I see so many things called “impossibilities” right now. Blockades to progress. Markers of all I haven’t been able to push through. Barricades of defeat. A funny thing happens with these things. Maybe you have noticed? The more we pass them, ponder them and pay attention to them, the less they look like barriers and the more they look like graven images.
They normally are the things God didn’t fulfill. Things left undone. Things that torture a soul with the word, “unknown.”
They exist and then they start to rule over us, like this:
I deserve to live in defeat.
I can’t do it.
I will never find days “better”.
Quicksand is my destiny.
God doesn’t really care that I am stuck.
He won’t help me out.
I can’t make it.
I can’t do this thing before me.
I will fall down and get hurt.
Others have it easier.
Yet, when we know the end from the beginning, we know we will end up okay. Just consider this...
- It is easy to look at our kids and say, “Trust me, when you get older, it will get better, people won’t be as mean.”
- Or to be stuck in traffic and say, “I am dead stopped, but soon enough I will get moving.”
- Or to watch a movie and know, “I will be okay at the end of this show, this ordeal will end.”
Never give up.
Our bodies may be dying, but our spirits are being renewed every day.
For troubles are small and won’t last,
but they are producing great glory that will last forever!
So don’t look at the trouble you see,
look at what you have not seen.
Your troubles will soon be over,
but ur joys will last forever.
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
When we really know the “agony” will end,
we don’t agonize.
When we stop relying on what we see, we start seeing
God’s predictable and promised outcome. We feel safe.
When we see the finish line of pain,
we start to live in courage, rather than discouraged.
When we believe in what will come together, we consider less what never has.
I wonder, how are you living? His Word is sure-fire. More sure-fire than any of those circumstances above. We can’t always see his workings, but we can be certain they will fire through to change the landscape of everything, always.
It’s not so much about what we see and it is always about what we don’t. It is not so much about what we “get,” but always about what he is working to give. It is not so much about there here and now, but much more about the “will come” – and the holiness that also arrives in our own heart.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Prov 3:5-6
We don’t have to understand,
we just have to stand to believe he is working
under the gears of our lives.
Stand to know encouragement: that the pain that stands before you – will end.
Not discouragement: that what you are confronted with will always be.
Where are you dwelling? In lands of possibilities or impossibilities?
Are you looking at what will never change or at what God has all power to change?
When we fear the unknown, we actually fear the idea of being out of control. We fear that we are losing our ability to impact a darn think – and we actually are. This is the point; God doesn’t want you in control – he wants you to know he is. Not once. Not twice. But all the time.
Yesterday, I offered a challenge of losing “control”. Of walking in greater surrender. I would love for you to join me in this pursuit to “let go and let God.” For 31 days, we will push through a slice of control we continually want to eat. What is it for you? Might you consider releasing? If so, join in. The bloggers who take part in this will be writing about it on November 9. I am excited to share a portion of their journey too.
Let go. What we let go of, can’t rule us inside. The hole that it leaves is replaced by more of God. More hope. More renewal. More encouragement. More life.
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
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Bloggers, I have moved the guest post submission deadline out to November 16. I know many of you have a busy October.
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Kelly,
Your question: “Where are you dwelling? In possibilities or impossibilities? I don’t like the fact that I often see the glass half empty. When I come up against barriers, I often want to give up too quickly…forgetting who is really in control. When it’s totally in my hands…yes defeat is certain, but when I lay it on God’s altar…all things are possible. Thanks for this reminder this morning!
Blessings,
Bev
Thank you for this Bev. I want to tell you that I admire (and I can only imagine God does), your supple heart. You are always willing to learn. This is awesome and so admirable. Keep soaking in all goodness. Humility = A changed live. I want to always see what I have to take away from every discussion on God. He is always ready to make us more and more holy. I cheer you.
It’s so hard to see that light at the end of the tunnel when we are in the midst of pain. I love this wonderful advice, Kelly: “Let go. What we let go of, can’t rule us inside.” Thank you for your always inspiring words, my friend!
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Oh control…. this is a major theme and something I am constantly needing to let go of!! Thank you for this post and this challenge. It definitely will be a challenge!! <3
May we both let go so that the freedom of Jesus can move in to transform us even more!
Dear Kelly, thanks for offering us the powerful beauty of 2 Corinthians 4 this morning. That word renewal and all its grace grabbed hold of my weariness.
I am grateful …
It provides such hope, such truth and such encouragement. I am grateful too.
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ooooh, Kelly … your challenge sounds like something I should do! But i’m wrapped up in my own 31 days right now … I wish I had the mental ability to do both. But I love the question you asked … “Where are you dwelling?” I want to dwell in settled peace–knowing God IS in control.
Diane, I know how it is this month. There is so much going on. I get it. Press on to what God has set out for you in today. In that, you can’t go wrong. Much love.
“When we fear the unknown, we actually fear the idea of being out of control.” Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes. Learning how to trust more each day… #goGodgo
Yes God, more of you, less of us!
Love this scripture, Kelly! Thank you for encouraging my heart and allowing God to use you to point me in the right direction today. As always, it’s a joy to be a part of this incredible community. Thank you!! Much love to you today.
Thanks for this simple and TRUE reminder that we can CHOOSE encouragement from God’s Word over discouragement. We really do have to stop living by what we see. And I agree with Candace. Love this: “What we let go of can’t rule us inside.”
Kelly, this is so beautifully written. It can be so hard to stop worshiping the barriers, and step over them–believing that God will fill the gaps of our inadequacy. He’s so faithful and so able to do the, seemingly, impossible. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for hosting the linkup. ((blessings))
Thank you Brenda. So much love to you. Our gaps are whole through him. I love that don’t you? He is so…good to us.
What a positive and affirming word today, Kelly!
This question challenges my faith and encourages me to keep on trusting – “Are you looking at what will never change or at what God has all power to change?”
Believing that He can change anything, any time, and in any way He wishes to!
Thanks for hosting the weekly link ups~
Melanie
Thank you Melanie for your word today. Let’s believe in his full power to do whatever he wants for our good. We love you God!
Beautiful message, Kelly!
“We don’t have to understand, we just have to stand to believe HE is working under the gears of our lives.” <— Such a powerful truth!
Thank you for sharing this great message! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! 🙂
Yes! Love you Tai. God is so working on our behalf. Let’s see where we go!
How true it is that when we try to hold on and do things our own way, we do actually become a slave to whatever the things is. But when we stop trying to take the control that is not ours to take, we are able to have peace. God will have His rightful place in our hearts and we can trust that He knows best.
Yes. Let’s just trust. God, give Gayl and I the faith to follow through.
Cheering you on as you let go Kelly!
I need it. Thank you Katie.
Kelly,
This is so true…We don’t have to understand but we do need to believe…and I wonder sometimes whether I would even understand if God showed me since His ways are so much higher than my ways…blessings to you 🙂
Amen! I don’t think we would even understand. Great point Dolly.
Thanks, Kelly. I was reading just the other day the words of the apostle Paul and how we should keep our eyes on the finish of the race and the prize in store for us. Guess God is trying to get me a message in more ways than one.
Yes! Let’s go with God Rachel. I am going with you.
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Hey Kellie!
I loved the part where you said, “When we see the finish line of pain, we can walk in courage.” This really hit home with me. Thanks for sharing your words of insight with us! Blessings to you!
Praise God. What a gift it is to hear how God works. Thank you for sharing this with me Lisa.
“What we let go of, can’t rule us.” So much truth and encouragement in that. We must let go and let God. Have a blessed day Kelly!
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