“Water.” I say with a measure of finality.
“Water and mountains. Or fog and mountains. Or Rain! But there has to be a front porch and coffee involved, and preferably somewhere ‘away’.”
These are things I often say to myself when I am tired or stressed. Yes, when I am definitely stressed! And stress has been a frequent visitor of mine lately, so much so, I think he has taken up residence for the time being.
It is hard for me not to feel this way, especially since most of my life I have lived as if I am on my own to figure everything out, to make a way. When you add in a wife and a little girl, the feeling just skyrockets sometimes. No wonder stress has decided to move in and stay a while.
BUT WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON?
When I choose to look below the surface, when I take time to breathe and check my emotional pulse, then I start to find something else going on that has been hidden for a long time it's become so normal. These are feelings of betrayal, anger, frustration, and hopelessness.
When my job is going well; when I have enough money; when it feels like things in life are moving in a positive direction, then it is easy for me to believe I am doing something right or God is for me. But when these things aren’t happening, like being stuck in a dead end job...again. Or, not being able to raise support very well for a trip you are sure you heard God tell you to go to. Well, that is when these feelings surface again.
These are some of my triggers. These life events trigger certain reactions, and those reactions are tied to my beliefs. Pull on the string of the triggered emotion, and I can usually, in time, explain why I feel that way in the moment. It is usually tied to mistrust in some way towards God’s ability to take care of me, despite myself. Because in this world of mine, I am responsible for my own well-being...and now my family.
Drumroll…...
I DON’T ACTUALLY TRUST GOD!
THERE! I said it...
And this is why I am stressed. I constantly feel I have to do it on my own to make it happen. Or the verse that says “With God, some things are possible. And those that aren’t, I must find a way”. This is often how I actually live! I don’t actually believe the real thing, so I change it to fit my circumstances or my beliefs based on how I see the world.
So, suffice it to say, this is a root of mine that I am learning how to dig up and replace with truth. That is all this is! They are lies that I have made in agreement in believing, and God is after complete freedom in my heart! He knows when I have freedom, my heart and life is more fully His!
And these circumstances that betray the reality of my own soul, while really difficult to face, are really good things! God puts his finger on certain areas that he wants to address, and in the process, I get the chance to partner with Him in the solution. It is all about the process of me becoming more like Jesus anyways.
What are these triggers for you?
What is God pinpointing in your own life?
He is after your heart and greater freedom in your life.
And God knows what we need even before we ask Him! So take some time to step back away from the busyness and talk with Him it. Listen to what He says. And just do it!
Friday, September 21, 2018
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Keep Fighting, by Will
Over the past month I've heard the word "weary" used to describe my life and situation a lot. "physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc.; fatigued; tired" I think that's a really good descriptor. I'm in the midst of a battle that seems to be never ending, and I've had about all of it I can take.
As I've discovered my God given identity and begun to embrace who He has made me to be, I've been intentional about seeking discipleship to grow and develop the characteristics that define my name. The key verse God gave me is 1 Peter 5.1-11, and one of the five themes I've identified from that passage is "Endure Suffering" (you can read more about the themes I've discovered on my personal blog, Fighting Lions, click my picture on the left and you will be linked to my blog).
Last month I met with one of the two pastors I've asked to intentionally invest in my life over the next year. As we discussed what's been going on and what I'm looking to do, we began to talk about suffering, and how we press forward through it. As we met he asked me to read Proverbs 24.16, "For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity." (and no, it doesn't mean that the eighth time we can stay on the ground). The man who is rooted in God can endure because he isn't living alone. He can face adversity over, and over, and over again because he isn't living in his own strength but God.
Ephesians 6.10-13 tells us, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."
The struggles we face are not flesh and blood, but spiritual. Paul says, in 2 Timothy 2.26, that people are ensnared and held captive by the devil to do his work, and so the battles we fight are spiritual; the warfare we are engaged in is spiritual. The only way we endure is by drawing strength from God.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40.28-31)
It is only in God that we can stand firm.
It is only in God that we can endure suffering and hardship.
It is only in God that our strength is renewed.
It is only in God that we can keep fighting.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
As I've discovered my God given identity and begun to embrace who He has made me to be, I've been intentional about seeking discipleship to grow and develop the characteristics that define my name. The key verse God gave me is 1 Peter 5.1-11, and one of the five themes I've identified from that passage is "Endure Suffering" (you can read more about the themes I've discovered on my personal blog, Fighting Lions, click my picture on the left and you will be linked to my blog).
Last month I met with one of the two pastors I've asked to intentionally invest in my life over the next year. As we discussed what's been going on and what I'm looking to do, we began to talk about suffering, and how we press forward through it. As we met he asked me to read Proverbs 24.16, "For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity." (and no, it doesn't mean that the eighth time we can stay on the ground). The man who is rooted in God can endure because he isn't living alone. He can face adversity over, and over, and over again because he isn't living in his own strength but God.
Ephesians 6.10-13 tells us, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."
The struggles we face are not flesh and blood, but spiritual. Paul says, in 2 Timothy 2.26, that people are ensnared and held captive by the devil to do his work, and so the battles we fight are spiritual; the warfare we are engaged in is spiritual. The only way we endure is by drawing strength from God.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40.28-31)
It is only in God that we can stand firm.
It is only in God that we can endure suffering and hardship.
It is only in God that our strength is renewed.
It is only in God that we can keep fighting.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
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