Many times we find ourselves suffocated by this little event we call Life. Life is not fair. Life is rough. Life is a pain in the batootie, and Life is very frustrating and very confusing. Being young ladies, we are faced with many emotions that come naturally to us. We are emotional creatures. We are sensitive by nature, and being sensitive doesn't really help us tackle life head on. Although, we should not let our emotions run our lives. We are supposed to live by the Spirit and tell our emotions to take a seat and shut up. But, sometimes that is not always the case BECAUSEEE life can simply get you down, and it's hard. Very difficult.
Everyday, we encounter many giants and quite frankly, some giants are a lot bigger and meaner than other ones, and we're left trying to figure out how to fight these giants when our world seems to be falling apart or when the tidal waves seem to get more violent and they're threatening to drown you...
So, where is Jesus when we've found ourselves in the midst of a big storm and darkness surrounds? I know you've heard many people say that God never leaves us, that God is always there for us, and when you're going through something no one else in the world can understand, those words can be very frustrating to hear because you feel like God is no where around. You feel as though God doesn't care about you and your problems, and it feels as though God will never rescue you from the very thing that is suffocating you and threatening to take your life.
Many times God remains silent during our storms, that doesn't mean He has let us go because He hasn't. Yes, God is here for us, but we also have to remember that when we find ourselves in the midst of the storm that God may be trying to show us something. God may be trying to make us stronger, and or maybe He just wants us to learn some things we may not have learned or discovered had we not been in a storm. Most times, we won't even know why we were going through what we were going through until AFTER the storm is over and the rainbow has appeared. (It's just like that sometimes *shrugs*) lol. Even though going through a storm can seem very long and it hurts, and it's lonely, and it SUCKS. BUT, Jesus is STILL with us. Jesus is our peace and calmness in a storm. You know how the eye of a hurricane is very calm and peaceful? Well, just think about Jesus as the eye of a hurricane. Yes, we may have so much mess and hurt and pain and chaos surrounding us, but we know that Jesus is in the middle of it all, and that He will gladly hold our hand through the WHOLE storm. I assure you of this. (personal experience. lol)
It is by God's grace, mercy, and love that after the storm, we are able to say that we are still standing and that we made it out alive. At the end of a storm, our faith is made stronger, we're made whole, and we have gained so much more understanding and wisdom than what we have had before. And by using what we have been equipped with during the storm, we are then able to go out and serve God. We obtain the confidence of going out and sharing our testimony and just what God has done in our lives.
It's not easy being a young lady trying our best living for Jesus. It's not easy at all because we have many things that we go through, and it's really tough. But I proclaim to you, if you hold on to Jesus' hand during your storm and you keep putting ALL of your trust and strength in Him, He will take care of you and blow your mind away!
Romans 8:28-30, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."
Don't ever feel like you're alone and that you have nobody. Jesus knows that you're hurting. He knows where and how you're hurting. And the great thing about it is that He KNOWS how to fix your hurt. He knows how to make it okay, and most importantly, He knows how to make you smile again. I promise, it will be just fine. You will get through this life, because Jesus has overcome this world and that makes you MORE than a conquerer! Exciting right? lol.
Keep your head up love.
Don't ever forget that you are BEAUTIFUL just the way you are!
Ayanna
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Has Your Thirst Been Real?
Sooo...I've been doing ALOT of thinking these past couple of days, and I feel like the Lord is trying to either teach or show me something....but that's a different story...
I was thinking about what the Lord would want for me to share with you guys this time, and the word reignite came into my head.
What does reignite have to do with anything? Well, I'll tell ya!
There comes a time in our lives where we go through a dry place or a dry season and it seems as though you're not producing any fruit. You cry out to God, but it seems as though He isn't there. You try to pray and seek God buttt it just doesn't seem to be happening and you feel as though your faith is stagnant.
I can personally testify to those many, many dry seasons, but I'm not here to talk about me; I'm here to encourage you through this dry season or post-dry season.
So, it's been a couple months since you've felt a deep connection with God. It's been a while since you really prayed and you really opened your Bible and really spent time with God. And that dry season seemed to be eating you alive...well, what happens when you feel and know that the Lord has finally brought you out of this dry place? Where do you go with your faith now? I suggest you go nowhere but up and forward.
After our dry season is over, we feel like it's been ages were we've truly connected in a deep, intimate worship with God, and of course you miss that personal time with God, and you want to get back into that routine, but you want things to be different than what they were and you want to be reignited with that passion for God you once had before.
Here's a few suggestions...:
1.) THINK:
go back and reevaluate the things you did BEFORE you entered your dry season and WHILE you were in your dry season. In hindsight, were there somethings God was trying to get your attention on? Are there somethings you could have done differently that would have equipped you while you were going through your dry season? Think on those things that you did that were not so productive and pleasing to God...and once you've thought about all of those things, make a mental or physical note on what YOU ARE, not what you might, but what you are* going to do different that will help you get and STAY closer with God. A lot of times we can prevent issues from happening if we go back and think about the issues we went through before. It's like a mind map that helps you get around all of the obstacles...or a GPS, either one will suffice. Once you've figured out all of the errors that were made, if Satan ever tries to tempt you or if God decides to put your faith to test, you will know what to do this time because you've thought about how to triumph and not repeat the same things to put you in a desperate situation. Study & pass the test the FIRST time around!
2.) Chit-Chat:
Yes, have a little conversation with God about your heart's desires, dreams, and ambitions. Tell the Lord what you want to do for Him. Tell God how you feel and tell Him that you want to do what He has called you to do. Ask God to help you to stay strong and persistent and consistent through trying times and even the casual-flow times. Constantly talk to God. It is important that you daily build your relationship with Him...after all, He is your heavenly Father and friend! take advantage, He's got your back!
