We all go there.
One thing happens. Then something else happens.
The underlying drama in our lives begins to surface.
Our prayers feel like they are hitting up against a brick wall.
Then…
- That thing your husband did not do the “right way,” turns your mood south.
- Your kids fussing with one another adds to the chaos.
- Your child experiences things other kids seem to not have issues with. You ask why, Lord?
- A project you have spent a lot of time and effort on is forgotten and the frustration builds.
- You are being set up to fail and “they” don’t even realize the position they have put you in or do they?
- You are cleaning up the kitchen again and let’s not talk about the stuff around the house and the never ending laundry that is about to send you over the edge.
- No matter what you do to get ahead, it seems as though life pulls you back down again.
This list can be stretched out miles long as I’m pretty sure we ALL can create one no matter what our Instagram feed portrays.
Simple things can agitate us and take over the stories we tell ourselves. When will our time come to flourish and to NOT stumble through the hurts, pains, disappointments and agitations of life? Is this too much to ask? Apparently so.
And this is often how we engage in conversation with God and ourselves when we get in this mode of thinking.
“It is a well-known fact that one comes, finally, to believe whatever one repeats to one’s self, whether the statement be true or false.” – Napoleon Hill from his book, Think And Grow Rich
The things we speak in our minds can create so much more havoc than anything we encounter.
Have you noticed this?
Our child makes a wrong decision and we begin telling ourselves the reason why is because we are not enough and somehow it’s our fault or how we just can’t handle this anymore. The truth is we are not enough, but God is. We can move forward, pray over our children, be there for them and speak “life” over their lives by the help of God’s strength.
Y’all, if you and I don’t think these rabbit trails of our thoughts are killing our faith, little by little, look at where you and I land emotionally after participating in these mental conversations.
It’s usually a frustrating place to be and yet we continue going there when life throws us a curveball we didn’t expect. In a weird sort of way it becomes a familiar place, and familiarity can be mistaken for comfort.
No situation or looming problem should be able to bombard our thoughts and take over the microphone of our inner selves. And yet, I find myself right in this very place on and off again.
You? #coronavirus #pandemic
“It happens down deep in our souls where our real beliefs about life are formed. Something or someone whispers to us, Life is never going to turn out the way you’d hoped, or Nobody’s going to come through, or God has forsaken you.
And something in us responds, that is true. We make an agreement with it, and a conviction is formed. It seems so reasonable.
I think we come to more of our beliefs in this way than maybe any other. Subtle agreements.”– John Eldredge from his book, Walking With God: How To Hear His Voice
Most stories we spin, are just that, STORIES WE SPIN.
These stories send our emotions whirling. We find ourselves in a place of frustration, fear, overwhelm, and dread. We convince ourselves that while we know God can, that he probably won’t in our case.
We look at “the worst” or we “settle for what we think” because that feels easier than having hope and possibly feeling the hurt of hope disappointing us.
“Whatever your thing is, starting it could create a spiritual wildfire that changes the lives of everyone around you. But that is all in the future, the fear is all in the now. And we’re used to focusing on the now.” – Jennifer Allwood from her book, Fear Is Not The Boss Of You
Don’t let your “now,” determine your future.
It’s a place we all travel through. The key is to keep traveling through.
To continue. So Continue.
Don’t put down your suitcases in this wilderness of the “now” and plant roots where your tracks should be seen passing by.
Fifteen years ago my husband and I went on a Caribbean Cruise for our ten year Wedding Anniversary. While we were in the Cayman Islands we visited an actual city called, Hell.
Who knew?
I can promise you that none of us would pay a dime to travel there as our main destination to stay and vacation. Of course, it was fun to make a pit stop to see and say, “We’ve been to hell and back.”
There is basically nothing there except black, limestone rock formations that look like they have been scorched by the fires of hell, billboard signs telling you where you are at, and a local post office so you can mail a postcard telling others where you’ve been.
The city of Hell doesn’t have much to offer, neither do the destinations of our negative thoughts.
If we put down mental seeds in “Hell” all we gain are thoughts and feelings that filtrate our soul with lies that cloud our perspective. Our downcast spirit is revealing of our mental location, just like the physical postcards visitors send from Hell.
This is NOT how God intends for us to live, but it is exactly what the enemy hopes for. He doesn’t have to lift a finger when we’ve taken a thought he’s whispered and ran with it.
If we’re going to throw all of our energy in one direction, let’s at least choose a pathway that will benefit us, not cause us to settle for less. Right? This is what I am preaching to myself, and you too if you are daring to listen.
Let’s travel through hell, and keep going friend!
Two of my favorite Pastor’s say, “If you have already traveled to hell and back, what’s another mile, you might as well keep going.”
- Let’s get back up the next morning and read scripture even if we feel nothing.
- Let’s choose to believe God over the subtle thoughts we are so tempted to come into agreement with.
- Let’s determine we are the boss of our thoughts, and bring them into obedience to God’s word not our wild imagination.
We all make pit stops in Hell, but none of us have to stay there.
“But you must CONTINUE to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the good news” (Colossians1:23).
No one pays to go to Hell, but they do pay to stay and the price is hefty.
Keep traveling, my friend.
There are incredibly beautiful places to see and stay in the Cayman Islands, and Hell is not one of them.
God has so much more for you and I.
Chinese proverb: The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Keep taking steps. It took steps to get where you are and it will take more steps in the right direction to get passed this place. Don’t stop for long! Keep moving.
Your belief, or faith, is the element which determines the action of your subconscious mind. – Napoleon Hill
So continue in faith.
We often want the results of continuing without doing the hard work of continuing.
Take the steps, do the work—you won’t regret it! Your feelings will eventually catch up with your choices and you’ll be glad you chose wisely.
“For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So CONTINUE in what he has taught you, CONTINUE to live in Christ.
And now, dear children, CONTINUE to live in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame” (1 John 27-28).
You matter, friend.
What you are doing is making a difference. God is with you and for you!
You are changing your future by taking small steps of obedience day by day.
That unseen work you are accomplishing, that no one really knows you are putting a lot of effort into, will pay off down the road.
The character building that is happening in your life, as you are obedient to what God is asking of you, will show bountiful fruit in time.
Those prayers you are praying, are changing you and your family’s future, whether you know it or see it now or not.
Don’t give up.
Don’t be tempted to believe that it doesn’t matter, it does!
Don’t let discouragement stop you from taking another step forward.
“Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow in thanksgiving for all he has done.
Don’t let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from evil powers of this world, not from Christ” (Colossians 2:7-8).
Keep going my friend!
Continue.
God is on your side and He is with you as you continue building, step by step, the future that you are praying and believing for.
With much love and grace,
Joelle Povolni
P.S. I’m cheering us both on! Oh, and if this post spoke to your heart, here is another one from the fall of last year that seems fitting during the times we are all in, It’s Okay Not To Be Okay.
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