A pearl beyond price

"If anyone would come after me,

let him deny himself and

take up his cross and follow me".

Matthew 16:24

Deny yourself. Die to self. Sounds unpleasant.  But in all actuality it's quite the opposite.  This act of dying and denying opens a door to life and freedom like nothing ever seen before.  It can't be explained.  It must be experienced. 

To follow Jesus is a choice. And if that decision has been made, then obedience is required. 

Less of me, more of him. Laying down my pride and my selfishness.  The willingness to give up, to surrender everything I treasure in exchange for a pearl beyond price.  

I can't earn it.  I don't deserve it. Jesus paid it all.  All to him I owe. 

If I have nothing in this life but Jesus, I have more than I will ever need. 

Listen:  All That I Am by Rend Collective

Dying to Self

Author unknown

When you are forgotten or neglected

and you don't hurt with the insult,

but your heart is happy

– that is dying to self.

When your advice is disregarded,

your opinions ridiculed,

and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart,

and take it all in patient,

loving silence

 – that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear disorder,

 irregularity, tardiness, and annoyance…

and endure it as Jesus endured it

 – that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself

in conversation or record your own good works,

or itch for praise after an accomplishment,

when you can truly love to be unknown

– that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother or sister prosper

and can honestly rejoice with him,

and feel no envy

even though your needs are greater

– that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food,

any offering, any raiment,

any climate, or any society

– that is dying to self.

When you can take correction,

when you can humbly submit inwardly

as well as outwardly,

with no rebellion or resentment

rising up within your heart

– that is dying to self.

Valiantly

With God we shall do valiantly... 

Psalm 108:13

 Photo by @m.gracecortez

Valor. The strength that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness and bravery.

Faith is not a coward.

With God on our side, we have the victory.  We can do mighty things.  Brave things.

Not on our own strength.  Not on our own self-reliance.

I can do all things through Christ

 who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13.  

With Jesus, we will always be strong enough, brave enough.

"Though I have many wars to disturb me,

and many cares to toss me to and fro,

yet I am settled in one mind

and cannot be driven from it.

My heart has taken hold 

and abides in one resolve."  

~Charles Spurgeon

From God alone, we draw the courage... we find the wisdom... we gain the strength in order to face the battles that lie ahead.  Before we march forth, may we have but one resolve:  To worship and praise him. Knowing that he goes before us. Knowing that he will fight for us.  He always has. He always will. Surely, he is with you, always. Matthew 28:20.  

As we worship him, fears will subside.  As we worship him, boldness will surface.

What battle are you facing today?

Take heart.  Take courage.  Jesus has overcome the world. John 16:33.  And if his Holy Spirit lives within us, we can face our fears, our anxieties, our failures, our hurt, our pain with a boldness like none other.  We have overwhelming victory through him who loves us- we are more than conquerors. Romans 8:37.

We shall rise above.

And we shall do so, valiantly.


Listen to this song as you worship him:  You Make Me Brave, Amanda Cook/Bethel Live

Rooted confidence

Cursed is the man who trusts in man 

and makes flesh his strength, 

whose heart turns away from the LORD.  

He is like a shrub in the desert, 

and shall not see any good come.  

He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, 

in an uninhabited salt land.

But blessed is the one 

who trusts in the LORD, 

whose CONFIDENCE is in him. 

He is like a tree planted by water, 

that sends out its roots by the stream, 

and does not fear when heat comes,

 for its leaves remain green, 

and it is not anxious in the year of drought, 

for it does not cease to bear fruit.  

Jeremiah 17:5-8

Confidence.
It is having no uncertainty.
It's full trust.
It's being certain that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective.

Confidence in God is not something that comes naturally.  It's something that must be practiced and experienced.  The more you experience it, the stronger it gets.

What I hope to impart to you today as I share with you my journey, is hope. And to stir within your heart a desire to grow deeper.

When I was asked to talk about my confidence in the Lord at the Women's Ministry Morning Mingle, I had to really do some deep soul searching.  Yes, I am a Christian.  Yes, I love the Lord with all my heart. And yes, he is my everything.

But the past two years of my life have definitely tested my faith.  I have simultaneously experienced an extremely difficult refining process in my marriage and I have experienced the loss of a very close loved one due to an ugly and aggressive cancer.

