Tests and Strength…

Jesus was filled with the spirit when He was led to the desert to be tempted. A lot of times, people make the mistake of believing that if you’re being tempted, tested, or going through a storm that it’s because you’ve done something wrong or that God is punishing you. What some fail to realize is:

1. God does not bring you into or allow you to go through a situation that He is not fully prepared and willing to carry and supply you through.

Yes, Jesus was tested and this was a difficult time, but the Spirit also led Him and gave Him all the knowledge and strength He needed to pass the test. All Jesus needed to do was trust God was with Him through it all, and follow the Spirit’s promptings no matter how His body felt.

And

2. God brings you to and allows you to go through difficulties to solidify your faith in Him and to make you stronger.

If you can, think about a time when a friend of yours was there for you when you most needed them. They could’ve been there with advice, or comforting words, or simply a shoulder to cry on. Having them be there for you during that situation bonded you more with them, didn’t it? Going through that and having them there helped you to trust them more and believe that the next time you needed them, they’d be there for you in whatever capacity you might need. It’s the same with God, only infinitely better. God may not be visible, but His help is more real than anything any friend or person could ever offer you. Every time you turn to Him for help, He’s there for you. Countless times in the Bible, no matter what His people did, God would always respond to the cry of His people. No matter how many times they sinned or turned from Him, He always forgave and brought them out of their situations when they repented and asked Him for help. James 4:8 says “come near to God and He will come near to you.” Trust He’s there for you through the storm. And once you trust and He brings you through, you’ll find you’ve grown stronger in spirit and faith than you were at first.

If you listen to nothing else I ever tell you, please listen to this: God knows what’s good for you so much better than you think you know. No matter how much or little sense His plan may seem to you, trust without a shadow of a doubt that everything He does and allows is for your benefit and the furtherance of His kingdom.

Reading: Luke 4:-2

Once Again…

Dear God,

Thank you for your love and grace and mercies. Thank you so much for all you’ve done and are doing in my life. Even when everything feels chaotic I still feel so grateful for everything you’ve done for me. Just the grace you’ve shown to me today is enough for me to praise you for the rest of my life.

Thank you for blessing and keeping me through everything. I’m so incredibly grateful, poppa, you’ve been so indescribably good to me. Thank you for loving me even when I act completely unlovable, bratty, childish, and self-centered.

Thank you for caring for me in ways I could never have thought of, much less ask for or even feel worthy enough to receive. Your grace, love, and kindness amazes me every single day. Your beauty and love confounds and encourages me every single moment to strive to be better and be a brighter light and encouragement in the lives of those around me. Thank you so much for giving me the abilities and opportunities needed to further your kingdom, serve your people, and grow my love for your body.

Dearest Father God, ,u heart and spirit are currently in an extremely painful state of stress and agony. The pain of everything that’s happening around me feels so incredibly out of control at times. Sometimes it all feels like so much…like I’ve dealt with all I could and that the next thing would break me. At times I already feel broken and I never know how to fix myself. I’m so used to constantly feeling lost and alone that at times I forget that I have this indescribably incredible Creator eagerly waiting with bated breath for me to give Him an opportunity to show their love once again through a prayer answered.

Thank you for always reminding me of your love and grace. Thank you, poppa, your so good to me, I don’t delve your love and yet you give it so freely. Thank you, Abba, for always showing me what absolute and true love feels like. Thank you for shining that light on me even when I feel as though I’m in the darkest of places.

Please help my emotions, Father. I don’t have fancy words or an incredible prayer, all I have is the brokenness and pain I feel and faith that you can and will help me with it so please poppa, please once again show you love, power, and grace in ,y life by answering this prayer again. I love you, poppa, and thank you so much in advance.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen xoxo