Just because it's delayed...

A few weeks ago, I saw a John Hagee quote that has stuck with me. "Just because it's delayed, doesn't mean it's denied."It brought peace to my heart because in that day, I'd spent time sulking over a request I've been making of God for a few years now. It also got me thinking about the other 'long term' requests I keep tucked inside my heart and mind. Requests that involve the salvation of family members to personal goals I'd like to accomplish to every day obstacles that I feel hold us back.

A few weeks back I blogged about worrying. Many of you shared with me that it's a constant struggle you face every day and with that, I can empathize. I'm a worrier by nature, but God has not held back lately in reminding me how deeply He cares for the worries of my heart. Whether they be small or large.

An example of that happened this last week. This time last year we received a letter in the mail about home insurance that brought a lot of frustration and tears. A stupid something that was out of our control. A something that would would nearly make it impossible to ever sell this house and would cost us  financially in the meantime.

 I wish I would have known then what I'm about to tell you.  

Anyway, the good news was that there could be resolution to this problem, but we didn't really know what it could be or how to go about it.  We had no answers and no guidance.

Over the last year, I've been praying over it casually and hoping for something to show us what the next step needed to be. I've done different research, talked to people who've experienced the same and have just had to sit and wait. Not my best quality.

On Friday, I received another letter that at face value, looked to be another horrible, 'we want more money or else' type letter. I started to go into a panic attack when God sweetly reminded me my favorite verse. 

           Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 
In that moment, that moment of fear,  I had a choice to make. I could continue worrying and going through my typical 'worse care scenario' cycle, or stop and do what He has asked of me and give him prayer and praise. That's exactly what I chose to do and oh what peace filled my soul. I held that letter in my hand and I claimed victory over it. I praised God for an awesome work in the situation, even though I had no clue what that could even mean. Didn't matter, I was giving it straight to him, thanking Him for loving me and knowing my worries and praising him for it to be taken care of.  

Today, 3 days later and many phone calls later, I write to tell you that not only did that letter bring good news masked in ugly, but it looks like very soon, this entire situation will be put to rest and in a bigger, better way that we could ever have planned for ourselves. That my friends, is my God at work. I wish I could remember every time I have a concern  that the way God will choose to meet the need will always be in a much bigger, better and more awesome way than I could ever dream up. Just because the answer to this prayer was a year delayed...didn't mean it was denied.

Just because my request to see a promotion in my business has been delayed, doesn't mean it's been denied. 

Just because my request for healing in the concerns I have in my health have been delayed, doesn't mean it's denied.

Just because the sweet salvation of my family and friend's hearts and souls has been delayed, doesn't mean it's denied.

It doesn't matter what the length of time is. I want these met in God's way and not mine. In His timing, not mine. It's then I can rest well knowing that those way's will be something tremendous! You can probably ask just about any Believer and they could share a story with you about waiting on God's perfect timing in a situation and how it far exceeded their expectation once the answer arrived. It's how God rolls. :)

I fully stand on the promises of my God today. He has promised in Jeremiah that He knows the plans He has for me. Plans for me to prosper and not fail. Plans to take care of me and not abandon me. Plans to give me the future I hope for and I want YOU to know that He has those very same plans for you.

So this is my message to you today my sweet friends. It doesn't matter how long it's been. Years, months, weeks or days. Just because it's been delayed...doesn't mean it is denied. Wait for His precious timing, pray and praise while you wait and know full well that YOUR God is preparing something amazing for you.

-Amanda

From the Word:

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,

    or, whine, Israel, saying,

“God has lost track of me.

    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?

Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?

God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.

    He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.

    And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired,

    gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don’t get tired,

    they walk and don’t lag behind.

Isaiah 40:29-31

ATTENTION: No worrying necessary

Ever have one of those weeks where everything seems all sunshine and unicorns and then one small thing throws it all of course?

Well, that's what last week was for me.

Now let me preface this post by saying that by nature, I'm a worrier. I like to know exactly what's going on at all times and anything 'unplanned' or spontaneous makes me anxious. My sweet husband is the 'roll with the punches' kind of guy while I'm like "punches? What punches? AHHHHH!!! PUNCHES!!!" :)

I feel like it's important for you to know this so you know why I react to things the way I do. I like structure and predictability because that's what gives me peace.

And now all that unravels.... :)

I was headed out on Thursday to run some errands and grabbed my mail. There, inside the mailbox, was the piece of paper that through my day into a tailspin. A notice from our mortgage company telling us that our monthly payment would be increasing by $300! GASP! 

In a moment, I flew into panic. I started making phone calls while trying to hold back the tears choking in my throat. "Why is this happening?" "How will we afford this" "What will we do?" were only a few thoughts that went racing through my head. This was piled on top of some other situations that just simply caused my heart to go into panic mode.

In between calls, as I waited for answers, the tears came. As we drove on to our errands, my little girls were asking why I was upset. I gently replied that it wasn't for them to worry about. That there are things that happen and they're for mommy and daddy to worry about and not them. That is when my oldest daughter, Kate, very quickly replied, "No, it's not for you to worry about. It's for God to take care of."

Wow...right? I mean, she's 8 and half. Where does this kind of knowledge come from? I truly believe that God was using her to catch my attention in that moment and man, did He ever.

She was right. He is right.

I battled with emotions, frustrations, and calls all day long and into the evening and Kate's comment just kept coming back to me. As I laid in bed that night, I prayed about the situation. I told God that He asks us to lay every worry, care and concern at His feet and that's what I was doing. After all, this is one of those situations that only He was going to be able to fix. I asked for His intervention and His peace. 

When I woke the next day, I prayed the exact same thing again. Not only that, but I made the decision that I would not be letting this situation be the master of my day. I decided that any time the problem came in my head that day, that I would quickly shut it down and give God praise for something I was thankful for. Not only did that bring the peace I needed throughout the day, but it kept my heart distracted from worry.

And praise be to Him because by 4pm that day, we had our resolution! In a BIG way! Isn't God amazing???

He is the master of making opportunity from our circumstances.

So this is what I want to share with you. The first being is that we have no need to fear. We have no need to be concerned. God is the peacemaker. He is our Father is knows the needs each and every one of us have. Especially for those like me that need to feel like they're in control, letting go and letting God can be a huge challenge, but I can guarantee that His outcome will always be better than anything we can strum up.

The second is that when your heart is troubled, whether it be over finances, an illness, a situation with another person, that one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is praise. To choose in those quiet moments, when the scary things creep in, to stop and give God praise. Thank him for resolution in those situations or simply give Him praise for something else, but praise Him! He dwells in the praises of His people. 

I want to encourage you, as much as I need to remind myself, that God is in the details. He so desires us to lay our burdens at His feet. To give every tiny fear or unrest to Him. It's in faith that we do this, but in His love for us that He replies. When we feel like our world is out of control, that He is the master of it.

Sweet friends, I want to encourage you today to remember that your life isn't for you to worry about, but for God to take care of. 

-Amanda

From the Word:

6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t worry—I am with you.
    Don’t be afraid—I am your God.
I will make you strong and help you. Isaiah 41:10

People might make many plans, but what the Lord says is what will happen.

Proverbs 19:21

I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. Jeremiah 29:11

Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9