There's a special time of the day many believe to be "the best time" for "conversations with God". This morning as I was in some space between a dream and consciousness I was able to obtain some clarity; a bit of understanding, (I believe) renewed strength and increased faith for the situation I find myself in.
I've touched on some (Bible references) before such as when we are "in the wilderness"; IMO that's self afflicted circumstances, so you're wandering around thinking you know everything you fail to realize (real eyes) you're traveling in a circle and a few days journey takes years. We've all been there at some point or another, yet every situation is not "the Wilderness" or some doom and gloom sentence from God to punish you/me/us for a poor decision.
Then there's "The Valley" vs. "The Mountain Top" mentality, if you're doing well God must favor you and you must be a devout Christian and if you're in the "valley" your faith is in question and you simply need to do two things: 1.) "do better" and 2.) "stay encouraged; you'll get through this". Please don't take offense, truth is there are areas where we need to "do better", whatever "better" looks like in our lives, try praying a little more or fasting, meditating, studying God's word (The Bible) more often; for example. And truly stay encouraged and "be of good cheer"; anxiety disorder makes that part a struggle, but like all else, I take one day at a time; some are better than others, but i/me/she/her am grateful to have new days and new mercies to start again; knowing a new day is a gift not something I'm entitled to.
I've mentioned Job before (you can find his story in the Old Testament between Esther and Psalms); however I'd never really heard or perhaps paid much attention to an experience of a "shipwreck". Have you ever been "sailing" along and life is good, next thing you know the winds (or some other element) change? And you find yourself stuck "between a rock and a hard place" with "your back against the wall" only to find yourself in one of those "when push comes to shove" moments and you don't know which way to turn, or see your way out, but you've somehow held on to your dream(s) and you know they're going to happen, just "when???" I welcome you to my life at this moment...
This past Sunday my Pastor preached out of the book of Acts (one of my personal favorites), chapter 27. In this chapter "a storm arises" and there's "the shipwreck"; I felt as if a few of my circumstances/situations finally had some meaning and although I battle with various thoughts (that's how my anxiety tries to get me) I was reassured by the message as well as a few verses:
"Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told." (Acts 27:22-25 ESV).
And
"But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land." (Acts 27:43, 44 ESV)
I truly believe when God gives you a vision, dream and/or an assignment; He will see it through to the end, even if you have to "swim to shore" or arrive on some "broken pieces" you'll get there and be right on time.
Be Encouraged & Encourage someone today :)
Love
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