Tag Archives: dealing with disappointment

Focus forward…

28 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by in Faith, Obedience, Relationship with GOD, Surrender, Trust

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0101-rev21.5_I saw it coming and I should’ve better prepared for it but like a train coming slowly down the track… it happened. My darling Noah, in all the beauty and glory of her terrible twos, had a temper tantrum. And not just any temper tantrum, my friend. This one was the tsunami of all tantrums.

The day had started off sweetly enough. We’d gone to Babies ‘R’ Us to buy a gift for her friend’s 3rd birthday party. Noah saw something she wanted, a seemingly innocent and innocuously cute toy. However, the warning label read that no child under 8 should handle it because of small pieces that could chock younger children. She initially asked for it politely. Seeing the perils of having such a ‘toy’ I told her no. Then came the begging and pleading. “Please Mommy! Please!” Then promises she surely couldn’t keep. “I promise I won’t ask again.” But I was lovingly firm. So when all else had failed Noah proceeded to lay on the floor kicking and screaming. I tell you, it was like right out of the movies.

Let’s admit it my friend, this is how we’ve responded one time or another to an unfavorable answer or a closed door. Perhaps you didn’t fall out on the floor kicking and screaming (or maybe you did), but we are all guilty at one time or another of blaming GOD, others, or ourselves, becoming angry and bitter or refusing to forgive. Perhaps, you got passed over for a position, the financing for the housing fell through or a relationship came to an abrupt and unexpected end. Whatever it was the door to an opportunity was closed shut.

pulling on closed doorI’ll be the first to admit that I have knocked, banged and pulled on closed doors. I have pleaded with GOD to open it, made Him promises, and looked longingly at it until I’d eventually come to accept it’s closure. But as I’ve mature spiritually I’ve come to understand the purpose and absolute necessity of closed doors. And today I am able to thank GOD for closed doors; past, present and future. In fact, some of the best opportunities came right after a huge disappointment.

My friend, what door has been closed for you?  Is it a foreclosed home, a lost job, or missed opportunity? Or could it be the ending of a relationship or the termination of something you’d given your all to? I am here to tell you that you no longer have to look angrily, sadly or longingly at the closed doors. GOD has extraordinary plans for you in the near future. The Bible says that we are not to look behind us or long for the ‘good ol days’ (Luke 9:62, Ecclesiastes 7:10, Isaiah 43:18-19). Our friend, Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt; missing out on the blessings set before her (Genesis 19:26). So let’s give GOD glory for the good that we experienced within the door but focus forward in expectation for new doors (Psalm 32:8, Philippians 3:12-14). That which is behind you no longer requires your attention, time, investment and effort. GOD is doing a new thing and He is beckoning you forward, not backward. That which GOD has for you does not exist behind that door but lies ahead. Reach for it, my friend! Focus forward.

brand newClosed doors are actually preparations for where GOD wants to take you. Do not be angry, irritable, and down ridden. Do not blame the bank that misplaced your paperwork or your ex-spouse who didn’t meet your expectations. Let it go. GOD is beckoning you forward. He has arranged new opportunities, new possibilities and new relationships. He is opening doors that can’t be shut. Humble yourself before Him and allow Him to lead and direct you to your place of purpose, blessings and deliverance (Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:9, James 1:5). My friend, let‘s resolve to trust GOD when doors close. As we come to view them through His eyes we are able to see that closed doors are actually an indication that something brand spanking new is springing up. 

My friend, I pray that this message truly blesses you. I see you going humbly before GOD. And although you are entering His presence with a heavy heart I see you coming out with joy, peace, and a new found hope in Almighty GOD, who is able to lovingly usher you forward to where He is making all things new.

It will surely come to pass…

26 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by in Faith, Perseverance, Relationship with GOD, Trust

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Waiting is the hard part pictureI knew something wasn’t right, but I didn’t tell anyone. It was my concern and I didn’t want to speak out loud what I felt could possibly be true. I faced my fears and went to the doctor’s office… alone. The doctor confirmed what I knew in my heart. I had miscarried, again. This was the second time in a row. I sat in the doctor’s office and I cried and I cried and I cried. He was a kind man and he comforted me the best way he knew how. As I sat there, my mind was whirling. “How could this happen? I know GOD revealed to me that I would have a daughter. Was it really GOD or did I ‘hear’ what I wanted to hear? Do I give up or try again? If it was truly GOD’s will why would things look so bleak.”

