Childlike Faith

Silence gripped the air as Jana strolled the narrow, winding path with Jordan that led to their secret place. But that day the serenity was powerless against the assault of negative thoughts.

They jabbed fiercely in sequence and with precision to annihilate any hope of a prosperous New Year. You'll never get out of the mess you're in now. What's the use of trying... It's never goin' to end! Your prayers will never be answered. Nobody cares! You might as well end...

Just before the fatal dart to pierce her heart, Jordan held up a small shield that could only fit perfectly into the hands of a 4-year old, "Mama, where we going?"

Funny! They'd traveled that path daily for a whole year, and Jordan never ask that before.

But it really didn't matter; wherever Jana went she held on tightly. She had no choice; it was just the two of them since her dad, Lance chose another path.

"Trust me, Jordi; it's a surprise!"

Jordi's big, dark eyes beamed like the sun on a hot summer day in Texas, "Yeah! I like surprises, Mama!"

Jana's eyelids gave way like a broken levee as the flood of tears gushed out of control. Her thunderous outburst of disgust broke the silence, "Lord, I don't know if I can survive another year like this one! It's been like a roller coaster ride! How can I follow your directions if I don't know what they are, or where you're leading me?"

Secure in her mother's grip with simple faith, Jordan whispered, "Don't worry, Mama; maybe it's a surprise!"


Unlike 4-year old Jordan, I don't like surprises. And you probably don't either if you've reach THAT age... Truth is, even as a child I never liked surprises. Tell me. Show me. In fact, I always opened my gifts before Christmas morning, and meticulous resealed them because I didn't like being surprised. I didn't like waiting to see what I was getting.

However, I have learned that walking by faith and not by sight means there will be some surprises. God does not tell us, or show us everything at once. Learning to trust in the Lord and not lean on our understanding so that He can direct us is one of our greatest challenges.

Like Jana, our second greatest challenge is controlling our thoughts. How many times has God placed us in peaceful surroundings yet we cannot absorb the tranquility because of negative thoughts. Moreover, how about times when we leave peaceful surroundings to mingle and converse with negative people. Philippians 4:8 gives us a step-by-step formula for controlling our thoughts. Of course, you have to practice using the formula in order to master it. It's a process called being transformed by the renewing of our minds.

The Lord specifically said DO NOT worry about anything, especially the basic necessities of life (ref. Matthew 6:25-34). We must learn to trust our heavenly Father to provide for us as He promised in His word. I know it's easier said than done. And sometimes the only way for us to learn is to break the silence with outbursts of desperation, or else the silence may be powerless in combating the assault of negative thoughts.

No doubt, we have all been on the same path as Jana at one time or another—struggling to survive year after year. But just as Jordan had a secure grip on her mother's hand, we must rest in the security of our loving Father to lead us in the path of righteousness, and trust that we will arrive at our destination if we hold tightly to His hand.

When it seems we are without direction, God always places someone in our path to redirect us, and remind us of His faithfulness even if He has to surprise us. He gave Jana Jordan. Perhaps, He's given you siblings, parents, friends, a coworker, teacher, pastor, or counselor...I know He has given you someone.

Ultimately, all He wants from us is to have childlike faith—trusting Him as our loving Father Who loves too much to leave us alone and hopeless; worrying about things that He controls.
I pray that this year be a carousel ride as you grip the Master's hand with childlike faith, trusting that any surprises He has for you will be for your good.

Simply Trust

"Enough is enough!" Mayetta screamed. Her life was like walking a tightrope. She was exhausted from the balancing acts; praying constantly to keep from falling to her death mentally. She did all she could trying to make things work in desperate hope that it wouldn't come to this.

She refused to have a pity party, but her emotions exploded as if they had been ignited by flammable chemicals. Holding the divorce decree, the sense of failure, feelings of rejections, and fear mounted at the thought of being alone after twenty-six years of marriage. Although much of her married life had been spent alone with the kids, at least she knew Tyler would eventually come home after his overnight shenanigans.

Now Mayetta sat staring out the balcony window overlooking the busy street below totally oblivious to it, "I just can't believe it, Lord. Where do I go from here? I don't know what to do other than simply trust you. I just want Your will for my life."

No doubt many of you have had this conversation with the Lord, or one similar to it because you were at a crossroad in your life. Challenges in life are sure to come। Changes are as certain as your natural growth—the process from childhood to adulthood. However, most important is how you adjust to the changes based on your trust in the sovereignty of God. Basically, is Jesus Christ your Lord? Have you committed your life to His Lordship?

Like Mayetta, you can wake up one morning and find yourself facing the unknown, needing directions, and assurance।

Starting life all over again can cause the childlike fears within each of us to escalate at maximum speed। Consequently, the onslaught of emotions will ambush your faith and render you powerless, resulting in a sense of hopelessness, which opens the door for the enemy to attack and defeat you.