In the midst of my suffering, I had to face some really tough questions.  Do I truly believe what I say I believe?  Do I believe that God has my best interest in mind?  Do I believe that God truly cares for me and is interested in every single little detail of my life?

As I began to ask these questions, the voice of God went silent.  I went through a drought.  And I felt alone in the desert.  But my heart did not turn away from the Lord.  I did not grow anxious.  I did not cease to bear fruit.

Within the past few months I can honestly say that God has allowed this season in my life for a very specific reason.  It was during that time that he revealed to me my roots.  They were on the surface.  My confidence in him was only as deep as I allowed my roots to grow.

When times got tough, I spent more time asking others to pray for me than actually going to the One who was actually able to help.  It was almost like I was more confident in their prayers or even what they had to say about my problems.  I would find myself reaching for my phone to text someone.  Or picking up the phone to call a friend.

There is nothing wrong with going to others.  I believe it is so important to have fellowship with one another, but the question remains:  Who or what am I turning to FIRST?  The answer is where I find my confidence.

Of course I would pray.  I prayed a lot. But my prayers were on the surface.  I would ask the Lord to heal my marriage.  I would ask the Lord to heal my brother-in-law.  I would unload all of my burdens, lay them at his feet and then quickly walk away to attend to the stresses of the day.

I didn't take the time to dig in.  To dig into God's word and to wait in his presence.  Not waiting for an answer to all of my problems and life's questions, but to wait for him to give me what my soul so desperately needed.  To experience and gain the peace, the strength, the wisdom, the understanding, the guidance and love that I needed in order to face the storms of life.  A peace and strength that could only come from God alone.

Now, with each passing storm I am learning to dig in deeper.  To draw near to him first and foremost. Only seeking others after allowing my roots to be completely saturated by him.  My confidence in the Lord impacts how I handle and respond to life.  I can read the Bible and see who God says he is.  I can read all of the countless stories about what the Lord has done for others, but until I experience that for myself, my confidence in him will not grow.

It's a journey.  I am already planted by the water, but which direction are my roots growing? As my roots grow deeper in Christ, a new habit is being formed as I am gaining confidence in him and who he is and who he will always be.  I am finding that I am naturally turning to him first because that's all I know to do.  Because that the direction that my roots are traveling... toward him.  Toward the stream of living waters.  

So if you ever come to talk to me about your problems, from now on I will always ask:  "Have you talked with the Lord about it yet?"  And if you haven't, I will gently redirect your roots.  To go and spend time with the Creator and Lover of your soul.  To wait and seek his face.  The more you get to know God, the more confidence you will have in him.  For I have confidence that he is able to do far more than I could ever do.

You Will Not Abandon My Soul

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    I have no good apart from you.”

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
    in whom is all my delight.[b]

4 The sorrows of those who run after[c] another god shall multiply;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names on my lips.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.[d]
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being[e] rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
    or let your holy one see corruption.[f]

11 You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Drink more water

Drink more water.

That's what my dad would always tell me if I ever complained of a headache... or if I was too tired... or if I couldn't concentrate.  99.9% of the time, he was right.  

Did you know that water makes up two-thirds of the body's weight and without water we would die within a few days? Only a 2% drop in water levels can lead to symptoms of dehydration. Water is so important.  We depend on it.  We simply cannot function without it.

There's another kind of water that I so desperately need. 

Jesus stood up and cried out,

 "If anyone thirsts,

 let him come to me and drink". 

John 37:7

But whoever drinks of the water 

that I will give him 

will never be thirsty again. 

John 4:14

O God, you are my God; 

earnestly I seek you; 

my soul thirsts for you.

Psalm 63:1

The more time I spend with Jesus, the more he fills my cup.

However, there are many who are thirsty, yet choose to fill their cup from a different water source.

For my people have committed 

two evils; they have forsaken me, 

the fountain of living waters, and 

hewed out cisterns for themselves, 

broken cisterns

 that can hold no water. 

Jeremiah 2:12 

Why in the world would God's people choose to abandon the fountain of living water which was fully accessible to them?  Instead they choose to get their water from a BROKEN cistern of self reliance.  An empty cup provides nothing. Sadly, we can all relate. We choose to dig our own cisterns in order to satisfy our needs and bring security.