My friend, are you waiting for the manifestation of a GODly vision? Has GOD shown you the end from the beginning and yet your circumstances dictate otherwise? Perhaps, He told you you’d be a millionaire and you are currently in dire financial straits or maybe He promised you a thriving ministry and you have limited funds, resources and members (Jeremiah 29:11). Over the course of my life I’ve learned that GODly vision requires travail; a very painful season of waiting, hoping, wrestling, and trusting. GODly vision will be challenged because it’s impact is far greater than you. And there will be a fierce battle to get you to retreat.

The road to the manifestation of a GODly vision is a very rough one (1 Corinthians 9:26, 2 Timothy 2:3-5). One that requires tremendous faith, tenacious perseverance and true grit (Hebrews 10:23). At times, the way will appear unclear and the future may seem bleak. As you watch your plans unravel and your hopes are dashed you may began to question if you’ve really heard from GOD (Proverbs 16:9). You may grapple with the possibility that your heart’s desires may never manifest. You may even panic allowing yourself to consider entertaining and accepting ‘counterfeits’ to the vision (Genesis 16). And although this should push you to pray, fast, and engage in spiritual warfare every fiber of your being screams to give up and throw in the towel.

My friend, I’ve been there. I’m actually there now. I know all too well of the exhaustion to believe in the impossible. I am now in a season of travail trusting GOD to manifest a vision He gave me in July 2010 and confirmed in February 2013. This blog is actually an act of obedience related to the vision. And we know that obedience leads to miracles. As I look around in the natural I see absolutely nothing that points to the manifestation of this vision. In fact it feels like I’m moving further away from it. But as a child of GOD I am not to place my focus on circumstances, which changes directions like the wind. This is a sure way to experience depression, anxiety, discouragement, and fear. Oh no, I know that this walk with GOD is a faith walk and I am to thrust all of my faith in Him (2 Corinthians 5:7). This is what the great men and women of the Bible knew and they were vastly rewarded (Hebrews 11).

So may I ask, what vision has GOD given you? Is it a GODly family that will serve as a beacon of light and lead others to Christ? Perhaps it’s the deliverance of an addiction or the healing of an illness? Could it be to own your own business, speak before a crowd of thousands, or the reconciliation with a loved one? Whatever vision He has given you still belongs to you. The promises of our LORD are solid for He is not a man that He should lie nor the son of man that He should repent (Numbers 23:19). GOD’s ways are not our ways nor are His thoughts our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8,9). So, the path by which it will manifest may not look the way you envisioned, but it will surely come to pass. You see, there is a need for the strengthening of your faith and the building of your character (Romans 5:3). So, my friend when what you see does not match up with what GOD promised you, you have a choice to either trust your circumstances or trust your GOD. My advice is to always go with GOD! You’ll be batting 1,000 on that one!

Of all the years I’d known my doctor he never appeared to be a man of faith but on that unforgettable day he confidently spoke these powerful words to me: “You will have a baby. And you will deliver it next year.” Intuitively I knew he was right because I believed what GOD revealed to me. And he was absolutely right. A year later I delivered a 7lb, 6oz healthy baby girl, Noah who brings me joy every single day of my life and is a source of inspiration for this GODly blog. My friend when your circumstances make it difficult to foresee the manifestation of GOD’s vision for your life surround yourself with people of vision. People who will reactivate and strengthen your faith. People who will point you to the Giver of the vision and direct you away from the world. If you do not have such people go before GOD and ask Him to send you GODly support. He will answer your heartfelt prayer (1 John 5:14-15, Hebrews 11:6, John 15:16).

The Bible says that the vision aches for the coming and it can hardly wait (Habakkuk 2:2-3 MSG). The vision of having a daughter who would have a heart for the LORD was manifested after a long period of travail. It was certainly an arduous road full of highs and lows, peaks and valleys but in the end the vision came to pass at it’s appointed time. And so will yours my friend. So, though GODly vision may tarry we are to wait. Though it seems impossible we are to believe. And though we have opposition we are to hold fast. Because it will surely, certainly, unequivocally come to pass.

I pray that this message truly blesses you. I see the seeds you’ve sown with tears being harvested in inexplicable joy and you are enjoying the fruits of your labor with great rejoicing. I see it my friend and I stand here excitedly giving GOD glory right alongside of you.

