Sometimes God Says Wait

I am an imperfect human loved by a perfect God, and I am impatient. Sometimes, God says no, and sometimes He says yes. However, sometimes He says wait.

[worshipgifs]

[sometimesgodsayswait]

New Year, Improved Me

2016 was trash. Well, that may be a little bit of an exaggeration. 2016 could not have been that bad because it was the year of graduation, a new job, a new move, new friends, and, all in all, new adventures. However, 2016 was also the year of setbacks, disappointments and failures. While I am grateful that God blessed me tremendously in 2016, I cannot help but think back and think of how there was so much that I missed out on because of my willingness to give up, lack of faith, and sin. But, thank God for His grace and mercy. 

As with the start of every new year, I have spent time to reflect upon how I want to grow in 2017. Again, I took up the challenge to simply focus on, “one word that centers on my character and creates a vision for my future.” The purpose is to choose a word that represents what I hope God will do for me this year. By focusing on this word, instead of multiple resolutions, the hope is that I will embody this term, in all that I do, by the end of the year. Therefore, for 2017, my one word resolution is CONSISTENT.

adjective  con·sis·tent \kən-ˈsis-tənt\

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines consistent as:

marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction 

marked by agreement : compatible 

showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom 

In 2016, my desire was to be more persistent, and I struggled. I still desire to be more persistent, and want to learn how to do so by being consistent. I want to be consistent in my walk with God, praying and reading regularly. I want to be be consistent in my physical, spiritual, and financial goals, regularly spending time on such activities that allow me to work towards specific goals. I want to be consistent in my faith, whether I am facing adversity or not. Finally, I want to be consistent in my emotions, being joyful in every situation and not being so moody! 

My desire in 2017 is to be more reliable and stable. I do not want to self-sabotage my success. I want to start the year strong, and end the year strong, in the hopes to be more disciplined, determined and faithful at the end. 

2017, here’s to the best year yet!

[sometimesgodsayswait]

New Year, Same Me

In the beginning of 2016, I vowed to do better. Specifically, I vowed to persist--to continue firmly or obstinately in an opinion or a course of action in spite of difficulty, oppositions, or failure. I declared that I would not give up on myself, my goals, my blog, and most importantly, on God.

Now, here we are, 84% into 2016, and I have spent the better half of the year haven given up on myself, my goals, and my God. 

though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand --Psalm 37:24

But God, thankfully, did not give up on me. I have spent the majority of the year transitioning--transitioning to a new state, new statuses, and a new job. Each transition, difficulty, and trial made me realize that I did not have much faith in what God could do for me in my life. I began to accept that things would just be as they would be, and I had no desire to want to do better. 

So the pounds racked up, the devotions were left unread, and I began to find comfort and hope in things and people that gave me temporary ‘happiness,’ but left me more aware of the gaping hole that I had for God and His love.

Sometime during the summer of 2016, I decided to begin again (cause I gave up on that too) on my goal to read 12 books in 2016. As I was walking the aisles at Barnes & Noble, the title God is Not Mad at You immediately caught my eye. I knew that I was not where I wanted to be, but I felt too ashamed and disappointed in myself to return to the Father. 

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. --Psalms 103: 12-14

As I read the book, I was reminded of God’s character, His grace, mercy, and forgiveness, that does not change even if we continue on the right path. I was also reminded that, “unbelief makes us miserable and steals every blessing that God desires for us...” So, with the little faith I had, I decided to surrender and to start trusting God to do some major things in my life. 

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.--Hebrews 11:1

So, when God led me to accept a new position halfway across the country, away from my friends and family members, I did so... with faith that God had great plans for me there. With the help of some wonderful friends and my sister, I began, again, reading, studying, and praying with the belief and power that God would answer my requests, including sending me constant encouragement to not give up...which he has answered. For example, this was in my devotion today:

“Your gravest danger is giving up: ceasing to believe I can still do wondrous new things in you and your world. Your assignment is to keep moving forward in trusting dependence on Me. Stop focusing on obstacles you might encounter, and concentrate on staying in touch with Me." 

So, now on Day 309/366, I will recommit to my 2016 goal--I will persist. As I said before: 2016 will be the year of not giving up on myself and not giving up on my goals.I will continue to write and post even when my work schedule gets busy. I will not quit when I feel like I cannot do something. I will continue to workout even if it does not seem like I am making progress towards my goals. I will not give up on God when I think He is not moving fast enough. 

