Lessons Learned
By Glenda Ward
McDowell County
“Be still and know that I am God” Psalms 46:10
When feeling rejected or unseen, when you find yourself uncertain of the future and changes you are facing and changes yet to come …Intentionally turn to God. There are lessons to be learned in the waiting of God’s timing that can be put into practice instead of panicking. God gently whispers we must decrease, become less, so He can become more in our lives, in times of our troubles and trials. What does it take for us to decrease in heart and mind? It begins with quieting our mind and soul: “Be still and know that I am God”. God is our refuge and our strength. When we look to God relenting in His Will for our life; we will discover deeper issues that take us from living with healthy expectations to feeling the weights of things like fear, insecurity, pride, comparison, and, yes, doubt. It takes intentional effort every day to identify the areas that are pulling us away from God, and begin to make the necessary changes needed to turn back to Him. Regardless of how the weight of negative issues overwhelm us; if we keep our eyes focused on everything – and everyone around us, instead of directing our gaze toward God, we can never hear God’s voice inviting us to our next best step.
An overflow of our heart is how we speak – to others and ourselves – it’s a reflection of what is in our heart, and our following our thoughts. Hearts filled with God, grace and the gospel bear good fruit in thought, word, and action. Hearts that are in the grips of the world and focused on the expectations and demands of the world will bear unhealthy fruit. (Reference Luke 6:45). But it’s through salvation and God’s help we are transformed by the renewing of our mind. This transformation in our life can make the difference between just surviving and thriving in life. (Reference Romans 12:2).
Satan doesn’t need to destroy us, only distract us, to keep us from fulfilling the plans God has for us. What better way than for Satan to fill our hearts and minds with the things we think we need to be doing when in reality we are missing out on the fulfilling work God has for us?
As things in life feel uncertain and we are running on empty, pray to God. Being honest about your doubts with other people will help you give God the glory as we show our dependence on Him to others. We don’t always know our next step in direction of what we feel is really unclear, but we should focus on God and follow Him! Just be still and wait on Him until He shows you the way. Swap uncertainty for contentment creating new thoughts and pathways that transforms our mind and will keep our heart focused totally on God. Make an intentional effort every day to identify areas where Satan is pulling you away from God and make the necessary changes to turn back to Him. It matters so much! You may be the very person someone is looking at for them to know it is ok to say yes to what God has in His plan for them. Watching you learn to embrace and experience more of what God has for you will influence others to experience God’s way in their life.
It is only by being still and knowing that He is God. Quietly, intentionally choosing to hear God, making time to spend studying His Word and time in prayer that we can begin to embrace a life of less guilt, less fear, and doubt. Receive more freedom, contentment, and joy in your life. Be willing to dig deeper and uncover the root of the reason you struggle to hear God speak to you. Hearing God speak to you is the greatest contentment anyone will ever experience.
Seeds of doubt are planted in our hearts and minds – by others or by ourselves – and this prepares a pathway for the enemy. If we keep these doubts, fears, and struggles to ourselves, we give them room to enter our hearts and minds and put down roots. One should not be afraid or ashamed of the feeling of doubt and questions we have. Don’t keep your hearts and minds closed off. Instead, live-in awe of a God who knows your name and loves us more than we can possibly comprehend. There will be times and seasons when we have absolutely no idea what God is doing. We doubt our direction and what or how to continue. When this happens take time to quiet your heart and mind. “Be still and know that I am God”.
Take it all to God, and ask Him to help you during this time and season of your life to grow closer to Him, to get to know Him better. Then, in God’s time when He reveals your next step and gives you clarity in direction, you will not only be alert and prepared, but you will be much stronger in your Christian faith than ever before. It is with a shield of faith and the Word of God that we stay rooted in our faith and connected to God.
Create a space to encounter God in the quiet.
Come before God with your whole heart in prayer.
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Glenda Ward is a member of Grand View Baptist Church in McDowell County. She is the mother of five grown children. Glenda is a Christian writer/author of “Something to Think About” – weekly Christian Articles. She writes Church Programs & Bulletins, VBS Material, Christmas and Easter Programs; all material based on the KJV of the Bible. Also testing the field in tributes, individual memorial writings, etc. You can read more good Christian news from Glenda HERE.
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