Scripture Reading: Ezra 4:1-23, Lamentations 3:55-60, Matthew 5:10-12
I’ve done a lot of moving in my life. Fourteen homes in seventeen years. Many of those transitions were exciting and happy and smooth. Other times, it felt like every detail that could go wrong did. Turmoil, opposition, and even betrayal sometimes mark new seasons of our lives. I’m not the only one who’s had times when the old “you just can’t make this stuff up” trope rang true as moving difficulties and red tape difficulties and relational difficulties fueled fearfulness and frustration.
During my seasons of transition when things weren’t smooth, I found myself asking, “Why, God? Did we do something wrong? Shouldn’t this be easier?” Whether or not you’ve moved every 1.2 years or not, I’m sure you have asked those questions about your own circumstances.
What a comfort it is to read through the book of Ezra and remember that God’s people experienced the “you-can’t-make-this-stuff-up/shouldn’t-this-be-easier” moments as they went about rebuilding the temple and the city and their lives.
Reading Ezra 4:4 is like having a fuzzy blanket thrown over your shoulders—a comfort! God’s people, 2,400+ years ago, experienced discouragement as they returned and rebuilt, and it made them afraid.
Man, oh man, can I relate. Conflicts, small and large, can send me spiraling into fear and unhelpful questions. But it doesn’t have to. Regardless of our circumstances, Jesus tells us we can rejoice in the midst of suffering, pain, loss, and even persecution (Matthew 5:10–12). That is because we live with souls that hope for eternity! We have a better, truer home coming. A deeper, purer hope. Those who have been rescued by Jesus Christ are loved by the God who provides and sees and cares about the things that hurt us.
No matter how rocky my seasons of transition have been, the Lord has always been with me—encouraging, loving, and providing. For His children, God restores what’s broken. He rebuilds what falls apart.
It’s striking every time. Every time my plans and expectations crumble, I’m humbled and reminded of how much I need the Lord and other people. As you live out this day that God has called you to, as you build or rebuild and seek His plan, keep your chin up toward Jesus’s face, and don’t allow the brokenness of this world to send you into fear. God has a plan for your life, and there is no job or financial or interpersonal crisis that can thwart His good plans for your life. He will always get the glory. And when we seek to exalt Him, we will always get the joy.
Written by Scarlet Hiltibidal
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68 thoughts on "Opposition to Rebuilding"
wow. this study has been helping me so much, and I relate to this so much. it just reminds me that I can have my feelings and my faith. that even if I FEEL scared or like I want to give it up I have hope for a better future. and i’m not going to give up because my hope and trust lies in the God that is all powerful.
I needed to read this, to feel it deep in my brokenness, I know Jesus has been there for me but I feel as if I am in the desert of dry bones, not that I haven’t known where to go but that I seem to keep wandering in that desert
God is our calmness in the storm
“He rebuilds what falls apart.” I don’t see the need to add to that. Amen.
Well, amen to that!
❣️
Amen! Hallelujah!
This was a timely, helpful word. Thank you. God has us no matter what
Amen. God is our glue
So thankful that through the difficult times in life, we can look to God for our hope and sustainment! “He rebuilds what falls apart!” Thank you Lord for redemption!
Today’s reading is speaking to me personally. Lately I’ve developed rashes all over my body and while still waiting for the pathology results, I’ve been feeling anxious, worried, sad and frustrated of all the possible (worse) things that could happen. I feel like I’m in this transition period and realise I need God so much in carrying me through this time.
Please pray for healing and anyone else who suffers skin issues.
Amen!
Praying for peace, joy, and strength in your transition @Kallyana!
Amen!
This was such a good word this morning. A reminder that no matter what is going on, God is there and he hears us and walks with us.
Thanks for sharing that imagery!
Don’t feel silly! Our pets are like family and I believe God cares about our 4 legged friends too. Praying for speedy recovery ❤️
Amen!
“He rebuilds what falls apart.” “He always gets the glory. And when we seek to exalt Him, we will always get the joy.” Thank you for Redeeming my life, LORD! ❤️
Amen
Wow this devotional today!! Literally just the other day I was telling my husband I felt like I was being cruelly pranked in my job with the obstacles I have been facing recently. I’m so happy to be back here- I took a break from posting to focus on the psalms for prayer study book. I’m really thankful for all who had been praying for my anxiety and my work- both are better for sure but obstacles still abound. Praying for wisdom and that God would be glorified whatever I do !