Hey, better late than never, right? 

[eternalyouthco]

[thebridgechicago]

Why would God desert you, after giving His Son as a ransom to free you? Your future is secure. No matter how it looks, no matter how it feels, it is certain. And it’s good.

Glen Fitzjerrell (via kvtes)

[sometimesgodsayswait]

God is a Father

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? --Matthew 6:26

What words come to mind when you think about your father? When I think about my father, I think about someone who is always there for me, someone who protects me, someone who provides for me, loves me, and wants the best for me. I know that my dad will support me and encourage me when I come to him hurt, troubled, or afraid. I have no doubt that my father loves me, and I trust that he will take care of all my needs. 

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.--Matthew 7:9-11

For someone who holds their earthly father in such high regard, I do not understand why it is sometimes hard for me to think of God, my Father, so positively. I trust that my dad will take care of me, with his limited resources, so why do I lack in the Creator of Heaven and Earth. I never doubt that my father loves me, but why do I sometimes doubt the love of God? Why do I sometimes question whether He really knows what is best for me? It is astonishing to realize how many lies I believe about God and His character. Today, I am going to reflect on the significance of God being my Father. I am a child a God and He loves me dearly. 

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! --1 John 3:1a

[sometimesgodsayswait]

God is Forgiving

Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. --Micah 7:18

One of the hardest things to do is to turn back to God after delighting in sin. Particularly when I have succumbed to temptation, for what seems to be the 1000th time, it is hard for me to stop wallowing in self-defeat and have hope that I will ever overcome these battles. Over the years, I have convinced myself that God wants nothing to do with me after I commit certain acts or fail to ‘live up to his expectation.’ So, hopeless and disappointed, I continue to spiral down my created path of iniquity, shame, and despair. 

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. --1 John 1:9

But, if we confess our sins, God  God can and does forgive us. 

for·give

verb

stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake.

synonyms:pardon, excuse, exonerate, absolve

cancel (a debt).

Just as it is hard to truly believe that God loves me because of who He is (and not what I do), it is hard to fathom that God truly does forgive us of our sins...ALL of our sins, from lying to fornication to murder. He forgives us of them all. I do not deserve this forgiveness, but I am grateful for it. God is who He says He is, regardless of what I do. My job is to believe Him, trust Him, forgive myself, and, importantly, confess my sins, and repent. God will take care of the rest. 

He does not punish us for all our sins;    he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him    is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us    as the east is from the west. --Psalm 103:10-12

[spiritualinspiration2]

[sometimesgodsayswait]

God is Love

The Lord is gracious and merciful,    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. --Psalm 103:8

As the years have progressed, I have come to realize that my opinion of God’s love is often negatively influenced by the ‘love’ shown to me by others. Sure, I know that God loves me, but it has been hard to differentiate His love from the love I have been shown by others who have claimed to ‘love’ me. Those individuals have ‘loved’ me, and used me, hurt me, abused me, abandoned me, and eventually rejected me. So, in the back of my mind, I think I anticipate that, at the end of the day, God will treat me the same way. 

However, God is perfect and His love far exceeds the love humans, in their sinful nature, are capable of delivering and experiencing. The scripture notes that God is gracious and merciful. 

gra·cious

adjective

(in Christian belief) showing divine grace  (unmerited or undeserving favor of God to those who are under condemnation) synonyms:merciful, compassionate, kind; forgiving, lenient, clement, forbearing,humane, tenderhearted, sympathetic; indulgent, generous,magnanimous, benign, benevolent

mer·ci·ful

adjective

showing or exercising mercy  synonyms:forgiving, compassionate, clement, pitying, forbearing, lenient, humane,mild, kind, softhearted, tenderhearted, gracious, sympathetic,humanitarian, liberal, tolerant, indulgent, generous, magnanimous, benign,benevolent have mercy on, have pity on, show mercy to, spare, pardon, forgive, be lenient to

Regardless of who we are and what sins we commit, God does not treat us how we deserve. Instead, he is compassionate, forgiving, lenient, tolerant, and even put in a divine plan to sacrifice His only Son to save us from our sins. I have to truly come to realize that a God who is gracious, merciful, and full of unfailing love will never use me, hurt me, abuse me, abandon me, or reject me if I am diligently seeking Him. I cannot judge His love based on how I have been treated by others. Although it is truly hard to comprehend His love, it is truly unconditional and unfailing. He wholeheartedly loves me, and His love is dependable and constant. His love does not disappear if I make a mistake. He will not one day decide to no longer love me. He will not leave me. I have to stop thinking such lies about God and His love and trust that He loves me as much as He says He does. Besides, if I really sit down and think about it, my life is evidence that He really does. 

