Praise Him in the storm

This morning on the radio they were talking about being content. I have studied what it means to be content a lot this year mainly because it's something I struggle with. And God has shown me over and over that it is something that I lack. But today this girl called in and spoke some truth, she said that she didn't think that contentment was a feeling but a choice. 

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Insert dagger in heart.

Life happens. Seasons happen. It's how we allow the Lord to work in us that I think counts as contentment. For example, Job was tested with just about everything. His family, his possessions, everything was taken away from him and even inflicted with disease. It's hard to imagine it. I can't think of how I would react if Brad and my brothers and sister and mom and dad were taken away. And then I don't have a house or a way to get around. And then get diagnosed with cancer. And while experiencing all that having the courage to be strong in my faith and seeing that the Lord was in control. Job had no idea that he would be a name to last the ages. A name that stands to perseverance, faith, and grace. For that matter, look at Jesus and all that he suffered through... I believe a reason that His experience was so horrific was so that He could identify with us.  Okay now what if our situation was looked at from that perspective.. that hundreds of years later people found truth and guidance from the faith it took for you to walk through a situation. Read Philippians 2.

What if tomorrow someone came to you that was experiencing a similar situation.. wouldn't you be thankful that you had been through that experience because it enlightened you.I know that was a round about way to get to that point.. BUT if we can look at a situation no matter how devastating or exciting and be THANKFUL first.. because He chose for that to happen to you. That is His will for you. It just changes your whole attitude. Because no matter how painful, God is good and He will work good into every situation if we allow Him. I don't think contentment is a feeling that lasts a month once you have a revelation. It's a choice every day. It's looking at your clock in the morning and thanking Him for waking you up. It's getting to work and realizing that you got there safely... and hey you have a job. It's driving home in traffic for an hour and being able to listen to great praise music uninterrupted. I don't want my legacy to be that I had a lot of things I wanted to accomplish. I want to send my praises to Him for allowing me to be a part of His story. And grateful that He trusts me with trials because He knows there is faith in my heart, and that encouragement is my root and my branches will be fruitful. 

Whatever God has in your life right now, whatever process your in- know that it is serving a big purpose. I'm so thankful for the encouragement and prayers and love- all of your words have been divine and in perfect timing. God is so sweet in that way, He knows exactly what we need. He also knows what others need so be open to be used by His hands. so thankful for His love shown through you. 

A Word of Encouragement

I know I am a couple of states over from all of you, but I want you to know it warms my heart when I get to talk to my family and friends back home. Even when I think about all the things that God put in place for us all to be together it just fills me with joy. My deepest desire is that God would continue to use each and every one of you to use your specific gifts to bring praise to Him. I hope all of you have built a firm foundation that cannot be shaken, and will continue to worship the Lord the rest of your days. I know I struggle with fear, worry, lust, insecurity and so many more things on a daily basis. I always remember that my God is more powerful then all these things though. He is in control and through the death of His Son I no longer have to be enslaved to these things. Although I live in freedom, I will gladly submit my life to the Lord because I know that is the only place where I can find hope and peace. Guys you are an incredible group of people and I long for the day that I can be with you doing ministry. I am not even sure who all reads this, but I encourage you to challenge yourself to go deeper in your relationship with the Lord. Ultimately, that is the only thing that truly matters. Everything else will vanish, but the Word of the Lord remains forever. So just know you have a friend in Dallas praying for you guys that the Lord will reveal Himself in awesome power through each of your lives.