Have you ever felt as though you were in a war? Going into it everyone is pumped and ready to go! Everyone’s ready to stand up and fight. Then, as you march towards the front line, those soldiers around you start pulling out…There you are fixing to top the hill and run into battle but now with only what seems like half the people you started with.
By no means do I know anyone’s situation – financially, spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc. – that was on my squad…But what I do know is this: I feel like that soldier who’s going into battle with half the people she thought were going with her.
Life happens. I get that. Do I pass judgement on those who decided not to go on this journey? Absolutely not. I have no place or authority for that! If I were 100% honest, I would tell you that I’ve reconsidered it on more than one occasion! So who am I to judge?! Dropping soldiers is little discouraging though. Sometimes makes me second guess too…well that is until I get into God’s Word and hear from Him.
That being said, I’ve learned on this pre-journey that this life and its material things have such a hold on our emotions and faith. Goodness me! Money is what I’m worried about? Running out of names for potential supporters is what’s making me anxious? Squad members pulling out is making me rethink? Thoughts of helplessness are what’s making me doubt my Father – Ruler of all? How could I think that there is nothing I can do?!
THERE IS RARELY NOTHING YOU CAN DO. -Beth Moore
James 5:13-14
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
James, the half brother of Jesus, gives us three categories to choose to place ourselves in: suffering, cheerful, or sick. He gives us prescriptions for each category: pray, sing praises (worship), or pray among elders with annointing. For me…I fall into two of these categories: suffering and cheerful. Weird combination huh? Yeah. Sounds like me.
“Suffering” can mean different things to different people. For me, I’m suffering with day-to-day tasks, for instance there isn’t enough time in my day to do everything I feel I need to do / should do. I suffer from overanalyzing my life and worrying too much about what could go wrong. I suffer from anxiety with trusting God in every area of my life when He calls for me to hand it over to Him. I’m suffering daily against wounds from the enemy’s firey arrows trying to take me down with discouragement. I could go on.
“Cheerful” can look different to different people. For me, when those firey darts hit – whether it be my shield or my side – I’m cheerful that not one of those darts can ever hit my heart or soul. My King has me. I’m safe. I can get wounded a little by arching arrows coming over the hilltop of battle while hiding on the other side and live. OR I can get wounded a lot from arrows in a direct line of fire from the front line of battle and live. You see, I’m cheerful each and every day, because I live either way. I sing praises to my God for allowing me to be on His front line. On His winning team.
“There is rarely nothing you can do. Being still and knowing He is God is a long shot from nothing. Trusting in a God you cannot see is a long shot from nothing. Holding your tongue is a long shot from nothing. Being patient is a long shot from nothing. Counting it all joy is a long shot from nothing. Submitting is a long shot from nothing. Confessing sin is a long shot from nothing. Resting in Christ is a long shot from nothing. Praying is a long shot from nothing.” -Beth Moore
THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO! So, let’s (let us – myself included) take a few steps to overcome the enemy’s brainwashing of the possible being impossible. Whether that be physical, mental, or financialy situations.
Step 1: Lose the mentality that you are a victim of God’s shortcomings. God doesn’t have short-comings!
Step 2: When you’re feeling powerless, don’t let anyone tell you there’s nothing you can do. Espcially when it’s the evil voice in your head – he’s always wrong.
Step 3: Live life with God. GOD WINS! YOU”RE ON THE WINNING TEAM. Now choose to fully trust that and step out in faith that God will send you through His provision. And when you get discouraged…there’s always something you can do! Pray, sing praises, or call me! Us royal family members must stick together!
***Much of this came out of my Beth Moore Bible study…sorry if I missed some sitings.
