for others. Without love, our efforts are worthless. A tinkling cymbal.

[Interestingly enough, the Greek word for tinkling is Alalazo which means to ring loudly, or clang. So, it’s not a nice little ching, ching sound, it’s a clanging sound. An annoying, loud sound. Hmm, our words are annoying without love. But so are our actions. Without love, there is little profit.]

1 Corinthians 13:1-8  - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

4.    Be an example in faith

People need to see our faith, not just hear about it. They need to see our faith in action. We need to practice what we preach. We need to share what we believe, and we need to live what we believe.

James 2:14-17 - What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

5.    Be an example in our pursuits 

Jeremiah 29:13  - And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all our heart.

What is it you pursue? The praise of men? Attention? Money? Fame? The Lord wants us to pursue Him with all our hearts. He promises that if we seek Him, we shall find Him. It’s not wrong to have goals, but we need to make sure that they are the goals that God would have us have.

We are all influencers. In some way or another. We are influencing those around us on a daily basis. Whether it be our families, our co-workers, our ‘friends’ on social media or our church family. Any number of people come across our path as we go about our business, and any one of them can be influenced by us. The attitude that emanates from us is often more powerful than our words.

So how can we, as influencers for God, honour God with our influence?

How about we start by remembering who we are and who God is. Put God in His rightful place, high and lifted up, and us, in our proper place, in a place of humility. Remembering that we came from the dust of the earth and God in His love and mercy, came down to this earth to rescue our wretched souls from eternal damnation. He doesn’t owe us anything, and yet, He chose to extend to us His free gift of salvation. Get the right perspective and be content to live in the shadows, letting God get all the glory.

John 3:30  - He must increase, but I must decrease.

Be on the lookout to always be pointing others to Christ and away from ourselves. The influencers of this world want all the attention upon themselves, but God wants us to give Him all the glory and be humble and meek.

Don’t compare yourself to others around you, or those you see online. Be content to serve where God has placed you. In the town, in the church, in the family He has put you in. Don’t worry about what others are doing, just concern yourself with what you’re doing and where God would have you. Be an influence on those in whose circles God has put you in. If God gives you the opportunity to share with a wider audience, then grab hold of it with both hands and pray that God would keep you humble and that you will be able to be an influencer of good in other’s lives.

And lastly, remain in the vine.

John 15:5-8  - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

The Bible is clear that if we remain in the vine, diligently seeking His heart and His wisdom, remaining close to Him, we will bear fruit. Much fruit. 

I pray that as you’ve read through this post, that you have been challenged to be an influencer for God. I want to encourage you to take seriously this idea of letting your light shine forth into a dark world, influencing those around you for good.

Let’s encourage each other, as sisters in Christ, to be the kind of influencer that God would have us be.

 

1 Corinthians 10:31  - Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get Dressed

 

          Every morning, as we wake up and begin our day, we give some thought as to what we're going to wear for the day. We think about what we'll be doing that day and it determines what clothes we'll wear. Is it a workday? Is it a church day? Is it a cold day? A hot day? Will we be getting dirty? Will we be sitting in an office? Will we be meeting with a friend for coffee? Our mind runs these scenarios over in our heads, and we plan accordingly.

          But, how often do we get up and “get dressed spiritually”? Do we rise every morning and plan what to wear spiritually?

 

We read in Ephesians 6:10-17 about the clothes that God wants us to wear.

 

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 

          The whole armour of God! God tells us what we are to wear spiritually. He gives us clear instructions.

 

          We would never, even on our most brain-dead days, get up to start our day, without stopping to get dressed. No! We make sure to at least put a little bit of effort into clothing ourselves.

 

          Why then, do we neglect to clothe ourselves spiritually? Why do we think we can make it through the day spiritually naked?

 

          Some people think they can get by with a spiritual clothing once a week. On Sunday, they soak up the Word, read and pray, then for the rest of the week, they get about without their armour (spiritual clothes) on. They are spiritually naked! And yet, they take care to get dressed physically each and every day.

