Gotta love those Rabbit Trails!

Do you remember a time where you took a so called 'rabbit trail'? Maybe you have taken several of them in your lifetime so far. You knew you were supposed to be headed in one direction but you decided to take a 'little' rabbit trail instead to see where it would lead you? Not that it was a bad thing to do, you just didn't know what would come of it and of course you always hope for the best. But then when things don't turn out like you thought they would you wonder why in the world did I do that? And of course you then begin to beat yourself up for doing that and you feel as though you are right back where you started before you made that decision. You feel as though you wasted your time and the Lord's time and you probably think you have prolonged the destiny and calling on your life. Here is the thing about the rabbit trails that you have taken....God knew from the very beginning that you would make that decision. He used that to do something in your life during those times that He knew that rabbit trail was very much needed in order to produce and form in you what is needed in order to fulfill your destiny and calling. And I'm sure there will always be more of these times and seasons in our life, but they will never be wasted. 

But know that it is how you come out of the season is what matters. When you look back at the season you were in, you will be able to see the strength and freedom that God formed in you during that time. Also I know one thing that I have learned and am learning is to trust God in all area's of my life. People will think you have it all together when in essence you are just trying to keep your head above the water and not drown! LOL! But that's when you really learn to trust God. When you can't see the next step, when you can't feel that passion and desire you once had, or even feel His presence as you did. I know so many times we wish things would have turned out differently. But wouldn't you rather know that you decided to follow what the Lord has for you instead of what you wanted? I know my life is in God's hands and not mine nor anyone else's and that is true peace of mind! 

Philippians 2:1-8

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

From my heart to yours,

Sandy 

Breakthrough

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12

How many people have gone or are going through a season of affliction? It doesn't matter how you got there or why you are there. The fact is that you are in the season and you really want out of it! I don't think I have ever had such a season of affliction as I have had recently. A relationship ended (and it wasn't pleasant by any means), I was accused of something that was completely unfounded, and despite all my prayers I didn't think I would make it out whole. The devil really worked me over to the point I was finally ready to throw in the towel and walk away from everything and everyone.

Here's the thing...If I walked away...It would mean that I surrendered to the enemy. While at that point I really didn't care because it seemed as though everything was just stripped away from me. But God..... I love saying that! But God....You see there is a reason why we go through certain things in our lives. I don't fully understand why I have had to go through this specific season, all I can say is that it is and will be part of my testimony!

I remember I finally got to the point of telling the Lord that I will fulfill the calling and destiny that he has placed on my life, but the feelings and emotions I have will not go away. As my eyes filled with tears I looked down at my IPad...I had a bible app on it opened and as I looked down my eyes fell on this scripture:

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4

Of course the tears then just streamed down my face! But I think what is even more surprising is what that Psalm actually means. So many people don't really realize what "delight" really means. According to the hebrew translation, "delight" literally means to be delicate or feminine. In this particular context, it means to be dependent upon God and to derive one's pleasure from Him.

Wow! I have been meditating on this for awhile now. So you have to ask yourself...Do you find more pleasure in other things or other people than you do of the Lord? I know I have fallen short of this at times. So as I seek to 'delight' myself in the Lord, I pray you would also. There is nothing else that will bring greater breakthrough than you delighting yourself in the Lord! Sometimes its in these seasons where all you can do is worship God for who he is. I love a quote from Pastor John Kilpatrick that says: "However long it has taken for you to be restored to what God has for you is a clue to how big the recovery will be!"

Listen...As far as I am concerned there is only one path and that is straight ahead. There are times where we will see it clearly and then there are times where we don't see it at all. This is called walking by faith and not by sight.

So if you are in a season such like mine...I just want you to know all seasons have to come to an end....And here is a little encouragement...Though mine has taken almost 6 months...I finally see the end of it....I'm not going to look at the amount of time I was in the season, but that I can finally see the light and that God has brought truth to so many lie's that the enemy has tried to speak against me. Praise the Lord!

There is no turning back. If you ever want to turn back let me just say this....Remember Lot's wife....That is NOT how I want to be remembered!

From my heart to yours,
Sandy

Trusting God....Yes or No......

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? All day long they distort my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil. - Psalm 56:3-5

I'm going to be really honest and transparent here. If you would have asked me 3 months ago if I trusted God completely and in every area of my life I probably would have said YES! And I would have said that, not realizing what was to come. Or should I say, what God was about to show me. At the end of December right before the new year I entered a season that I would call a season of 'Affliction'.

He gives you grace to count the hardest spot the sweetest place. - J Danson Smith

And the Word of God has been my constant companion during this season. I found journaling has been really healing in the washing of the Word over my dry and cracked soul.

One of the most valuable lessons I am learning in this season is about trusting God completely in EVERY area of my life. In my personal and ministry relationships. Listening to that still small voice again and even listening when I don't hear it.  It never ceases to amaze me how God's love pours out on the broken-hearted. And how He brings you back to the road when you have gone into the ditch! Though I will have to say I wasn't in a ditch. I'll be honest I was in one of the deepest, darkest pits I have ever been in! I'm beginning to see the light. And in God's great love I find myself dreaming again! I haven't done that in a very long time! Which is my own fault.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. - Romans 12:15

I have to say...I have the most amazing friends! This scripture has come alive in this season. I truly do have friends that will rejoice and weep with me...sometimes all at the same time! LOL (yes it is possible)

If you'll give your heart to God, He'll bring you a measure of understanding where puzzle pieces start coming together. God has a purpose in all that you have gone through. - Beth Moore

Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. - C.H. Spurgeon

All I can say is in this season I have learned to lean on my friends and family. They have become my Aaron's and my Hur's. I used to go through hard seasons alone not because I thought I could handle it, but because I didn't want to bother anyone. A friend of mine said this: Trudge through it alone = depression, hypertension, stress and lack of joy; Sharing = discovering you're not the only one whose going/gone thru the situation. You get words of wisdom & encouragement from those who've been there done that. So let me encourage you, if you are going through a hard season, lean on your friends and family and let them help you. There will be seasons where you will need to do that and that's why God has placed certain people in your life during that time. They always encourage and pray. They never discourage. Mine, like I said, are AMAZING!

And make sure you stand on and claim the Word! It's life giving as only God can give you. No one else can! He is your security and your safety! It's not meant to be found anywhere else.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday. - Psalm 37:3-6

Just remember....It's only a season, not a lifetime; though in the season, will be the outcome of your life! And it's going to be amazing! It may be hellish going through it! I know it will be totally worth it! All I know is I'm grabbing hold of the LORD and not letting him go until he changes my name! I refuse to come out of this season the same way I came in! I will be changed for the glory of the LORD! And what a testimony that will be! It's all about falling in love with Him all over again! Trust Him, he will never lead you astray! You may not understand what is happening now, but you will when you come out! Remain on your knees and ask for His grace!

I'm with you all in this!

From my heart to yours,
Sandy