I’ve been dealing with a big change in my life recently and it’s been very difficult to accept and adapt to it. This text was a balm to me. Please, I need your prayers for I need strength to rebuild things in my life. Thank you for the blessing words.
Such a great perspective too!
This life can be so hard, even when we are following after God and sometimes especially when we are following after God. The enemy of our soul doesn’t want us to accomplish why God has called us to. He doesn’t want us to walk in the identity of the Holy Spirit, but God is more powerful than the enemy of this world.
♥️
I just had to come back and share something I heard David Guzic say in a sermon based on Nehemiah/rebuilding, disception, discouragement, etc. (I couldn’t find one on Ezra so I listened to this parallel.)
Guzic said, “DISCOURAGEMENT is the devil’s sharpest knife.” That got me to thinking of how a knife is sharpened and I remembered watching my dad run a knife across a whetstone. Knowing a hard surface is necessary for the sharpening to happen brought to mind one of my favorite verses: Ezekiel 36:26- … “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” NLT
I don’t want my heart to be a stone used to sharpen the devil’s knife! Thankful God will remove bitterness and anything causing my heart to harden.
MERCY -❤
Thank you all for your prayers for the job interview yesterday. Everything went well and I was not even asked much about my former employer. I will know more information next week.
Praying for all of you today ❤️
@CEE GEE: “opposition can become opportunity!” now that’s an intriguing thought. Thank you for this nugget of perspective.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Tina. They always bring me comfort.
Happy Thursday she’s,
What a reading we have today. I took down some notes and reflections during, and my heart was pumping like running tracks. LOL.
1. The adversaries of your soul will approach you wanting to do things with you saying “Let us build with you, for we also worship your God and sacrifice to Him since the day of…” (Ezra 4:2). Does this sound familiar to any of us? let us do life with you, business with you, we are also Christians, let us know your plans, let our kids hang out together, we worship the same God you do, blah blah. Beware of the snake tactics to place counterfeits among us, because the enemy sowed tares among the wheat during the night and went his way (Matthew 13:25) as the Bible warns us.
2. Why would they approach us? To discourage, make us afraid to build for our God, to bribe against, to frustrate our purpose (“Then the people of the land DISCOURAGED the people of Judah and made them AFRAIR TO BUILD and bribed counselors against them to FRUSTRATE their purpose…”(Ezra 4:4)
3. What to do? The people of Judah discerned and straight up rejected them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to OUR GOD, we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel…” (Ezra 4:3). Rejection of this type would be considered rude in our social norm, anti-inclusive they say. This is a test for many of God’s children to EITHER appease the enemy who are in disguise as Christians OR to protect the holy purpose of rebuilding God’s temple in our lives. Following God is indeed very countercultural. May we have wisdom and great courage to discern & reject those counterfeit requests.
4. Letters of accusation were written against the people of Judah (“…they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem” Ezra 4:6). Accusers will go further with more creative ways in writing forms, on social media, to court, government officials, law suit, written legislations, etc. against Christians who are rebuilding God’s altar in their nation, city, household, family line….calling us “rebellious city”, “hurtful to kings and provinces” (Ezra 4:15). Isn’t this happening?
5. The enemy /accusers succeeded in delaying the building … for a season (…the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year…Ezra 4:23- 24). Delays can happen by fire by force from a relentless enemy. Remain calm against all odds (lament if we must) but stay on course! Seasons will pass. Until the 2nd year…
:)
@LAURA: joining you in prayers for victory. Amazed at new glimpses of your story each time you shared.
@SYDNEY STORY: “God’s plan is not always without opposition”- amen.
@DAWN PRENATT: so glad God led you here. Praying for the community of righteous people to be placed around you, virtually and physically, to nurture and build up your faith & hope in the Lord.
@COLLEEN: happy belated birthday to you! Many blessings.
@KRISTINE LOUGHMAN: amen 100%.
Be blessed dear sisters.
“Why does it always have to be so hard?!” I can relate. Scarlett’s devotional reminded me of countless times in my artistic endeavors that I have uttered those very words. Most of the work I do comes from personal requests. Which adds some additional pressure. I want to give my best. But it gets a little bumpy sometimes. Materials aren’t available or some other problem arises that interferes with my creative vision. If I’m honest…I have to acknowledge that in the setbacks and frustrations I experience…I grow. Grow (a little. Haha.) in patience, grow in managing expectations, even grow in creativity, all while trying to be faithful to the task at hand. I start with wanting God to get the glory but if everything goes off without a hitch then I veer off track and start thinking how talented I am. It’s the setbacks that humble me into recognizing God at work all along.
