Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes! 2 Peter 3:18 MSG
Have you ever been around a person who does nothing but complain? That situation can be so emotionally exhausted. Recently I found myself in the situation. I felt like standing on top of a table with a poster board with brightly colored words….Please, Please, Please, be quiet!! Then I wondered if the irritation on my face was really saying, “I want to hear more of what you are whining about!” I couldn’t get away from the feeling of wanting to scream. So, I had to stop and really pray about this situation.
I wondered if that is what I sounded like to God. I hoped not. But I know that I have whined about many things in my prayer life and in general conversations. I imagine that the audience receiving my words felt the same way….”Yolanda, can you please stop whining!”
So often we whine and complain about things we can’t control. We become impatient, self reliant, and over confident. And then we immediately go to plan B without stopping to pray. Now everyone involved in plan B is the cause once again for our misery and setbacks.
“Surely, if everyone just did it my way, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
Sometimes, the Lord places people in our lives to be a mirror. I realized I had to open my heart and mind to the possibility that I have sounded like a whining 3 year old. I was refreshed knowing what to do immediately if I caught myself in the act of whining.
Whining requires a lot of emotional energy and it takes a lot of energy from the people who listen. I certainly don’t want that to be my testimony. I would rather turn my attention to the lessons learned and the people helped along lives journey. Life isn’t supposed to be easy. But life can be fruitful. Yet, whining seems to be like a weed choking the life out of many situations.
My burden is already light just being aware of my own actions and how they affect others. Thank you, God!
Prayer… Dear Lord, please forgive when I have whined and clogged your ears with endless complaining. I am sorry. Yet, now I am rejoicing Lord for your revelation of just how good you have been. I am grateful for another to share the good news of your grace and mercy. Amen
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Praise Him While Enduring
Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:36 NLT
I am an emotional person. And often times I have made decisions based solely on what I was feeling. But this walk I am on has caused me to realize that is not always a good decision. By living and trusting my emotions only, I can very easily live my life in a yo-yo fashion. My emotions are a real part of who I am, but I am learning that I don’t have to try and change that. I just have to learn to work with all parts that make up my unique personality.
Over the past month I have been challenged to deal with so many facets of life. I have felt like there were mini meeting being held just for me to open the flow gates of trauma, drama, emotional conflicts. My days were beginning to always be off-beat and I was feeling irritated most days. As many of you know, that is not a good place to be. But I have been there before. And this time, I was determined to do something different.
Instead of conforming to the mood I was in and walking around with a dark cloud, I decided to continue to pray, worship and praise in the middle of it. For some, this decision is easy. For me, it hasn’t always been. On days when I have to isolate myself to kept from saying things I shouldn’t or to refrain from the desire to reach out and “touch” somebody, I have to , on purpose, stop and pray. It can be that serious. That’s my truth.
But God…..Oh my God is greater than all the craziest in my world. So, today is a day of thanksgiving for me.
I am thankful for:
The valley experiences…
The lessons in the valley…
Endurance…
Patience…
Patience…
And more patience!
God is real and I can trust Him. I know I can’t always trust my emotions. So, I will lean on Him instead.
Prayer Dear Lord, thank you for just being you. Thank you Lord for allowing me to endure the valley experiences of life. I am grateful for lessons learned and lessons shared. I can’t always trust what I am feeling. But you Lord, are real and I can trust and rely only on You.
I am an emotional person. And often times I have made decisions based solely on what I was feeling. But this walk I am on has caused me to realize that is not always a good decision. By living and trusting my emotions only, I can very easily live my life in a yo-yo fashion. My emotions are a real part of who I am, but I am learning that I don’t have to try and change that. I just have to learn to work with all parts that make up my unique personality.
Over the past month I have been challenged to deal with so many facets of life. I have felt like there were mini meeting being held just for me to open the flow gates of trauma, drama, emotional conflicts. My days were beginning to always be off-beat and I was feeling irritated most days. As many of you know, that is not a good place to be. But I have been there before. And this time, I was determined to do something different.
Instead of conforming to the mood I was in and walking around with a dark cloud, I decided to continue to pray, worship and praise in the middle of it. For some, this decision is easy. For me, it hasn’t always been. On days when I have to isolate myself to kept from saying things I shouldn’t or to refrain from the desire to reach out and “touch” somebody, I have to , on purpose, stop and pray. It can be that serious. That’s my truth.
