The above CC0 image comes courtesy of Pixabay.com
But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. (Ecclesiastes 9:4)
During my devotional time with God recently the phrase “an unpretty path” kept coming to mind. I knew I’d written a post with this title a while ago and felt that perhaps God wanted to bring this to the attention of someone.
Perhaps you are a reader who feels you are at the end of your tether. You are doing your very best to walk in faith and victory but somehow everything always seems to go pear-shaped. You are wondering whether you will ever experience the sweet taste of victory. You are wondering whether God really cares… whether he is listening to, or has even heard your prayers… and if so, why doesn’t he change your circumstances now?
If so, this post has been written especially for you.
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…when the baggage of past negative experiences meet with the pressure of current difficulties, and when the vision of your future seems cloudy, burdensome or overwhelming, you might (as Jesus did) be tempted to ask God to relieve you, to take your cup of troubles away from you. We all want that idyllic path but more often than not, success requires us to travel via a thorny crossroad.
It is at this point of pressure that we face a choice. Do we back away from the path we have chosen, or do we trust God to empower us, to enable us to carry on?
Are we truly committed to our Father-God so that honouring him, obeying his will, takes priority over our own pain, fears, disappointments and discomfort? Are we focused on the bigger picture, knowing that once we achieve success, it equips us with the means to bless others?
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The above is an extract from a post titled It’s An Un-Pretty Path! If you would like to read the entire post please click here.
Dear reader, I know what it’s like to become trapped within a cycle of negativity. To suffer debilitating hurts and wounds from nasty individuals within your life, whether they be colleagues, church members, family or “friends”. To experience perpetual punches from the Enemy, as he pushes your thoughts around from pillar to post and pulverizes your self-esteem.
I know what it’s like to feel bullied… to believe that the ill-treatment you’ve received in life means you are both unloved and unlovable… to give up hope on ever receiving the welcoming smile and warm handshake of favour. I know.
But. Dear reader. I have come through to the other side.
I came. I saw. I conquered! In that I FINALLY came round to God’s way of thinking about myself and about my circumstances. And as I saw myself in the light of God’s Word (rather than through the warped lens of my persecutors), I began to walk in victory, I began to see myself as a conqueror – not the conquered!
Perhaps you feel you cannot go on. Perhaps you are afraid to, or have no idea how to assert yourself, and so you’ve decided to just roll with the punches others mete out, to accept defeat and live a second-hand “poor me” existence.
Dear. Reader. No!
That is NOT God’s best for you. That is NOT God’s plan for your life. That is NOT your destiny!
So, whether you see yourself as an underdog… whether you feel you don’t have the willpower, or the energy to fight anymore… whether you see perpetual clouds on your emotional horizon, God’s liberating word for you today is: Don’t give up! Don’t accept the lies of the Enemy.
- Let the weak say: I am STRONG!
- Let the victimized say: I am MORE THAN A CONQUEROR!
- Let the hopeless say: God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above ALL that I can ask or think!
So trust God. And hold on. Your change WILL come!
With love,
Carol (aka Ladycee)
Author of: Petitions From My Heart
(If you live in the UK click here)
I do hope the message in this post has benefitted you in some way. If so, please share your response in a comment box below.
Do you know someone to whom this message applies? Then please don’t hesitate to share it. Thank you.
Women of Warfare! (WOW!) 