Day 14 - Draw the Circle - Speak to the Mountain

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Theme:  Quit talking to God about your problem and start talking to your problem about God.

WHAT DID YOU HEAR?
My problems should fear my God.  Jesus is by my side so I don't face them alone.  With the Holy Spirit in me, I AM a conquerer. 

So stop acting like none of this is true.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Since we got rid of cable, my family and I love to watch a YouTube channel called Good Mythical Morning.  (Rhett and Link are Christian guys who, although not overt about their faith on the show, have produced a program our family can watch together.  They make us all laugh so we really enjoy them!)  They had one segment called "The Unluckiest Man on Earth".  It was about a man whose life seemed to be filled with tragedy after being in a train wreck, he's in an airplane that fails and he gets hit by a bus, and these are only a few things that happen! Over and over these things tragedies seem to follow him...but he survives each time.  As you watch this segment, you begin to realize he was actually the LUCKIEST man, and later in life, so does he. 

I think for people it's easy to focus on the tragedy of things, especially when it seems like there are a series of relentless hardships.  I know I've been like that, especially these last several months.  Medical issues, financial hardships, illness, the house breaking down and a sudden death have all conspired in making me feel PRESSED.  It's not been easy.

I'm realizing, however, that my focus on these CHALLENGES is a short-sighted endeavor.  As I examine the aftermath of each stressor, I also see a trail of miracles.  Yes, miracles are happening, even now.  Certainly, there are still issues that need resolution but in each case, God has revealed Himself as The One in Charge.  In illness, He's brought healing and solutions. In despair, He's provided hope. In want, He's brought provision.  God is AWARE and ACTIVE in these problems. 

So in all of this, am I a woman living in hardship or am I favored and deeply loved? YES.  Living in a fallen world is the opposite of paradise. While we are here, we will navigate our way through weakness, temptation, scarcity, rejection, injustice and tragedy.  Yes, it's hard but NOT IMPOSSIBLE.  With God as our guide, Jesus as our companion and the Holy Spirit as our counselor...oh beloved.  It's HOPEFUL. It's JOYFUL.  THESE things are what's relentless.

Beloved, when you are faced with the spirit of hardship, look over its shoulder, and keep your eyes on the Father.  He's already at work on mercy, the miracle, the redemption.   God is good, all the time.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Look at hardship with the expectation of blessing.

NOW TALK TO GOD...
Father, forgive me when I don't look for You. Forgive me when I forget who You are or I diminish what You're capable of in my hopelessness.  Lord, give me eyes that seek the blessing in all things. Grant me a humble heart fortified by Your son, Jesus. Give me a voice that praises You in all circumstances. Help me give it all to you. Lord, in my flesh, I am weak. I need You, Father. Thank You for coming to my rescue over and over again, even when I don't deserve it.  Never let me fall off Your hand. In Jesus' mighty name, amen.