3.) Worship:
Worship has always been a very great thing for me that helps me feel close to God when I have no words to say in prayer or when it just seems like I can't read my bible. I always turn on some worship or praise, depending on the atmosphere, and I just sing to God. I just open my mouth and just sing how amazing and awesome God is. Victory is in your praise. Worship connects you with your Savior...it's intimate and personal time between you and Him. It's not like you're at church with other people. It's just you, God, and your personal space. Worship will help ignite that passion that you once had when you first became saved or when you had that encounter with God.
4.) Stay Aware:
A good preventer in not letting you stray away from God or for letting your fire dwindle inside is simply staying aware of what God has done for you. Staying aware of what He's doing in your life, and staying aware of all of the dreams, passions, and desires He has placed in your heart to do great things for Him. Make sure you also stay aware of when Satan is trying to tempt you and lure you aware from the good things God has surrounded you with. It is very easy to become complacent and let things sly by you when you know they shouldn't be sliding by. In both aspects, we have to stay aware because it is very important in our walk. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."We always, always, have to stay watchful and alert and guard our hearts from the things that could potentially tear us away from God, or from the things that are trying to put our lights out.
Every once in a while, we always have to reignite our flame within, and that passion. We always have to stay thankful for what God has given us and I think that will help us stay where we need to be as well as putting in so much time with God so we can follow His direction.
Sometimes, we will go through dry seasons and our prayer, spiritual, or personal life will become very thirsty, but always remember that God is the River of Life...let Him flow through you and you'll never have to be thirsty again!
Always know that you are beautiful!
Ayanna
I was thinking about what the Lord would want for me to share with you guys this time, and the word reignite came into my head.
What does reignite have to do with anything? Well, I'll tell ya!
There comes a time in our lives where we go through a dry place or a dry season and it seems as though you're not producing any fruit. You cry out to God, but it seems as though He isn't there. You try to pray and seek God buttt it just doesn't seem to be happening and you feel as though your faith is stagnant.
I can personally testify to those many, many dry seasons, but I'm not here to talk about me; I'm here to encourage you through this dry season or post-dry season.
So, it's been a couple months since you've felt a deep connection with God. It's been a while since you really prayed and you really opened your Bible and really spent time with God. And that dry season seemed to be eating you alive...well, what happens when you feel and know that the Lord has finally brought you out of this dry place? Where do you go with your faith now? I suggest you go nowhere but up and forward.
After our dry season is over, we feel like it's been ages were we've truly connected in a deep, intimate worship with God, and of course you miss that personal time with God, and you want to get back into that routine, but you want things to be different than what they were and you want to be reignited with that passion for God you once had before.
Here's a few suggestions...:
1.) THINK:
go back and reevaluate the things you did BEFORE you entered your dry season and WHILE you were in your dry season. In hindsight, were there somethings God was trying to get your attention on? Are there somethings you could have done differently that would have equipped you while you were going through your dry season? Think on those things that you did that were not so productive and pleasing to God...and once you've thought about all of those things, make a mental or physical note on what YOU ARE, not what you might, but what you are* going to do different that will help you get and STAY closer with God. A lot of times we can prevent issues from happening if we go back and think about the issues we went through before. It's like a mind map that helps you get around all of the obstacles...or a GPS, either one will suffice. Once you've figured out all of the errors that were made, if Satan ever tries to tempt you or if God decides to put your faith to test, you will know what to do this time because you've thought about how to triumph and not repeat the same things to put you in a desperate situation. Study & pass the test the FIRST time around!
2.) Chit-Chat:
Yes, have a little conversation with God about your heart's desires, dreams, and ambitions. Tell the Lord what you want to do for Him. Tell God how you feel and tell Him that you want to do what He has called you to do. Ask God to help you to stay strong and persistent and consistent through trying times and even the casual-flow times. Constantly talk to God. It is important that you daily build your relationship with Him...after all, He is your heavenly Father and friend! take advantage, He's got your back!
3.) Worship:
Worship has always been a very great thing for me that helps me feel close to God when I have no words to say in prayer or when it just seems like I can't read my bible. I always turn on some worship or praise, depending on the atmosphere, and I just sing to God. I just open my mouth and just sing how amazing and awesome God is. Victory is in your praise. Worship connects you with your Savior...it's intimate and personal time between you and Him. It's not like you're at church with other people. It's just you, God, and your personal space. Worship will help ignite that passion that you once had when you first became saved or when you had that encounter with God.
4.) Stay Aware:
A good preventer in not letting you stray away from God or for letting your fire dwindle inside is simply staying aware of what God has done for you. Staying aware of what He's doing in your life, and staying aware of all of the dreams, passions, and desires He has placed in your heart to do great things for Him. Make sure you also stay aware of when Satan is trying to tempt you and lure you aware from the good things God has surrounded you with. It is very easy to become complacent and let things sly by you when you know they shouldn't be sliding by. In both aspects, we have to stay aware because it is very important in our walk. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."We always, always, have to stay watchful and alert and guard our hearts from the things that could potentially tear us away from God, or from the things that are trying to put our lights out.
Every once in a while, we always have to reignite our flame within, and that passion. We always have to stay thankful for what God has given us and I think that will help us stay where we need to be as well as putting in so much time with God so we can follow His direction.
Sometimes, we will go through dry seasons and our prayer, spiritual, or personal life will become very thirsty, but always remember that God is the River of Life...let Him flow through you and you'll never have to be thirsty again!
Always know that you are beautiful!
Ayanna
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