When the going gets tough you should...

Fam... it's been a looooong minute. Long, long, long minute. And to be honest God has been telling me to get back into blogging, but I have been well... not been listening. 🙉🙈

But hey, anyway, here I am now.

I feel like for the past couple months I have just been processing some areas of growth, healing, and maturation that have been occurring in my life.

God has had me sitting in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Joshua for the past 8 months. I remember back in January the question popped into my head:

How is it that a people group, loved and chosen by God could be given such a lavish promise, have such grand miracles performed on their behalf--like the parting of the Red Sea-- and still miss the Promise Land? God show me how not to be like them.

Little did I know he was actually listening to my request. HA! And as I was reading through these Books in the Old Testament I realized that people group that was so loved and chosen by God that was dead set on missing the Promise Land could very easily be me or you!

Funny how God shows you yourself, but it is all in love 🥰.

...because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

-Hebrews 12:6

A couple lessons the Lord has been teaching me in this season of growth, healing and maturation are:

WHEN GOD TELLS YOU TO FORGIVE OTHERS THAT INCLUDES YOURSELF.

God tells us:

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

-Colossians 3:13

When we don't forgive others it hardens our heart and produces bitterness. Hebrews 12:14-15.

And we know that out of the heart flows all the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23.

So unforgiveness towards one person will catch fire and ablaze areas in your life you never intended for it to touch.

Also unforgiveness blocks our blessings and breakthrough.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and then you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

-Matthew 5:23-24

Our offering, our worship, our sacrifice at the altar lets God know our heart choses Him. That we want to honor Him and praise Him. God loves our offerings unto Him. It is a fragrant and pleasing sacrifice. But, before that is even received God wants us to forgive!

Not just that person, but YOURSELF!

TRUST WHAT GOD TOLD YOU. HE DID NOT FORGET. HE DID NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, AND HIS PLAN FOR YOU IS STILL GOOD.

I found myself doubting so many decisions. Doubting if God truly did speak to me and wondering if my mistakes of the past were live in action again.

I would talk to God and He would remind me and reassure me, "babygirl, you are on the right path; do not doubt." But I would continually find myself referring back to the past and sit in a place of fear of repeating the past despite what God said.

(Again, unforgiveness will infect areas of your life you never intended for it to touch.)

But, we can look at God's track record and know that He is good.

He never lies or changes His mind. Number 23:19

He's a Good Father who loves you. 1 John 4:9-10

He wants to give you a beautiful life. Jeremiah 29:11

Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

-Joshua 21:45

We can trust that if we are following after His heart and hear Him well, His plans will come to pass, and they are good plans, indeed!

KNOW THAT THE GOD IN YOU WILL BE SEEN AS OPPOSITION OR A THREAT TO SOME.

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

-John 15:18-19

There is nothing wrong with you, sis.

You are right on target! Keep doing you! Keep loving! Keep serving! Keep forgiving! Keep keeping your heart open to God and others!

And know that God protects His own. PERIODT!

When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

-Proverbs 16:7

Do not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

-Psalm 91:5-7

The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands.

-Joshua 21:44

As I've been travailing through this season, God remind me. "Babygirl, you are going to be okay. I love you dearly. It is going to be okay."

It reminds me of how we talk to our little children or nephews/nieces. And we are like that to God--His little babies. 👶🏻👶🏼👶🏽👶🏾👶🏿

I am reminded of this analogy.

When a baby is fussy or cries what does the parent do. Attend to him or her. Give them milk to drink, pick them up and rock them, clean their diaper.

Does the baby resist? Can the baby even over power the parent and prevent the parent from caring for him or her?

It's not possible. God wants us to be His babies too. To rest in His care. To trust His care. To not resist His care.

He loves us too much to harm us or see us go astray.

So I would like for you to try this tonight. After listening to this message below. Find a quiet stop in your home and just go before God, "here I am Daddy." And just vibe. He will blow your mind with His love and affection for you.

Cheers to you and cheers to you trusting God more with every fiber in your being. We can do it with Christ as our help. 💪🏾

XOXO,

Jenn