When GOD interrupts your plans and sends you to Nineveh…

02 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by in Faith, Obedience, Relationship with GOD, Surrender, Trust, Uncategorized

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Jonah in black and whiteI am very certain that you would agree with me that there are times when life turns ‘left’ when you’d hoped it would go ‘right’. Well, I know all too well. I had recently been given news that I was not all too happy about. And I must admit that I was very disappointed. In my disappointment I felt ‘filthy’ so I ran to GOD. I wrestled with the idea of having to do things, deal with people and go places that were completely out of my comfort zone. I mean life had been going pretty well, then… This!

My friend, there are times when the plans we set and the life we envisioned don’t quite pan out the way we’d hoped. We may have come to establish a rhythmic lifestyle that appears to take us in a certain direction. Or we may have come to believe that life would run smoothly, our plans would be accomplished, and we’d comfortably sail into the sunset. But, this is not always the case because GOD, in His omniscience, may interrupt these plans to show us that He has bigger, better and more dynamic plans (Isaiah 55:8-9). Often times these plans do not look, sound or feel as we thought or hoped and this may cause us to worry, stress, and panic. We may even find ourselves doing things to avoid these unexpected, undesirable, but inevitable changes.

This reminds me of our biblical friend Jonah. Whatever plans Jonah had arranged for his life were disrupted when GOD told him to ‘get up and go to the city of Nineveh.’ We learn that instead of obeying Jonah ran in the opposite direction. He had refused to go to Nineveh, a city known to be powerful and wicked, because He did not like the people of the city. Jonah eventually finds himself in a tight situation (belly of a fish) where he surrenders and is given another chance. In his obedience we see that while in Nineveh Jonah is used mightily by GOD and witnesses the miracle of the entire city being saved and their lives are spared. (Jonah 1-4)

Nineveh is not necessarily a place of comfort but a place where there is a need of your presence. Nineveh is a place you do not understand, a place you do not have all of the answers and a place of potential conflict (personal or otherwise). It is outside of your comfort zone and definitely not your first place of choice. But Nineveh is absolutely, positively necessary.

So, my friend what is your place of Nineveh? What situation(s) are you fighting and avoiding knowing it is where you must go or what you must do? Is it an unexpected change in employment or location? Or have you been placed in a hostile home or work environment? Perhaps, it’s the moving towards forgiving the unforgivable? Or maybe it’s humbling yourself and asking for forgiveness from someone you’ve deeply wounded? Could it be that GOD has asked you to surrender your grasp on something that no longer serves Him? Or maybe GOD has called you to preach to those who are hostile towards the things of GOD?

Whatever your Nineveh represents you’re going to need the grace of GOD to endure and overcome. But GOD is faithful and He would not send you there unless He knew that you could handle the pressure, the calling, and accomplish it’s purpose. Your presence in your Nineveh is bigger and greater than you. You see when GOD sends you to Nineveh He has already made a way for you (Isaiah 42:16). He knows the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:10) and He is a GOD of generations (Genesis 17:7, Psalm 146:10). When He sees you He sees those who are connected to you. Your obedience may open doors of favor for your children and generations to come, bring salvation to your family members, change the hearts of your enemies, or even shed light on the love of Jesus in your city or beyond.

GOD has equipped you with every single thing you need to accomplish your task at Nineveh (2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Timothy 3:17). You will come to see that Nineveh will turn out to be your biggest challenge but also your greatest blessing. It will exceed your expectations and you will find yourself experiencing the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6), and a clearer understanding of your GODly purpose.

My friend, it’s time to stop running and humble yourself before GOD. Surrender your fear of the unknown to Him and allow Him to guide and direct you confidently and boldly into your Nineveh. Let Him take you by the hand and lead you into the place of your blessings and breakthrough. I know it’s scary. Boy, do I know. Believe me, fear has caused me to retreat one too many times. But I tell you that this is not a time to retreat. It is a time to trust Him like never before because you’ll need Him like never before (Proverbs 3:5-6). While in Nineveh, if you would stay close to Him He will reveal Himself to you in mighty ways and show you spectacular things that are to come (Jeremiah 33:3). He desires for you to receive His revelatory guidance and direction because you’ll need it. GOD has extraordinary plans for you there (Jeremiah 29:11). I see it! And I promise that you will be beyond amazed at what GOD is going to do for, to and through you.

I truly hope this message blesses you. On your way to Nineveh I see you surrendering, fasting, praying and committing to being used by GOD no matter how difficult the task. And with this you will accomplish more than you can ever imagine and reap more than you ever desired! GOD is going to blow your mind. Now say it with me, “Nineveh, here we come!”