Note: I’m still doling out posts from the archives while I enjoy my summer break. This post originally appeared March 24, 2016. As I write this note and prepare to load this post into the publishing queue, it’s the Monday following my latest book launch and this message is one I really needed today. I’m sure there’s someone else out there who could use this reminder. If that’s you, hang in there, friend.
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“If this is my calling, why is it so hard?”
“If this is really what God wants me to do, why is there so much opposition?”
“Is this dream really from God? Is He trying to tell me I should just give up and stop wanting it?”
I’ve been in a place of asking these questions. Sometimes, I’m still there. But when I do, I’m reminded of the following:
We’re called to trust, to persevere, and to be patient. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust and submit, and then He’ll make our paths straight–not the other way around.
Trust isn’t really trust if the way is clear and easy.
Perseverance isn’t really perseverance if there’s no opposition.
Patience isn’t patience if the outcomes happen when and how I want them to.
Quick and easy is wonderful in the moment but then it’s over and it does nothing to strengthen our faith, sanctify us or grow us in our daily walk. And when the results come easily, we don’t appreciate them nearly as much as when we work hard and fight for them.
If you’re facing hard, if it seems like everything in the universe is trying to keep you from even trying, let alone achieving that thing you know deep in your bones you were put here to do — consider that you’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to, and the enemy is pulling out all the stops in an attempt to get you to give up, because he’s terrified of what will happen if you don’t.
So don’t.
Don’t give up.
Persevere. Keep going. One day at a time. One little hard-fought step at a time.
Be patient. Be flexible. Surrender the outcomes to God.
Trust with your WHOLE heart. Trust in His goodness and His complete love for you.
And in due time He will clear the way for you to be ALL He means for you to be. He promised.
You’re not fighting this fight alone. He’s with you every step of the way, ordering your steps. You don’t have to do it all, and you don’t have to do any of it by yourself. Your Maker has a plan for you, and HE will bring it about. ALL that’s required of you is obedience. Show up and be willing. He’ll take it from there.
Remember that God knows how to God. He’s got this.
And so do you.
Love,
PS – Linking up this week with Holley Gerth’s Coffee For Your Heart, Missional Women’s Faith Filled Friday, and the Faith Barista.