Good morning everyone, happy hump day! On this week’s episode of EWPP, we’ll cover STOP TRYING TO WORK THINGS OUT and BE STILL IN MY PRESENCE. Both of these have blended OH so perfectly into my and Tyler’s life.
Going back to my last couple blog posts about our pre-marital struggles with our job & living situation, we were really stuggling with peace in our hearts, but this was probably the very first week we have fully released all anxiety, baggage, and have completely mellowed out. Tyler still struggles a little bit with the situation but I keep telling him that it’s fine! No one is disappointed or judging him. Him and I, regardless of how long it takes, will still financially be okay until then. I will support him until he reaches him goals and dreams just as he pushed me to pursue mine – and look where I’m at now in just 8 months.
Ultimately, we were trying to control everything that we, in reality, had zero control over. With God’s grace, we’ve realized that we must embrace everything that’s being thrown at us; never can or shall we be embarrassed or ashamed of it because with that attitude, we will miss out on what God is trying to reveal to us. Every happening is purposeful and as time passes, what we’re meant to realize is unveiled. Thus far, I’ve learned that God is putting us through these trials beforehand for these reasons:
- We are not in control and our future plans, although as much as we’d love to plan things out, will happen when God wants them to happen
- To strengthen me and Tyler’s foundation and bond
- To soften up my tendencies of lacking compassion and in being too tough/rough in my emotions of how I handle things. This is one of my bad ‘only child’ habits as well as being raised by parents who always told me to ‘suck it up’ and never really nurtured or to listened to any emotions I was experiencing
- Pre-marital counseling within the church is crucial. A lot of his college friends whom are all married have all said that pre-marital counseling is the best thing they could’ve done going into marriage. Counseling, although holding a negative connotation, isn’t for people who ‘have something wrong with them’. Counseling is for those who want help to be better (even if things are fine). We’re excite to start the program at our church, RockHarbor, in May! God must be our center at all times
Okay, so onward towards our encouraging words of peace and perseverance!
STOP TRYING TO WORK THINGS OUT – before their times have come. (WOW!!) Accept the limitations of living one day at the time. When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today’s agenda (SOO WOW!!). If it isn’t, release it into My are and go about today’s duties. When you follow this practice, there will be beautiful simplicity about your life: a time for everything, and everything in its time.
A life lived close to Me is not complicated or cluttered. When your focus is on My Presence, many things that have once troubled you lose their power over you. Though the world around you is messy and confusing, remember that I have overcome the world. I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace.
BE STILL IN MY PRESENCE even though countless tasks clamor for your attention. Nothing is as important as spending time with Me. While you wait in My Presence, I do My best work within you, transforming you by the renewing of your mind. If you skimp on this time with Me, you may plunge headlong into the wrong activities, missing the richness of what I have planned for you.
Do not see Me primarily for what I can give you (MIC DROP!!). Remember that I, the Giver, am infinitely greater than any gift that I might impart to you. Though I delight in blessing My children, I am deeply grieved when My blessings become idols in their hears. Anything can be an idol if it distracts you from Me and your FIRST LOVE. When I am the ultimate Desire of your hear, you are safe from danger of idolatry. As you wait in My presence, enjoy the greatest gift of all: Christ in you, the hope of Glory!