Showing posts with label Discouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Discouragement. Show all posts

Monday, October 4, 2010

"Hangeth Thou In There Baby"

Kay Arthur, a Bible teacher, author, and christian speaker whom I highly respect has often exhorted her students to ... "hangeth thou in there!" Her encouraging words have never ceased to bring a smile to my face. This morning, however, God forever burned those words into my heart. Allow me to explain.

For months, I have been fighting what seemed like a losing battle. An unfamiliar, and down-right unpleasant opponent had come into my camp and would not budge! So armed and loaded for bear, I set out to win the battle with the one I will simply call, "my middle-age-middle". I purchased a pedometer and faithfully used it to daily measure my steps. I began keeping a food journal and carefully examined every morsel I put into my mouth. I even made myself accountable to a group of like-minded individuals by signing up for a weight training "boot camp" class which met 3x a week.

Day after day, week after week, and month after month I was faithful. I was diligently doing everything I knew to be right! Yet, my opponent continued to mock me. Sure, I was becoming stronger, and healthier, and feeling better than I had felt in years ... yet, I was discouraged.

Why? Because I was not getting the results I expected. I was not getting what I wanted. I was not getting the return on my investment I had anticipated. I wanted what I wanted and I wanted it now.

This is when God spoke. Right there, in the most unlikely of places, the gym! Smack dab in the middle of my "Kettle Bell" boot camp class! The God of The Universe gently, and lovingly, reminded me of the danger of my expectations. He reminded me how easily I can become discouraged, and ultimately defeated when I don't get my anticipated result. He reminded of the importance of endurance. He reminded me I am a needy woman, a woman who desperately needs Him. A woman who is learning to wait for His timing. A woman who is learning to hangeth thou in there. Irregardless of the outcome.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

DayBreak, it's a good thing. : )

DayBreak is the name my church has set aside for our women's Thursday morning Bible studies. I have always been fond of the name but today I believe (maybe for the first time) I understood why our Women's Ministry Director chose the name. Allow me to explain.

Today, the women who gathered in my class were weary. Weary of the heaviness of the hurts and disappointments of life.

Today, the women who gathered in my class were angry. Angry at the wake of destruction sin always leaves in it's path.

Today, the women who gathered in my class were desperate. Desperate for the blessing of community. In desperate need to be encouraged and "sharpened" by the other women they have come to know, love, and trust in the class.

From one woman to another, may I say ... there WILL come a time when life is heavy. And there will come a time when you are tempted to withdraw. From one who knows ... NOTHING good ever comes out of a Christian going into seclusion or going it "alone".

If you are not active in a local church - Determine TODAY that you will get plugged in. Don't miss out on the rich blessing of true community. Find your "DayBreak", it's a GOOD thing.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

"Sat(her)day" - All Things Have Become New ...

I love the New Year!

No, not because I am one of those "resolutioners". I have labored through enough resolutions to know they usually do little more than make me feel like a failure by February. (Grin)

So what is it that I love about the New Year?

The New Year (for me) is a vivid reminder of the invitation to "begin" again.

God says in His Word, His mercies are new every morning.

During my "Sat(her)day" time today, I spent some time reflecting on the immeasurable grace of my God. And reminding myself … He is sovereign.

Today was a day of letting go ...

I let go of MY expectations.

I let go of MY disappointments.

I let go of MY hurts.

I let go of MY feelings of inadequacy.

I let go of MY agenda.

I let GOD comfort me.

I let GOD refresh me.

I let GOD validate me.

I let GOD re-direct me.

Maybe you, like me, need to spend some time reflecting on the beauty of God's grace. Each new day is an invitation to begin again. : )
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Sat(her)day may be done on any day (that works well for you) of the week. It is meant to be an encouragement and a reminder to women in leadership to plan time for themselves at least once a week. My Saturday blog has proven to be an effective means of holding myself accountable. I hope it inspires you to the same accountability. : )