courage for those in dread & resignation [part 1]
a kindling post
This was a couple weeks ago. See the snow? It’s not bad. In early winter it’s beautiful and exciting, but by April and May it’s sort of a drag. Not terrible though, we can live with it.
We can endure. If we had to, we could live with it as long as necessary.
Hang onto that thought because here’s a word for some of you:
You are enduring something right now that is lasting longer than it ought to. It is less than God’s perfect design for you.
A lot of people are going through that actually, but here’s where it gets specific:
You know what it takes to make the snow melt, but you’ve resigned yourself to perpetual winter because it doesn’t seem as bad as the cost of obedience.
Is that you? Be brave and keep reading. Resist the urge to hit the X and close this. There’s sunshine ahead, and no condemnation. Just conviction, but it comes with freedom, and relief, and the glory of summer.
You’ve decided to settle and endure because it seems more comfortable or safe than what the Lord asked you to do, as the vessel He flows through. And what is very dangerous about that is your heart is becoming cold and numb to hearing Him as you’ve continued to lean on reasons that justify disobedience.
Friend…you are denying spring. There is so much progress in front of you, and beauty, and warmth, and joy. You don’t want to miss out on them. They are worth the cost. His smile over you is worth the cost. His hand of protection over you is worth the cost.
We think we can just endure, but in His mercy He will drive us back to Him because the winter will become unbearable. It’s a natural consequence; our disobedience moves us out from under the hand of His protection. He didn’t remove it — we did. And we may think we can handle snow and cold temperatures for several more months, but that’s not we’ll get. We’re not signing up for the status quo. We’re signing up for 40 below zero and hurricane force winds. Not at first, of course, but if we persist in stubbornness, they are coming.
So friend, if you know what you’ve disobeyed in, confess it right now. Jesus, I’m sorry for _____. And then take your first step of obedience back in that direction, right now, even if it’s only praying, “Lord, help me remember to ___________ in the morning.”
And if you don’t know what it is but you have a vague suspicion you’ve grown numb in some area, ask Him right now: Lord, reveal again what You want me to hear and do. I’m sorry for disobeying and I want to hear You again. Then listen. Be willing to hear the thing you don’t want to hear — even the thing you realize you’re dreading — and surrender it. It may not be the thing He’s leading you to do, but even if it is, it’s far better than perpetual winter.
But don’t go digging around your soul with a garden trowel, determined to find something. Let Him do the work; it’s your job to listen if He reveals something, and then obey.
That thing that’s triggering fear isn’t really the threat you think it is. It’s pushing your buttons and making you feel vulnerable in unexpected ways, but you are safe, loved, and secure.
Look at the root of why it’s alarming you. That will show you the real issue at hand that you probably need to process and pray about. The thing you’ve been fearing is just a puffed up version of that, blown out of proportion, as the enemy has tried to play havoc on your thoughts and weak spots.
Don’t give into him. What’s the truth?
You have the mind of Christ. You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. You are seated with Christ. You are more than a conqueror.
You hear that? You are the one striking fear into the enemy. Do not let him bluff you into believing it’s the other way around.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
— Jude 24-25
That thing you’ve been dreading might actually end up being a huge step forward for you. It might actually be a huge relief.
So watch your attitude and refuse to waste time in dread. Pray about your concern but move forward in what God is telling you to do so you can partner with Him. Choosing to dread does the opposite; it means partnering with fear and giving it permission. Choose obedience and trust, and give God permission to move in your life instead. We have to surrender to Him to win.
Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
— Psalm 27:11-14
Friend, if you are dreading the day tomorrow, or some day up ahead…He is right there, with you, ahead of you, and behind you.
If the tasks on your list seem like too much, or the kids are too much, or the people are too much, or the pain and conflict are too much, just go slow.
Watch and listen for what the Lord is up to. He wants to show you something in the overwhelm as you persevere. There’s joy and peace and certainty there as we abide.
And when we find it, we also find ourselves dreading our tomorrows less. We know we will walk in power as we go through them.
The Lord is already holding your days. You do not need to shrink back or fret. He knows and He sees you. He is walking with you, speaking to you, speaking to others on your behalf, and making a way for you.
Every time you trust Him, you protect your path forward. The snow and ice melt; your direction emerges clearly.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
— John 14:1-7
Lord, this is Your day, and Your week, and Your agenda. You know all the things on our calendar, and all the things we don’t know about that aren’t on it yet. We give them all to you. Help us to handle each one well, with joy and peace and wisdom, refusing to dread or stress or strive. Help us hear You and abide as we move through these days, stewarding them well to expand the Kingdom. You have great plans for us, and we will fear no Monday, or Tuesday…or any other day.
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
— Ephesians 3:7-12
Need more support and encouragement with this? Part 2 is here.
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Looking for another Kindling post? They’re right here.