There always has been and always will be naysayers – those whose soul purpose is to discourage. I take heart in reading Matthew 5:10-12. I wouldn’t typically think that when I’m insulted, persecuted, or falsely accused – that I am blessed or that I should rejoice and be glad. But as we read in the scriptures and see how Jesus has walked this road before us and knowing what waits ahead for us, it is so much easier to envision.
Things will not always go smoothly and turn out right just because I’m a Christian. There will always be testings and trials, that is why it is such a blessing to know that when I call out to the LORD from the pit – He hears me! He comes near when I call, I don’t have to be afraid. (Lamentations 5:55-57).
@Tina – Happy Belated Birthday!
@Dawn Prenatt – As a new believer – welcome to the family of God! Praying today that God will give you a loving community of Godly women.
@Camila Vasquez – Praying that your health crisis will soon pass.
@Mari V – Praying that your friend Gretchen feels better today. Also praying that you will not be overwhelmed with all the testing of the kindergartners and that you will heed your teachers advice and take walks and breaks!
A blessed day to all my SRT sisters!! It’s Thankful Thursday!
I love the message and the verses that it is human to be discouraged and have fearful moments and that we’re not alone in those feelings. Even the most powerful people we look up to from the past felt the same way. The Lord reigns over all and our opposers will always fail. Yahweh will always provide a way even in the most unstable circumstances and dangerous times. His love and actions are like his love, steadfast and unconditional. Thank you Lord for your grace, mercy and love and strength to keep us going through our transition
Amen, Amen, thank you Scarlet for those encouraging words. This is a scary world we live in and we have better truer home coming.
I just heard this comment. “We trust the Lamb, not the donkey or elephant!”
I was just talking to my husband last night about how crazy our world is getting. It makes me fearful. It does not him. At least not as much as it does me. The devotional helped me with the reminder to keep my chin, eyes, up on God and not let the brokenness of this world to send me into a downward spiral. God has a plan and it will be brought to fruition.
Amen, there is such hope in these readings. God uses even the hard moments to propel us forward and deepen our relationship with Him.
So grateful for todays reading – it reminded me that the world has always been corrupt and flawed (typically starting with “feelings of pride and ego that are hurt”) and filled me with Hope in our Lord and savior! There will be times of discomfort yet my fathers arms will hold me tight; there will be long seasons of struggle but my father will provide; I may find myself afraid lest remind me the battle has already been won!!! Happy Thursday She’s – praying you all face the opposition with the armor of God!!
So thankful for God’s promises! He walks with us through every difficulty!
GM She’s!
I love the point being presented here in this chapter…things WILL deter us, even in our walking of God’s will, IN SPITE of being in His will. I think we are trained as Christians to tell each other that if God calls us to it, the door will be open and everything will go perfectly if we focus on Him, but no, opposition will come. Satan will come strong. He wants to deter those that love God and trying to spread his message and love. We watch Nefarious last night. Crazy, but truth. Satan and his are always working and we seem to forget that. We focus on what we see, which granted, is always challenging as well, but the evil of satan is guiding it. We see it as a whole of our country, right down to our very own circumstances. We will be persecuted, slammed against, talked down to, belittled…BUT GOD, hallelujah! My trust is in Him through it all!! I am so glad I have this truth, and these scriptures to know that my life is going to be challenging. As the song says that is currently playing right now “Because He Lives (Amen)” by Matt Mahar. I can face tomorrow, I can have JOY in tomorrow, and peace.
“Because He lives, every fear is gone
I know He holds my life, my future in His hands! Amen”
Thank you for all the insights and examples today…I copied and pasted many in my digital journal in this study thus far!! What a blessing SRT is!!
In my study bible it has this sentence for you to fill in-
“Though I may not experience instant success in my goal of __________, with God’s help I will commit myself to be faithful a day at a time, beginning today.”
“As you live out this day that God has called you to, as you build or rebuild and seek His plan, keep your chin up toward Jesus’s face, and don’t allow the brokenness of this world to send you into fear. God has a plan for your life, and there is no job or financial or interpersonal crisis that can thwart His good plans for your life. He will always get the glory. And when we seek to exalt Him, we will always get the joy.” Such encouraging words, Scarlet Hiltibidal!!!