But God…..Oh my God is greater than all the craziest in my world. So, today is a day of thanksgiving for me.
I am thankful for:
The valley experiences…
The lessons in the valley…
Endurance…
Patience…
Patience…
And more patience!
God is real and I can trust Him. I know I can’t always trust my emotions. So, I will lean on Him instead.
Prayer Dear Lord, thank you for just being you. Thank you Lord for allowing me to endure the valley experiences of life. I am grateful for lessons learned and lessons shared. I can’t always trust what I am feeling. But you Lord, are real and I can trust and rely only on You.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
God Is As Near As Your Next Breath
May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor and give you his peace. Numbers 6:24-26
I was speaking with a associate the other day. He was expressing how his daily schedule had changed because his family and extended families were both needing help from him. He didn’t seem stressed or overwhelmed. I was thinking about being spread too thin or the time spent running around helping everyone.
Concerned about his emotional well being I asked, “How do you feel about being pulled between two households?” He looked surprised at the question but didn’t hesitate on providing an answer. As his eyes widened with excitement, he stated, “If someone calls me to help them, that means that they believe 1) I am willing to help and 2) If I am unable to help, I can find someone to help. All they have to do is call.
I was surprised by this answer, expecting him to complain about his status as “fix it” man. But my heart quickly became warm when I thought about the people who depended on him and how they trusted him to help and take care of his extended family when needed. I smiled thinking about how his loved ones trusted that if something broke in the house, he would fix it. Or if someone needed a ride, he’ll gladly make time. And if someone came up short on bills, he would supplement.
As I thought about this brief conversation, it resonated in my spirit. You see, I have decided to commit myself to a class called Luke 1:38. This class is being facilitated by my Pastor Tacuma and First Lady Michelle Johnson. This is an intensive 6 month class dedicated to deepening my relationship with God. Since I made that commitment, my life has met many new challenges that have tested my patience, my view of the world, and even who I am.
But the blessing is realizing the Lord is as near as my next breath.
• I trust that when I cry out, the Lord will wipe my tears.
• I trust that when my heart is wounded, the Lord will massage my heart.
• I trust that when I open my mouth and speak life into a situation, the Lord creates an awakening.
• I trust that when the month is longer than my funds, the Lord will make a way.
I am reassured that God is only a prayer away.
Prayer Lord, I thank you for your grace and mercy. I am praising you just for being you, for being God. I am thanking you for never leaving me. I appreciate you being as near as my next breath. You’re awesome! Amen
I was speaking with a associate the other day. He was expressing how his daily schedule had changed because his family and extended families were both needing help from him. He didn’t seem stressed or overwhelmed. I was thinking about being spread too thin or the time spent running around helping everyone.
Concerned about his emotional well being I asked, “How do you feel about being pulled between two households?” He looked surprised at the question but didn’t hesitate on providing an answer. As his eyes widened with excitement, he stated, “If someone calls me to help them, that means that they believe 1) I am willing to help and 2) If I am unable to help, I can find someone to help. All they have to do is call.
I was surprised by this answer, expecting him to complain about his status as “fix it” man. But my heart quickly became warm when I thought about the people who depended on him and how they trusted him to help and take care of his extended family when needed. I smiled thinking about how his loved ones trusted that if something broke in the house, he would fix it. Or if someone needed a ride, he’ll gladly make time. And if someone came up short on bills, he would supplement.
As I thought about this brief conversation, it resonated in my spirit. You see, I have decided to commit myself to a class called Luke 1:38. This class is being facilitated by my Pastor Tacuma and First Lady Michelle Johnson. This is an intensive 6 month class dedicated to deepening my relationship with God. Since I made that commitment, my life has met many new challenges that have tested my patience, my view of the world, and even who I am.
But the blessing is realizing the Lord is as near as my next breath.
• I trust that when I cry out, the Lord will wipe my tears.
• I trust that when my heart is wounded, the Lord will massage my heart.
• I trust that when I open my mouth and speak life into a situation, the Lord creates an awakening.
• I trust that when the month is longer than my funds, the Lord will make a way.
I am reassured that God is only a prayer away.
Prayer Lord, I thank you for your grace and mercy. I am praising you just for being you, for being God. I am thanking you for never leaving me. I appreciate you being as near as my next breath. You’re awesome! Amen
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