Oh, change is hard. Isn't it? Some changes, like the ones made on the road to getting healthy, are hard but they produce exciting results. Not immediately, of course, but at some point. Other change, however, is downright stinky. I mean, I'm sure God has a perfectly wonderful plan in all of it...but at first it just seems 100% lacking in any amount of fun or even good reason. But...sometimes God doesn't ask us to do the fun or reasonable thing. He asks us to do His will. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)
In the midst of hard things, it's easy to get caught up in emotions. Feelings. Let our hearts rule us. But, my friends, our feelings often deceive us. In fact, more often than not, that's the case. I'm walking through one of those times right now where my feelings are having a rough go. My feelings, if I allowed them to, could totally get me off the path God is leading our family down. My feelings would much rather I stayed on the easy path. (Or at least the path that looks easy to me right now.) The "easy" path, is the path of least resistance. It's the path that you choose when you don't like change or having to get out of your comfort zone. We've been stuck on that path for quite awhile.
But, now we're stepping out in faith and following God down a new path. A path we're sure He's leading us down...but one that's full of hard choices. And we've left the comfort zone far behind. FAR behind. I'm sure there are great things on this new path, and that a new level of comfort will eventually return. As of yet, though, the path is a bumpy one.
What do you do when God asks you to leave your comfort zone? And how has He asked you to do that? Has He asked you to step out and share your faith with someone? Has He asked you to begin a new journey as a family, like homeschooling? Has He asked you to remove something, like TV or certain movies, from your free time? At some point or another, God WILL ask us to do the hard thing. He WILL require that we move out of our comfort zone. Thankfully, though, our obedience in these areas always leads to us growing in our faith.
How much are you willing to give up for God? How far out of your comfort zone are you willing to go? To be honest, it scares me to even think about that question. Sometimes (like right now) I feel like He's stretched me far enough. At least for a while, I don't want to be stretched any more!
I've been hearing a lot from God on this new journey. Here's some of what I've been comforted with:
Matthew 19:26 ~ "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (so the hard path isn't so hard after all!)
Philippians 1:6 ~...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Deuteronomy 31:6 ~ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
James 1:2-4 ~ Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
2 Peter 1:5-8 ~For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You see, this journey we're on, while not currently easy...has a purpose in God's plan. As long as we stay grounded in Him, He will continue to make us more like His Son. We can't let our emotions determine our direction. We have to cling tightly to the garment of Christ and allow Him to guide our path. Remember, His Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105) That means it's lighting up just enough to get us a few steps ahead. It's not daylight. It's dark. It's not flipping a switch and having the whole path lit up. It's a small lamp lighting up just enough to see what's just ahead. Don't run ahead of God, friends. Allow Him to guide your way, one step at a time.
So my hope today is that if you're also being led by God down a path that isn't an easy one...you'll find encouragement to stay the course. One step at a time. Covered in prayer and His Word. Allowing Him to do a good work in you. That makes even the most uncomfortable of journeys a whole lot more exciting, don't you think?!
Be blessed along the journey...
In the midst of hard things, it's easy to get caught up in emotions. Feelings. Let our hearts rule us. But, my friends, our feelings often deceive us. In fact, more often than not, that's the case. I'm walking through one of those times right now where my feelings are having a rough go. My feelings, if I allowed them to, could totally get me off the path God is leading our family down. My feelings would much rather I stayed on the easy path. (Or at least the path that looks easy to me right now.) The "easy" path, is the path of least resistance. It's the path that you choose when you don't like change or having to get out of your comfort zone. We've been stuck on that path for quite awhile.
But, now we're stepping out in faith and following God down a new path. A path we're sure He's leading us down...but one that's full of hard choices. And we've left the comfort zone far behind. FAR behind. I'm sure there are great things on this new path, and that a new level of comfort will eventually return. As of yet, though, the path is a bumpy one.
What do you do when God asks you to leave your comfort zone? And how has He asked you to do that? Has He asked you to step out and share your faith with someone? Has He asked you to begin a new journey as a family, like homeschooling? Has He asked you to remove something, like TV or certain movies, from your free time? At some point or another, God WILL ask us to do the hard thing. He WILL require that we move out of our comfort zone. Thankfully, though, our obedience in these areas always leads to us growing in our faith.
How much are you willing to give up for God? How far out of your comfort zone are you willing to go? To be honest, it scares me to even think about that question. Sometimes (like right now) I feel like He's stretched me far enough. At least for a while, I don't want to be stretched any more!
I've been hearing a lot from God on this new journey. Here's some of what I've been comforted with:
Matthew 19:26 ~ "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (so the hard path isn't so hard after all!)
Philippians 1:6 ~...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Deuteronomy 31:6 ~ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
James 1:2-4 ~ Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
2 Peter 1:5-8 ~For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You see, this journey we're on, while not currently easy...has a purpose in God's plan. As long as we stay grounded in Him, He will continue to make us more like His Son. We can't let our emotions determine our direction. We have to cling tightly to the garment of Christ and allow Him to guide our path. Remember, His Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105) That means it's lighting up just enough to get us a few steps ahead. It's not daylight. It's dark. It's not flipping a switch and having the whole path lit up. It's a small lamp lighting up just enough to see what's just ahead. Don't run ahead of God, friends. Allow Him to guide your way, one step at a time.
So my hope today is that if you're also being led by God down a path that isn't an easy one...you'll find encouragement to stay the course. One step at a time. Covered in prayer and His Word. Allowing Him to do a good work in you. That makes even the most uncomfortable of journeys a whole lot more exciting, don't you think?!
Be blessed along the journey...
Amen, Jen, Amen :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all of the rich scripture verses. And may you too be blessed along the journey!!
Warmly,
Cindy :)