Things are shifting
My chest got tight. My breathing grew shallow. My thoughts were racing. My heart rate sped up. I wasn't sick. I was worried. I was stressed out over something. I didn't know how God was going to fix it, regulate it, or alleviate the burden.
I had been dealing with this issue for some time and I needed the Lord to make a way. As hard as I tried to be positive, negativity would creep up. Worst case scenarios would invade my mind. Before I knew it, I was having a physical reaction to worry.
Weeks later, the thing I was worried about turned out just fine. Everything went amazing and God proved His faithfulness again.
As I reflect back on it, I see how the Lord was testing me. He was stretching my faith. He was seeing if I would trust Him. He knew the predicament that I was in and He was aware that I had been dealing with the same mountain, the same trouble, the same circumstance for quite some time. He also knew He had a plan to deliver me and bring me out on top.
Right now, at this present moment, you may feel like you're stuck in a rut, dealing with the same struggle, too. If so, you can relate to the Children of Israel in Deuteronomy 2. I’ve shared this before and God led me to share it again today.
When we enter the scene, we find that, for about 38 years, they had been wandering in the deserts of Seir, a mountainous region.
In verse 2 of this chapter, after all that time of feeling stuck in the same place, God told them, “You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward.”
Finally, a shift in their journey was taking place. It didn't happen overnight, as you see, but their time did come. As I’ve mentioned here before, the name “Seir” means rough or hairy.
So then, for what must have felt like a never-ending period, Israel had been walking through a rough place. That is, until God said enough. It was time to move on.
“There comes a time when God says “enough!” He shifts your situation and pulls you out of the valley. That season is coming for you. Things are shifting for the better in your life. ”
Throughout the chapter, God instructs Israel on how to navigate enemy territory on their way to the Promised Land. He showed them how to handle their season of transition, as a shift was taking place in their lives.
Friend, transitional seasons are tough. You don’t always know what God is up to, but know that He’s with you through your rough place. And when the time is right, a shift is going to take place in your life. The Lord is about to show you mercy, grace and favor. He knows you have been in the valley a long time. Things are shifting. The door is opening. The way is being made. The resources are coming. Things are going to be different.
When your due season, or finally moment arrives, the Lord will take you from your rough place, to your place of breakthrough. He has seen your affliction and heard your cries, and He is saying wait in faith. Things are getting ready to come full circle. Believe and receive it by faith!
To remind you that this struggle will not last, I’m stirring 1 Peter 5:10 NASB into your cup of inspiration, which says, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, know that this prolonged season of hardship and suffering is coming to an end. Just hold onto faith. In due time, you will reap a harvest.
Don’t fret. Don’t worry. Don’t be anxious. Don’t think it’s over. Don’t get negative in your thinking. Dry your tears. Rejoice instead. Lift up your head. Know that God is in control. He’s making all things new. He’s working things out for your good. He’s shifting things in your favor. He’s doing what you cannot do.
Now let’s pray.
God, the situation looks bleak, but I believe change is coming. Even though I have been praying and waiting and I don’t see anything happening, I yet declare by faith that things are moving in my favor. Instead of giving into defeat, doubt and fear, I declare that it is already done. I praise You for it now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
