Entry 15- "I QUIT!"

How often have you burst out- "I Quit!"?

It could be in relation to your job, a relationship, your life or just frustration in general- It happens more often than not to a lot of us. Sometimes in those seasons we just want to go away until the dark thoughts and loud noises go away.

But do they really go away or do we keep filling a cup until it overflows?

In the times we live in, people are quitting at an alarming rate over any and everything.

We are quitting on our marriages, our families, our jobs and even the government (don't get me started on the government.) and there are those of us who have quit on the church and quit on God because things didn't go in an order in which we thought they should've.

The Bible is full of scriptures that encourages us as Christians to endure. It teaches us to endure hard times and difficulties. The question I've been battling with a lot lately is- When God leads, is that quitting?

Sometimes I believe that "our point of quitting is when God is about to use that moment as a turning point".

From personal experience, this is true. During my most turbulent season, I have seen the move of God so quick that I am thankful for 'giving up' as it seems to others.

You quitting (whatever it is you are quitting) may not make sense to the world, might not make sense to you because you may or may not have a plan but sometimes, taking the risk to jump ship makes it all worth while.

In whatever space you are in, I pray as you read this, you heed Gods word and His direction.

I pray you wait for the move of God before you quit. I pray you are guided by the Holy Ghost and receive the discerning spirit of God before you make that bold choice to quit.

May God our father be your strength and your guide in this season.

Amen.

Entry 14- Not so 'Hakuna Matata'!

 When you hear 'newness in Christ Jesus', what is the first thing that comes to mind?

For a lot of us, it is that promotion we've been eyeing at work- that managerial role we think we are so qualified for. 

For some of us, it is marriage because we've been through so much, we think we've healed and grown enough to finally have someone settle down with. And for the rest of us, it is just a life of no worries and premium enjoyment: No worries and living a life like Timon and Pumba say- "Hakuna Matata" is it?

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19

This newness in God the Father has nothing to do with our worldly expectations. It has everything to do with what He has in store for us. Has He promised and failed? If your answer was a yes then bro/sis, we need to check your expectations ASAP.

The main thing I've grown to accept about being in Christ is letting Him have his way in my life. Is it hard? Oh not at all, it's an easy road to easy street. Of course it gets difficult. You really think doing away with earthly pleasures is a walk in the park? Hmmm... but with Jesus in our boat, all we do is remain calm and smile at the storm then do as directed by God. (it really sounds so simple, doesn't it?)

Having a life in Christ means less of you and more of God- our expectations must change to "God, what is you will for me today?" This must become our daily prayer. 

As you grow in Him, you begin to realize that, the cars, the money, the jewelry, the houses, all of it doesn't matter. What becomes important is how much of God you're presenting in your daily activities.

Father, you know it gets hard living a life solely for you but as believers we also know that you will always be with us- through the storms and when life is good too. I pray whoever is reading this now is reminded of your unconditional love for them. May we understand and appreciate you more and more as we grow in you all the days of our lives. Thank you Father for being with us on this path as we keep our expectations based on you.

Amen

Entry 13- Problems

The past couple of days have been far from normal for me; I've been pushed out of my comfort zone so much and did that mess with my mental health? You guessed it-Yes, yes it really did.

There are so many verses in the Bible that talk about casting ALL your  burdens on to God. My favorite being "Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7. This is a popular verse among my peers. Mostly because we're all trying to figure out this thing called "adulting" and sometimes- being a lot of the time, we find ourselves lost in a sea of so many thoughts. 

Adulting isn't as easy as they made it out to be; you can't fall down and stay they, waiting to be picked up. You've got to try to picking yourself up and sometimes we've got to do it alone (Well not alone, with God but, you know what I mean)

Basically, it is hard!

Over the years, I've come to understand that being an adult means having weekly sessions of breakdowns and getting myself out. BUT as a Christian, I've learnt to go to God with my problems. No one said it would be easy, whoever says it's easy is a liar- quote me!

God didn't say it would be easy street once you become born again and give Him your all. He didn't say, the storms, trials and tests wouldn't come. What I do know is He will be with us when these bad times come. He will be with us in that boat while in the storm.

Know that, through the office, family, relationship, friendship and (you name it) drama God is always available with a listening ear, He's got you. No matter how hard it is and will get, He hears you when you call.

Dear God, I know you are there and always will be when I call. May we be reminded daily that you are there for us and will always be as long as we come to you. I pray whoever reads this is reminded of your unending love and grace. May we not try to fix our problems on our own. Thank you for always being there and never turning away.

Amen

Entry 12- Accepting and asking for help

 As per my last post dated 29th July 2021, I clearly didn't  learn anything about procrastination 'cos obviously, a sister has been procrastinating A LOT!

Anyways, life has been happening a lot and will we get into that? Definitely, just not today.

Here's something I've learnt on my journey- don't worry, this post will make some sense real soon.

It's very okay to ask for help when you realize you need it. 

It's been a rough year; I've had my highs and my lows have been really low. Real  low to the point I contemplated suicide- "A Christian having these thoughts?" The horror. Am I right?

A situation I went through in the past year turned me into a version of myself I didn't recognize and I didn't notice it until I lashed out at the last undeserving person.

Sometimes we avoid asking for help out of fear that it will be a burden to others. We think, I don’t want to drag someone else down with my pain. It’s not fair for me to ask someone else to carry this weight. If you can relate to these, then you're not alone. I'm the type to want to be there for others but find it hard to go to others for help. But, this thinking also forgets that God has created us as a body of believers.

But why are we so afraid to reach out to others when God designed the body of believers to work together and help each other- we are not to function as sole winners (See what I did there? LOL).

Galatians 6:2 teaches us how being there for one another helps us to fulfil the law of Christ. May we go with this word and learn to admit we need help and go on to ask people who can keep us accountable for help- don't go about asking 'yes-men' for help! You need people who will call you out and help you as Jesus Christ would.

I pray as you read this that you will rededicate your life to Jesus Christ. Through this rededication may you forgive yourself and learn to love as Christ taught. May you find and grow with a community that will allow you to identify when you need help and go through the journey with you. For those of you reading who need to accept help, I pray that the Grace and Peace of God touches you right now. Forgiveness and acceptance go hand in hand and in Christ our Savior, your journey will be one with ease. In Jesus' name.

 Amen.