A New Outlook

Sitting here today in my quiet time I have made a decision.  My decision is to have a new outlook on life.  Instead of fighting so hard to get out of my bad situation, I have decided to seek God more so that I can learn the valuable lesson that He wants to teach me.  Not only that  but I have decided to follow the Word and 'Rejoice always' (I Thessalonians 5:16) This means that I will be joyful always especially in the difficult times, no matter how long they may last, knowing that a loving and gracious God is working on my situation.  The last thing that I want to do is move before God tells me and then have to suffer the consequences.  I've done that before and the results have not been the best.  Learning to hear the voice of the Lord requires being still and listening.  God doesn't necessarily speak to you in a booming voice waving a big stick.  He can. However, more often times He speaks in a whisper.  But how can you hear Him if you are in an uproar and complaining constantly.  You can't hear what He is saying.  You can't hear Him telling you that He loves you more than anyone you know.  Everything He does has your best interest at heart.  Now that is something to shout about!  I am sure that you have had an experience where someone who said that they loved you really didn't.  They said that they had your best interest at heart but you found out later that they were working against you the entire time.  God loves you so much that He began working on your behalf even before you were born.  Then you gave your life to Christ and He began working to meet your specific needs.  Isn't He awesome?  I will answer that for you.  YES HE IS! 

I don't believe that we are instructed to 'Rejoice always' because God is wanting us to think unrealistically.  In fact, it 's the total opposite.  Rejoicing always is about having the confidence that an All-wise and All-powerful God is not only capable but willing and able to meet your needs.  I don't believe that you can truly rejoice until you have acknowledged where you are and decided to give up control to God.  That simple, yet sometimes, difficult act is the reason you can rejoice.  When you are in need do you go to someone who might meet the need or do you go to someone you are confident will meet the need?  Seems like a simple question with an obvious answer.  So why do we spend so much time getting frustrated with individuals who are incapable of meeting your need to begin with.  When you submit your request to God, you are placing them in the most capable hands.  Your acknowledgement of your helplessness give regard to the will of God.  There are several things that I do not know how to do and so I have know problem picking up the phone and calling a specialist.  For plumbing needs I call a plumber.  When my car breaks down, I call a mechanic.  This same concept applies to my mental and spiritual ailments.  When I'm depressed, I call on Jesus.  When I need healing, I call on Jesus.  When I am lost, I call on Jesus.  When my money is funny, I call on Jesus.  He can work it all out.  What is His specialty....the impossible.  Situations are what they are but even in the midst you can rejoice knowing trouble don't last always.  You might be in the valley now but praise God for mountaintops.  God did not bring you this far to leave you.  If that were the case He would not be true to His Word.  And I read that 'all scripture is inspired by God' and God is not a man that He should lie.  If He said it in His Word, it will come to pass.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

The battle may not be over but I am going to shout right now.  I know that victory is on the way.  I'm going to praise You for Your faithfulness.  If you said it in Your Word, it will come to pass.  I'm going to trust You Lord.  I am not going to move to my right or to my left without direction from You.  Lord if you decide that I need to stay in this situation a little while longer I am going to do just that and cherish the valuable lesson that you are teaching me so that I can be a blessing to others.  Through it all I am going to praise You.  In Jesus' precious name I pray Amen.