Good Good Father
As some of you will know, I am blessed to be a single woman Jesus follower. My son left the nest and settled in pastures new years ago, so for me I have a lot of time to fit in prayer throughout my day, I'm blessed not to have many distractions...just the ones I create for myself.
In my previous blogs I've mentioned going through a healing process in the last year, actually its been more like an overhaul. Those deep rooted pains that we forget about, distant memories we think we have recovered from, mainly because they are seated in the data banks under the ' so long ago ' category. I've probably also mentioned that throughout my life there has been a pattern of instability. I've never really known assurance , I don't suppose any of us do in our daily living. There can always be something around the corner that blind sides us, be it health, finances, family, or work. Situations will always arise won't they. Being a Jesus follower doesn't make us exempt from the trials of life.
In my previous blogs I've mentioned going through a healing process in the last year, actually its been more like an overhaul. Those deep rooted pains that we forget about, distant memories we think we have recovered from, mainly because they are seated in the data banks under the ' so long ago ' category. I've probably also mentioned that throughout my life there has been a pattern of instability. I've never really known assurance , I don't suppose any of us do in our daily living. There can always be something around the corner that blind sides us, be it health, finances, family, or work. Situations will always arise won't they. Being a Jesus follower doesn't make us exempt from the trials of life.
stability is something I've yearned for and yet its something that has seemed out of reach over the years until now. My friends and loved ones have been praying for that to change and the lord answered one of those prayers early last year and provided me with a temporary contract working at a local Health environment during covid, which was a miracle. When that finished I was blessed with an opportunity to apply for a Job at the same place but a different role, and amazingly I was accepted and have been working in the role for the last 9 months, even so it was short contract with no guarantee that it would be extended. I just knew i'd get the job, the holy spirit told me. I felt it, but my life experience reminded me to be prepared for anything. Getting your hopes up only to be dashed can be gut wrenching and so disappointing so I went in holding my breath but gave it my all. We live with hope don't we.
it's a fruit of the spirit.
Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you" declares the lord. " Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".
The amazing love and grace of God is overwhelming isn't it?, what an amazing promise that is, Romans 12:12 says ' Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer'. Isaiah 40: 31 says ' But they who wait for the lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
The message is clear isn't it keep on praying, praising, trusting, hoping. keep on keeping on. There have been many times of fear and anxiety in my past and that familiar panic that used to rise in the pit of my stomach hasn't presented itself so much over the last year, Gods been rooting it out. Fear is a liar and it is not how our Abba father wants us to live. Anxiety can manifest itself both physically and mentally, I've known it for most of my life since I was a young child and God wants it gone. Despite the challenges I've faced i'm still here. There are so many worse off than me, I try and remember that when im fretting about things. Perhaps because of those experiences I have started to learn to trust God so much more with my life. When I started to understand that he is my constant, my deliverer, He NEVER lets us down. He may have a different plan for us though, the one that he knows is best for us. I try and make a conscious effort to know that when I pray. Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. when praying for a new contract for my Job my prayer has been. ' Please bless me lord but if its not your plan to renew my contract, show me where you want me to be, show me your plan so that I can be in the right place. My prayer is - lead me lord and i'll trust you because I know you love me. I'm prepared to sell everything, leave my church family if i have to. Whatever it is i'm in.
I must be truthful and say that this isn't always the case, and like everything I write about it's always a work in progress, I haven't perfected my walk, far from it, I will be learning every day until his return. Satan will use a situation to instill fear, we have to be on our toes, but if we are praying and reading Gods word the reminders will become clearer and clearer so that it becomes like second nature, keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can get back on track. The holy spirit guides our hearts and brings us through the storm.
So in my prayer time on my way to work yesterday, having put on my Armour of God I prayed that I would have a definite answer about a new contract by the end of the month, a few weeks away from now but then I changed it mid sentence, I boldly asked the lord that I'd get an answer by the end of the day.
Praise the Lord I did, my contract is extended for another year...Hallelujah. I got an " I hear you " and that made me feel so much Joy. It was a nod from God, a direct response and an act of Love. I can honestly say though, that if the answer had been different then my expectation would be to think, OK he has another plan...and I would set about talking avidly about it to him regularly and getting every prayer warrior I know to be on the case.
I'm starting to realise that whatever the outcome I can trust in him, the outcome isn't always going to be negative, That stability I yearn is being provided. That hope I have is seeing its fruition in answered prayer according to Gods will. I hope this gives you hope.
He's a Good Good father isn't he