He does not always just give you things, sometimes He makes you notice things, change your state of mind and overall gives you the opportunity. He want you to grow through everything that you go through. There may be complexities and difficulties that may exist in life but you have been created, or made for them. When life struggles make us weary or weak we can find rest in God alone. Just believe…”The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.” (Proverbs 16:4)
He has placed provision, not where you stand, but in the place you are about to tread. He is working it out. You can only see part of the big picture, but God sees the whole picture, and He knows how to complete it. Do not worry, just breathe. If it is meant to be, it will find its way
I declare that “Every place on which the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours.” (Deuteronomy 11:24)
Sometimes you just have to choose your battles wisely. No one changes the world by turning their attention to every “big” problem they encounter. Do not be distracted by focusing on bad experiences and missing out on peace, joy and love. Do not get your feelings hurt so easily. One who is easily offended stirs up much trouble for their life. Be bigger than that and forgive those who hurt you. God has a greater good in His plans for you. “Doing what is right and fair pleases the Lord…” (Proverbs 21:3)
If you see life as a battle, then a battle is what you will get, the struggle ends when you let go to seek peace instead. Sometimes you have to give up the fight and walk away, and move on to something that is more productive. Reach your full potential and maximise your life, by chasing after *The Giver of every good and perfect gift. (James 1:17)
We are so sensitive about meaningless things that do not even concern us. Seek the peace of God that surpasses all human understanding and pursue it. People that do not value peace will always seek to disrupt yours. Do not let your peace, joy and hope walk away simply because they did. Know when to shut up and stop trying to prove a point even if you are right.
People who need to prove their point usually do not have one. They are always out to prove something to other people. You do not have to worry about impressing others. Prove things only to yourself. At times when all seems wrong, and makes no sense, feelings will tell you to prove your point but, faith will tell you to protect your peace. In chaos, stay focused- remember the big picture. God loves you. You do not have to react or respond to everything. Practice the art of observation.
Just watch and pray. You will learn so much. Self-control is a strength and an action that must be practiced daily.
If you keep finding yourself in the same battle, it is time to do something different. Taste your words before you spit them out. What you say to others in anger or sarcastically, may bite you back later. No one has ever made himself great by showing how small someone else is. Remember, words only hurt when you allow yourself to believe them. “The more words you speak, then less they mean. So what good are they?” (Ecclesiastes 6:11)
There are some things you would not understand until later but, you have to live now to get to later. Even though life may seem like it is in perpetual winter, yet season pass and rejuvenation takes growth in the sorrows of yesterday. You cannot live out your life in the sand, just because you started in the sand. Your struggle is not your identity, how you deal with it is. Do not look at things the way they are, believe God for how they could be. You may not understand today or tomorrow, but eventually God will reveal why you went through everything you did. Delay does not necessarily mean denial.
Though we identify the immediate cause of our delays, like a traffic light or the long checkout line but, the Lord is in control. Keep your hopes high, but do not let them become a substitute for your efforts. Most of us have far more courage than we ever dreamed we possessed. Character is always revealed when we are under pressure. “Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.” (Romans 12:12)
Sometimes you may face difficulties in life, not because you are doing something wrong but, because you are doing something right. Job was not tested because he did anything wrong. He was tested because he lived a life of righteousness before God. Although this may be a hard pill to swallow for some, the reason you are being attacked is due to your decision to obey God. As tough as things got, God never allowed the enemy to have the victory over Job.
And, He will not allow the enemy to be victorious in your situation either. For the Bible says “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully keep all his commands…, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the world” (Deuteronomy 28:1).
By the way, have you ever had a door of opportunity slam in your face? A job application…that you did not get; a loan…that was turned down; a friendship or relationship…that ended; a proposal…where the answer was no. Well, when all these happen, do not be afraid to get back up and try again, love again, live again, and dream again. Do not let a hard lesson harden your heart. Life’s best lessons are often learned at the worst times and from the worst situations. Yes, there will be times when it seems like everything is going wrong and you might feel like you will be stuck in this rut forever, but you would not.
When you feel like quitting, remember sometimes things have to go wrong before they can be right. Sometimes you have to go through the worst, to arrive at your best. Yes, life is tough, but you must be tougher. Do not stress over things you cannot change. “And let the peace of God rule in your heart…” (Colossians 3:15)
At some point in life the load just seems too heavy to bear anymore. But, thankfully that is when Jesus steps in. As you just had a door of opportunity slammed in your face. A job that you did not get, a loan application that was turned down; a friendship or relationship that has just ended, and all these has made you hate endings, goodbyes and changes.