Of course it makes more sense to get fresh water from a fountain that gives an unlimited supply of strength, joy, peace, wisdom, encouragement, mercy, grace, love and life.  But oddly enough, we are tempted to settle for the murky water from a broken cistern only to find that it was unable to satisfy the thirst.

So if you ever find yourself complaining of a heartache... or if you are weary... or need clarity of thought, first things first...drink more Water.  

The fountain never runs dry. The living waters never disappoint.  We simply cannot function without it.

And the Lord will guide you continually

and satisfy your desire in scorched 

places and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered

garden, like a spring of water 

whose waters do not fail. 

Isaiah 58:11

 

An unpolluted prayer

I cried out to him with my mouth;

his praise was on my tongue.

If I had cherished sin in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened;

but God has surely listened

and has heard my prayer.

Praise be to God,

who has not rejected my prayer

or withheld his love from me!

Psalm 66:17-20

Prayer is a sincere desire that comes from the heart of man and reaches towards the ears of God. Prayer is a continuous heartfelt communication with an audience of One.

A prayer from a heart that is unwilling to abandon itself completely from sin, will not be heard by the Lord.  Our prayers can become polluted.

But we are human.  We all sin.  Everyday.  So how it is then that God can hear our prayers?  The answer is simple.  He sees the condition of the heart.  

A heart that truly repents does not cherish sin.  It's more than just saying I'm sorry.  True repentance is being sorry enough to stop and change.

If my people 

who are called by my name 

will humble themselves

and pray and seek my face

and turn from their wicked ways,

 then I will hear from heaven

and I will forgive their sin

and heal their land. 

Now my eyes will be open

and my ears attentive to the prayer offered. 

2 Chronicles 7:14-15

 Photo by @sydneyhoek

An unpolluted prayer has power.  As it reaches the throne room of grace, you can trust that he will not reject your prayer. You can be confident that he is listening to the cry of your heart.  His love will not be withheld. Praise be to God!

Listen: Search Me, Know Me by Kathryn Scott

Search me, O God, 

and know my heart!

Psalm 139: 23

An anchor of hope

Disappointment.  Call it what you will:  a difficult circumstance, an unanswered prayer, a deep sadness, misery, heartache. suffering.  It's inevitable. Not one human being escapes it. Not one of us can control it.  

However, we do have a choice. A choice in how we choose to handle and view the inevitable. Will we sulk? Will we throw a pity party? Will we become so disappointed that we turn away from those who have caused the pain, even turning away from those we love most or even worse, renouncing our faith in God? Or will we choose to rejoice?  Grow from the pain?  Cling to hope?

We rejoice in our sufferings,

 knowing that suffering 

produces endurance 

and endurance produces character, 

and character produces hope.  

And hope does not disappoint us 

because God has poured out his love 

into our hearts...

Romans 5:4-5

Hope does not disappoint. This hope is anchored in truth.  And the truth of the matter is that God loves us more than we could ever dare to dream or imagine. Hope is a gift. A gift of God's amazing grace. And as we experience God's love for us, our hope grows stronger.

This love is poured out.  It's more than just a gentle sprinkle over the surface of our hearts, but rather a rapid steady stream.   And if we simply allow that steady stream of love to continually quench the thirst within our hearts, then maybe, just maybe, disappointment would no longer take root.  We will be reminded of the hope we have in Christ.  The sadness may never melt away on this side of heaven, but He does promise to give us the strength to get through it.  He loves us too much not to.

As the writer of Hebrews says in chapter 6, I will take hold of the hope set before me.  This hope anchors my soul, firm and secure.

I heard this song for the first time tonight after I wrote this.  God's timing is perfect. I love how he ties everything together.   Listen:  Anchor by Hillsong Live

Consumed

My family loves to "firepit".  There's nothing quite like it.  Countless conversations have occurred around the fire that will forever be etched into my heart.  In those moments, I can't help but be mesmerized by the flames.  I am in awe of the beauty of the blaze.

Our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 13:15

Consume:  To destroy, absorb, engross.

