Yo! Life has a way of throwing us curve balls we aren’t expecting. I’ve been challenged a lot with wanting to defend myself. I think I’ve struggled very badly with this because sometimes I think maybe if I just explained myself better the other person would see reason (from my perspective). Maybe if I just patiently lay down the facts, there’ll be grace, compassion or remorse. Maybe if I just relay the details from my point of view, there’ll be understanding that things are not just one-sided.
I’ve had such a hard time of letting go! And yet that’s exactly what God is calling me to do.
Time and time again, I sense God telling me to be still.
Uju, be still. “Be still and know I am God”
You feel so helpless when you feel like nothing you say can make a difference. It feels so impossible, and yet I hear God saying… Be still. You feel it is unfair and He says… Be still. You feel unheard, misunderstood… yet God says…. Be still. You want to rage and maybe you get to, and yet God says… Be still. You cry and wail, beg and scream, and yet He says… Be still. You wonder why me, why now, and yet He says… Be still.
Be still…
Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world
Psalm 46:10
I was reminded… “The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name” (Exodus 15:3). He is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him” (Exodus 15:2)
When it feel like the rug is being pulled out from under you, who do you turn to? Where do you go? When you feel alone, who is there with you and for you? The Word of God says that even if our parents turn away from us, our God will hold us close (Psalm 27:10). I believe strongly that in all areas of our lives the Lord intends for us to live an abundant life. He said so in His Word. And yet, it may not be in the narrative we expect or anticipate. We have allowed the world to give us its understanding of what an abundant life looks like. Learning to surrender our preferences for His, to me, that must be one of the biggest part of this Christian journey.
“But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head”
Psalm 3:3
Lord I am ready for all of it! Whatever the cost to me. “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm [me] with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4: 1-2). Strengthen my heart and keep me firmly rooted on You. Father continue to guide me, lead me, use me, heal and transform my soul… 🙌 (Amen in Jesus Name)
“My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my savior; you save me from violence”
2 Sam 22:3
I will be forever grateful for the amazing grace of Jesus. I am so in awe of how He has touched my heart and pulled me out of the darkness into His amazing light. In a time such as this, I am reminded that the same God who did it before, He can do it again. The battle is not done until He says it is over! He already won the victory!
One of my favorite verses is included in Psalm 25:1-5, “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in You I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in You will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are my God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”
I don’t know what you may be going through. I don’t know what you may be dealing with. I don’t know what disappointments, betrayals or hurts life has dealt. It may even be self inflicted, but we can praise God that each day is a new opportunity to come to the throne of grace. Each day we have a new opportunity to surrender to the King of all kings. Each day we can allow His Word renew our minds, heal our hearts and souls. Nothing is too far gone for Him to turn around. And yet we are called to surrender it all to Him. Trust He fights for you! “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory” Deut 20:4
Remember, our victory may not look like we expect… But we get to continue to trust that He always does what’s better for us. He is a good good Father. All we have to do is… Be still!
Thank You Mighty Father, Holy God, Heavenly King. Thank You Father that there is nothing impossible for You. Thank You Jesus for the amazing work of Your Spirit in our lives. Thank You Lord that You see the battles we go through. You see the storms of life. Lord You know the contents of our souls. Lord I pray for Your healing touch in all the parts that we need it. Lord I pray for daily reminders WHO fights for us. Lord I pray that we learn to stay still. That we may stay still and know that we don’t have to defend ourselves. The battle is Yours! Teach us to fight the right battles Father. Lord I pray that we will be courageous and strong. Lord I pray that we will be encouraged in You and obedient to You. Lord I pray that we don’t tire of doing good. Lord I pray that we may hold firmly to Your amazing grace. Thank You Jesus that laying at Your feet is stable ground. When it feel like life is unstable, thank You Jesus that You are the solid Rock that doesn’t change based on how You feel. Nothing can ever separate us from Your Great Love. Thank You Lord. For everyone needing it, Lord I pray Your strength, comfort and blessing over them. I pray for a reminder even now of Your unending love. In Your Holy Name my Lord I pray, Amen.
Dear Uju 