the real deal
The Peace God Promises: Closing the Gap Between What You Experience and What You Long For by Ann Spangler. I am only two chapters in and think this lady may be living in my head! How has she come up with what I am thinking? JK But let me tell you to read something from a published author that you have been dealing with in your heart, head, and prayers... makes you feel a little less gila (Indonesian for crazy... some words are just more powerful in a different language!!). And feeling a little less gila feels a little more safe/ normal. :o)
So here is my favorite part from chapter two:
"One reason we find it hard to keep our eyes on God is that the lag time between our prayers and God's answers often seems unbearably long. It is hard to endure the anxiety and discomfort we feel while we wait. Why? Because our waiting highlights the fact that we are not in control. We feel our weakness as never before. When the answer finally does come, it may take time for us to recognize. Or the answer may unfold gradually. Or it may not be the answer that we want.
One way to deal with the waiting is to fill the time in a positive way: listening to God's direction, confessing our faithless thoughts, reminding ourselves and God of His promises, asking His Spirit to be at work, linking ourselves to others in prayer and fellowship. At such times, is it especially important to remember the story God has given to nourish our faith. We can do this by reading Scripture regularly and then praying it into our lives."
I am feeling my weakness now more than ever before! And the fact is - He promises that is when He will show up and show out! I told Marty a day or so ago that I would not choose this for myself... I would do it differently if I was in control. Praise Him His ways are higher. He wrote my story and His knows all the details!
Our answers are slowly unfolding to how and when we will serve Him in PNG. One moment at a time... and His grace is enough. I am continuing to "deal" in my waiting. Contentment and peace come in my waiting through listening to His direction, confessing my faithlessness, focusing on His promises, asking His Spirit to work, and linking (or partnering!!) with others through prayer and fellowship. It is happening. Peace. But it sure is a dern big bunch of work. Check it out y'all (I love the Word!!!):
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. THEN the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8,9 NLT
Real faith is costly. There is a whole lot of effort to that long list above! And it just so happens that in my case this requires a lot of waiting. I am dealing my way through it... But real peace is more than worth it.
So here is my favorite part from chapter two:
"One reason we find it hard to keep our eyes on God is that the lag time between our prayers and God's answers often seems unbearably long. It is hard to endure the anxiety and discomfort we feel while we wait. Why? Because our waiting highlights the fact that we are not in control. We feel our weakness as never before. When the answer finally does come, it may take time for us to recognize. Or the answer may unfold gradually. Or it may not be the answer that we want.
One way to deal with the waiting is to fill the time in a positive way: listening to God's direction, confessing our faithless thoughts, reminding ourselves and God of His promises, asking His Spirit to be at work, linking ourselves to others in prayer and fellowship. At such times, is it especially important to remember the story God has given to nourish our faith. We can do this by reading Scripture regularly and then praying it into our lives."
I am feeling my weakness now more than ever before! And the fact is - He promises that is when He will show up and show out! I told Marty a day or so ago that I would not choose this for myself... I would do it differently if I was in control. Praise Him His ways are higher. He wrote my story and His knows all the details!
Our answers are slowly unfolding to how and when we will serve Him in PNG. One moment at a time... and His grace is enough. I am continuing to "deal" in my waiting. Contentment and peace come in my waiting through listening to His direction, confessing my faithlessness, focusing on His promises, asking His Spirit to work, and linking (or partnering!!) with others through prayer and fellowship. It is happening. Peace. But it sure is a dern big bunch of work. Check it out y'all (I love the Word!!!):
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. THEN the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8,9 NLT
Real faith is costly. There is a whole lot of effort to that long list above! And it just so happens that in my case this requires a lot of waiting. I am dealing my way through it... But real peace is more than worth it.
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