The Sucker Punch

You’ve seen it in the movies.  Some guy is walking along thinking life is good, but there is someone approaching from behind.  The man approaching is on a mission.  He’s angry, and he’s got tunnel vision on the guy ahead.  The other guy is blissfully unaware of this situation, and then is tapped on the shoulder.  He turns around and that’s when it happens—WAM!  He is sucker punched by the angry man and almost knocked out. 

The enemy of our souls also works in this way.  He is angry.  He wants to halt your forward progress.  Yet, so often we are blissfully unaware.  We’ve been praying; maybe we’ve been fasting.  We’ve achieved a tangible peace about something we have been seeking God over.  Then out of the blue we are tapped on the shoulder and WAM!  We are hit hard in a way that is meant to knock us out.  We are hit with news or situations that are specifically designed to send us into a tailspin….those very things that make us make us want to curl into a ball and retreat.

The problem is if we do that, then the enemy wins. 

In order to get back on our feet for the fight, it’s important to understand a few things.

1.  The reason the enemy uses the element of surprise is because it is one of his most effective strategies he can utilize to win. 

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” I John 4:4 (NIV)

When your opponent has a greater strength than you, the element of surprise becomes very powerful.  While we on our own are not stronger than the enemy, Christ in us IS more powerful. 

2.  We really shouldn’t allow ourselves to be taken by surprise by the enemy. 

“Keep your mind clear, and be alert.  Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8 (GWT)

We know that the enemy is looking for opportunities to take us out.  Simple as that.  It isn’t something to be fearful of, but it is something to be aware.  We do not need to allow ourselves to get distracted, or think that we are immune.  That sets us up as an easy target.  Think of Elijah after his huge show-down with Baal’s prophets & standing in faith for rain on the land.  It was right after that when the enemy used Jezebel to “sucker punch” him with a death threat, causing the mighty prophet of God to literally run for his life (see I Kings 18:16-I Kings 19).  I was told once by a wise leader in my life to always watch for the enemy trying to knock me out right after a spiritual high. 

 3.  We must be armed and ready for battle at all times.

“Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan.  For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.
 So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over you will still be standing up.
 But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval.  Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God.  In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.  And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God.”  Ephesians 6:10-17 (TLB)

When we are armed and ready for battle, when we are vigilant and watchful of the enemy’s tactics, we are able to lessen the impact of his attempt to take us by surprise. 

But what if you in a moment forget to be watchful?  

Know that the immediate punch still hurts.  That is what it is designed to do.  It is also designed to make you react rashly instead of respond responsibly.  In that moment, you must often do the things that are counter-intuitive.  First, know that it is okay to tell God that you don’t understand what is happening and why.  But use that to then respond with your full trust in His faithfulness and provision.  The enemy may have taken you by surprise, but God is all-knowing.  He knew about the moment long ago, and has orchestrated the steps to turn it into something that will somehow work for your good (see Romans 8:28) and for His glory.  

Here are a few immediate steps to help get you back on your feet and moving forward again.

1.       Ask God for comfort as well as direction. 

2.       Seek immediate prayer from trusted friends and leaders. 

3.       Act opposite of what your “flesh” tells you. 

If your response is to want to withdraw and cease making an impact, immediately reach out and do something that has Kingdom impact.  The purpose of the punch was to prevent you from something.  By getting back up and continuing forward on the path God leads you, it immediately negates many of the effects of the attack. 

“Pray all the time.  Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes.  Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 (TLB)

Fight the good fight, my friends.

The Proverbs 31 Woman (yes, her!)- Day 7: Lasting Legacy

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭30-31‬ NLT)

As women, we want to spend our most substantial efforts on the things that are the most long-lasting in our lives. This is why nurturing the relationships with and meeting the needs of our loved ones is so important and so deeply ingrained within us. With this in mind, we must remember that what we want to spend our greatest efforts on in our own lives are the things that will stand the test of time.

Our youthful beauty fades. We are reminded of this when we look in the mirror year after year. Our images transform into something else. And while we may have another kind of beauty as we age, the youthfulness we so often try to cling to disappears. It isn't wrong to take care of ourselves and our appearance. In fact, I believe taking care of our bodies is part of stewarding the resources we have been given. The issue (as with most things) is an issue of the heart. What is our motive? The quest for beauty can become an idol just like anything else. We must ask ourselves if outer beauty has become the focus of our life. If it has, it's not too late to shift your focus and priorities.

