Have you ever noticed that as soon as you feel you have won a great victory, it won’t be long before an opportunity for discouragement will manifest itself? An opportunity is an occasion or a chance. It is not a certainty unless you choose the course of action that the opportunity offers. Although Satan may present an opportunity for discouragement, it is up to you whether it becomes the path you follow
Sunday and Monday I was “flying high.” God was working out some things I had been praying about for some time. I had an encouraging discussion with Phil on Sunday afternoon. A lady called to say she was interested in attending the Bible study I am starting next Monday. We had a great chapel service at the Rescue Mission. God was speaking to me regarding material for the Bible study and the Sunday School material arrived in time for next Sunday. Then Tuesday arrived right in the middle of a 3 day fast. In the middle of a fast I should be feeling spiritual, right? I’ve conquered the first day and I’m not feeling the third day weakness settling in yet. I’ve been praying, reading the Bible and inspirational books, and listening to uplifting music. Maybe I was just a little too proud of what I was doing and had accomplished, because Tuesday evening came the opportunity for discouragement.
I have to say I probably didn’t handle it in a super spiritual way. I cried, let a little anger creep in, asked why and said “If” too many times. I decided to hang onto what God has promised, then feeling a little better, I went to bed. During the night, I finally shut up long enough to let God speak. All night this verse and corresponding song played over and over in my mind. Proverbs 5:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
About 4 o’clock this morning I awoke to realize what God was trying to tell me. I don’t have to understand what is going on because the thing God is about to do in my life is beyond human understanding. He is in control and as long as I seek His will in every situation, He will direct my path. Today I have made up my mind to choose the opportunity to trust rather than the opportunity for discouragement.
1 comment:
Hi Susan! Once again, I must say what encouragement this brings. Awhile back the Lord dealt with me concerning situations in my life by helping me see how we can RISE ABOVE circumstances that come. And He used the Life of an Eagle to teach me. God speaks to me a lot through "personal parables".
Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. It does not swoop, or make sudden plunges downward. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we must not act abruptly, but we should continue our service unto God, letting Him take care of the situation and allow Him to renew our strength. And like you mentioned Prov 5:5-6...Trust in Him. (Love that scripture!)
We can rise above the storms by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us or cause us to swoop downwards. We can allow God's power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.
We must remember, that it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.
Connie
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