Love the synopsis of these passages! There will be trials and opposition in this life (Ezra), but DO NOT BE AFRAID (Lamentations) because a great reward is waiting for us if we don’t give up (Matthew). Thank You, God, for Your everlasting love and presence and the peace that supplies in good times and bad. As it’s said, our tests become our testimony. I am inspired to add this based on the title of the devo –
opposition can become opportunity!
SEARCHING – I can’t find the mention of your friend’s procedure, but I saw Kelly’s prayer for recovery. I am glad she finally got past that and pray as well for a successful result and complete recovery! ❤
Praying for you beautiful ladies!
THIS!!! I love everything about this. It’s exactly what I needed this morning.
This, everything about this! We’ve been trying to build on our land for 2 years and it feels like the enemy is throwing everything he possibly can at us, including major health issues. “And when we seek to exalt him, we will always get the joy”
“….we live with souls that hope for eternity.” Well said Scarlet. This is what I try to think about when things are spiraling out of control. I keep in mind that our loving God has it ALL under control and HE already knows the outcome of our life situations. So I trust HIM. Even when it’s hard. I trust HIM. something we’ve been doing at school for years is to a STAR. Stop. Take a deep breath. And. Relax. And when I take that deep breath, I just say JESUS .
Happy Thursday sweet She’s. Please pray for my friend Gretchen, who wasn’t feeling well last night. We were at youth group ministry, and then she had to go home. Also, pray, as I am working hard with testing the kindergartners, and it’s been a little overwhelming. The teacher herself, (and I appreciate this about her), told me to take breaks, and to go for walks, and everything will be fine. But even so, I love my job! I’m enjoying my new position! I really love these sweet little kindergartners! Even the hard ones.
@searching & @victoria e thank you for your prayers. Victoria praying for you also as you experience this relationship change. It has been a hard season.
@Allie M – <3
Happy belated birthday @Tina!!! :) May God bless this new year for you greatly!
Wow. Ezra has been so interesting to read! I’m getting a lot out of it. Whether it’s historical information or just spiritual encouragement! Every day I’m energized by my reading!!
I wrote a whole thing in my journal about the Hebrew idiom for discourage which is found in Ezra 4:4 – to “weaken the hands.”
It reminded me of Nehemiah. In Chapter 6 of Nehemiah, Nehemiah is trying to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and these men send him the same letter 5(!!) times trying to convince him to stop. In Nehemiah 6:9 NKJV it says,
“For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, ‘Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.’
Now, therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”
— this was Nehemiah’s prayer that I was actually praying last year, when I was planning an event with the purpose to share the gospel with my intimate community. In all my discouragement, I kept saying, “Oh God, bless the work of my hands” as I had heard Sadie Rob mention this prayer on her podcast. It was just what I needed.
Lord God, I thank you for wrapping this all up for us to receive and remember. Here we are reminded that the enemy HATES Your work. He will accuse us, nag us, try to delay or distract us, try to halt the work You want to do through us. But I am reminded that we have Your Holy Spirit, and that just like in Lamentations 3:58, You have pleaded our cause and given us Your righteousness. Jesus, You are interceding at the Father’s right hand saying, “I have given them My righteousness by my own death” and NOTHING can undo Your FINISHED work of salvation. Let us remember Your great love through what You’ve done for us, Jesus, and help us to keep steady hands to the plow. Send us encouragement and remind us why we are here when we falter. Help us be like You and also like Nehemiah, who kept going despite the opposition. Your work will be completed in us. You are not finished yet. Help us stay the course, Jesus. Have mercy, save us, and strengthen us. Thank you, Amen.
When my husband and I were called to pack up our two kids and leave everything familiar and move to Africa to serve as missionaries, we knew that God had called us to do it. God had made it so clear to both of us, independently. I was so grateful for that confirmation, because our first two years there were the stuff written about in the devotional…you-can’t-make-this-stuff-up. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Someone from back home wrote to us and said, “either you are way outside what God wants you to do, or you are exactly where He wants you and Satan is trying to thwart His plans.” We knew without a shadow of a doubt that we were on the right path, and we felt God’s presence with us. I am so thankful for those years. Fast forward to today. Our family is once again in a battle and we feel Satan trying hard to pull us apart. So far it seems as though he is winning, but I have lived and experienced the power of our Lord to thwart his plans. And so we continue, trusting, praying, waiting for the storm to pass. I am preaching to myself here, but I so grateful for the past protection He gave us to draw on for today. Because this battle has been going on for awhile and if I did not have that past assurance, maybe I would falter (even more), maybe I would give up (even more) and maybe I would lose hope (even more).