Charm is defined as "the power of giving delight or arousing admiration."  It is also defined as "to control or achieve by (or as if by) magic."  Charm is deceptive.  We aren't talking about the first kind of charm....we are talking about the latter.  You know to what I'm referring--batting eyelashes, changing your countenance, or accentuating other attributes to manipulate people or situations in order to get what you want.  You may think it's harmless, but the truth is it hurts you, the person you are manipulating, and your relationship. Very plainly, it is control and it is deception.  It's a tactic employed when you don't think that "playing by the rules" will get you the outcome you desire.  It may start out innocently, but it can quickly become a habit.  Allowing manipulation to rule your relationships will lead to resentment on both sides.  They will resent you because they know you are being manipulative.  You will resent them because you don't feel you can reach a positive outcome without manipulating them into doing what you want.   Manipulation is an erosion to the foundation of truth and trust in your relationships.

So what is lasting?  Our character is something that is lasting because it is something that effects our legacy.  The results of our character are what will outlast us, and will impact the generations to come.  This passage specifically talks about our fear of the Lord.  What does it mean to "fear" the Lord?  Doesn't the Bible talk about perfect love casting out all fear?

This type of fear is not the same type of fear that some of you may be thinking.  This is referring to "reverential awe."  We are simply amazed at our Lord.  We worship Him because of His greatness.  It is something that we are in admiration and amazement over because we simply cannot grasp His fullness.  It is awe-inspiring.  When we have that reverential awe and worshipful attitude toward our Lord, it changes how we look at everything around us.  It causes our perspective to shift.

Can you imagine living in such constant trust of your Savior because you are in such awe of Him? When we trust Him and His plan for our lives, we are obedient to what He calls us to do.  When we are obedient to what He calls us to do, the results do not rest on our own shoulders.  They rest squarely on the shoulders of the One that is capable to bring His plans for our lives to pass.

If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in his good time he will lift you up. (I Peter 5:6)

The Proverbs 31 Woman (yes, her!)- Day 6: What we give, What we get

When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” (‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭26-29‬ NLT)
On this day 6 of 7, I hope that we are all beginning to see a pattern in our study. Several themes are repeated over & over again with respect to the characteristics of our Proverbs 31 woman. Our lady has tabs on her household and she's not a slouch.  If you need a refresher on these topics see day 2, day 3 (Superwoman), & day 5 (Peace, Love, & Clothing). The main point to remember is this: it all comes down to our hearts. 

So far we have learned a lot about what this woman does, but we only have a few glimpses into her personality....how she really treats those around her while she's out "being amazing."   We know that she is intelligent, capable, and that she comforts and encourages her husband.  This passage fleshes out another couple of details for us.  

First, she is wise.  Wisdom is different than intelligence.  Intelligence is obtaining and using knowledge.  Knowledge is simply facts, information, and familiarity.  Wisdom is able to appropriately apply that knowledge in the best way to make good decisions.  In order to speak wisely, we must consider the content, the motive, and the timing of our words.  You may be thinking "that's a lot to think about before I speak."  True.  Chances are our Proverbs 31 woman isn't speaking off-hand or flippantly.  (Ouch)

Also, she "gives instructions with kindness."  How many times are we demanding, nagging, or otherwise negative when we are instructing or making requests of those we love?  Tone says a lot, and it all comes from our hearts.  Remember, we must take care to take care of ourselves. (See day 5.)  When we spend daily time with God, our heart is full of Him and His presence.  We are able to respond from a full heart.  When we neglect the recharging and refilling of our hearts, our responses become harsh, bitter, and biting.  

Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Luke 6:44-45 NIV)
Beth Moore has an AMAZING teaching on this called the Law of Kindness that you owe it to yourself to check out!  It's a 3 part series, and each segment is roughly 18 minutes each.  I can't stress it enough--Watch these!  No really.....seriously.  Take the time today.  (Have I made my point?)

The Law of Kindness- Beth Moore, Part 1
The Law of Kindness- Beth Moore, Part 2
The Law of Kindness- Beth Moore, Part 3

What are the results of our Proverbs 31 woman pouring her heart and soul into her family?  It's very simple.  Her husband and children feel loved, cared for, and respected, so the natural outpouring is that they speak highly of her.  She is honored. 

Is there any greater compliment that we would want to receive than being honored by those dearest to our hearts? 

The Proverbs 31 Woman (yes, her!)- Day 5: Peace, Love, & Clothing

She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭21-25‬ NLT)
Another day, another list? As we learned on Day 2, this passage isn't necessarily a checklist that we need to add to our daily routine.  Of course she makes her own bedspreads....the woman makes her own cloth for goodness sake!  But remember, she didn't have a Stein-Mart or Dillard's right down the block.  So what is this section of scripture really saying? 