 

          The Bible clearly tells us why it's important to be clothed with His armour. We will be able to “stand against the wiles of the devil”. We will “be able to withstand in the evil day”.

 

          I don't know about you, but I feel like we're living in the 'evil day'. Unless you live under a rock (like my 12^th grade geography teacher thought of me because we didn't have a television), or you are in denial about the wickedness in the world today, you too know that we live in evil days. All the more reason to put on God's armour.

          The Bible also tells us in verse 16 that we'll be able to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked”. I know I don't want to take on a fiery dart without some protection.

 

          So often we're guilty of taking care of the physical and neglecting the spiritual. We need to be in God's Word, daily, continually, wholeheartedly, to be able to find the armour we need.

 

          One of my sisters used to tell me in my teenage years, that it looked like I'd rolled around in my drawer and climbed out (due to my wrinkled state). Well, it's not enough to 'roll around in the drawer' of God's Word, metaphorically speaking, and expect to come out with your armour on. You can't expect to be clothed right if all you do is read your Bible on Sunday, and maybe a little verse along with a quaint devotional story every other day.

 

We need to put a lot more focus on what we wear spiritually, and less on what we wear physically. God looks on the heart. Now, I’m not saying go out looking like a frump! We do need to make sure we are guarding our testimony as we know the world is continually watching and judging our every move. But I think sometimes we neglect the spiritual in pursuit of the physical. We primp and pose and make sure everything about our appearance is just so. Not a hair out of place. Right on trend. But what of our hearts?

 

          As you dig deeper, God's Word comes alive. As you memorize scripture, God's Word, God's truth, is hidden in your heart and is there ready for the enemy's attack. The spiritual armour dressing us the way God would have us dress.

 

          We need protection against the devil's tricks and manipulative methods. And only by mediating on God's Word, obeying God's Word, living God's truth and putting on our spiritual armour are we going to be able to stand against the devil, prepared for the battle.

 

          The Bible is full of promises that we can claim. We can trust in God's protection, but He expects us to clothe ourselves, with His help, and be ready.

 

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 

        So, dress appropriately!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peace for the Overwhelmed

 

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel just a little overwhelmed at present? Are you struggling with trying to juggle all the things going on in your life? Do you have too many little rubber balls flying through the air and none of them seem to be landing properly where they should?

I think that often, as women, we get that ‘overwhelmed’ feeling. We try to be the best mothers and wives and homemakers we can be. Some of us have work outside the home that takes precious time away from the endless list of chores that looms overhead as we walk through the door. We constantly feel pulled in every direction and we long for a piece of quiet. Not just peace and quiet. But a piece of quiet. Just a moment. Just a few breaths.  To be able to get off the merry-go-round of life for just a little while and breathe. To enjoy that sunset. To hear the song of the birds. To watch the waves crash onto the shore and take in the warm salty air.  

Life gets so busy and those peaceful moments never come. We long to have our burdens lifted and the things weighing on our minds taken away. We think that if we could only go away for a few days holiday, that things will be better. Life will look brighter.

But if we really think practically and reasonably, we know that although a holiday is nice, the jobs are still there when we return. The overwhelm is there waiting to descend.

Now, I’m not trying to depress you here. But I am a realist. Let’s not beat about the bush, ladies. This here is the facts. Life is a struggle. Overwhelm will come. But how do we keep the overwhelm from overwhelming us? How do we keep our circumstances from defining us? How do we live in chaotic situations without the chaos becoming part of our being?

We do it with the Lords help! You knew I’d say that, didn’t you? Yes. The only way we can keep from being totally overwhelmed is by God’s peace. His perfect peace.

I don’t have any great 10 step programs to lead you through or any quick fixes that promise to bring you instant peace. But I do know, through many trying experiences that God is able to do exceeding above all that we ask or think.

Some of you know that I went through a dark period of overwhelm and anxiety a couple of years ago. What was it that lifted me up from my pit of despair? The one thing that really pulled me through was the Word of God. It was God’s promises that upheld me and drew me to Him closer than ever before.

