That moment when you are sent some news that hits you right between the eyes, you are punched in the gut, you get a little light headed and under your breath you say “Oh No!” What course of action should you take? I elected to enlist some mighty prayer warriors. I sent a note of explanation to the mightiest of the mighty in my circle of warriors and here is what happened. One by one, they all responded offering solace and support.
Rejoicing in Trials…Really?
The funniest one of all was from a pastor’s wife rejoicing and calling this exciting news. I was devastated and she is optimistic that if the Lord freed me from a certain situation, then we would know it was His will and there would be a marvelous blessing in store. Her prayers were for perfect peace that surpasses all understanding. I will gladly take a little of that. What a mighty faith and outlook she has.
Mother-Daughter Writer Advice
Blessings came from a mother-daughter team of writers. From her sick bed with the second round of pneumonia the mother says “But…if and when this does indeed come to pass, you can be assured that God is promoting you to a new place. You’re getting an upgrade in your faith. I’m going to send you my notes from the message I gave last Saturday night at The Living Room. It may be just what you need right now.”
So through coughing and hacking she sends me her most recent sermon. She defined most all the words in Isaiah 48:17 and I especially liked the definition of “teaches” to instruct, train, prod, goad, teach. The origin of the verb may be traced to the goading of cattle. I love cattle. I learned to herd cattle on foot with only body language and waving my arms. I goaded them softly. Her translated text read:
“I am the Lord your God who instructs, trains, prods—all with the intent of teaching you. You are a student in my School of Learning and I am teaching you to ascend—to climb, go up/upward, move up/upward, rise (up), clamber (up); mount, scale, conquer; take to the air, take off; rocket. (“Rocking” chairs were turning into “rocket” chairs!) It is used for a king or queen to ascend the throne I will guide and lead you as though you were an arrow that I shoot from a bow I’ve bent perfectly to reach its desired destination. This I will do as you allow me to direct you along your journey path.”
Word Picture of Inspiration
Wow, that is a word picture full of inspiration. God promises all that if we let Him direct the path. She went on to say “When in the throes of circumstances that bring negative thoughts: diagnosis of cancer, loss of income…when you don’t like the thoughts that are controlling your behavior, have another thought. Think differently. That perspective will always bring us into a place of increase. This is how God teaches us to ascend. Height in the Spirit connects our vision with Heavenly places. It attaches us to authority, power and dominion as a lifestyle of enjoying the majesty of Jesus.” She said to write down each negative view of my situation and then write the opposite thought. Capture the place of divine acceleration. Practice dealing only with the new thought and you will experience a fresh faith rising up that empowers you to realize the truth. I did exactly what she told me to do. Whew! It works! It works!
Her daughter uses a lot less words in her writing. Editing her first book was an exciting journey. She has mastered the art of the one word sentence. In this instance however, she gave me a full sentence telling me this is all a part of God’s way of getting me to exactly where I need to be.
Transition
Another writer friend assured me I was in transition and he had written a 6 part series entitled “Transitions.” He sent a link to his blog and also sent a video “resting on His wings” for further comfort.
It has come to my attention I hang with a lot of writers and a lot of pastors and all these trusted friends share an intense love of the Lord.
The 3 A.M. Crowd
When I woke up in the middle of the night, I checked my phone and saw two messages. These were from people who had no idea I had reached out for prayer. One said “I could not have made it this far without the blessings of your friendship at a time when my life was completely falling apart. I really think you need to be in the business of putting shattered lives back together. What a difference you have made in my life and the lives of my daughters. They know without your guidance, things would have been very different for their Mother.” I remembered months ago I had checked my phone at 3 in the morning and she had reached out in crisis. We messaged back and forth until the break of dawn. Little did she know her words on this very night at 3 in the morning would soothe my soul.
Then another friend in Key West sent me one of those sayings that is just the right thing at the right time. She is one of those 3 a.m. people too. I don’t talk to her often and last year the Lord kept bringing her to mind. I did not know why, but I prayed for her each time. Finally I wrote to her and learned that she was going through a most horrific time. Now in my hour of need, she was led to send me some encouragement without ever knowing why. This is how God works.
One Step Away
All we need to do is follow Him. Trust Him. Believe in His promises.
Everyone had a positive outlook. Everyone had encouragement. Everyone was convinced I was one step away from where God wanted me to be. It is all I have been praying for. Immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine. I have made some recent bold moves and seem to be turning my life upside down and inside out.
All these prayers, all this change of the atmosphere, all this rising above instead of sinking below. Before I knew it, I felt joy again. There was no need to panic, worry or fall into an inability to move forward and upward. Simply trust where you do not understand.
The Big Guns
I pulled out the big guns. I knew who to go to and who to enlist for the battle. “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
Word of the Day
My friend Texas is faithfully following a new transforming path. She writes the Word of the Day W.O.D. prompted by the Scripture of the Day S.O.D. for some Good Orderly Direction G.O.D. She posted this hours after I wrote to her for prayer.
W.O.D. Endurance
G.O.D. When you are sure of My goodness it is easy to trust Me in the middle of any circumstance. Endurance is not easy to come by, it requires hardship. But within the struggle resides a gift that cannot be obtained any other way. Hold tight to My hand in confidence and together we will walk through every battle into victory.
S.O.D. Romans 5:3 VOICE
…We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance.
I save these inspirational posts from each day and I study them in my quiet time and then write them in a special journal I bought for just this blessing.
What we think about and who we surround ourselves with makes all the difference. Prayer seals the deal. If you would like the opportunity to get in on this prayer circle, come on!
Thanks to all my special friends who ministered in my hour of need. Your prayers moved God to answer. He did bestow peace and it is beyond all understanding.
Can’t wait to see what comes next!