1.  She takes care of herself and her household.  

Most of us have at least half of this down.  You make sure that your loved ones have what they need.  You take care to turn your houses into homes by stewarding your resources to the best of your abilities.  The most difficult part of this seems to be the part where we are supposed to take care of ourselves.  Our Proverbs 31 lady is dressing in fine linen and purple gowns--this is the stuff of royalty.  She is taking care to take care of herself.  Here's what's great:  it's not to the exclusion of her family--she isn't selfish.  She is simply doing what she does in every aspect of her life; she is being a good steward and manager of what she has been given (including her body), and treating all aspects of her life with care.  

2.  Her family has a leadership lifestyle.

Our Proverbs 31 woman is an upstanding lady, and her husband is also apparently well-respected. Based on our previous verses, it seems that she helps bring out the best in him.  I believe it would also be safe to say that he helps bring out the best in her.  They are involved in civics and business.  Perhaps we could say they are simply good model citizens.  

3.  Her clothing isn't the covering that people notice about her. 

Our woman is obviously dressed well, but that isn't the most important thing she wears.  She is clothed in strength & dignity...what could that really mean? Clothing functions as our covering, and it's what people often notice immediately about us.  It also serves as protection from the elements or our environment.  

By being clothed in strength and dignity, it is noticeable to the people that encounter her.  She doesn't have to point it out to anyone, just like you don't have to point out the fact that you (hopefully) remembered to put on a dress or pants today!  It's obvious in her interactions, in the way she carries herself.  You know women like this--they just have this aura around them.  You can see these traits as easily as you could a new outfit.  

Her dignity and strength of character are also things that help shield and insulate her from things that could be going on around her.  She is able to face the future with joy.  There is no caveat for circumstance.  When we live with character and integrity with our dependence upon God, we know that regardless of what we face, we will be able to face it head on.  Imagine: Laughing with no fear of the future.  It sounds a whole lot like peace and joy to me.  I don't know about you, but that is something that I crave.  

"Live in such a way that if anyone were to speak badly of you, no one would believe it."~Unknown

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)

The Proverbs 31 Woman (yes, her!)- Day 4: Got Compassion?

She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭20‬ NLT)

Compassion: (from Merriam-Webster)
Main Entry: com·pas·sion
Pronunciation: \kəm-ˈpa-shən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin compassion-, compassio, from compati to sympathize, from Latin com- + pati to bear, suffer
:  sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it


How often do we allow our hearts to be broken by the things that break God's heart?  Our Proverbs 31 woman acts to alleviate the suffering of those around her.  Notice she doesn't just send help.  She also "opens her arms to the needy."  This speaks to embracing and comforting those around us that are hurting.  Sending help without sending love is corporate. Sending love without sending help is an excuse.  We get it right and it actually makes a difference when we do both.

Matthew West has a great song entitled "Do Something."  I believe his words speak more powerfully than mine ever could.  Take a listen to his official YouTube video, and let's pray that no matter where we are on the compassion spectrum, God will open our eyes and sink us even deeper into it.  May our eyes and hearts be open and observant, and our hands and feet ready to act.

The Proverbs 31 Woman (yes, her!)- Day 3: "Superwoman"

She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. (Proverbs 31:13-19 NLT)

THIS is the part of Proverbs 31 where many of us want to cry “uncle!” Who IS this woman?  When we start reading through this list it is easy to buy into the line that we are supposed to be “superwoman.”  I mean, really….this woman makes her own cloth and she goes to far away destinations just for proper food.  She is an economics master, and obviously could put Martha Stewart to shame with her skill set.  She gets up before the sun, and she goes to bed long after the moon has risen.  Better than that—she apparently does this all with great energy and strength!  She makes me tired just reading this partial list of what she does. 

Why does reading this list cause such a reaction in me (and maybe some of you, too) on some days?  Why is it that other days I find myself inspired to be more when I see all that she does for her family?

I believe that one possibility is this:  When we are reading this as a “checklist” to see if we “measure up” as a woman, it will quickly lead to frustration.  Comparison is always a dangerous game, and it is one that will always cause us to lose.  It is a trap.  When we compare her “checklist” to our checklist, we may feel that we don’t measure up.  Or, we can be so strangely competitive with this woman found within the pages of our Bible that we construct our own daily lists to top anything that she could ever consider doing—and we find ourselves burning out fast. 

When we find ourselves inspired by all that she does, what is different about our frame of mind and the posture of our hearts at that moment?  I believe that this again (as we learned on Day 2) ultimately boils down to a heart issue.  Her heart is to serve her family and do all that she can for those she loves.  When our hearts are looking to serve and we are dependent upon God to be our strength, then we become this “superwoman.”  Being “superwoman” isn’t about our own abilities and what we can push ourselves to accomplish.  It’s about simply being the woman God created us to be, and partnering with Him and His supernatural energy, wisdom, and Presence.  HE brings the “super” to our “woman.”  It’s a partnership, not a solo act.

