Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. ~Psalm 43:5
Why is my soul so downcast within me? Why am I having so much trouble sustaining confidence on my job? Why am I weeping and feeling so utterly inept and lost? Why am I questioning my position and abilities? Why, when I know Who God is and how very good He is? Why am I showing my co-workers the opposite of what I profess, faith in God?
Why? Because I need to come to the end of myself. Pride needs to be exposed and dealt with. Pride in my natural abilities and in the in the gifts that God has endowed me with needed to be examined and removed. Strongholds of negative thoughts and insecurities that have been covered up need to be destroyed. Idols of acceptance need to be toppled.
Yesterday, I was wrestling with a disturbed soul and runaway emotions. In the midst of the day and and my conversations with others two statements stood out. They first one “ You are short-changing yourself” and the second . “You are asking for others to give you something that can only come from you.” These statements hit me hard because I realized that I was not only short-changing myself I was short-changing God.
I am God’s child. He is my Father and equips me with everything that I need. I am disturbed because I have been looking outward, to others, for those things that He has already given me.
I do not have to be anxious about my job and the work it requires because I only to need to present my request before the Lord with thanksgiving and leave it there ( Philippians 4:6-7). I can guard my thoughts by keeping on the helmet of salvation, remembering who I am in Christ. My identity, my existence, is through Him and because of Him. I have to meditate on His word and speak the truth to myself. I must put my hope in Him because He is my joy and praise.
I would be remiss, if I did not share this additional “tidbit” that the Spirit layer on my heart this morning. My confidence on my job has been shaken because i have begun to try to compartmentalize my life. God is Lord over every part of my life. Everything that is natural and spiritual. I have been looking so upward that I have not been alert to the arrows and the plots of the enemy in the every day things of life. Yes, I am focused on living righteously, but I was so comfortable with having it together that I began to trust myself rather than Him. I began to look outward and thus my peace was disturbed.
Things are exposed to the light now and that’s a good thing. Can’t fight a battle that you don’t see. So I am grateful for the exposure and the hope that is Him. I am grateful for His love and strength that picks me up and helps me to stand. Soul, do not be disturbed place your hope in God and let His peace come in.
Father, I thank You for your Word, truth, and love. Cover me. May the strongholds be destroyed so that nothing separates or divides me from You. I cast down pride and ask for your forgiveness. May I boast in You alone. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Jennifer, I found your blog from Proverbs 31 Ministries. I always look forward to your comments. I needed this today. Thank you so much and please continue to write what is in your heart. God is using your words not only to help and encourage me but to others as well. ~Lisa~
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa for your words of encouragement. I am grateful to be used by God for His glory.
DeleteI echo Lisa’s comments Jennifer. You are truly an amazing woman of Christ...may He continue to use you to inspire me and others who so desperately need it. God bless you 💕
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much Beverly for your kind words. Praying that your day is blessed too.
DeleteWow, Amen 🙏🏾! I have the exact same struggle I often feel inadequate at work and struggle to get my paperwork done on time. God has blessed me to be a blessing to my patients but the paperwork and productivity and not being approved for overtime weighs on me. And I ask myself and God why do I continue to find myself struggling with this over and over and over again?! And I find myself joining in with murmuring and complaining about the workload. I know my Heavenly Father is good and He has begun a good work in me and have equipped me with everything I need for life and Godliness 2 Peter 1. So I too need to come to the end of myself and live the truth that I know and be who Hid has called me to be be, and do what God has called me to do in every area of my life! So my prayer 🙏🏾 is that Proverbs 3:5-7 would manifest fully in my heart and my being!
ReplyDeleteTrust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil. It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts] And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Proverbs%203:5-8&version=AMP
Amen. Lord, may we lean not to our own understanding, but solemnly and patiently trust in You. In Jesus name. Amen
DeleteSimon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, To those who have received and possess [by God’s will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature. For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is blind—shortsighted [closing his spiritual eyes to the truth], having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]; for in this way entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly provided to you.
ReplyDelete2 Peter 1:1-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Peter%201:1-11&version=AMP
Sorry so much this morning sisters. Love ❤️ you. Have a blessed day!
No need for apologies. It's His Word and it must go forth.
DeleteAmen! We as believers are well equipped to fight battles that we don't see. Sometimes we can be in a battle and don't know it.
ReplyDeleteAmen to all the comments. Although, I don't struggle in my current position I struggle withfinding another job with better pay and better benefits, and close to home. I have applied for numerous jobs, but other applicants are chosen. I thank God for all the decline applications because I have already asked Him to bless me with a job with the benefits but also a job that is less stressful, peaceful environment, a job I dont regret and a place that I can be a blessing to others. Therefore, I thank God I was not chosen for the jobs that were not in line with my prayers. Thank you Father God! I know you are preparing a job for me .
ReplyDeleteYour faith and trust in God is inspiring Frances. Father, You know the job and the time. Make a way for your daughter Lord.
DeleteThank you Jennifer! It's amazing people like you that encourages me to focus on God's promises.
DeleteLove �� you Sisters. God is good all the time! Have a blessed day!!
ReplyDelete😊😊❤️🌈
DeleteThat was supposed to be a heart not?’s.
ReplyDeleteGotcha💜
ReplyDelete