Oddly enough, that's what I so desperately want.  For the Lord to consume me and to destroy anything in my life that may be keeping me from growing closer to him. I want him to burn away all my doubts, my fears, and my anxieties. Destroying my pride, my frustrations, my bad attitudes and my disappointments.

God desires a heart that truly worships him and him alone. A heart totally consumed by him.  And because of God's saving grace, there is something inside of me that wants to give him every ounce of my being.  To bring glory and honor to his name.  To reflect him and his beauty in everything that I say and do.  I want a heart that is undeniably set on fire by him and for him.

As I worship him in spirit and in truth, I can't help but be mesmerized by his flames.  I am in awe of the beauty of the blaze that consumes my life.

Heavenly Father, consume our hearts today and always.  Burn within us an intense passion for you. 

In Jesus' name, amen. 

Listen: Set a Fire by Will Reagan & United Pursuit. 

The downpour

I have experienced God pour out his love and wisdom like a flood.  It has rushed over me. Consuming every ounce of my being.  Standing in the downpour, I can see him clearly.  I can see his hand of protection, his provision.  His arms of love and grace.  I am empowered. confident. alive.

Then comes the drought.  Alone in the desert where all I see is a mirage of what I hope to be reality. These are the times when the voice of God is silent.  The moments when I am left feeling abandoned.  Deprived of the strength I once found in his loving arms.  I am caught up in a whirlwind of frustration. It's quiet. dark. lonely.  

God has allowed this season in my life.  I may not see the results right away, but he is strengthening my spirit.  And as long as I keep my focus on the Truth, standing firm in the purpose of the gospel, remembering that I am alive in Christ and that he lives in me, this season will not dry up my bones.

Draw near to God 

and he will draw near to you.

James 4:8

No matter how far away the Lord seems, I will draw near to him.  Not because of the joys and fulfillment that I may get from it, but because I know it pleases him to see me earnestly seek his face.  To desire God more than control. 

I want more of him. To be able to stand in the downpour once again.

He will come to us like the rain. 

Hosea 6:3

Confess the mess

Somehow telling God about our struggles is easier than having to reveal them to another person.  God sees... God knows... everything. Nothing can be kept hidden from him. Nothing surprises him.  To admit having done something wrong to God feels safe.  We can trust him with our mess.  But to confess our sins to another person is a totally different story. 

Acknowledging our sin, our slips and our mess is the first step to healing. To confess our faults and failures to another person is where it all begins.  Confession brings healing in a way that excuses cannot. Laying down the pride and keeping short accounts.  It's not easy.  But we must remember, not one of us are perfect. Not one of us have the right to judge one another.

Therefore, confess your sins 

to one another

and pray for one another,

that you may be healed.

The prayer of a righteous man

has great power in its effects.

James 5:16

We are to find someone we trust when we are facing personal struggles.  Someone whose prayers have great power simply because they seek the Lord's will, not their own. Someone who will always support us and point us back to the One who is able to do the impossible.  

Confession is a scary and difficult step, but a step in the right direction.   Having to believe not only in our hearts what is right, but to live it out in our actions. Doesn't it bring such a sense of relief when it's all out in the open? So don't keep it in.  Let the walls of unconfessed mess begin to fall.  Let the healing begin.

"Sparks will fly as grace collides".  -Tenth Avenue North

Listen:  Healing Begins, Tenth Ave North

Contentment

Contentment. Satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more.

We live in an insatiable society.  Have you ever bought something new only to find that the next big thing just came out and you immediately lose the joy and excitement of what you have? We are left empty and longing for more. This can be said for many different things in our lives.

We spend so much time admiring the other side.  The grass always seems to be greener there... maybe it's because we are too busy looking to see what's on the other side, that we are missing out on the opportunities and blessings that have been placed right in front of us.

It's time to stop living in the "if I only had that, then I could...", "if I were only this, then I would..." mentality and start living in the here and now.  Taking a moment to look at where God has us, what he has given us, and who he has uniquely created us to be for such a time as this.   

It's ok to make plans. To write down goals. To pray that our wants and desires line up with God's will for our lives. But until we allow him to satisfy the cravings of our hearts, we will continue to keep peeking on the other side... hoping... wishing... wanting. 