Once our hearts are in the right place, what are a few practical things we can glean from this passage?

• Don’t be afraid of hard work.  Don’t be lazy.  This doesn’t just go for your job or cooking and cleaning.  The laziness trap is most deadly when it come to ourselves—our health, our bodies, our own spiritual walk.
• Do seek wisdom and then use it!  Pray and seek God’s wisdom and discernment with your decisions, and also have spiritual leaders in your life (people ahead of you in the journey) that can give you wise counsel.  [Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 NIV]
• Do know how to delegate DAILY.  Our Proverbs 31 woman plans what she will delegate when she prepares breakfast.  When do you prepare and eat breakfast?  EVERY DAY.  I believe it’s safe to say that every day we have tasks that could be delegated to others.  Remember to “do seek wisdom?”  If this one is hard for you (and I believe it is for many of us), ask God and your trusted advisers to help you identify and plan how to delegate in your own life. 

How can you incorporate the take-aways from these verses in your life this week?  If you are struggling with the comparison trap, ask God to give you a fresh perspective to some of the ways He created you and the women you see on a daily basis.  When we learn to appreciate how we have each been uniquely made, pressure is released, the burden lifted, and the comparison trap is crushed. 

The Proverbs 31 Woman (yes, her!)- Day 2

A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman–who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. [Prov. 12:4; 18:22; 19:14.] The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her. (Proverbs 31:10-12 AMP)

The "Proverbs 31 Woman" (proverbs 31:10-31) was written as an acrostic poem to give spiritual and practical understanding of what it means to be a woman/wife of noble character. While we may not all be married, there are still important virtues to glean from this first section.

First, it's apparent that not every woman is one of "noble character."  She obviously has to be searched out.  The Amplified Bible describes her as "capable, intelligent, and virtuous." Virtuous and noble are synonymous, but what do these words really mean? If you check out Merriam-Webster, you'll find that essentially these mean “of high moral character” or “chaste” [basically not having a sexual nature, or abstaining from such].  Seeing as how God placed Song of Solomon in the Bible, and if you study Paul's teachings, I am quite certain chaste was not the meaning intended concerning a man searching out a virtuous woman to be his wife. 

A second thing is quite clear:   when you are a virtuous woman, you are incredibly valuable.  We are able to be trusted completely.  Trust is priceless.  If you are able to explicitly trust someone, you are able to enjoy an immense peace.  Let’s ask ourselves some difficult questions. 

• Can you be trusted to be fully honest, yet loving in your honesty....even in the toughest situations? 
• Can you be trusted to always to look out for the best for your loved ones? What if the best for them means a more difficult journey for you?
• Can you be trusted to not only react well & celebrate in the good times, but to respond appropriately and lovingly when difficult situations arise?  

Our third focus based on this passage is to be a “builder of the good” within our household.  In order to be a builder of the good, we can’t be a “destroyer with the negative.”  Are we seeking to criticize or belittle those around us?  We can’t be a builder if our favorite tool is a wrecking ball.

 

Our lovely Proverbs 31 woman “comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.”  Certainly this can feel like a tall order.  Does him ONLY good?  That really doesn’t feel like it allows much room for error.  Young’s Literal Translation says it this way:

“She hath done him good, and not evil, all days of her life.” (v.12)

I don’t believe that this verse is calling for perfection.  That would quite frankly be a tall order we are each unable to fulfill.  However, when we look at Young’s translation we see that it comes down to a good ‘ole good versus evil scenario.  This begins to uncover more of a heart issue rather than mere action.  Are we acting out of a resentful or angry heart?  Or are we acting out of a heart filled with grace, love, and expectancy?

Practically speaking, whether you are currently married, engaged, dating, or single, this is an important foundation to build. 

• What if we each sought to become a woman who held to a high moral standard, was completely trustworthy in ALL our ways, and acted to be a “builder of the good” within our sphere of influence?
• What would our relationships look like?  How would that influence others within our circle? What about your children or the young people that are watching on a regular basis?
• What if we focused on our relationship with Christ in the same way as described in these 3 verses?

Which of these concepts is most difficult for you at this season in your life?  Make note of that in your prayer journal/notebook, and ask God to reveal the steps you should take to be shaped into the best version of yourself in that area.  He is always faithful when we seek after Him with our whole heart!

The Proverbs 31 Woman (yes, her!)- Day 1

If you have been a Christian woman very long, you are most likely familiar with "the Proverbs 31 woman."  So much about her is to be admired and to be aspired.  However, in my years of working with women, I have learned that as much as we can be inspired by this amazing woman, truthfully there are days where we just don't want to embrace her.  In fact, we may cringe at the mere thought or mention of her.  Depending on your frame of mind at this very moment, you may very well be embracing either thought--the embracing or the cringing.  Perhaps you may even be experiencing an odd combination of both.   [note: If you are new to Christianity or maybe have questions as to what it means to be a Christian woman, you may not be familiar with "her."  If that's the case, then great! You are much more likely to read these passages with fresher eyes than those of us that have heard them several times before.]  

