The help we need...

I was sitting with my mom at her kitchen table. I decided to spend some time with her instead of rushing off to write this blog post. I felt that that was what was important at the time - spending quality time with my mom. But, can I tell you, that act of obedience was just a part of it. God had even more planned for me.
    As I sat there, christian radio was playing. I wasn’t fully paying attention but suddenly my ears perked up as I heard a minister speaking about the power of our words. Now, mind you, I have shared on this more than once but I realised God was giving me a much needed reminder.
    I love how God works sometimes. I am sitting there thinking that I am being nice and obedient doing what I felt He wanted me to do. But, my thoughts and understanding are nowhere near God’s. He had something more in mind and as my ears picked up what the minister was saying, I was reminded of things I had recently declared that were negative. They were based on my feelings and not faith. Yes, I have written about it, even spoken about it, but here I was having to face the reality that in recent hours I had failed in this area. God didn’t rebuke or embarrass me for it. He simply sent a gentle reminder of how I am supposed to handle challenges that come my way. With that reminder, I went to a quiet place, my “prayer closet” so to speak, and I made it right with God. I had to acknowledge where I had failed and choose instead to speak the right words that I knew very well to speak. 
    I share this as a reminder to us to be careful with our words. It can be so easy to speak negative when your feelings are overwhelmed because of challenges. Yet, what does God’s Word have to say about that situation? The minister used an example that showed that in spite of how he felt, he was still going to declare what God’s Word said NOT how he was feeling! It is something I have been doing but not consistently. It was good to have the much needed reminder
    I remind us of the Shunammite woman who was blessed with a son after the prophet Elijah spoke a word over her life (2 Kings 4:8-37) Unfortunately, a few years later, her son became ill and died. Yet, when asked by various people if everything was okay , she said “It is well.” I don’t think she meant to be deceptive. She simply chose to believe that it would be alright. Her faith did not go unrewarded. Elijah prayed for her son and life came back into him!
    I think we all need this reminder about the power of our words. We also need to be reminded and encouraged that God knows what we need. On this journey we will forget lessons learned, we will stumble and fall ever so often and will need the encouragement to get back up. What I love though is the fact that God knows us. He knows our strengths, He knows our weaknesses. When we are facing a weak moment, He simply comes alongside us and gives a much needed gentle reminder and encourages us. He is truly long-suffering toward us. He is patient and kind simply because He loves us. Even when He sharply rebukes us, it is still in love. He wants us to succeed, He still wants His best for us!
    Be encouraged! God knows our weak human nature. He knows our journey can be challenging and He desires to help us along the way. He will not force Himself on us but He knows exactly how to give us the gentle and loving nudges that we need. God truly has our back!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I invite you to make that step now. You don’t have to do this Christian walk alone. God will be right there giving you all the guidance, direction and help you need. You will never be alone, God is always with you!​

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