But, the endings you are going through right now bring about the beginnings you have been waiting for. No matter how great the anxiety of starting over becomes, the joy of finally getting it right will supersede the frustration of the moment. One of the best feelings is finally being able to say “I am over it.” For promotion comes neither from east nor from west nor from the south. But, God is the judge. May, “the Lord raise up the standard for you when the enemy comes in like floods.” (Isaiah 59:19)
Wherever you are, whatever struggle that you are walking through, know you are not alone, and there is grace, every step along the way. The beginnings are usually scary but, endings are usually better. Do not look back and wonder why things went wrong. It happened for a reason. Your better days are ahead of you. Do not regret for not doing more. It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit. Do not be stressed as you endure your test. God is yet on the throne and He is working it out for your good. “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life” (James 1:12)
If you cannot see clearly while the mist of confusion surrounds, let it settle, then decide your plan of action.
“May your soul wait quietly upon God, for your hope is from him alone.”(Psalm 62:5)
When you lack or have nothing, it seem okay to want things other people have; it is quite natural that we should want good things for ourselves. But, the bible says “do not covert”, meaning to desire (someone or something) obsessively, wrongfully, and/or without due regard for the rights/feelings of others. It is a strong emotion, to be avoided. So, we should not fool ourselves into thinking that other people have picture-perfect lives.
Everyone struggles, everyone hurts, and everyone is enduring something that they probably would not tell you about. Whatever picture people paint their life as, rest assured that any one’s life in all its parts is beautiful and ugly, hopeful and weary, a blessing and an everyday battle.
Focus on the good parts of your life and do not be ashamed for your own set of problems because if you knew what everyone else was going through, you would probably still choose your own life and stop comparing yourself to anyone.
And; while we are at it, let us be a little kinder to each other along the way. Understanding that people do not have to be nice to you, give their time to you. They do not have to believe in you. So, once somebody does, take it, cherish it, reciprocate it. In a nutshell be your brother’s or sister’s keeper.
Beloved, do not hesitate to come to your Heavenly Father. God, who is full of goodness and supply, is always willing to bless and heal you. So, never underestimate what God can do for you even this day. “…you shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)
For as I mentioned earlier, everyone struggles but, not everyone knows God. Do not be ashamed to ask for directions, God is waiting on your humble spirit so He can take you higher. God does not just point the way. He leads the way. His love is beyond what words can describe. He got His children in the palm of his hand. You are not alone, lean on the One who leads you. As the book of (Isaiah 58:11) said “The LORD will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose waters never run dry.”
“…There is nothing to fear here. I know you are looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross…” (Matthew 28:5)
Sometimes it is hard to move forward in life when you do not have anything to look forward to. Ask yourself what your life would look like if you direct it instead of drifting through it. When you have your life pleases God, everything else will fall into place. He is the One who goes before you and make the crooked way straight. Rest in that assurance knowing that He is ahead of you on your journey. Nobody can determine your end, because God is in full control of your life. In fact how your life turns out depends on who you agree with. God or the devil.
You cannot expect God’s best if you are planning for the worst. God has placed the control of all things in your control. Take charge. Everything is under your feet including the devil. You have the final say and, God has promised to back you up if you call upon Him. For God does not move in your life when you struggle; He moves when you pray. “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)
No person, no sickness, no disappointment can stop God’s plan for your life. What He promised will come to pass. It is not where you are in life, it is who you have by your side that matters. No earthly situation has the power to put you outside God’s care. As long as you know that God is for you, it does not matter who is against you. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
The fact that you have a difficult time doing things that other people can complete with ease does not make you inadequate. It does not make you incapable or weak. And it does not make you a failure. It makes you human. The truth is that everyone struggles with something. No matter how happy or well-adjusted a person may seem, we all have fears that hold us back. Despite how put together someone may seem on the outside, no one is perfect, and that is okay.
Whether you have a difficult time being social, talking on the phone, becoming independent, using your voice, entering a relationship, connecting with others, finding a job, or getting out of bed each morning to face the world. Know that it is okay. And know that despite your struggle, you are capable, you are talented, you are important, and you are enough.
You know life is worth the struggle when you look back on what you lost and realize what you have now is way better. Sometimes it is hard to realize that right where you are, is where you are supposed to be. The truth is every time you thought you were missing out on something important, you were given the opportunity to experience something valuable in its own right. Every time life’s obstacles rejected you from something good, you were being redirected to something, or someone, equally wonderful.