I’d like to share some of these beautiful Words of scripture with you. I know that most likely, every woman that is reading this post is struggling with something. And if you’re not, then you will. Facts are facts. The Bible is clear on this point.

John 16:33  - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

This verse doesn’t say that you ‘might’ have troubles. It says you WILL. It’s inevitable. But, aren’t you glad that’s not the end of it? The verse goes on to say, “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. Praise the Lord! We have an overcomer! And if I could read this aloud to you right now, I would shout that last statement. WE HAVE AN OVERCOMER!

Here are some precious verses found in the Word of God that may be of some comfort to you as you struggle through the storms of life. I pray that God would speak through them to bring peace to your overwhelmed heart.

God gives rest for our souls

Matthew 11:28-30 - Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

God will guard our hearts and minds

Philippians 4:6-7 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

God is a firm foundation

Psalm 61:2 - From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

God brings peace

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

God is not the author of confusion

1 Corinthians 14:33  - For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

God will never forsake you

Deuteronomy 31:8  - And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

God is strong enough to carry your burdens

1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

God will uphold you

Isaiah 41:10  - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

God will renew your strength

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

There are so many more and maybe in another post I will share a few more gems, but I want to leave you with the verse that spoke to me more than any other verse throughout my time of extreme overwhelm. This verse became so dear to me as I cried it aloud to the Lord, over and over again, on a daily basis. A very tear stained notecard sits on my desk as a reminder of God’s goodness to me and His deliverance at my lowest point.

Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Not only is Christ our overcomer, but we too can be overcomers. We can hold fast to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ when trials come. We can stand strong in the face of battle. We can put on the armour of God and stand against the devil. We can face the overwhelm and triumph over it. We don’t have to live defeated lives. We are not fighting FOR victory, we are fighting FROM victory! God has already won! We just need to be reminded of who is fighting for us and who our overcomer is.

We can pass through the waters and through the fire and God will keep us in the safety of his encircling arms of love. He will hold us fast. God alone can keep you from heading into an anxiety spiral that pulls you down further than you want to go and keeps you longer than you want to stay.

The only way you can fully grasp hold of God’s peace is to totally trust Him. To give ALL your burdens to Him. To lay ALL your cares on Him. Lay them at His feet and step away. Leave them there. Don’t pick them back up. Let God lift the weight off your shoulders. Hold to His promises. Read them. Meditate on them. Share them.

And as God brings that blessed peace back into your life and you feel the overwhelm melt away and the joy grow, give Him all the glory and praise Him for the wonderful and awesome God that He is.

Psalm 109:30  - I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

I’ll leave you to read the words of this beautiful hymn, written in 1906 by Ada Habershon.

He Will Hold Me Fast

(When I Fear My Faith Will Fail)

 

When I fear my faith will fail,

Christ will hold me fast;

When the tempter would prevail,

He can hold me fast!

He will hold me fast,

He will hold me fast;

For my Saviour loves me so,

He will hold me fast. 

I could never keep my hold,

He must hold me fast;

For my love is often cold,

He must hold me fast. 

I am precious in His sight,

He will hold me fast;

Those He saves are His delight,

He will hold me fast.

He'll not let my soul be lost,

Christ will hold me fast;

Bought by Him at such a cost,

He will hold me fast. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Smile at the Storm

Does anyone remember the little children’s chorus, 

With Christ In My Vessel?

With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm,

Smile at the storm, smile at the storm.

With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm

Until He takes me home

Sailing, sailing home, sailing, sailing home

With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm

Until He takes me home

Did you ever take notice of the words. Smile at the storm. Smile. At the storm. Yes, it literally says smile. Often we sing this little chorus, happily performing the actions along with the song, stretching our mouths with our fingers into a smile (is that because we can’t make a real smile?) and riding the storm with our hands in the shape of a boat.

