What are you stressed out about right now? What tests are you experiencing right now? I sense that there's such an attack on believers right now. It seems like it's one thing after another. Regardless of what you are experiencing right now, we must make a decision to hold tight to the word of God and NEVER ever let go. We must make a decision to not get depressed, worried or in fear about our tomorrows.
I love 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 and it says: "Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
What thorn are you dealing with right now? What is attacking you in your life? Something from your past? A circumstance? A tragedy? Finances? A relationship ended? Troubles on your job?
Regardless of the attack, God is saying to you that HIS GRACE is sufficient for you. Sufficient means adequate for the purpose; enough.
ENOUGH.
God's grace is ENOUGH for you. It's sufficient. It's adequate. It will complete you. It will fulfill you. It will give you hope. It will strengthen you.
THEN, it says my POWER is made PERFECT in your weakness.
What is your weakness? Your temptation? Your hardest moment? That area where you're struggling most?
Jesus is saying that HE IS GOING TO STRENGTHEN you to get through this test. It's TIME to grow. It's time to endure. Suffering comes to all of us and it doesn't mean that God hates you as you live for Him. He's simply a GREAT Father. As a Father, He notices things that are in you that aren't like Him. These tests are going to encourage you to surrender those tough areas to the Lord and leave them there. These tests are going to encourage you to trust Him and never quit. These tests are going to deepen your faith in the Lord. These tests are going to prepare you for your calling.
James 1:2 says "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy."
Great JOY. Tests. Troubles.
Wait, Heather -- I just want to curl up and not think, be depressed and not deal with anyone. Sis, it's time for you to get up and find a brand new joy in the Lord. We get the opportunity to pass these tests and REJOICE through whatever we are going through! We cannot quit on the Lord during those tough times. It's time to keep going! Keep praying! Keep fasting! Keep reading your bible! Cling to the Lord and don't EVER quit! He has not forgotten about you!
I don't know about you, but I am determined to not keep going around any mountains in my life. I don't want to be like the children of Israel where I go in circles in life because I am not willing to trust God.
Yes, it's going to be hard. Yes. It's going to be tough. Yes, it's going to stretch you. But these are the sweet moments where we get to CLING to the Lord and NEVER, EVER let go. Immerse yourself in the Lord! Thank God for the rice you have for dinner. Thank God for the one pair of pants you have. Thank God for your single life. Thank God for your husband, even if your marriage is troubled. Thank God for the ability to read. Thank God for the strength and grace through the power of the Holy Spirt! Thank God for the money for the bus ticket. Thank God for your car that runs. Thank God for the roof over your head.
Let's get back to a heart that is thankful, regardless of what we are going through. In those times in my life where things were the hardest, I learned to find true joy. My joy wasn't based on my situation or a happy moment, but in the Lord. In knowing that He loves me and that my days are ARRANGED because I have given my life to HIM.
So, join me in trusting in the Lord. Let's go on a fast from worry. Let's capture those thoughts that oppose God and speak the word over our lives. Let's never quit.
Did you know that when you pray and pray in the Holy Spirit that it strengthens your faith, builds you up AND it fine tunes your hearing? So, it makes the connection CLEARER between you and the Lord. He is always talking, but most times the frequency is not clear because of the clutter and distractions in your life. We have to get back to prayer. We have to get back on our face before the Lord and stay there.
Did you know that when you pray and pray in the Holy Spirit that it strengthens your faith, builds you up AND it fine tunes your hearing? So, it makes the connection CLEARER between you and the Lord. He is always talking, but most times the frequency is not clear because of the clutter and distractions in your life. We have to get back to prayer. We have to get back on our face before the Lord and stay there.
Whenever I get tested, I like to write scriptures out longhand on notecards and meditate on them! Check out a few of my favorites!
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:34
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Phil 4:13
"Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matt 6:25-27
"But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves." Luke 21:14
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22
"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
"I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.." Psalm16:8
"Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:6
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:4
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me." Psalm 28:7
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2
"They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD." Psalm 112:7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
God loves you like crazy.
Don't ever, ever quit.
Love always,
Heather Lindsey
P.S. Sorry that I haven't been writing much! I've been very busy focusing on my new book, The Purpose Room which debuts July 15th! Eek!! I pray that the Lord uses it to minister to you! And, I've also been busy posting away on my Youtube Channel! Find it HERE!