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. --John 3:16-17

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. --Romans 8:38-39

[sometimesgodsayswait]

God is...?

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. --Deuteronomy 6:5

For the past few weeks, I have been reading Lady in Waiting: Becoming God’s Best While You Wait for Mr. Right by Jackie Kendall with one of my sisters. I am sure I will write multiple blog posts about this book in weeks to come (it is amazing, by the way!), but I want to focus on one particular concept today--becoming a “Lady of Devotion,” a woman after God’s own heart. However, in order to love God completely, I must know exactly who He is. 

This week, I was challenged to assess the beliefs and assumptions I currently hold about God and his character. This originally seemed like an easy task-- God is loving, kind, gracious, omnipotent, merciful...I even refer to Him as my Father, so of course I assume He takes care of me. However, upon further examination, I realized that, I do not always think of God positively, or that I even believe He is always loving, kind, and gracious. He may exhibit those qualities to others, but not always to me. My thoughts and responses to God when I am under spiritual attack, facing tribulations, or just not getting what I want, indicate that I do not always hold God in such high regard. 

“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” --Genesis 3:4-5

The author reminded me that Satan’s first attack on humans involved “destroying Eve’s confidence” in God’s character. And although the enemy has been around for centuries, many of his tactics and strategies remain the same. He does not want us to truly understand and know the depth of God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy. The enemy does not want us to view God as our Father, able to provide all of our needs, and to trust in His wisdom and direction. Can you imagine how unstoppable we would be if we truly believed God is who He says He is? 

“Your past experiences, present circumstances, or your parents’ devotion or lack thereof may cause you have an incorrect view of God. But nothing and no one can give you a clearer picture of the true God than slipping under His wings and discovering for yourself who God really is, the refuge for which you love. He desires for you to come again ‘into the garden’ and walk with Him in complete fellowship. This is the fullness of devotion”

Who do you really think God is? Do you believe He is The Almighty He says He is (Revelation 1:8), or do you doubt His goodness and love? Do you believe that God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good (Psalms 100:5, 136:1)? Do you believe that God is faithful and will protect you from the enemy (2 Thessalonians 3:3)? Do you truly believe that God is Jehovah Jireh, a Provider (Genesis 22:14), Jehovah Rapha, a Healer (Exodus 15:26), Jehovah Shalom, your Peace (Judges 6:24)? I could go on and on, but do you truly believe God is who He says He is?

I know that I hold an imperfect view of a perfect God. This week, I am going to challenge those distortions by studying who God says He is in His Word, and I would encourage you all to join me! I am looking forward to falling in love with God all over again.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. --Ephesians 3:18

[sometimesgodsayswait]

Keep on Knocking

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” –Matthew 7:7-8

When I was younger, I used to hate when my parents dragged me to door-to-door evangelistic efforts. As we walked around, knocking on each door, I got excited when someone did not answer the door after two or three knocks. At which time, I would just walk away, even though I heard the TV on in the background or sounds of commotion inside. Yes, I have a longstanding history of giving up too easily. That is not news. However, God recently revealed to me that I have the same trifling, lackadaisical approach to my prayer requests and prayer life.

Every weekday, I start the morning on the prayer line with one (or two) of my closest friends. The conversation usually goes something like this:

My friend: So, what are your prayer requests?

Me: Well, my friend is having a procedure done on Friday and needs prayers. I am also waiting to hear back regarding the position I applied for.

Her: Okay, well what about your friend’s health…you mentioned that a few weeks ago?

Me (Thinking): Yeah, well we prayed for that already Me: Okay, yes, she’s made some progress but she’s still not 100%. Definitely keep her in your prayers.

Her: Okay, my prayer request are… (lists multiple prayer requests that have been ‘on’ the line for weeks, maybe months now). Oh, and praise report, my coworker finally got the job we were prayer for! I told her we would take her prayer request off the line, but she told me to keep praying for her!

I never really understood the significance of continually praying for something until recently. Yes, God knows all our prayer requests and the Holy Spirit even intercedes on our behalf in our weakness (Romans 8:26), but there is power in continuing to pray for something. The act alone demonstrates faith that God will answer.