(But even now, I bind the demonic spirit of defeat, from attacking you now, and cast it out to be sent wherever the Lord Jesus wants to send it. I loose the spirit of victory over your mind and thus, your life in the Name of Jesus the Christ, our Jehovah Nissi). The Blood of Jesus cover you now. I declare and decree it to be so according John 14:14. Amen.
The way to handle transitions of any kind is speaking the Word of God, which quenches the fiery darts of doubt and fear। Having the ability and power to adjust to major lifestyle changes comes through the Holy Spirit of Truth in you (John 14:17) and the Word connecting and empowering you to withstand the challenge. The Word of God is spirit and it is life.

Let's consider Mayetta's challenge. After twenty-six years of marriage she is now divorced. She has to start a new life of singleness. (That just about covers the gamut of changes). Perhaps her greatest challenge will be the emotional experiences and fears she will encounter as she began her new lifestyle—anger and bitterness, depression, loneliness and lowliness (low self-esteem), feelings of rejection and helplessness, etc. (Been there, done that...). It's obvious from her confession, "I just want Your will for my life" that she has accepted Jesus as Lord of her life.
Desiring God's will for your life takes you to another dimension in the Kingdom of God. And it gives God permission to do whatever is necessary to get you to that place (in mind, body and soul) where He predestined for you before the foundation of the world. Wow!
Nevertheless, the adversity, unpleasant experiences, and the challenges in process are painful। Yet, you must trust Him to carry you to that place because it is for your good. ( Ref. Jeremiah 29:11). We call it "destiny and purpose."

Sure, Mayetta has options: Support groups, family, friends, books, etc। But after the therapy and support sessions are over, the advice and opinions of family and friends are noticeably insane, and reading all the books, Mayetta still needs something that only comes from God— PEACE, INNER STRENGTH, and POWER to move on.

These are induced by the Word of God, and trusting God to watch over His Word to perform it when spoken in faith। In others words, the manifestation of God's Word will be seen in you. And you will know because it will bear witness of itself in you. How? If you speak the Word of God, you will feel the weight of it's power when it connects with the Holy Spirit within you. After a while, others will notice a change in your demeanor. They'll make comments like, "Girl, what happen to you? You don't act the same. Your whole attitude is changed. You met somebody else?" Beware. You have been given an opportunity to witness. Take it! Tell of the goodness and faithfulness of your LORD. Oh, my God! I feel that. That just hit somebody's spirit! You better flow in the Spirit!

Listen, dear heart। It it seems like you're walking a tightrope and doing balancing acts to keep from falling, it's time to just simply trust God. What may seem to be the worst time in your life now, God will turn it around and work it for His glory to be manifested through you. (Ref. Romans 8:28). Simply trust Him.

Here's a key scripture for handling the transitions of life।

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Feelings vs. Facts

The congregation stood spellbound gasping for enough breath to shout amen as Pastor Crossly preached the New Year's message, "A New Thing for a New Year."

It was obvious that Natasha was the only one still seated. This sent a negative message that she was not "into" the service. Of course it was the assumption. Truth is, Natasha was very much into the service and the message, but did not confuse her feelings with the facts about her distant relationship with Jesus.

After Pastor Crossly finished preaching he invited those in need of prayer to come forward. Natasha strolled forward never looking up. She was already in position when the minister said, "Bow your head, please."

She stood with her head bowed and eyes closed. The slide show of past challenges scrolled at slow speed in her mind. Trying to force the tears stay within boundaries, she threw her head back and looked up into ceiling and tears flowed freely. In a whisper of desperation that only God could hear, she pleaded, "Lord help me."

Instead of the traditional method of allowing the associate ministers to pray for each individual, Pastor Crossly simply said, "Everyone standing at the altar here's what you must say, Lord, I receive the new things you have for me in the new year."

What happened then would change Natasha's life forever. There were no tingling feelings, or goose bumps. There were no fantasy land vision with flying baby angels on white clouds. As a matter of fact, Natasha experienced none of the strange stories that she had heard from her childhood. Just the fact that for the first time in her adult life of attending church she walked away with a new mindset; a new attitude and a new outlook on life for a New Year.

Perhaps, it seems nothing changes for you year after year —same challenges.
Don't confuse feelings with the facts, better yet the Truth. You may feel like nothing is changing, but God's Word is true. So just change your mind and your feelings will follow!

Since everyone's talks about resolutions at the beginning of every new year, why don't you resolve to begin the new year with new attitude; a new outlook on the possibilities and promises that comes from having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Let your new beginning be a greater desire to just be in the presence of the Lord and experience the peace of God that will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. Read Philippians 4:7

"JUST BE" (LIVE) FOR THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. The fact is that what He wants; that's what He planned before the foundation of the world. READ EPHESIANS 1:11