Let's take a step back, though.  I believe we can all be encouraged by this woman.  Let's take this week and dissect these verses a few at a time, and really delve into what all of this means practically in our own daily lives...even on the days where we don't feel like an "energetic and hard worker"...even on the days where things just feel plain hard.

Today let's read the full passage and simply pray through it.  I encourage you to take your prayer journal or a notebook and record your initial thoughts, fears or concerns, hopes, and questions you have for God.  Know that as I write this, I am praying for you on your journey this week.

Prayer:
Lord, I ask that you would open our eyes and our hearts to the truths you would like to impress upon us this week.  Help us to take an honest look at our lives.  Lord, help us to discern your Truth.  Grant us wisdom to discern the best way to structure our homes and our lives to be centered around You, and to bring You glory.  Help us to lean on You and your strength, because we know there is no other way for us to make it.  Thank you Lord for your new mercy every day.  Thank you for helping our hearts to stay pliable for You.  We praise You for who You are.  In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Day 1

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭10-31‬ NLT)

The Posture of Expectancy

Yesterday during a discussion with a group of ladies concerning trusting God in our lives, I posed this question:  “Why is it that we so often pray for God to do something (many of us for years), believe on so many levels that He will do it, and yet find ourselves having a difficult time accepting that it is actually happening when things start to take place/change?” 

At some point, the thing we believe God will do comes into present tense.  Therefore, we can’t always keep our minds focused on the future.  We must be able to be expectant that God will move at any given moment, yet also be able to stand the test of time, and wait on His timing—with endurance and patience if need be.  This expectant hope that rests in God’s timing is our posture of expectancy. 

Why should we keep a posture of expectancy?

1.       It protects our hearts, and keeps them in line with God’s plan, His timing, and His way.

Proverbs 13:12 states, 

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (NIV)

Gill’s Exposition gives this commentary on this verse (emphasis mine):

“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick...That is, the object hoped for; if it is not enjoyed so soon as expected, at least if it is delayed any length of time, the mind becomes uneasy, the heart sinks and fails, and the man is dispirited and ready to despond, and give up all hope of enjoying the desired blessing; whether it be deliverance from any evil, or the possession of any good…” 

I believe many of us, if we are truthful, can attest to this in some aspect of our lives at some point.  It may be for a season; it may be for a moment.  This occurs when we move from expectancy to expectation—meaning when we move from hoping to see something at any moment but being willing to wait in God’s time frame, to believing that God must do something (i.e. what we want & in the way we want) right now.  We move from hoping in the Lord to placing a demand on His timing, will, and plan.  We forfeit our hope in God for our hope in our own plans and dreams. 

We must be able to identify that we have moved from expectancy to expectation.  From there we must ask for forgiveness and place our trust and hope back in God’s mighty hands.  He is the One that gives us the strength for the journey.  He is faithful to show us how to rest in that posture of expectancy if we simply ask and follow His leading.

Gill’s Exposition goes on to discuss:

“but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life; when that which is hoped and wished for, and has been long expected and desired, comes; when there is an accomplishment of men's wishes, it is as grateful to him as the tree of life was in Eden's garden; it gives him an unspeakable pleasure and delight”. “…though not deferred longer than the appointed time, yet longer than the saints expected, and which sometimes made their hearts sick; they became weak and feeble, fearful and dispirited, lest it should never come to pass, which occasioned fresh promises and assurances to them;”

We wait with a posture of expectancy because when our longing is fulfilled, it will mean more to us than had we never had to wait and pray so fervently for it.  We must remember that we wait with a posture of expectancy because at God’s appointed time, things will come to pass.  What a moment!

As we wait for that moment of fulfillment, He will assure us along the way with fresh Words and what I love to call “God winks.”  Remember that Christ became man and walked on this earth.  He knows us.  He knows our hearts.  He knows that “sometimes” we will grow weary.  Those moments “occasion fresh promises and assurances” from our Lord to us.  Knowing that He loves us more than we could fathom, that He has experienced the same feelings, and that He wants you to experience the fulfillment of His promise even more than you do—doesn’t it align with His character that He would continue to spur you on throughout the journey? 

I can testify to you from my own personal experience that He is faithful to do this!  In my own particular journey, He has spurred me on more than I could account.  God has not allowed me to let go of certain promises and desires….sometimes, no matter how much I wanted or begged.  I know without a doubt, however, that the fulfillment of those promises will be greater than any hurt, any pain, any ache, any tears, and any frustrations I have experienced along the way. 