But, it really struck me recently, that the song encourages us to smile at the storm. It doesn’t say, be fearful, fret, worry, get depressed, be anxious. No. It says smile.

How many times do I find myself going through one of life’s storms with a smile on my face? Not very often I have to admit. Okay, so if you stand me on my head, it might look like a smile. But, no, it’s often a frown. A creased forehead from worry, the corners of my mouth turned down, my bottom lip dragging.

The key to the smile is who is in the vessel with us. Christ. With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm. When we have Christ in our lives, walking beside us each step of the way, leading us through stormy times, we can have that smile. Not a fake smile, not a forced smile, but a real smile! A heart of peace and true joy. Don’t confuse joy with happiness. They’re not the same thing. True joy comes from within. It comes from the hope we have in Christ.

We can smile because we’re on our way home. Sailing home to the place the Lord has prepared for us, where we will live with Him forever, worshipping at His feet, praising Him all day, every day. We have an eternal home. We have a home ahead to look forward to.

The storms we face here on this earth are only temporary. Eventually the calm comes. Often in the Bible we read, “And it came to pass…” usually meaning, ‘and then this happened’. But I like to think of this phrase as I’ve heard others refer to it, “It came to pass, it didn’t come to stay”. Things come to pass in our lives, but they don’t come to stay. God brings us through the trial, testing our faith, shaping and molding us and then He takes the storm away and moves forward.

Sometimes it feels as if we are hit by one storm after the other. Never getting any relief. But the Devil would have us focus our attention on our circumstances, on the rising winds around us. He doesn’t want us to trust in the Lord. He wants us to blame the Lord for our problems and give up on our faith. He NEVER wants us to smile at the storm.

This verse keeps coming to my attention as I read through my Bible, or as I’m listening to a sermon and I don’t seem to be able to get away from it.

2 Corinthians 4:8

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

I think the Lord is trying to remind me that I can be troubled, I can be confused, but I don’t need to be distressed or in despair. He is in control. There were many storms in the Apostle Paul’s life, and yet he could say with confidence, ‘I am not distressed or in despair’.

James tells us to count our trials and testings as joy.

James 1:2-3

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

I love how in the book of Mark we read of the great storm that arose on the sea as the disciples were sailing across, and we find the Lord Jesus asleep in the boat.

Mark 4:37-38

  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow…..

That’s right. Asleep. The storm was raging all around Him, the waves so high that the water was in the boat with them, and we find the Lord asleep. During the storm. Not AFTER the storm. DURING.

That’s how God would have us be. Asleep in the storm. I don’t mean physically asleep. I know that would be nice, to be able to just sleep right through the trial and wake up to find everything okay again. But no. Asleep. As in, at peace. Resting in peace, knowing that God is at work and directing the way the storm manifests itself. Being able to smile at the storm, with true joy in our hearts.

I love this verse in Psalms.

Psalm 4:8

 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

The storm you may be facing right now is there to make you stronger. To help you to grow. To purify you. And often, God sends a storm of affliction into your life so that you may be able to help someone along the way that will go through the exact same thing and will need someone who has walked that path before them to help them through their storm. Encouraging them with Words of Scripture and relating your own personal experience so that you can be a comfort to them in their time of need.

Smiling at the storm is not an easy thing to do. But it is a choice. And we can choose to smile or to frown. We choose how we respond to each of the storms in our lives. We choose whether we want to bring glory to God’s name by our response or whether we want to tarnish our testimony and drag God’s name through the mud by our lack of faith.

Storms really can make or break us. It’s up to us. God is still faithful, never changing. Always present. Never forsaking us. The smile on our face is decided by the peace in our hearts. And that peace is determined by how much we are trusting in the Lord. Trust requires faith. It requires us to let go. To step out into an unknown future and trust our lives to a known God.

How much do you know God? Do you know Him well enough to know you can trust Him? Through every storm that He sends your way? Do you know Him enough to trust Him fully? Do you know Him enough to be able to smile at the storm and sail home in His boat of protection and love?

Smile at the storm, until He takes you home.