God's Not Finished With You yet, He Is in Control and He Is Good
Going through the motions
Ever felt like you were just going through the motions? In those days, when you feel like one more mishap on top of an already full plate will nudge you into the abyss. Maybe not your week, but we all have these days.
Days like these make it tough to find humor. It’s also not likely that you will breathe and count to ten. You’ll want to stay where you are, cry until you can’t breathe, and then sleep or do something mindless.
This may be morbid, but you will face a horrible breaking point. I am also sorry to be the bearer of bad news; it will come when you least expect it. It will come even when no time or place exists for you to fall apart.
I want to share three points below that may help in these moments:
1. God gives us only what we can handle. He will provide us with what we need and will provide whatever or whoever may be the touch point we require. It may be helpful to seek those with a faithful and committed relationship with the Lord. God will send them your way, lean on them, learn from them, and they will learn from your story. It’ll be a shock, no matter when it happens. We don’t control it. I assure you, we’ll soon reach that “I GIVE UP” moment if we can listen.
2. Active listening is a vital skill. Improving how you listen can boost your productivity and strengthen your connections. To listen actively means repeating or rephrasing what the speaker says. This shows both of you understand the message. It confirms that the information is clear and understood. Your most important relationship is with God. As you seek Him, listen for His Spirit in His Word and in those He places in your life. Keep your focus on the relationship. When that is in place, everything else falls into place naturally.
3. Knowledge is everything, but even given the tools with the experience, we do not always use said weapons in a pinch, or sometimes we misuse tools and cause more damage. Avoid using knowledge as a weapon against others. Humble yourself to the servant’s heart, and the Master will share the experience with and through you.
Are we listening
First, let me set a picture. You’re having a rough week, and maybe your plate has so much on it you know in your mind there is no room left, not even for salt. Then someone takes the saltshaker, ready to sprinkle the plate to make it taste better. This plate is already the most undesirable; let’s say it’s a full plate of liver and onions; this, to me, would be an unpalatable plate.
I can’t see myself eating liver and onions even if I was on a deserted island. I don’t want to come across as ungrateful, but I really can’t eat liver. To make it a little more disgusting, let’s add that the liver has spoiled and has a foul odor. You are going along trying to stomach the liver as it was the only option, but then it happens, the saltshaker top is loose and pours out all over the already distasteful plate (this is hypothetical, of course, insert your “I give up” moment, here.)
Here it is, the “OH MY WORD, I GIVE UP” moment. Now here is the fun part. Giving up is not an option. Strength is within you; You are stronger than this moment, and this too shall pass, but remember, it’s the “I GIVE UP!” moment. So you lose it somehow, someway, and you don’t even care, because you gave up, right?
Knowledge is everything in Christ alone
Knowledge is key, yet we often neglect to use our tools when needed. As a christian; we to go to God. His word is accessible, and if I use that word, I am wrapped in His arms of comfort. As a human, I don’t consistently use everything available.
Sometimes need a nudge to remember joy, God’s presence, even in the pit. The Holy Spirit’s presence continues, regardless of whether we listen. Jesus’s voice on the radio comforts you. He tickles your spirit and makes you see Him.
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know testing your faith produces perseverance.
God tells us to lean on Him, He will take the tears away.
When you read His Word, you fill with the spirit that took those tears to the cross.
If you listen, He will come to you in the give up moments.
You have the tools. Try not to forget to use them.
No worries if we forget. He reminds us to close our eyes and listen.
Knowing God’s word and studying is a must; you can call upon it for every experience in your life. We see in reviewing that word that the fallen angel lives among us, and tempting our faith will be forceful while in the valleys.
We know by reading His word there is no higher power than that of God our Father in heaven. He’ll always show us the lifeline, pulling us from the pit.
Don’t strive for Christian perfection, it’s impossible. Only one Lord and Savior is perfect. Jesus suffered, He cried out, and God answered He is God.
We are human, not God; try to find the laughter in tears. Share smiles with those present, remembering our future reunion in heaven.
Wait and See ~ Brandon Heath
Example of what comes next in the I give up moment
You get away from reality, sitting in your car, and you think keep going. Continue; it will subside. Nope, so at last, you wait. You let your head drop, sob, and pray out loud, very animated, I might add, while sitting in a parking spot. The purring engine filled you with immense gratitude amidst the chaos. So you wait, you have just driven yourself for the first time in weeks as your distasteful plate provided the severe limits and boundaries, and while fussing, you were complying with those limits.
Weeks of constant challenges preceded this moment. You want to be an example; God’s plan encompasses your struggles, though this feels intensely human. You want to give up, head in your chest, tears flowing in the quiet.
Now the radio has come on with your purring vehicle, playing in the quiet, but you’re unaware and not paying attention. You are not listening. Then you succumb to the quiet and relaxation, and at that moment of helplessness, the song comes on the radio, Brandon Heath ~ Wait And See ~ He’s Not Finished With You Yet.
WAIT FOR IT, WAIT FOR IT, first a smile, then a full-blown hysterical laugh with arms moving and pointing up to heaven saying, alright I hear you, GOD, You find JOY and only God could make a moment happen. The best part, your JOY, is you’re able to lift your head?
You notice a red Volvo; she then turns and looks. Her look implies, ARE YOU A CRAZY? You realize she has been a witness to your entire moment, and then you laugh more complexly as she stares. So you calm emotions. Your laughter returns as you smile and wave. Mesmerize you seek a response. WAIT FOR IT, yep; she rolls her eyes and drives away. The acceptance settles in your heart and you surrender.