Just a few things:
1. Find my (5) books (including my NEW book, "The Runaway Bride"), purity rings, shirts & all that good stuff via pinkypromiseboutiques.com!
2. We have developed an APP! Think: daily post notifications + weekly devotionals, recipes and so much more! It's out NOW for iphones + Androids. Under: Heather & Cornelius Lindsey: Today With the Lindsey's
3. If you live in Atlanta, I want to invite you to our church. Join us on Sundays at 11:00am. Our churches name is: "The Gathering Oasis" 3600 Snapfinger Rd Lithonia, GA 30038
4. Register for the 2016 Pinky Promise in Atlanta, GA! It sold out last year so you don't want to miss out! www.pinkypromiseconference.com
5. As always, you can join a Pinky Promise group locally! There's about 45,000 ladies that have joined! Find a group near you by joining & checking out the intro page! Join here: www.PinkyPromiseMovement.com
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| My new book, The Purpose Room will debut July 15th!! Eeek! Find it on here! |
Thanks for this Heather,I love Matthew 6 because it gives us the assurance that God cares about us. I pray that your ministry will keep growing in leaps. God bless you!!!
ReplyDeleteWow.....the Lord knows what you need at the right time. I was just praying earlier about many thorns in my life and just pushing through my feelings and praising God for everything good, bad, and in between. Thankful for the opportunity to pray and know God. Thank you as always for sharing God's truth and your heart. God bless!!
ReplyDeleteGreat word!
ReplyDeleteHe's always on time. I stress about my fiances and my career that will come from him. But he always knows and I'm excited to embrace all the new that he has in store for me and my future husband when he brings us together.
ReplyDeleteIf someone can reply, please do. At the moment I am so upset as well. I don't want to be emotional and all but I'll be real. I feel that ever since I've been 12 or something I've always had an issue with money, so I could not always do certain things. And now, having graduated I just want a decent well paying job because Im sick of always stressing about rent, bills and other stuff. Like needs need to be met but with new shocks coming it's like it's never going to end. For the jobs I need to apply to in my field,they may start opening for entry/graduate 8ntake in September but some will likely have online tests which I do not do well in. Like I feel discouraged by this because it's so annoying to put effort in an application but keep failing cos of this online test. I just want all this stress to be over. And just a decent job so I can take care of myself and my family. With this stress I just feel like not having any hopes. Because certain things, I need to do require money to learn the skill, and at this rate am feeling a bit hopeless. I sort of feel that if things continue this way, I will always have to ignore my interest and just put everything on hold.
DeleteAnd in a way, it's like am scared that if God knows I want something eg a husband, children or just maybe certain things, he may just withhold it from me. I feel sort of angry at God,even though I know I really shouldn't because I don't get why this is still happening and it's like ok we are supposed to ask God for help. But I feel in certain situations, especially where I'm not the decision maker, it's like we gave to figure it by ourselves. It's so annoying, what am I supposed to do if every job is asking for experience and I don't have that type of experience and if I keep failing the online tests.
Am sorry to be negative and all but please advise me, it may be lack of faith but how do I really believe God will come through in all circumstances? God has definitely helped me at different times but cos I feel sometimes we've had to figure it out, it's like I don't know
Dear anon, your heartfelt post speaks to me and resonates with me more than you know. I can definitely relate to all these feelings of doubt, worry, etc, but you have to remember that God is a good good Father, that He is El Roi, that He sees you and your tears, and He has promised to hold no good thing from those who walk uprightly and also to give us the desires of our hearts - which means that those fears you have about God withholding those things you want (as far as they are in his will) are lies. I know what it feels like to be tired and done with life and for all God's promises to sound churchy and unreal, but the truth is God loves you and will fight for you. Please don't give up. Continue praying, trusting, praising, believing. Everything is working out for your good in Jesus name! Love from your sister in Christ!
DeleteAmen. Just the motivation i needed. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Whew what a word God knows what you need all the time!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I read this tonight. Great encouragement, my week has been depressing but thank God I saw this post. I am well, I feel like it's my big sis ralkng to me . putting my focus back where it should be.
ReplyDelete