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5 NIV)

“The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” (I Thessalonians 5:24)

2.       It allows us to be prepared for the realities of what happens when our promise is fulfilled.

When our promise is fulfilled, it will be an amazing moment of joy! But with that moment of joy also comes real life.  We don’t live in a book or movie where the wayward son comes home, the wife overcomes her addiction, the man finds the woman he loves, the daughter overcomes her body struggles and then everyone lives happily ever after.  As amazing as it will be to see God’s promises come to fruition (or at least for steps to be made toward that point), at that moment we then face new challenges, new possibilities.  If we are not prepared for what those look like, we are setting ourselves up for failure and heartache.  

We must ask ourselves, “Am I living and preparing myself right now as if God would answer my prayer today?”

Waging War- The Battle Plan

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. ~Ephesians 6:10-18 (MSG)

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ~2 Corinthians 10:4

Even a little boy playing “army” in the backyard knows that you need a battle plan when you are waging a war. How much more true this is as we battle for the dear treasures we have been promised? The battle I choose to fight is not one where I will stomp my feet or demand to get my way. The treasure I seek is much too precious for manipulative game play of which our world is accustomed. The situations I battle against I have no power to change. I am not big enough, strong enough, or influential enough to cause a shift. In all reality—I don’t want to be. I know that if I am big enough to change something, then I am also big enough to mess it up. If I am incapable of changing something, then I know any change that occurs is because of my God intervening in the situation.

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open. ~ Revelation 3:7

That’s the kind of battle strategy I am going for. I want the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords to fight for me. I want him to be the One that brings about change.

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. ~Exodus 14:14

This is a tough concept for us as humans. Our natural inclination is to “do something,” to “force the issue.” Does this mean that I am to sit idly by and just passively wait to see what happens? Absolutely not. My job is to seek, to fall on my face and humble myself before the One that makes all things possible. My job is to keep myself in right standing before Him, to ask Him to purify my motives with His fire. Seek more. Trust more. Sacrifice more.

And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ~Luke 11:9

You've Messed Up One Too Many Times.....

Do we really believe what we say we believe? We say:

- Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." ~Luke 18:27

- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ~2 Corinthians 5:17

- See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. ~Isaiah 43:19

Do we really believe what we say we believe? We believe that God can do anything, that nothing is impossible with God. Yet so often we only want to apply this to our own lives, and not to the lives of those that we disagree with, or that have hurt us. Church…do you really believe that God can make all things new? Then let’s believe for those that are trapped in the most unattractive sins to be set free and made whole.

What do we do when we are given a real live opportunity to love unconditionally? Do we point the finger, say that they are doing exactly what we knew they would do, and then turn our backs. Or do we try to lovingly point them to the only One that can truly change a heart? We can’t be a gracious lighthouse & an accusatory judge at the same time.

Want to see how God can transform even the most far-fetched candidate into a passionate follower? Check out Saul's conversion story. Think of your "least likely candidate" for change....and ask God to challenge your heart.

Everyone needs compassion

A love that's never failing

Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness

A kindness of a Savior

The hope of nations

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is Mighty to save

He is Mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me

All my fears and failures

Fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in

Now I surrender

Yes I surrender

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is Mighty to save

He is Mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

Shine your light and let the whole world see

We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is Mighty to save

He is Mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

You were mighty to save

Lyrics courtesy of Laura Story, Mighty to Save

Fly Like an Eagle...

This is the second of two posts from two years ago. These words actually hold more meaning for me now, than they did at the start of the journey....

Strength to Endure the Journey

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 KJV

"But those expecting Jehovah pass to power, They raise up the pinion as eagles, They run and are not fatigued, They go on and do not faint!" Isaiah 40:31 Young's Literal Translation

Enduring the journey is often a difficult task. We may question the direction we are heading, asking God if we are going the right way. The Lord never promised that we would not have to endure difficult roads or long journeys. In all actuality, Paul equated our time on this earth with running a race. It is a race of length, a journey, a test of endurance.

I have always quoted the King James Version of Isaiah 40:31. It is the one most commonly referenced. I came across Young's Literal Translation this morning, and it gives a refreshing new view on this scripture.

"But those expecting Jehovah to pass power..."
Jehovah is a special, significant name for our God. The meaning of this special name appears to be "the unchanging, eternal, self-existent God," the "I am that I am," "a covenant-keeping God." He is constant. He will always keep His promises. He is forever.

Expecting Him to pass power reflects an expectancy for God to act. If it is power passed by God, that means that we are unable to accomplish this task without Him.....it requires His power. Our strength alone is not sufficient.

