In the middle of the pain and the promise

For the past few weeks, I’ve been feeling like I’m at a crossroads. I know it’s time for something to happened, but I’m unsure as to what is to happened. My son has been settled at his new school for about a month now, and things with that are going great. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to get my regular schedule at work back, however, I still feel something needs to be done, and I’m just not sure what.

 I’ve been exhausting all my natural resources, looking for different jobs, sending my resume, everything.  James 2:26 says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”  People love to throw that scripture around, but often times we are putting our faith and our works into the wrong thing.  We end up relying on our own strength, and our own “connections” and idea’s. When we need to only rely on God! At times it’s hard to remember that; when you have bills due, people calling your phone, or people in your face trying to put pressure on you, do to things that you might not be able to do at the moment. Admit it, sometimes we buckle under pressure, and just try to do, do, do. Often times, we just do on our own strength without praying, and seeking God’s face. (Thank God that his grace covers us, wherever we go, and even in those moments we do things without seeking him or praying to him about it.)

Yesterday at church I heard from God exactly what I needed to hear. Rev. Bush preached a sermon “How do you handle your red sea?” Using Exodus 14:10-14 gas the text. I could relate to the text perfectly. I might not be chased by a real life Pharaoh on a chariot, but I’m being chased by other forms of Pharaoh. At times I feel like the Children of Israel, in between the Red Sea and Pharaoh and his army. The message you receive from this is so profound (to me), because we find ourselves in situations like this even today. We find ourselves in situations where our back is up against the wall. We are unsure of what step to take next. We feel like God isn’t speaking to us. We contemplate going back to what God just took us from. We become intimidated, fearful and doubtful because of our uncertainties. 

These are things we feel or think about even as Christians. I can’t stress enough that being a Christian doesn’t mean problems stop coming your way. Abiding with Christ doesn’t mean you’re going to stop being tested, tempted or tired.  Christians go through things, just like everyone else, we aren’t exempt. The only difference is we are covered by the blood. We have an expected end. We have a Lord and savior that we can rely on and depend on, and go to in our times of trial. We have a God that gives us the peace that surpasses ALL our understandings. We have unspeakable joy even in the midst of our storms! Never said trials wouldn’t come!

Also we have to remember what we are here for. We are here not only here to go ye into all the nations and make disciples, but we are here to give God glory. Sometimes we go through certain situations in order for God to get the glory! Our trials are not always just for us (learning experiences, faith building), but for other people to see God’s power! Don’t be so quick to “get out” of your situation that you miss what God is doing, how he is working and whom he is reaching with your situation.( don't do things, because other people have a problem with where you are in your life. Allow God to lead and guide you on his time. Everything is done in season. If you leave a season to get into another one too early, problems could arise, just like if you stay longer than you should. Be led by the Holy Spirit.)

 -I had someone tell me this past weekend that I was going to continue to have “bad luck”, because I didn’t do what they wanted me to do. I rebuked that in the name of Jesus, firstly because we don’t have luck good or bad. We are blessed. Secondly, I know that everything I go through is not just for me. I know that my life is a testament as to what God can do. When you say “Use me Lord for your glory”, God is going to do just that! Don’t let how people view your situation deter you or cause you to doubt what you KNOW God is doing in/ with your life. When you know your life is NOT your own and that God allows certain things to happen, don’t receive anything that contradicts what you know God is doing.-

Exodus 14:13-14 “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which we will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace”

If you continue to read the rest of the chapter you will see God did just as Moses said he would. All the Children of Israel had to do was stand still. Same goes for us, we need to stand still and let God do what he said he was going to do, we need to get out of our own way and let God be God. We have to stop doing things on our own strength, stop contemplating, stop doubting, and stop being fearful. We have to just trust God. Regardless of the situation we are facing we need to always seek ye first the kingdom of God!

Stand still to see the glory

Stand still to see the plan

Stand still to see the promise

If we just allow God to move when he’s ready to move we will see his glory, we will see his power. Then we will be able to see his plan. Often times we get frustrated and stress because we don’t know God’s plan. If we just stood still long enough to let him work, we would see it. We already know he has plans for us to prosper, so why not be still and allow his plan to unfold on his time? Once we do these things, surely we will see the promise of The Lord! Just as the Children of Israel stood still and saw what Moses told them right before their eye, we can experience that too. “He’ll fight my battles, if I just keep still”. He really will!

Don’t be alarmed when evil pursues you, soon the “chariot wheels” will fall off, soon they will “drown” in the every things used to intimidate you. Just stand still and let God be God!

I pray this helped you, as it helped me. The word of God is truly amazing, and when we find ourselves in certain situations it’s imperative that we go to the bible, and study. The same God that delivered the children of Israel from Pharaoh can deliver you also. Will you trust him?

"This stress test, this stress stress I’m in the middle of the pain, and my promise, in the wilderness, where my best, don't mean nothing all I can do is trust you to deliver me, out of my own mess, in the middle of it all Kadesh"- Kadesh, by Mali Music

If you love someone tell them.

I love you

Destaynee