This passage in Ezra is such a good reminder that obedience does not always mean things will be easy. We are having this conflict in our family because we are not willing to compromise on the Truth that is in God’s Word. And because of that, we are feeling pain and sadness and separation. The exiles did not compromise either. If they had allowed those living in the land to help them build, what would the outcome be? But they did not compromise. They stood firm to what God had told them to do. And because of it, they faced hardship and persecution. Such a good reminder from God’s Word to stand strong on what we know is right, what we know is His Word, His Truth, His calling on our lives.
@Sydney Story, what you said about God’s plan not being without opposition rang true to me. I need to be reminded that opposition doesn’t mean what I’m doing isn’t His plan. I just need to remind myself how faithful He has been in the past and will continue to be.
Have a wonderful day, everyone!
Amem! Going through a Health crisis that is instilling me to “move” so much in my life. Even though it’s god’s will, it’s hard.
This theme of how God works all things for our good is surrounding me. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is coincidental. He takes everything in our lives; good, bad and ugly and works it into his perfect, beautiful and restorative story.
Yes! Me and my husband just moved to a new city and it my first time moving away from my family. I feel like if this is where God wants us wouldnt it be easier?? But your words and the scripture reading reminds me that God’s plan is not always without opposition. Thank you for your words on the subject and sharing your experience!
Amen! Thank you for that reminder that this story is parallel to what we walk through today. Being a new believer in Christ, I sometimes have difficulty connecting it, so hearing others’ share has helped me immensely. I have been longing for a community, wanting to find connections with women who love and walk with Christ, and God has been showing me the way. Maybe not as fast as I’d like! Lol! Again, my impatience, but He absolutely is showing up for me. He lead me here! Thank you!!
The second line of Lamentations 3:58
You have redeemed my life NKJV
Hallelujah!
These former captives showed their faith and determination to rebuild. At the LORD’s stirring of his spirit, Cyrus made his proclamation for their return and rebuilding in the first year of his reign, and reigned for 29 years. Based on the time frame in chapter 3 (2nd year of their return), the rabble rousers pestered them and caused problems for 25+ years …
Do I remain faithful and determined when I have a clear calling?
Looking back, I can see the Lord’s provision, guidance, protection and so much more in my life. Praying I can trust what He’s doing right now in my life, instead of doubting or feeling unseen.
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN & COLLEEN DEVEAU ❤️ (and happy belated birthday, COLLEEN)
DANIELLE B & VICTORIA E – praying for you in the transition of friendships
TINA ❤️ so true! And loved your son’s description :)
BARI GOLD – totally agree with GRAMSIESUE on notes. I jot down whatever/whoever comes to mind, things I want to look into more, scriptures I want to ponder on, and sometimes nothing. Love that you shared your background, 2015 – what an awesome year! ❤️ There are several good sites for researching questions, gotquestions, enduring word are 2 that come to mind. And your sisters here are happy to share also!
MERCY ❤️
ALLIE M – praying as you work through this change, wisdom and guidance
INDIANA ELAINE – guidance as you move toward the church planting target date
RHONDA J – praying for all in the last part of your trip
MICHELLE PATIRE amen! ❤️
CINDY HANNA – praying for smooth remodeling
LYNNE FROM AL – praise the Lord for Gaynell’s results! Continued prayers for you and Jack ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️
Missing so many – DOROTHY, CHURCHMOUSE, SARAH D & HEIDI coming to mind this morning
Such a great devotion today! Thank you @Scarlet. What a good reminder that uncertainty & opposition does not reflect the end of our story. No matter what we are walking through, God is still will us and we can trust Him. It’s good to remember that NOTHING can thwart God’s plan for our lives. Thankful for our hope of eternity with Him <3
Colleen your comment is what I needed to hear today. So true how we are impatient, Sometimes the waiting game gets hard when you’ve been through so much but God always turns it around. I need to remember this myself❤️
What. Wonderful devotional and so timely as I struggle with my career transition. God has a plan. I am clinging to that. Thank you all so much for your prayers, especially MICHELLE PATIRE- your words brought me so much comfort and made me feel so cared for. Truly, thank you. I’m lifting you all up in prayers!