You may not have ended up where you intended to go, but trust, for once, that you have ended up where you need to be. Trust that you are in the right place at the right time. Trust that every experience has something to offer you. Trust that something that feels like a curse in the moment can blossom into a blessing. Above all trust in the Lord. “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
Many of us are looking for the right things but, we are looking for them in the wrong places. Real peace comes from within you not outside of you. Things, assets and people cannot bring you lasting peace they can only bring you limited pleasures. Thus, all of the things that will give you enduring happiness, and eternal joy, will all come from God not from man including a good wife or husband. That is why you need the favour of the Lord not luck. Moreover, a good woman is not hard to find but, a virtuous one is (Proverbs 31:10). And, a good man is not hard to find but, a faithful one is. (Proverbs 20:6)
I declare that “May God single you out for uncommon favour this season in Jesus name.”
Perhaps you are looking for a job or promotion and you have been attending interviews and waiting for the results. Tension does not have to mean something is wrong, it could just be something is happening. There can be no movement without tension. It tells us that we are close to something in the purpose of God. When you are right at the door of breakthrough, Satan will send something to get you out of the way. Then, you know you are walking with God especially when the devil keeps getting in the way. The arrival of an enemy is an indicator that you have been or are about to be promoted. So, “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame…” (Isaiah 54:4).
I declare that “You shall be promoted in the name of Jesus”
No matter what has happened or taken place some weeks ago. No matter how rough it is been. No matter what did not make sense. God’s faithful. Go to bed tonight believing God will have it all worked out in the morning. Sometimes what you need is not a prophetic word, but a more consistent exercise of your faith. I do not know about you, but I believe there is a shift in the atmosphere; some things that I have been praying for will be answered soon. So, I am at peace.
No matter how life has been, there will always be opportunities to experience more goodness. So, we should thank God for all He does for us which we do not deserve. Impatience is the root of most of our problems. You cannot always force life to give you answers now, but you must let them unfold before you with time. For it is not often that you sow and reap in the same day.” Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)
Even though life is full of disappointments, failures and setbacks. None of these things can permanently stop you. But, you are the only person who can do so. You may be growing weary but do not give up, refuse to quit, or to back down. God’s about to open some doors for you and your situation will change. God saw your end before your beginning. He is not indifferent to what is happening with you. He knows your struggles. He will put the pieces back together if you will let Him. It is not too late.
You might have messed up, made some mistakes, been abused, or have been broken-hearted due to circumstances in life. But, you are still alive. You might be broken, but you are unstoppable. You might not be who or where you want to be. But, you are not going down. Where there is a will there is a way. Have courage to stand up, make some adjustments and keep moving forward. God will see you through. You may be “hard-pressed on every side, but you are not crushed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8)
If you are suffering or walking in the realm of not enough it is not Gods fault that is not his will for your life. Your seasons of struggle are not caused by God. So, stop blaming God, for most of the problems you see are man-made, whether it be personal or global, the solution is down to you. Some problems can only be overcome by growing up in the Lord. And, no one ever grows in God by waiting around and saying I do not have time. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. “All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
Everyone has ups and downs, self-doubt, and negative thoughts. So, whenever your perspective on something creates pain, it is because you have yet to see all the good it will make possible. Just because you are struggling does not mean you are failing. Besides, how can you fail if you have not stopped trying? How can you lose something if you are still capable of giving? The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. Thus, the same heat that melts the candle, hardens the clay. So is the circumstances around you reveals the true character within you.
And, every great success requires some kind of struggle to get there. So, do not submit or quit. I declare that you are victorious, for the things you have been struggling with are coming to an end this season in Jesus name. God is going to do a new thing. (Isaiah 42:9-10)
The challenge you are facing, it is not happening to you; it is happening for you. God is going to use it to your advantage. You may not know when or how long it will take to be victorious, but like Job, there is something better on the other side of your ordeal. So, embrace the possibility that the best is yet to come, and you just may discover that it is. God will make a way just as He did with the Israelites. “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land…” (Hebrews 3:11)
Life is not a fairy-tale. Not everything is a bed of roses and sunshine. There are so much mountains of problems in life to overcome. Some mountains are not meant to be moved but, they are meant to be climbed. You need to work hard, endure pain and pressure all the way. As some would say pressure only makes you stronger. Well, do not forget that burnouts and breakdowns are also real. Sometimes you cannot be “real” until you can relate. Some things are better said than done.
So, it is important to nurture yourself when under duress. And when a mountain look too hard to climb, remember the one who made the mountains. He knows the way to the top and has the power to take you up there. For the Bible says “Before the mountains were formed or the earth and the world were brought forth, you are God from eternity to eternity.” (Psalm 90:2)
You may be going through a difficult time, but be encouraged that you are not alone. Always remember, no matter how many problems you have, there is always someone who has more. I have never met a person who was not weighed down by some kind of problem or burden. So, whatever has thrown you off course, know that the loving arms of God and His endless grace are there to put you back.
For God has promised to give you double for your trouble, if you return to Him. He will give you beauty for all those ashes. As He said “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. “For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Saviour…” (Isaiah 43:2-3)
