0 Comments
Frustration...Yes I am talking to you! Frustration....you got the best of me the other day. I was mentally exhausted from problem solving. I was worried about a presentation. And frustration, you sensed it. You got into my mind, my heart, every single bone. Yes...I was completely frustrated...everyone could see it on my face. You had me so wrapped up in what I couldn’t control, that it affected me. I let you weave your way into my mind and you had me doubting my purpose. You took over my tongue and it was filled negatively and complaining. Yes, I gave into you, frustration. For an hour, I let you win. For that hour, I took my eyes off of God. I forgot about my purpose. I forgot about my passion for teaching. I was swallowed up in everything that was going wrong...that I didn’t see anything that was going right. I literally had a crushed spirit. I am not sure if you can relate or not, but seriously, how easy is it to give into frustration? It is terribly difficult to not give in to frustration. Looking back, I wish I would have just stepped away. I wish I would have taken a moment to pause. I wish I would have taken a moment and looked at all the good things going on around me. If I had done that, I want to think I would have triumphed over you, frustration. Psalm 34:17-18 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. Isn’t it reassuring that “if we are kicked in the gut” or “crushed in spirit” He is going to be there to help us and rescue us? That is exactly what God did for me the other day. I needed to step away from the circumstances and when I did, God was there pouring out blessings. He had me back on track. I opened my eyes with a thankful heart. I don’t have to give in to frustration. I just need to realize, my purpose is to serve, my purpose is to encourage, my purpose is not worrying about what I cannot control. How awesome is it to know that no matter how many times I give in to frustration, God will be there helping me catch my breath. But next time when I sense frustration starting to weave into my thoughts, I am going to look up and say this little prayer: Heavenly Father, open my eyes to the blessings around me. Help me overcome these feelings of frustration and worry. Calm my anxious thoughts and give me peace as I continue completing the tasks before me. In your loving name. Amen. Next time, frustration, I am going to defeat you. (Sidenote: My dear friend would call this being brave. This is definitely being brave AND a leap of faith!) Moses didn’t think he was qualified to do what God called him to do because he couldn’t speak fluently. In Exodus 4:12 the Lord responds, “Now then, go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” Jeremiah did think he was qualified to be a leader, because he was too young. In Jeremiah 1:7-8, The Lord tells him, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.” Authors are qualified to write, right? Have you ever tried to write a book? I think it is hard. I have a very, I mean VERY black and white brain. I like numbers. Writers are creative. Word flow elegantly from their hearts and minds. All this goes without saying, I think I have a few creative bones in my body, just not a creative writer. I do, however, have these God-given nudges to take a leap of faith into this world of writing...so here it goes, a gigantic leap into the unknown. A blank page waiting for me to fill it. God qualifies the called. Take a moment to reflect, has God been nudging your heart to do something? Have you thought, I can’t do that, or I don’t have the time or are you sure there isn’t someone better out there? Well, these thoughts along with, "I am afraid what happens if I fail" have challenged God’s nudging for over a year. Here’s the thing, God qualifies the called, He isn’t asking me to be qualified to write a devotional. He is asking me to take the first step and then He will guide me along with the process. I firmly believe God is calling me on this adventure or he wouldn’t keep pressing my heart. As followers of Christ, we are called to be risk takers. We are called to go outside our comfort zone. We will encounter the doubting thoughts and the fear of the unknown, however we need to ignore these thoughts, as hard as it may be. These thoughts come from Satan, not wanting the Holy Spirit to move in us. The Holy Spirit will stretch our minds and mold us into being stronger believers...to develop a deeper relationship with God. It is never too late to accomplish God’s will, we just had to be willing to take the first step. |
ShellyGod first, wife second, mother of 3, third. Someone who loves cinnamon bears, serving others, nachos, technology, and exercising. Archives
November 2020
Categories |