WRITING OUT LOUD

There are times when the only way to get out what you feel is to sit down and process it.  As someone who has very little focused energy unless I am writing, this is where I express my heart and watch the words hit the screen and I often wonder where they came from.  I know what is in my heart, perhaps too much so as it leaves me feeling incapable and frustrated, but quickly replaced with that feeling is what matters far more:  KNOWING that I am chosen for purpose, that while my journey has left me scarred and at times continues to wound me, I KNOW that as a daughter of the King, I will ALWAYS triumph.  He trusts us.  I take that very seriously.  I may not always know WHAT I am doing, but I do at least always know WHY I am doing it.  At times that fact is a reality check and at times it gives me comfort...especially in times such as we have lived through most recently, where our best efforts were mistaken, misunderstood, maligned and maliciously misconstrued.

I don't focus on them as they were the springboard to a greater purpose.  I have often said that those who meant to harm us should be written a Thank You.  While there are endless ways that the enemy relentlessly tries to sabotage, especially when we are so on purpose, our focus MUST stay in ONE place and that is on the power of ONE...the ONE who created us, our purpose and our ability to feel the sting of life as well as the victory when the enemy is defeated.

I read something in my Bible this morning and while I have tossed many emotions around in my head in recent weeks, I was even more excited by what I was reminded of in Psalm 71. Beginning in verse 20, it reads:  Though you have made me see trouble, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.
Verse 23-25: My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you--I, whom you have redeemed. My tongue will tell of your righteousness all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

While this is something I know and trust in, waiting for God's timing is the most difficult.  We cannot expect Him to move according to our desires and based upon my past experiences, I know that it is ALWAYS worth the wait!

Righteousness is the basis of the reign of God.  It is not ours, but His.  Remembering that is what will sustain our patience as well as see the demonstration of His power when it is unleashed.  He wants us to depend upon His strength and not our own.  I believe that is why at times we feel so ill-equipped and He puts us in situations with "giants."

We always have a choice: to focus on the "giants" or to give the One who created them as well and knows their hearts, the opportunity to move on our behalf.  I am reminded of Joshua and Caleb who went to see the promised land and while it was flowing with milk and honey it was also filled with giants.  Most focused on the giants, but Joshua and Caleb focused on God and the opportunity ahead.  God honored their faith.  They received the land. The others accepted the report of the majority and it created fear in them and they never received the blessing God had for them but Joshua and Caleb trusted God and they experienced the fullness of the promise.

While I have scripts in my mind and things I would love to say and do, and in some way work toward my own vindication, I realize how important it is to wait.  Waiting without action is not apathy when we are waiting on the One who controls our destiny and teaches us as we trust Him.

Be encouraged about the plan of God in your life.  Be encouraged about the favor of God upon your life.  And be encouraged about the power of God over your life.  While "giants" are a part of this life, they are not part of your destiny!

It doesn't matter who likes you or who doesn't.  The main thing is, Almighty God likes you.  He has accepted you.  He has approved you.   ~Joel Osteen