As my father taught me, unimpressed with my willingness to give up so easily on our evangelistic pursuits, people eventually come to the door if you keep knocking on it. Eventually, you will find what you are looking for if you keep searching for it. Keep on praying and asking God to fulfill your requests and eventually, God will give you want you ask for.

Now, I recognize God is not a genie who will grant us every wish just because we keep praying for it. However, I do believe that He will grant us our needs and heart’s desires that fall within His will. I cannot just pray for something once or twice and deem that an acceptable amount of time to ask God to do something in my life, or the lives of my friends.

“Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for.” –Matthew 7:7a

…And if he does not, He will at least answer the door to tell you he something different in mind. Because, frankly, sometimes God says no. Nevertheless, trust that only means He has something even greater in store for you and your life.

[sometimesgodsayswait]

New Year, Better Me

This year, instead of creating a long list of New Year’s resolutions, I was challenged to simply focus on, “one word that centers on your character and creates a vision for your future.” The purpose is to choose a word that represents what I hope God will do for me this year. By focusing on this word, instead of multiple resolutions, the hope is that I will embody this term, in all that I do, by the end of the year. For 2016, my one word resolution is to PERSIST.

per·sist

/pərˈsist/

verb

continue firmly or obstinately in an opinion or a course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition, or failure.

If you have been following me for any amount of time, you know that I have a tendency to give up. I give up on my workout and eating plans, any amount of difficult work I have to complete, and even with friendships and relationships. Things get difficult or are just taking too long (in my book) and that is usually the end of that for me. I also have a bad habit of giving up in various, difficult situations, losing faith that God will do what He promised He would do. 

In 2015, I was a quitter. In 2016, I will be persistent. 

2016 will be the year of not giving up on myself and not giving up on my goals.I will continue to write and post even when my work schedule gets busy. I will not quit when I feel like I cannot do something. I will continue to workout even if it does not seem like I am making progress towards my goals. I will not give up on God when I think He is not moving fast enough. 

In 2015, I was a quitter. In 2016, I will be persistent.

I am constantly in a state of waiting, waiting for God to answer prayers or waiting for Him to reveal His next step for my life. Despite the circumstances around me, I need to continue to persist in His will, in His love, and in His character. This will be the year that I finish what I start.

In 2015, I was a quitter. In 2016, I will be persistent.

I want to trust God, and even myself, when faced with difficulty, opposition, or failure. In 2016, I will not quit. I will persist. What will you do this year?

[godlywoman]

We cannot say we love someone or trust someone until we have had to make some hard choices on that person’s behalf. Similarly, we cannot say we love God or trust God unless we have said no to persistent temptations.

Getting to No: How to break a stubborn habit (via jesus-christ-is-king)

[spiritualinspiration2]

[sometimesgodsayswait]

Bah Humbug!

For the first time in my life, I am not excited about Christmas. My friends have called me “Scrooge,” I have asked my parents to turn off the Christmas lights, and I have probably only listened to five Christmas songs this month. Yes, I know Jesus is the reason for the season, and I should be spending my time reflecting on the wonderful gift God sent us many years ago. But, for some reason, I find myself sitting here, on Christmas eve, wondering where my Christmas spirit has gone.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:19

Perhaps it is because, this year, I recognize that the things that I want are not material, but things that cannot be bought...and things that I do not expect to receive this Christmas. To be honest, the things I want most right now are love and acceptance. I want support and validation. I want peace and happiness. Shoot, I want a husband...there is no secret about that. However, I am realizing that I am looking for those things in all the wrong places and people. 

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. --Philippians 4:11

I am not content with what I have. I am currently displeased and disappointed with my current situation. I want more, I desire more, and a part of me feels like I will not happy until I get the things that I want (e.g., a husband, a new job). But that’s not the case. I should be content in my current situation because I have the same God walking with me throughout all stages of my life. Regardless of where I go, what I have, or what I do not have, I still have a Heavenly Father who loves and accepts me, and has already given me the best gift I could EVER ask for. If I receive nothing else in life, then I should be happy with what God has already given and sacrificed for me. 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. --Isaiah 9:6

And while that’s easier said than done, I know what I need to do to get some of my Christmas spirit back this year. I need to spend my time focusing on what God has already given me, particularly the gift of His only Son, instead of yearning for the things that I do not have (yet). The source of my joy should be Jesus, and not anything else. He is truly the reason for the season. 

[dryyoureyes-startbelieving]

[the-soul-doctor]