For I know that the Creator of this world loves and cherishes me more than I could ever fathom. He knows my heart and the longings that lie within. He knows what I need. And I trust that. So I delight myself in Jesus.  Longing for only more of him in my life.  And as I spend more time in his presence, I find true contentment. The grass is greener on my side after all. 

Listen: The More I Seek You, Kari Jobe

For I have learned in whatever 

situation I am to be content.

Philippians 4:11

People pleaser

I carry a lofty weight upon my shoulders. The weight of making everyone in my life happy.  Hi, my name is Allison, and I am a people pleaser.

There is nothing wrong with making people feel accepted, included and loved, but if we stretch ourselves too thin in the process, we are actually doing more harm than good. The inability to enjoy the moment because we are too busy thinking about all of the things we could be doing for others is unhealthy and downright exhausting.

What if in our efforts to please someone, we find that we have drained every ounce of our being?   Maybe it's time that we take a look at the driving force behind the pleasing. 

For am I now seeking

the approval of man or of God?

Or am I trying to please man?

If I were still trying to please man,

I would not be a servant of Christ. 
Galatians 1:10

There is not a verse to be found where the Lord commands us to make everyone happy.  Jesus simply says, "Love one another, just as I have loved you". John 13:34
The happiness of others does not lie in our hands.  We are to love each other, but to go above and beyond what is necessary time and time again, we will begin to feel the lofty weight upon our shoulders. A weight that was never ours to carry.

I am not saying that we should lead selfish lives. Quite the contrary. I believe God wants us to ask Him how he would want us to love and serve others.   Our greatest joy will come from serving the Lord.  That's where we will find fulfillment.  That's where we will find freedom from the people pleaser mentality... simply because it's Him alone that we are aiming to please.

Expectations

Expectation: To be filled with anticipation and confidence that something hoped for will happen.

Have you ever gone to watch a movie that you had high hopes for only to leave feeling disappointed?  I have found that the best movie experiences I have ever had are when I don't have any expectations at all.  I simply show up and enjoy the show.

Life is full of expectations.  Every single person carries with them hopes and dreams.  Some expectations are met and may go above and beyond what we had ever hoped. While some may let us down; and if we are not careful, those expectations may lead us down a path of shattered dreams.

It is important to clearly communicate what it is that we expect... from ourselves, from our spouse, from our children, from our family and friends, from our boss and coworkers... the list goes on.  This allows for frustration, miscommunication and any expectations that may be unrealistic or unattainable to be snuffed out.

So how do we handle unmet expectations?  With grace.  It helps to keep in mind that all have fallen short. That none of us are perfect.  There is only one person in this world that I am certain I can place my highest expectation and never be disappointed.  It's not in myself, in others, or in my circumstances. It's in Christ alone.

My hope is built on nothing less.

And my God will supply 

every need of yours

according to his riches 

in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Listen: Cornerstone by Hillsong

Be someone's friend

If either of them fall down

one can help the other up.

But woe to him who is 

alone when he falls

and has not another to lift him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:10

 

Be someone's friend today. Ask God to show you who that may particular person may be.  Pray for an opportunity to encourage and speak life into their hearts.  

This is my commandment

that you love one another

as I have loved you. 

Greater love has no one than this,

that someone lay down his life

 for his friends.

John 15:12-13

Whispers

Be unceasing in prayer. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer. It's not something to be scheduled in. It's not a bunch of eloquent words rehearsed. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to have it all together. No clean up necessary. All that is required is a humble heart that desires to acknowledge the presence of a loving and mighty God. Even the whispers of your heart speak volumes. 

Prayer changes things. The more time we spend in his presence, the less time we have to worry. The more time we spend talking to him, the less time we have to think about our problems. Anxieties begin to melt away as he whispers to our hearts, "Peace, be still". 

From the whispers of our hearts to the whispers of heaven. 

Are we there yet?

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and

let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27:14

My children are in a constant state of waiting.  They do it to themselves.   "How long until I...?  When is...?  When will I...?  How many more days until...?

After I answer, their response is pretty much the same... "But Mommy, I caaaaan't waaaaait!! That's gonna take forever."  But once the event takes place and the anticipation has ended, a new question is asked.  And the waiting process begins all over again...

