Happy Weekend friends!
I'm just popping over here to say "I promise I haven't forgotten about you!" That's right, life has been crazy, busy and jam packed lately (long story) but we're still praising God as He is always blessing us through these storms and trials!
I decided to treat myself to a special coffee drink this afternoon from our local coffee shop and want to chat with you for a few minutes (sometimes you just gotta "buy the fancy coffee").
It's been a brisk day so far as I was out and about this morning running around but I got to enjoy some wonderful time with some of my husband's family. Isn't it amazing how you feel after taking the time to spend with the ones you love? It's honestly refreshing- try it this weekend, you won't regret it!
I just wanted to hop on quick and talk about something that has been weighing quite heavily on my heart the last few weeks...
Discouragement...
I'm afraid we've all faced and we've all dealt with it but lately for me, the weight of it feels a little more suffocating compared to months and weeks before. There are many days that I look back at the end of the day and just plain feel defeated. And it honestly makes me feel discouraged.
Now I don't feel that God isn't working in my life and the lives of those around us. Our God is an amazing God! He is continually faithful, loving and He has provided all that we need! But I know for me, it's my own heart that needs a bit of work.
There are so many around us who need our prayers and who are going through some of their greatest challenges. My husband and I's prayer list keeps growing and growing. Not just for ourselves but for the numerous folks in our lives that so desperately need it. And while I am so grateful that we have the ability to provide prayers and hopefully we show support and love to those who need it, it breaks my heart to watch and see what they have to face. It's hard, so hard. (Once again, this is my extra sensitive self coming through!)
But I have to remind myself that Jesus told His disciplines in John 16 that we would have trials in this world. But we would only experience inner peace through Him, He who overcame this world. And how do we achieve that inner peace? Through having a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. By bringing our hearts wholly to Jesus we don't have to live in fear, with anxieties and broken hearted. God heals our hurting hearts and Jesus paid the penalty so that we may put on the armor of God in all of life's toughest trials.
My heart still feels heavy many days. Anxiety has always been a crutch I've needed to overcome in my life. It's so easy for me to "try to figure it out on my own". (I mean honestly, did I actually think my plan of action would surpass His?!) But I was reminded at work one more time yesterday, that I don't need to figure it out. I don't need to worry. God will provide, God already has a plan, and without a shadow of a doubt His plan is much much much better than mine!
And for those around me that my heart breaks for, for those that I just wish I could take away all the pain, suffering and sadness they are experiencing- I will keep praying, I will keep strengthening my relationship with Jesus Christ, I will keep sharing the good news of His faithful love, I will thank God for their presence in my life, I will give my heart to God, I will praise God for the work He has done, I will thank God with a gracious heart for all that He has provided for each one, I will give my requests for their needs to God, I will trust that God is at work and I will accept His peace in my heart.
Philippians 4:6-9 (The Message)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for your good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excelllent harmonies.
These moments always make me think of the hymn "It Is Well"...if you've never heard the Joey+Rory version of this song, tap this link- it's truly "music to the ears!"
Martina, it hits home everytime I read your wonderful blog! I’m so blessed by your blog and your compassion for those around you. Praying for you! Life is hard,and God will use us to lift eachother up!
This is really good. As you know, I've been discouraged a lot in the last 3 years