"They raise up the pinion as eagles"
The pinions of an eagle are the primary feathers used for flight. They control the lift and directional movement of the bird. The strength of these feathers is unparalleled, and the follicle of each feather must endure the extreme atmospheric pressure encountered during flight. Interestingly, these feathers also provide insulation preserve the eagle's body heat in the cold, as well as shielding against overheating. When an eagle raises or spreads its primary feathers, it reduces the drag on the bird's flight. Drag is an aerodynamic force that reduces the forward motion of any object.

Think about those concepts......God promises that we will be able to rise above the situation and will be able to move in a concerted direction. We won't be subject to whichever way the wind blows. We will have the strength to endure, and will be protected against the extremes. While we may encounter cold or heat, they will not be allowed to overcome us. Also, He will help us to continue forward. We were built to move forward, to move on toward the goal.

They run and are not fatigued, They go on and do not faint!"
God doesn't promise that everything will come to us. We will move toward the goal, even running to the goal at times. Remember, he built us for forward motion. He did not build us to stay in one place or to move backward. Even though our journey may be long, he will provide the endurance required when we trust in Him.

Eagles travel long distances by climbing high upon a thermal current and then gliding to catch the next thermal. While we often see and think of eagles as solitary birds, during long journeys they will sometimes travel in thermals together. Endure your journey by rising above the circumstances. While your journey may not be exactly the same as someone else's, remember that God has placed others in our lives to help us complete the length of the course.


God provides amazing promises in His word, and He is always true to them. It is His very nature. The condition of these promises???........"Those who trust in the Lord." It boils down to one word--TRUST.

Do you trust the Creator of the universe to direct your path and give you the strength to endure the journey? Ask the Lord to strengthen your trust in Him--it is the fuel necessary to complete your journey.

Don't Stop Believin'!

I actually shared the following post exactly 2 years ago today. I realize that I have already posted today. However, I was looking through some old emails looking to gain perspective on a topic. As I sifted through exchanges with a trusted friend, I realized one thing....what has been placed on my heart hasn't waivered, and has actually grown stronger. The same thing I dealt with then, I deal with now....only in a different leg of the journey. As I pray that the finish line for this part of the race comes quickly, looking back at the "start" of the journey gives me endurance to go the next stretch. Tomorrow morning I will also be sharing a post that was dated from 5/2/2009. As for tonight's retrospective, I hope you enjoy!

**********************

"One of the primary reasons Helen Kellar never gave up on herself was that Anne Sullivan never gave up on her." p. 59, Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer

How often do we "give up" on people? Perhaps they are difficult, they are going through trying circumstances, or we feel like we don't have "time" to deal with what is going on. Maybe they have made the same mistake more than once. We can come up with a laundry list of justifications. But how appropriate is that response?

Consider the story of Helen Kellar from the book The Miracle Worker. Helen Kellar had many characteristics that would made her situation "messy" or difficult to deal with. She was both deaf and blind, and as a result of the frustration she felt from these issues, she would become violently angry, lashing out at those closest to her. Multiple people had already given up on her, and deemed her situation as "hopeless."

Anne Sullivan could have very easily done the same and decided that this assignment was too hard, that God would never ask her to endure such a thing. She could have justified that Helen had too many difficulties, and that she would never be able to overcome all the struggles she faced in her life. Instead, what she chose to do was walk with Helen through her struggles, and ultimately to a changed life.

Did Anne "fix" everything wrong with Helen? Was she the full reason that Helen Kellar became the person she was later in life? No. While Anne helped Helen in the ways that she was led, it was God's work inside Helen that ultimately changed her. Anne was there, though, never giving up on Helen.

We cannot change anyone. We cannot fix someone else's problems, issues, or difficulties. It is only when we lay them on God's altar and allow Him full reign to do what He needs to do in their lives that real and lasting changes occur. God may call you to walk beside someone in their time of trial. He may call you to "be there" from a distance. You may be called to remain an unknown prayer warrior on that person's behalf. The response is still the same......if God has placed that person on your heart, never give up on them.

The Bible teaches us that God knows every moment of every day of our lives, before we even are born on this earth (see Psalm 139). That means God knows the past, present, and future of both you & the person he has laid on your heart. Do you trust God's wisdom in directing you who to pray for or be there for, or is your logic and human understanding superior to the Almighty's omniscience?

If he calls you to stand beside or pray for someone through their storm, he will give you the strength for that. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 states, "The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." God will give you the strength to continue to pray, to stand beside, or to be there as a witness for that person. Don't feel, however, that you are the one that must make things happen. That is not our role. God is the source of healing, redemption, and change.

Who has God laid on your heart today & in what capacity? Be obedient to His call; He will be true to his promise.

