I am so grateful that I have been through so much with God. My life has been particularly difficult at times, but it’s mine. Mine to live, mine to grow, mine to encourage others. I know we all feel like life can be difficult, but we are to count it all joy, that we may use those trials and experiences to comfort others. That through us and our trials we can show the world that there’s something special about us. That we have a relationship with the Almighty God that makes our lives ultimately better because of it. That when life gets tough, his yoke is light. When everyone around us is worrying, that we don’t need to worry. That God has everything in his hands. I’m so grateful that God has shown me over and over again that He has everything under control, and that I do not need to be in control – or to worry about tomorrow, because God is already there.

I am grateful that I know who the enemy is.

I am grateful that I have a relationship with the Almighty God.

I am grateful that I have the opportunities to continue to grow spiritually.

I am grateful for all his blessings in my life.

I am grateful for all of this, because right now, we are experiencing a trial. At first, I had to take a little while to wrap my head around it. To grasp everything that was going on and the potential repercussions and fall-out that would occur. Then, I had to take a little while to figure out what I was praying for. I needed to align myself with God to know what I was to pray for as a potential outcome. I knew that I couldn’t just pray for what I wanted, but for what the situation needs. For how God wants to show up here. To bring his Kingdom to earth – I needed to speak to my problems, the way that I felt God would want me to speak to them.

Then, I got another word. “This situation needs a miracle, only your God can save it now.” – Said to me, by an unbeliever – who knows that I needed essentially to pull out all the stops & call in all the favors that I could to help reign this situation in somehow. Someone who watches my faith and relationship with God, and knew that if there was any hope, the Almighty God that I pray to – is probably our only chance. And, for a minute, that was ok. I just made sure I was praying, made sure I was aligning with what I felt God wanted for the situation. But, then, I was reminded, when you want big answers – you need to lean in.

So – that’s exactly what I’m doing. Leaning in with all I got. I’m not worrying about the situation. I’m doing everything I feel I’m supposed to be doing, but then I’m just leaving the rest up to God. I’ve dedicated additional prayer time to the situation every day. Setting aside more time dedicated to just the issue at hand. And, I’ve started fasting. Leaning in requires sacrifice. Now, I’ve done this before and I will continue to do it whenever there are major life situations at hand, because that’s what we’re charged to do. When it gets to hard to stand, kneel. Kneel more. Kneel as much as possible. Ask the Great God Almighty to help you navigate the situation. Ask Him to give you discernment. Ask Him to lay his hands on the situation. Ask Him to show up. He always does. I do not wish to disillusion you into thinking that He answered my prayers the way I wanted Him to, or that the situations have turned out the way I was hoping and praying they would. But I have no doubt, ever, that He answered them exactly how he intended to from the beginning. And, He will this time too. All I can do is pray.

I know that the situation is happening whether I like it or not. That it’s happening whether I pray or not. It’s happening in spite of everything. But how I react to it, is up to me. How it shapes me, is up to God and I. I can either allow this situation to completely wreck my life, with doubt, worry, hesitation, fear, or I can use this situation and count it pure joy that God and I are going to walk through this together, and I’m going to be a better person because of it. I’m going to lean in to God, and he’s going to hold me up with His mighty right hand. That I’m going to be able to comfort someone else because of what I experience in the days to come, just as I have had family encourage and comfort me because they have experienced this before.

I spent years worrying. Years of anxiety. Years of being so fraught with fear and trepidation that I was literally immobilized at times. I just couldn’t think straight. But, God has healed me, and taught me how to use His Sword and His armor to protect myself against those thoughts. He’s taught me how to speak life, and speak His word, and lean in. How to protect myself during these spiritual attacks, that I’m not going to succumb to that way of thinking. That I know that God’s got this, and all I need to do is lean in, and He will protect me. He will see me through this. He will provide for me. His love never fails and His word never returns void.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for all that You do for me. Thank you for your incredible blessings. Thank you for always being there. For being the good, good Father who provides. For all that You are, and all that You would have us be. Thank you for your blessings and your comfort. Thank you for your eternal salvation that guards our hearts and minds against the attacks of the enemy. Thank you for your easy yoke, and that your burden is light. Thank you that in times of trials and tribulation, that I need not worry about anything. That I know deep in my heart and soul that you will always bless me. Thank you for situations to grow. Thank you for all that You do, today and every day. Blessed be Your Name, O God. Blessed are You, and blessed am I to know you, and to love you, and to have a relationship with you. That you will walk with me all the days of my life. Thank you for everything Father God. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!