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When we move our eyes off the things we don't have, the places we can't go, the frustrations that surround us, and put our eyes where they need to be, we will see that we have the necessary strength for this season. We can be content with what we have or lack thereof because of Jesus. Jesus gives us the strength to see beyond our present circumstances and to trust in Him to provide everything we truly need.
I pray the brokenness of 2019 is transformed into so much beauty in 2020. I pray that you trust the One who is in control of the process and that you experience His comfort during the trials. I pray that you see redemption in your story beyond all you can ask, think, or imagine. And I pray you don’t forget the promises. Jesus promised that we will have trouble in this life, so I don’t want you to ignore the reality that storms are coming, but I pray your faith won’t fail. Even though there are new battles and tears to come, I pray that you know deep in your heart who God is and who you are in Him. Come what may, I pray that you are filled with hope for the many victories you will see this year.
Whatever you’re dealing with today, whether it be a lingering something that’s piled up from putting if off or something that’s just happened today, I encourage you to go to the Lord…today. Don’t wait. Do the thing you really don’t want to do and free up your life to receive the fullness of God’s mercy. Give the forgiveness you’ve been withholding. Confess the sin that’s stifled your fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Embrace the truth of your God-given identity and reject the lies of the enemy.
We think of the shrine a lead character in Lifetime movies has built to worship the man she’s stalking. We sometimes go to the extremes of how we envision sin so we can say things like, “Oh, I’m not that bad.” This is how we view idols too. We think of the worst possible thing someone could worship, and as long as we don’t have those things in our lives, we are good. But removing the mental image in your head for a second, let’s examine our hearts.
As I prepare to close my eyes and make a wish over my ice cream cake, I want you to know that my wishes are actually prayers for you. I don’t know where you find yourself in the journey from glory to glory, but I pray the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called us.
I'm praying today for our world to find true hope and to stop hiding behind screens being seen but not truly known. I'm praying today for you, brother or sister, that feels you are forgotten. You are not forgotten. You matter. Your life has purpose. Fight a little longer.
Serious athletes develop their training programs using instructions from reputable leaders in the field. Our training program is based on instructions from the only leader in the field, Jesus Christ. When we encounter a defeat or loss in one season, we get to turn to Jesus and ask Him what we are to do next, better, or different.
Whatever opening the blinds for you looks like today and throughout this week, I encourage you to that little step. Baby steps still move you forward from unbelief to belief which is what gives God room to move. Even if you’re trembling, you’re still moving forward with courage and faith that God will meet you every step of the way. Faith doesn’t make things easy, it makes it possible for God’s presence and power to show up on even the cloudiest of days. When we create space for Him, He shows up.
It can be so tempting during this time to hunker down and only think about self, but I encourage us all to remember that we can still show the love of Christ by the interactions that we do have. Smile, joke, air hug, leave some meat and toilet paper for others, and check in on your neighbor to see if they need any essential items. These are just a few ways that I can think of to help us all walk through this season with grace, understanding, and compassion.