My daugher, Noah is quite the lucky little lady. I say this because at the tender age of 4 she has already been introduced to a profound life-long lesson; all while twirling around, pointing her toes and wearing a tutu. Please, let me explain. Noah takes ballet with a Russian ballet company. Her first teacher was incredible. She was a very cute young woman who went over the rules at the beginning of every class. One of the rules was that when they stretched and felt ‘the burn’ they were to say “Yummy” or “Yay.” They were not allowed to say what is typically said when one is in pain. We all know and have used those words or expressions of fear, doubt and complaints: ‘Ouch. Ughh. This is too hard. I wish I didn’t have to go through this. I can’t do this. This will never work out. Why me?’ Oh no! Not these ballerinas. They were expected to say yummy or yay because according to their wise teacher, the pain was an indication that they were becoming better ballerinas.

Let’s face it, there are times in life when we feel stretched to our limit. It may come in the form of stress at work, responsibilities at home, or trying to meet the expectations and needs of family and friends. The stretching, my friend is inevitable but the response is all yours. So may I ask: What words do you speak when the proverbial ‘burn’ occurs? Do you gripe, complain or blame other people for your circumstances? Or do you speak words of faith and expectation? Your words carry so much weight that in the Bible it is written that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). The Message version says it this way: “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose.” How amazing is that! We have the power to either bless or curse our situation.

Since we know that this stretching is inevitable, we must also have faith that it is working for our good and fulfilling it’s purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIT) “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.” Every single circumstance (yes, even that one) is necessary in preparing you for the future GOD has predestined for you. So, my friend I am here to remind you, with a huge smile on my face, that GOD has an incredible future for you! And it is so much better than you can even think or imagine but He must first prepare you for it. And in doing so, there will be times when we will have to undergo some painful and excruciating stretching. This stretching is not intended to harm you but to strengthen your spiritual muscles, deepen your faith, and draw you closer to GOD. Great things will result from ‘the burn.’ I promise you. And with this in mind, we can look at our circumstances from GOD’s perspective.

Thanks to my daughter’s ballet teacher several 4, 5, and 6 year olds will learn a life-long lesson at a very young age that the ‘burn’ from stretching is not intended to hurt them but is necessary in fulfilling it’s purpose of making them stronger and more graceful ballerinas. Now, it’s my turn to translate this to my daughter into real-life terms. I fully embrace this task.

So, what’s stretching you today? Is it your job, your children, your marriage? Or could you be waiting for the fulfillment of a vision or the answer to a prayer? Perhaps you have been deeply offended or disappointed. Whatever, your ‘burn’ is refuse to speak or listen to words of doubt and fear. Choose to speak words of life into it and know in your heart that it’s all working for your absolute good. In doing so, you will walk out of your circumstances stronger, wiser and more prepared for the life GOD created just for you. Be encouraged. This stretching is producing fruit that you will enjoy in the near future.

I hope this message blesses you. I see words of faith flowing freely from your lips like water. I see absolute good coming out of your circumstances. And, I am so very, very excited for you! More than you will ever know!