Lessons from the Father

I wanted to share some lessons with you that I have learned from my Father over the past week. One of the biggest things that God revealed to me was about my faith. Most people tell you to “have faith” and you will get what you ask for. “Honey, you just gotta believe.” “Keep the faith”. You hear this constantly and I hear it all the time in relation to our difficulty conceiving a child. “It will happen when it is time” or “just stop worrying about it and it will happen”. People mean well, but in all honesty, it can make a woman bitter. Especially if this is coming from someone who pops babies out like they run a baby factory. I mean really, it’s easy to say these things when everything is peachy keen in your world. In the midst of the storm, though, that is one’s true colors really shine. Storms and valleys in this life are necessary though, for how else could we appreciate standing tall on top of the mountain or the warmth of the sun shining on our face? I would dare say that the storms and valleys make and mold us to be who we are. Anyone can be happy and satisfied when all things are going according to planned. That’s easy. Ok, I got sidetracked. Back to faith; my faith. I learned that faith is not positive thinking. It’s not looking on the bright side. God is no respecter of persons (see 2 Chronicles 19:7). He has given to every man a measure of faith (see Romans 12:3). When we present our requests to God; when we give Him the desires of our heart, if it’s our request that we have faith in, and our request is denied, then we are left disappointed. BUT if it’s God that our faith is in, we are NEVER disappointed. We must trust Him, this is essential to our faith. We should thank Him for the answers that He has set into motion long before we can discern the results. When our requests come to mind again, we should continue to thank Him for the answers that are one the way. If we continue to just state our requests, we will live in a state of tension, focusing on the outcome of our desires. We do not know what lies in this journey ahead of us here on earth and nor will God show us what is on the road that stretches out before us. He will however, adequately equip us with everything we need. Of course we would feel more prepared if we could see a map of all the twists and turns that lie ahead. I have also learned that this journey is not about how we feel but what we KNOW. Emotions are human and will lead us astray if we aren’t careful. We must trust that God approved every twist and every turn that lay in wait for us. He equips us with a guide through His word and strength through His Holy Spirit. We can rest assured that we have everything we need. The resources are there, we must access them. When we decide on a course of action that is in line with His will, nothing in Heaven or Earth can stop us! We may encounter obstacles as we move toward our goal, but we must try not to become discouraged. We can overcome these obstacles with His help. Much stress results from us wanting to make things happen before their time has come. God asserts His sovereignty through the timing of events. We see this repeatedly through the events depicted in His word. I encourage you today; whatever your course, no matter the obstacles, stay close to God and let Him set the pace. I remind myself to slow down and enjoy this journey in His presence. After all, He designed the journey with me in mind. He designed yours too, with only you in mind.

-Check your faith - what is it in?

-Trust His timing

-Access the resources He provided