Amen
Oh what a reminder of why we hope!
@TINA, Happy Belated Birthday! My birthday was this past Sunday.
I am so grateful that the LORD has all of us in this place and this specific, God-appointed time together under the sun.
May He continue to bless you and keep you (Numbers 6:24-26).
Wow. I feel like I could have been reading a modern day retelling of any government in the world. I guess humankind has been dealing with power struggles forever. Today’s reading ended so abruptly too, with the Jews halted by force in their rebuilding efforts. What a cliffhanger! And what a relief to know it’s not the end of the story! Those of us in the midst of our own rebuilding efforts – repairing relationships, navigating new school years, enduring physical challenges, longing for community- we will face set backs, we will second guess our choices, we will be discouraged. But! But God remains faithful. Our story isn’t over.
After today’s reading of Ezra 4:1-23, it is so tempting to read on until things get better… but even saying these words reveals something about Humanity — Sometimes, it’s really hard to sit in the tension. It is so uncomfortable. We don’t like it, and we want out. We long for peace. We are impatient when things are not going right.
Where is God in these moments?
He is still right there.
He is not unaware of our troubles. It may feel like He’s distant if we feel like we can’t hear Him, but He is still there.
We can still trust Him even when things go wrong. We can still trust Him even when people lie about us (our intentions or actions) and other people believe the liars. The LORD knows who we are and whose we are — We are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3).
We can trust Him in the face of anything.
Dear sisters, you are in my prayers. I wish I had the ability and time to mention you all by name, but He knows your name and is aware of your situation. May you seek Him in the moments of struggle and fear and in the moments of joy and peace. May you seek Him, and may He be found by you. In Jesus’s name, amen.
“And when we seek him, we will always get joy” ❤️❤️❤️
@ Tina, thank you and Amen! We should trust Him and His perfect plan. @ Hilda! Yes, no one can stop God’s plan and He will always get the glory! How gracious, in His kindness, that we can have joy as we seek to exalt Him.
Also, Tina Happy Belated Birthday!
What stood out to me was King Artaxerxes being easily influenced by the enemies of the Jews. The order of a full stop to construction was heartbreaking for the people, I’m sure.
BUT GOD
The fulfillment of His promises will not be stopped!
VICTORIA E – was glad to see you pop in yesterday
TINA – totally agree
SEARCHING – thanks for the update! What a wait the poor lady had. Praying for a quick and thorough recovery.
ALLIE M – prayers that switching your major brings you peace of mind and you will flurish as an engineer
Amen
My sons description of himself in one of those social media places is ” former 6 year old boy” I smile every time I read it!
I think, I can safely say we are all ‘former’ some number as with each minute our age changes, technically… I mean, last week Tuesday, I was 63!!! This week, I am a week into 64!
Change comes.
Life changes.
Things change.
Moments change.
Situations change.
Circumstances change..
Things can change ‘on the turn of a dime,’ I think that’s the saying.
I was looking up synonyms for transition..
Here are a few.. Growth, progress, shift, transformation, upheaval, alteration, transit, turn, realignment( I think I like this one), turning point.. For me, when any of these words apply in my life, I panic. I panic because it means change, and I am ‘old school’ gal, who fears change more than I do the dentist, and they are not my favourite people!
BUT GOD…
In Paul’s words,(Philippians 4:12-13) plus a little of my own..
I have learned this secret, so that at anytime (after I have panicked, thrown a wobbly, then calmed down), I am content, whether I am full of hungry, whether I have too much of too little, whether I am happy or whether I am sad, confused or wide-eyes knowledgeable, whether life is being kind to me or not, I have the strength, the grace, the provision, the Hope, to face all conditions because of, and by the power that Christ Jesus gives me..
It is well in all circumstances, because I have Jesus..
We all have had transitions\ changes we have had to go through, and probably are facing today, we are here, because, though the outcome may not have been what we thought it would be, BUT GOD.., His plan for us is perfect and we should trust Him, hold fast to Him, knowing in His hands..
It is well.
AMEN..
Happy Thursday, beautiful daughters of the Most High God..❤
”We live with souls that hope for eternity” Praise God! ❤️