Standing against the Naysayers

David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." ~I Samuel 17:32

Have you ever had to stand against the crowd? When we must stand up for ourselves, it can be a tough battle. However, have you ever been called by God to stand firm for someone else? What happens when you must stand firm in the face of even well-meaning naysayers and act as an armor bearer for someone else?

This was a question I felt posed in my spirit on my drive home tonight. As I thought about it, I didn’t even know if it made any sense. You see, I wasn’t actually sure what an armor bearer did in biblical times. I had to do a little research. I found that armor-bearers:

• Were chosen for their bravery and loyalty
• Did “bear” the armor for the king, but also did much more—They were essentially the king’s “right-hand-man”
• Required a deep sense of respect for the leader
• Instinctively understood the leader’s thoughts and heart
• Were willing to sacrifice for the leader
• Served in the role to refresh, assist, and protect the leader
• Aided the leader in combat (physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual)
• Protected and defended the leader against false accusations
• Kept watch while the leader would rest
• Were to “stand in the gap”

Suddenly it hit me. I had recognized quite some time ago that I had been called to be a “watchman on the wall” for a particular person. I knew I was called to stand in the gap for them, and I have been actively interceding in prayer on their behalf for quite some time. But tonight I realized—the armor-bearer serves in all of these capacities.

People may select their own armor-bearers, just like Saul chose David. However, there are times when God selects armor-bearers for individuals when they don’t know to select one for themselves. When you are called by God, you are equipped by God. As I ticked down the list of the qualities of an armor-bearer I realized two things. 1) I have been able to fulfill these roles against all logic or circumstance, and have been essentially unable to waiver in these roles, even when it would have been easier to fold under the pressure, and 2) I recognize that there is no way I could have the capacity to have been able to sustain this on my own. It is only through God that I have been able to sustain and keep any level of peace and joy through all of the difficulty.

During the times when I take my eyes off of what God has placed on my heart, I wonder if I actually heard and understood Him. It’s just the honest truth. What’s on my heart doesn’t make logical sense. It’s orderly….but it doesn’t add up in our typical finite human minds. When I look at all of these things together, and acknowledge my own humanity in the midst of it all—I know and truly recognize that for me to be in the position I am is solely through divine intervention. I don’t have an infinite amount of love, patience, peace, joy, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—nor are they able to be offered on an unconditional basis on my own.

I must continue to trust and be willing to surrender to the One that is my source. When I empty myself, and allow my God to fill me with His abundance…that’s when everything flows. It’s only through that filling that I will be able to continue in my role as an armor-bearer. I made the vow to my friend and to my God….and my God is the One that will continue to equip me for the journey.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ~Galatians 5:22-23

Are you Ready??? Lessons in Love...

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ~1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

This week is leading me to reflect quite a bit on love—what it is, what it isn’t. One of my absolute favorite passages in the Bible is the “love passage” in 1 Corinthians. I don’t love it for the mushy, gushy reasons that some people do. To me, if it seems all warm-fuzzy to you, you haven’t ever really been challenged in this area to truly love someone. This isn’t just a set of verses read at all of your friends’ weddings. It’s an honest assessment of what REAL love is supposed to be, and a challenge to those of us that claim to be in Christ to actually walk it out. If you’ve been tested in your love walk, it’s a set of truly poignant verses that are quite humbling. It may sound odd, but I count it as a privilege to have encountered such difficult trials in this area.

I know I have written on this subject before (see What’s Love Got to do with it?), but it’s one that I think is often looked at in passing. My goal today is to essentially give you some food for thought to digest over this weekend—to challenge you AND to challenge me. Also, with this weekend being Easter, our greatest example of love is plainly staring us in the face. God’s love for us through Christ is THE lesson in love.

Look again at Paul’s description of love from 1 Corinthians. At a recent conference, Beth Moore stated “True love always possesses a longing.” Joyce Meyer said today on her facebook feed “You can’t walk in love for free….it costs something.” Are you willing to face the longing if it’s never met? Are you willing to pay the price to walk in love?

Could you truly love someone if it cost you what meant most to you? What if it were a child, a family member, or a relationship you’ve prayed about? Can you love someone to the point of complete selflessness? The honest answer is that you and I are incapable of this kind of sustained selfless love on our own. It is only through the One that IS love that we can love someone even when we must die to self.

It’s a love that each of us is craving, and we become frustrated when the people around us cannot give us that truly unconditional, self-sacrificing love. We must first receive that love from our Heavenly Father before we are able to give it to others. This type of love requires motives to be checked regularly. You can’t “fake out” God when it comes to matters of the heart.

Take a few moments to look at the relationships in your life. Give an honest self-assessment of how your love walk is looking with these people. What is the number one way you can seek to increase your love walk right now? Go to the Lord to receive His love as a free gift….in return He will strengthen you to love those around you in ways that will astound you.