During this season, I have found myself on my knees crying out to the Lord more often than I’d like to admit. A recurrent cycle pertaining to specific adversities has become unrelenting. It has left me spiritually exhausted. Crying in the dark. Loved and encouraged by those who truly care for me and know me. Yet judged and criticized by some who have no real fellowship with me.

An array of relational experiences that no longer affect me. That’s a praise report.

I have learned in recent years the only thing that truly matters is what the Lord thinks. That is what grieves my heart now-i.e., hurting the heart of God when I response more so in fear than in trust.

Yet I also boast in my suffering, as did Paul (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), as these moments of trials, suffering, and/or testing have led me closer to the Lord-always.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness… Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me”– 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Can you relate to this truth? Are you in a similar season?

If so, do not fight the valley. Instead surrender and release.

These are the moments that can become the biggest blessings in disguise because they allow you to see the mighty hand of God in a way you would have not been able to otherwise…

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Through my own valleys, I have been reminded over and over again to set my eyes back on the Lord.

Even today, as I plopped on my couch to open a new devotional (pictured below), I cried happy tears because the exact words on this book were what I needed in this season. Only HE could have known that I would have opened it now, exactly when I needed it. Also, a big o’ thank you to my sister in Christ who gave it to me-you know who you are.

As I finished the first chapter of this book, I was reminded that suffering is not without meaning nor purpose. Hold on to that.

There is something to gain, to grow, and/or to overcome. There is refinement being done.

What is the Lord doing in this season of your life that will sanctify you through the fire? Find the message in the mist of the storm. Seek His purpose.

Open the Word! Learn the character of God! Least you be fooled by your own flesh or demonic counterfeits that satisfy your own desires and ultimately lead you astray.

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear”-2 Timothy 4:3

And most of all, thank the Lord for everything good going on in your life.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 4:6-7

Boy, doing so grounds my own tumultuous heart time and time again!

I have to remind myself (at times yell at myself) that I am blessed! There is so many good things I have to give glory and praise to the one who lives! Philippians 4:6-7 is real ya’ll.

With every petition give thanks to Him because this allows your heart to enter into a posture of peace through gratitude. It tames the wrestling, anxious heart to a reality of hope, and reminder that if the Lord did it before, he will do it again!

So set your eyes off your circumstance and back onto Him. Fight discouragement that knocks on your wall ready to consume you.

Instead, dear reader, hold on to even just the hem of Him who can.

Be blessed.

Faith His Way