Happy Sunday. It always feels like the turn of a new page when starting a new week. Yet some weeks, months, and even years carry the frustration, disappointment, and fears, of the past. It can feel like a heavy cloud or tangible residue that you can’t seem to clean. I have had the unfortunate pleasure of being in that place. But I’ve also had the pleasure of walking through this process with the Lord. I want to remind you that the Lord has compassion for those who are broken-hearted and in pain. He will be gentle with you in this season. Today, I’m sharing 3 steps on how we begin to let go to let God in during a challenging season.
Mourn with God. Under challenging seasons, we question the future and why we were ripped from our past. We morn what we’ve lost, what didn’t go as planned, or the scary path we must walk. In these circumstances, I know that God mourns with us. Did you know that God doesn’t just want to pull you up and get you together? He wants to come down to your lowest points and heal with you. So allow Him into your space of mourning. We have permission to mourn with the Lord. To ask Him from our deepest place for help and healing. In mourning, I’ve found that God has been close enough to comfort me through His presence, His Word, and people. Don’t avoid this part of your season but embrace it. I challenge you; the next time you feel like venting to a friend or family member, vent to God. Don’t just use your prayer time to tell God how wonderful and powerful He is. Tell God you’re hurting; tell God you need His help to press forward. He wants your pain just as much as your praises. You can be honest with Him.
See this season for what it is. The word of God says,
“Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it, and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19 AMPC
At first, this text can sound like a poetic way of saying, “get over it and look at me.” But this text is telling of how intimate God is with our circumstances. He knows that we long for the loved one that passed, the relationship that fell apart, the health we took for granted, the financial security – He knows it’s only human to dwell on it. But God tells us not to cling to these things and fixate ourselves upon what God is doing in our wilderness and desert seasons. He understands what you desire and knows it seems like you’re in a place where everything has been stripped away from you. In all this, he says, “can’t you see what I am doing – a new thing!” Though this season is challenging as we spend time in the presence of God in mourning, His comfort will whisper His promises and plans for us. We then do our part to acknowledge those whispers in faith and obedience. Now is the time to receive a renewed relationship with God, peace beyond understanding, fresh revelation. This season is an opportunity for newness in the Lord. If we don’t see it for what it is, we will miss what God has for us amid the pain.
Live in the Presence & Power. Are you in a strong Church community? Do you have a consistent prayer time? If not, run toward one. There are some things that God wants to do in private, and there are other things that God wants to do in community. There have been times where I’ve felt the most seen by God when someone speaks what I need to hear, led by the Spirit of God. Other times it’s when the scriptures leap off the pages in revelation during my personal time with the Lord. In trying and heavy times, you need fellowship and communion with the Lord and Spirit-filled believers. If your prayer time is dry, keep showing up and ask God for a fresh refilling. If your church is dry, find a new one or a small group within that church that pursues the heart and power of God. I don’t just mean a church with great music and smoke, but a church that will pray with you, where healing is taking place, and your heart is convicted for more Jesus.
There is redemptive power in the presence of God. When we mourn with Him, expect newness from Him, and dwell in His presence, we are giving him room to move. We open our wounds to healing and restoration by being committed to sitting at His feet and pursuing Him with our whole hearts. The depression, the fear, the anger will only keep you bound. Jesus gave us a way to healing, and it’s through Him. If you are going through a tough season, I want you to begin to confess that it is your healing season. I believe God will comfort and guide you in this see if you give it all to Him. I pray that you experience the peace of God as you walk this out. God is with you, even now. Open yourself to release the sadness and embrace the Savior. Talk to you all next week.
Kayla
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