Promotion is Painful...

Okayyyy...so I'm really going to try and do better with this blogging thing. Seriously. :) I think I will used it to express some of the revelations that God gives me.

Well...I could focus on the negative and say that like my last post, not much has changed, but I believe a lot has. Me. All of this time I think I was just looking at things from the wrong perspective. Now let's be honest, I still have a lot to get on track, but I have experienced a lot of changes and ups and downs in the last year and a half and I finally get it - ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS HAVE BEEN USED TO BRING ME TO WHERE I WANT TO BE - closer to God! It's amazing! It's been right here in my face the whole time, but I just didn't get it. Thank you, Lord for answering my prayers!

Actually, some girlfriends and I just completed a 7-day fast. WHOOOOOOOO! Yes! Hallelujah, but Lord knows! It was truly well worth it though. We're all struggling in our singleness and looking for a word from Him, but many of us had really allowed ourselves to become disconnected from Him. It's hard, you know. This Christian walk IS the business! Today I read my daily devotional from Streaming Faith and the guest columnist, Milan Ford, had this to say:

- Living a life that is pleasing to God is not easy.

Another devotional that was definitely on time for my life right now, entitled "Preparing for Promotion," gave the following:

- I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. -John 16:33 NIV

- Whatever you may be facing today, make the decision that you are going to shake off negative thinking and trust that God is working behind the scenes. The more we trust Him and exercise our faith in Him, the more we are preparing ourselves for promotion. Focus on the fact that brighter days are just ahead. Weeping may endure for a night, but when you fight the good fight of faith, God promises that joy is coming in the morning! If you'll work with God, He'll take that adversity, turn it around, and use it for your good. It may be uncomfortable at times, but you've got to know that you are growing. God is maturing you. He is building character in you, and he is preparing you for the promotion and increase He has in store for your future!

I had to just post the whole paragraph because there were so many strong points! But look at the ones that bold; I've been asking God to help me build my faith and trust in Him...check! I've been asking God to bring me closer to Him and reveal more of Himself to me...check! What better way to do that than adversity? I've been out of work 7 months and been kept; I've thanked Him for it, but every step of the way, still allowing myself to get downtrodden and be lackluster - He's been using this situation to do the very thing I asked Him to do! LOL! I have to laugh at myself because I've been so blind, but in my fasting and sacrifice, He made Himself plain to me - THANK YOU, LORD!!!!!

The Lord knows the plans He has for me (and you!), but they will not come easy. Promotion is painful because satan also knows what God has planned for us, so he is going to use as many antics, shenanigans, and obstacles to try and get us off track! (Living a life that is pleasing to God is not easy.) We may fall down, but we get up (as Donnie sings) and we MUST continue to remain faithful. It's the ONLY way to make it through to the other side. (Brighter days are ahead.) And as we travel this journey, we are growing more Christ-like and closer to Him and He is developing us into the kind of sons and daughters that will bear His fruit. Amazing!

In my Woman, Thou Art Loosed bible, TD Jakes writes these "gospel pearls" of wisdom. There is one that I used during my fast as a devotional; it says "How do you want to live your life?" and later, "You must not complain about the answer." Deep and profound. Many of us desire a life that is God-based and God-focused, but so many times, we allow the difficulties and our complaints to bubble up and spill all over the life we have chosen. Like I told my friends, once you invite Jesus in, there is no inviting Him out. He's here to stay. You can fight Him on it, but you'll only be miserable (so I have experienced).

I know that my brighter days are ahead - I am a daughter of the kingdom - I have an inheritance. I am purposed for something great. And if I have to tell myself every day, I will. I am going to continue to trust Him and pray and stay in faith and where I have unbelief, I will repent and ask Him to make me whole in that area. I am determined. Plus, if I wasn't, satan wouldn't be messing with me so much! But part of that is not allowing my flesh to get in the way either...but that's another post. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!