A couple of weeks ago, the moment I awakened, our Lord spoke to me saying, “You can use your bubble wrap to move or to cocoon yourself. Don’t get wrapped up.”
I understood exactly what He meant. And don’t you love it when God gives us the understanding with His Word in such a clever way that helps us overcome in the beginning of a new day?
To be sure, God is not only in the macro, He’s in the micro.
He knows what’s on our to do lists. He can forewarn us so we don’t get stuck on a single action item, where the enemy of our lives can try to drain our valuable time and energy that results in frustration and a feeling of defeat. This can be especially true in areas where we have impending deadlines and feel weary at the outset or feel that we have insufficient time or resources.
Since dread works to oppose hope, in pressing moments, we must remember that God always offers us balance and that His powerful mercy and grace will help us beyond our own abilities. Our God works to resolve unfinished business. And oftentimes, in the end, we realize our situations aren’t as bad as they seemed.
For me, I had returned from a long weekend away and was faced with a few impending deadlines. In fact, two of them were on the very day God spoke His wise Words to me. One of them was what I perceived as a very unpleasant task that needed immediate resolution. Another involved an ongoing project of packing up our home.
But what’s most important to remember is that our deadlines are part of our timelines. And our timelines are tied to our Lifeline, who is our Lord Jesus. He is our Hope and Peace. He is our Mercy and Grace. And He is faithful to move on our behalves.
An advantage God gave me, in addition to His wise Words on this particular morning, came in the fresh perspective I experienced when I returned home from my weekend away. I felt rejuvenated with a new energy for organizing and cleaning up piles of boxes and wrapping supplies. It all seemed much more manageable after I returned.
We know that transitions are messy. But God has a way of helping us see what needs to be tackled first in an effort to get on top and keep us ready. He doesn’t want us to feel bound up in what can look like a mountain before us but is really a small thing to God that He will help us through.
So, after I shared time with Him on this particular morning, praying and reading what He instructed me to read, I picked up my phone to see that the impending deadline that I was least looking forward to dealing with had improved.
I was reminded of James 1:17 AMP, which says that “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].”
Also, Hebrews 13:21 AMP, which says that God will “equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you [making you complete and perfect as you ought to be], accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ…”
I knew faithful God was at work on my behalf. I knew that choosing to prioritize Him and dwell with Him helped my attitude and trumped the dread that the enemy tried to bring.
My most immediate deadline was resolved by the end of the day. And I didn’t have to do anything. God’s favor just lifted the yoke of it all for me (Is 10:27).
I was reminded that life is our portion every time and that God will always offer us a way of escape that works when we believe Him and follow through in His ways.
It’s important to remember, while in the midst, that our story isn’t over. And, just like God builds us in faith and grows us in grace, He also strengthens us in His wisdom in small ways to advance us.
The enemy may try to set traps for us in an effort to hinder us from progressing into all God has for us in our next assignments. But God will offer us an advantage by revealing His wisdom in both our simplest and most complex issues.
James 1:5 TPT reminds us that “if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.”
Therefore, sometimes, our best prayer can be, “Lord, help me get through this. Show me the way. Give me Your wisdom on this.”
Sometimes, we need to take a moment to resolve in our hearts and declare that we are not defeated but destined for victory with faithful God. Then choose to walk in it every moment, knowing we’ll receive that for which we believe when we put our faith wholly in Him (Mt 8:13).
To God be the glory.
This devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.