Happy New Year...a little late! :)

[Selina Michelle May]

Hi Ladies! Happy New Year to you all.  I truly hope that your January has gone well so far.  Sorry it's taken me so long to get back on here with you all, but life has truly been crazy until now.  It's still crazy, but I feel I'm finally getting a handle on our routine...for now! :)

 

Anyway, I want to take a moment to share a devotional I did the other day.  It's from the "Jesus Calling" devotional book.  Have you heard of it?  Oh my goodness, it's fabulous and I totally recommend it to everyone!  Anywho, there was a devotional that really spoke to me the other day and I'd like to share it with you.  Then you can share your thoughts with me about it!

 

(It's from January 26) "Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem free life.  Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties.  This is a false hope!  As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble. Link your hope not to problem solving in this life but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven.  Instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me, the Perfect One.

It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances.  In fact, My Light shines most brightly though believers who trust Me in the dark.  That kind of trust is supernatural, a production of My indwelling Spirit.  When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway.  I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way."

(John 16:11, Psalm 112:4, 7)

 

The whole passage just impacted me tremendously.  You see I am a perfectionist.  I struggle when things don't go "just right" or as I have planned.  The line, "Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties," really struck a chord with me.  It's true, "In the world you will have trouble," and that was a great reminder to me that we are in a fallen world that is not and will not be "perfect" and that is okay,  I need to seek the "perfect" One who will help me through my struggles rather than seeking perfect circumstances (that will never happen).  I really got a wake up call when I read the line, "I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way." So basically, it's up to me and how I respond to this imperfect world and everything it throws my way!

 

What impacted you most from this devotional?  What stands out most to you and what do you plan to do about it!

 

[Charissa UpChurch]

This definitely hits home with me.  We're in the midst of a lot of uncertainty right now and nothing seems to be working out like we'd hoped it would.  But I know that God has it all under control.  He knows what will happen and is shaping all of the difficulties to ultimately be for our good.  This has been a time when we've been really seeking Him and trusting that He's going to work it all out, even if it doesn't seem that way right now.  Changing my response to this situation and just letting him work and having peace throughout everything has been something that He's been working with me on. Definitely glad He doesn't give up on us, but continues to mold us into what He wants us to be!  

Great devotion!  Thanks for sharing! 

[Selina Michelle May]

Glad it was encouraging, Charissa! :)

[Monica Crandell Stone]

I am a recovering perfectionist! My life went along rather swimmingly until four years ago when I was blindsided by a huge failure (in my eyes). I must admit that it derailed me for several months until I let go on those crazy perfect standards I had set for myself and began to trust in God's wisdom for the situation. As I went on long walks to sort things out, I began to focus less on what I could do to control or fix the problem and more on how I was going to let go and open myself up to God's timing. I am now much more aware of my responses to adversity or changes in plans.

[Selina Michelle May]

It's all about how we respond to the given situations isn't Monica!  A lesson I feel I am constantly learning everyday!!!