Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Patience + Faith =

For all of those out there who growing impatient with God:

Honestly, have you felt like the things in your life were too confusing and hurtful to even bother dealing with? It's like you're stuck in some sort of perpetual conundrum with virtually no solution in sight. Occasionally, the answers will show up right in your face, while other times they're way out of view. What happens when you get to the point where you feel like you've lost purpose to the things in your life? How do we deal with these feelings?

I think I'm starting to finally realize that we should tackle these feelings with expectancy for the future. What I mean by this is that we should allow God to have control over our lives today, while expecting great things to materialize tomorrow. God is bigger than anything that we could ever imagine. He has the ability to make the impossible things in our life possible. Why then, do we consistently gripe and complain about our present conditions?

Man, I got hit with this lesson pretty hard.

From my experience, I think that we spend too much time looking at our lives through the fog of the past. That fog not only distorts our present view, but it completely blinds us to what the future can hold. What happens as a result is that we respond to the present and the future with negativity and cynicism. We say things like "I can't do this" or "I can't see myself being able to do that" or "I don't think that I can get from here to there". But little do we realize; each time we limit what we can do or -- more importantly -- what God can do, our vision of God's power becomes blurry and jaded.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that those who wait on God will have renewed strength (40:31). What does this mean? Frankly, it's as simple as it sounds. I don't think that there's some sort of deep and hidden meaning to the word "wait"; except for maybe one caveat: that we "wait" with our minds in a state of expectancy. At this point, we're are putting our trust -- our complete trust -- in God to do whatever needs to be done. It's expecting God's plans for our life to materialize, according to His will...no matter what the past situations looked like.

I think that the more expectancy we have, the less difficult it is to deal with uncertainty, confusion, troubles, and hardships. Since God has promised to constantly renew our strength, the very least we can do for Him is to be patient with Him. The word reminds us that we'll be able to soar like eagles, run our race without without getting tired, and walk confidently without passing out. If we put our faith in God, He pay us huge dividends by pouring His strength and blessings on us.

Just wait.

Thank you (you know who you are) for helping me to see that.

- ACL

9 "Insiders" spoke their mind. Join in...:

Anonymous said...

You're welcome.

You know you're always in my thoughts and prayers. I'm anxious to see what terrific things God has in store for you! You're my hero, A Lou!

Anonymous said...

Hey Dre! Thanks for sharing this piece. I've been going through some pretty difficult times lately. But hearing this word has given me new life.

I don't know if you realize how much you bless me and my family with your thoughts. May God bless you for...well, being you!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Andre, I really appreciated this particular blog entry. I have some issues of my own I'm dealing with, and I knew this, but I needed the reminder. Thanks for sharing this. Seriously. :-)

As for Beta Blogger, if you recall, I won a free blog makeover, so my template didn't cost me a thing, just my time emailing my preferences and choosing the photo for the header. But I REALLY like it, so I don't want to lose it in a switchover to the Beta thing unless it's absolutely unavoidable. If I knew beyond a doubt that my template would make the switch okay along with all my archives, I'd go ahead and make the plunge. I do have my template backed up on my Wordpad several times. I'm just scared if I do switch and something happens, it won't let me use the old Blogger and use my pretty template again. I don't know when, but I've read several places that there will be a deadline to switch over to the Beta, or you'll be switched by Blogger, like it or not.

*Sigh*.....Decisions, decisions, multitudes in the valley of decisions.....

Greeneyes said...

Andre
My Handsome Green eyed Man ;-]

This post is very uplifting ,Thank you , it is wonderful to be inside your MIND and am impressed with how you are fountain of insight on GOD ,reading your feelings on this ,opens peoples hearts and helps,may you be blessed ,,,,,, as we are by knowing you .
Take care In that Big City My Glorious GEM ,
Hugs
Greeneyes

Andre said...

@ "I know who": Man! Stupid stuff has been coming at me seemingly from all directions. But I think that dealing with these things has made me a better man.

Thanks for your insight. You're more valuable to me than words!

@ Cynthia: I get encouraged to hear when I encourage others. To me, that's what the body of Christ is about; more than being on a church roll, more than holding positions, more than just about everything else.

May God's grace be with you and your family!

@ Diane: Hey granny! Earlier this week when I arrived at work, I couldn't log into my computer. I had completely forgotten my password. I had been under so much stress the previous week that my mind shut down for a second.

I think that we can get the same way with God. When things pile up on us (and believe me; they've piled up on me more than I like), it's easy to completely forget about God's promises and His power. You're not the only one who forgets every now and then.

As far as Beta is concerned: Again, it's a risk that you'll have to decide whether or not you want to take. I happen to like Beta (but, as I said before, Beta was replacing a pretty dull design that I had before...so consider the source.)

Since everything is starting to become "Google-ized", I wouldn't be suprised if you'll eventually be forced to make the change. But I wouldn't do it voluntarily unless you WANT to.

Thanks for stopping by!

@ Greeny: Hi my queen. Careful greeny: if you get inside my mind too much, you'll wind up taking in the good stuff along with the bad. Even the closest people have major disagreements. Our time will be coming soon. Are you ready for it? Mwuh-ha ha ha!!! (my evil, sinister laugh)

*Cue the lightning*

Until the day comes where we're at each others throats (*smile), thank you for your insight, your uplifting words, and your blessings. You're a real Gem!

Greeneyes said...

ANDRE~
My Great Gem ,

Surely you know everyone’s "Ego" vs. "ID" Part of the sub consciousness has a bad side and a good side, I am a true friend, I know there is a fine balance between always happy or snarls between any two people, your subconscious if you pardon the pun has a mind of its own .How volatile you become is truly controllable, but venting is a must!
Now I am ready but you must remember woman think with both sides of their brain the same time ,education is not the only measure of intelligence and the female memory is proven to outlast that of the largest of the pachyderm ,ask any man who has wronged his female partner how long and detailed she remembers it !!!!
Cue THUNDER
Mwuh-ha ha ha!!!indeed!

So until the clash of the Titans ,which may or may not come quickly ,I shall enjoy YOU to the fullest .
(GLEAMING EAR TO EAR SMILE )

GREENEYES

The H.C. said...

Hey Dre,
A good quote along the same lines, "The past is gone, the present is fleeting, and the future is all we really have." I don't know who said it, but I use it all the time, to remind myself not to get too caught up in what has been.

Anonymous said...

Whatever you go through, always remember Romans 8:28.

That says it all!

JJM said...

Hey Dre. As you can tell, I've joined the blog party. I guess I won't have to disguise myself anymore. LOL!

TTYL, bighead.