Have you found yourself in a season of life where you are in a seemingly endless and unrelentingly complex storm ride, traumatic terrains you wish you were better prepared for?
This is something that many of us face at some point in time or another, no matter how faith-filled and strong we were prior to that storm-ride.
Well, we are not the first in line of heirs of The Blessing and the Kingdom, who had one or indeed a few of these seasons in their journeys to receive their promise, from Father Abraham and the Patriarchs to most of the Sages, prophets and the righteous kings and people alike.
So, what do we say and what can we do in all these things?
Here’s what I learned from such seasons-
Tip 1:
First – Put in Remembrance (Lamentations 3:21-27)
Be PERSUADED in your heart that God is as near in such seasons as your next breath although it may feel like the exact opposite.
I realized this when I looked back after the storm.
He was there all the way, guiding with the softest of The Spirit’s wisdom, whispers and impressions that you humbly obey. These may even feel like scraps from HIM when what you really would prefer is a voice bellowing an answer to your pain from heaven.
Nevertheless, He desires to process you to that place where the enemy can no longer bring the same afflictions on you again.
Those small acts of ‘following’ and steps of faith are slowly but surely guiding you to your needed exit and expected end.
So, keep drawing near to God and while pouring out your heart and pain to Him, and remember to allow yourself some silent moments and pauses to hear Him.
This second one is equally crucial;
Tip 2:
Second – KEEP persistently refuting, refusing to accept, and rejecting what you know to be the enemy’s narrative.
I use the 3 words because your adversary is a cunning prowler as are his demonic foot soldiers, even human minions, his hands and feet.
He will try every way to gain some if not all control of your mind, and these forces in tandem will try various ploys to do this even sometimes feigning the ‘voice’ or ‘peace’ of God.
So be vigilant and also guarded at these times and seasons!
You might ask me; “How will I know what or which is the enemy’s voice, tricks, and ‘suggestions’?”
Exactly that! They are thoughts and suggestions that are not aligned with God’s own Words and promises to those who love, fear Him and TRUST HIM! So, test your thoughts and emotions in the storm with the written Word.
Remember that; Better than any pictures and loud clamourings of an afflicted soul is the TRUEST; “It is written!” Even Jesus used that against the enemy narratives. (See John 4)
He will also confirm what was Him in ways your mind and fears cannot argue with and He will continue to follow you with the confirmations not in a pressured way but soft reminders.
If it feels pressured, it is most likely the enemy.
I came to learn that if you love and fear Him, God desires to help you more that you could ask or think! But sometimes discerning His voice will be according to the power (grace) at work in you.
Tip 3 tells you how to get to that place of God aided ability to discern…which will be continued in…