How many times have I been in that position with my heavenly Father?  Asking him, "When?" "How much longer?"  "Are we there yet?" And after he gently answers, "My child, not yet.",  I become impatient.   No different than my own children.

But He has already gone before me.  He understands my situation perfectly. He knows what I need even before I ask and the timing in which I receive or arrive is always perfect. So why do I throw a hissy fit when I feel like things aren't going according to plan?  The answer is simple.  My focus may be misaligned.

Something happens the moment that I respond, "Ok, I am trusting you, Lord." My attention shifts.  No longer focused on what I am waiting on or for; but instead, His presence catches my attention.  I begin to feel my anxious heart slow down to the rhythm of his peace.  I can hear him whisper, "I know the plans I have for you..."

I am able to be strong and allow my heart to take courage because I am committed to Christ and I know he is committed to me.  He has never once failed me or anyone on the face of the planet for that matter.  He has a proven track record.  Things may not always go the way I wish or pray, but I do know that he is able to do immeasurably more than I could ever imagine or dare ask... beyond my highest prayers, hopes and dreams. (Ephesians 3:20)

And He knows when, so I will keep my eyes focused on Jesus and trust his lead as I wait... on him.

This song really ties it altogether. Listen: Psalm 13 by Shane and Shane

Take it.

Take my yoke upon you,

and learn from me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy

and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:29-30

Yoke:  A frame for carrying loads.

Designed to encircle the shoulders of two animals to move in the same direction and work as a team.

Burden: A load being carried. Something that is difficult to bear.

An invitation from Jesus. " Come." Yet he does not demand that we do so.  He simply and sweetly offers for us to take his yoke upon our shoulders.  Why would anyone willingly take a yoke upon themselves?  Because compared to what we are currently carrying, this yoke is easy and the burden is light. Simply because He is there to help. 

He has a way of gently showing me where I am wrong.  A way of encouraging me when times get tough.  And a way of loving me like no other person in this world has the ability to do. 

So as I take his yoke upon myself, we work together as a team. We move in the same direction.  But this requires obedience on my end. I must be willing to lay down my anger, my impatience, my worries, my concerns, and my pride so that I can learn from him... from his character... the rhythm of grace. 

This is my hope. That no matter how weary I may be from carrying the burden of past regrets, fears, failures and sorrows, I will find rest in him and him alone.  Not rest in a physical sense, but rest from within my soul.   Despite the stresses and storms of life that may continue to rage on around me, I will be at peace and will be satisfied IN HIM.

He will lift my load... only if I allow him to do so. Why wouldn't I?  As I remember who he is, I will never regret that I came to him!

I love this song.  Take A Moment, by Will Reagan & United Pursuit Band

No pain, no gain.

Consider it pure joy,

my brothers and sisters,

whenever you face trials of

many kinds because you know

the testing of your faith

produces perseverance.

James 1:2-3

Trials.     Troubles.     Distress.     Pain.    Worry.     Anxiety.

Pure joy is probably the furthest thing from my mind in the midst of difficulties. I have considered it pure frustration or pure agony... but joy? If you're anything like me (human), you want to avoid personal turmoil if at all possible. Like my sister used to say, "No pain, no pain!"

Trials are like a strenuous exercise. Each exercise strengthens the spiritual muscle. Think about it, no one really enjoys the process of a hard work out.  It's painful.  It's unpleasant.  It pushes us beyond what we are comfortable with. 

There are moments, in the midst of my troubles, when I feel like I am facing the struggle alone... left to lift the heavy weights on my own without a spotter. I begin to panic. There's no end in sight. It's then that I cry out for help.

God has proven to me time and time again that he has never left my side. He has always been faithful to me. His grace is sufficient for me. He can be trusted. My trials may change from season to season, but He never does. His promises to me remain the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I know that he is with me, equipping me, strengthening me, with each breath that I take.  

When will I learn to embrace the trials instead of striving to get out as quickly as I can?  It's time to stop rushing "the workout". Yes, it's hard. Yes, it's frustrating.  Yes, it's draining.  But the end results are worth it.

Strength.     Peace.     Hope.     Rest.     Comfort.     Joy.

The end result:  a faith that produces perseverance- a faith that refuses to quit. I count it all joy!