Sunday, October 28, 2012

2 Thessalonians 3:3

Battles...trials...hard times...there can be many things in our life that fit into those categories. Lets just face it...life can be quite difficult at times! It seems that we go along, from day to day, and everything is good. Then one day we wake up and...things as you knew them went downhill so fast you didn't even have time to catch your breath. You are in the midst of something life changing. You pray and pray about things but GOD doesn't seem to be answering...at least in the way that "you" want HIM too! Why do you think that is? Well...

We have to remember that the LORD loves us. HE doesn't always "fix" all of our situations the way we want HIM to or in the time we want HIM to. Sometimes there are things HE wants to show us...teach us. The LORD wants us to grow in HIM. Without the trials...whatever they may be...we just go on living our life and don't think we need to change. Ohhh...but how we do need to change!

Sometimes we become okay with how things are. We know we are a Christian but we have slacked off in the things we know we should be doing. Here is a little transparency about myself...and you know I don't like letting people see the real me...but I do need to share...

I used to love to read and study my bible. Actually couldn't wait to get the chance to really take time to learn! But over the last months I just really have been losing the desire to do this. There were times that I enjoyed it but for the most part it has been as if nothing makes sense to me anymore. I read and it's like my brain...but mostly my heart...is just not getting it! The worst thing of all though is that I have lost that feeling of expectation and excitement. I always loved how I felt when I read and studied...the excitement that the LORD placed in my heart...and just way down deep within my soul! It's just been gone. This has greatly affected every aspect of my life. It has affected my relationships...with the LORD...with friends...with family...and it has affected even my writing in this blog. I could say that it is the fault of the trials and battles that have done this but it's not. It's how I have reacted to those trials and battles...and how I have let them change me instead of letting GOD have control and change me through them.

Because of the things that GOD allows into our life we can either choose to grow and become closer to HIM...or gradually pull away and let the evil one have a little more control over us each day. Sometimes we don't even realize that is what we are doing. Satan is subtle and will work his way in a little at a time. A little thought of discouragement here...a little nudge of despair there...until he has you in what I will call...the doldrums!

Doldrums definition ~ black mood...gloom...indifference...disinterest...flatness...unconcern...lack of interest...depression.

Quite a list isn't it? But that's what happens. All of those things...feelings...start happening to us and we have to make a choice. Either we decide that we will go on living...not really much of a life...in this state or we choose to let GOD take total control of the situations in our life that brought us to this point. Whatever those things are in your life they are small in comparison to the things GOD has for you. Even if HE chooses to not change what's going on HE will change how you accept them and how they affect you.

Will you draw closer to the LORD through the times in your life that are hard? You can only win by doing this!

Or will you gradually pull away and let the evil one win out? We all have to make this choice for ourselves.

1 Peter 5:7-10

Amplified Bible (AMP)
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

Amplified Bible (AMP)
Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].



9 comments:

Nikki (Sarah) said...

amazing message Chelle...for me there's nowhere else to go but to Him. And His promises keep me believing He's got everything under control...wishing you a great day...

child of God said...

Hi Chelle,
Elijah had a time like this too. He just was part of and witnessed a miracle by God when God set the pile of soaking wet wood on fire. A great dent was put into Satan's kingdom when the 400 priests of Baal were killed. Elijah ran for fear of his life. He totally did not trust in God at this point and because of this he went into depression. God came, met him and ministered to him. Even in our lack of faith, or lack of reading God's word, He still ministers to us and draws us into Him.

It is hard to give complete and total control to God but He has patience and love for us.

Praying for you girl you are not alone in this. :)
<><

Wanda said...

Chelle, I appreciate your transparency in many ways I find myself in a similar position. Something in my life was shaken and now I find myself grasping for sort of normalcy.

Just Be Real said...

Chelle, awesomely written. Thank you for sharing your heart dear one. Blessings.

Vilisi said...

Chelle, I can relate very well to what you've shared here having experienced it myself just recently and not for the first time either. (sigh) You have expressed it so well.I have been reading other blogs and many other people are going through the same thing. We are not alone in this. In fact I'm thinking we ought to celebrate that God loves us and is pruning us because he knows the potential
in us to be more through him. Be blessed Chelle. :)

Ken said...

Chelle,
I have also had my dry spells in my walk with the Lord. I know with me sometimes I get my eyes off of the Lord and onto earthly things and my walk grows dry. I think we all struggle with this from time to time, but Jesus is good. He draws us back to Him. Us believers need to be praying for each other that we stand strong and firm in the Lord and do not lose heart. I will be praying... Thank you for sharing your heart.
God bless,
Ken

Never Forsaken said...

Hi Chelle,
By now you have read how many of us have been struggling with such 'dry spells' in our walk. I don't know what the reasons are for this at this time, maybe you are the first to really be transparent in this.
I think it is something important we should think and pray about.
My friend and I always say we will carry our lanterns over to the other, when we have found we have no light to continue walking the path...(Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path)!

Don't be discouraged about how you 'feel', faith is more than our feelings...just speak the Word of God into your life (even if you don't feel anything), because God's Word never returns void...seeds will be planted into fertile ground. You heart is fertile ground~ Jesus has already cultivated it, and He has even harvested fruit from you, hun.
~Thanks for talking about this with us, so that we know to pray for you and for each of us, as well!~ God Bless~ Lisa

BelovedBomber said...

I think sometimes the enemy comes like a flood when he sees the glory of God at work. Praising through is a really hard choice sometimes. I love the honesty in this post!

Anonymous said...

Hi Chelle, I know exactly what you mean and its in those times we have to read anyway and spend time with Godly people anyway. I also have my pity parties and its only when making the decision to get out of the pity party pit, that the sun seems to shine a little brighter slowly but surely. Praying for you my friend.
God bless
Tracy