Should we be surprised when trials come our way?? No–They build in us a character that can stand amidst fire or rain and still glorify His name (if we choose the right perspective). But that is the test, isn’t it? Will we become BETTER or just BITTER?
This week has been a challenge for me. I went from “Woo-whoo!” I’m surrendering (again) and choosing contentment (again) to frustration, a struggle with bitterness, and a state of emotional exhaustion. I feel the war raging inside me: my flesh reared its ugly head and is stomping it’s foot proclaiming that it wants what it wants and it wants it NOW! And the lies come–
1. If God loved you He would let you be happy…
2. Things never work out for you.
3. Everyone else gets to be happy but you have to surrender and take the high road
4. Nothing is ever going to change
5. See, rejection is always in store for you
6. Hope? There is none
7. Contentment? Impossible
I am reminded that to choose to surrender is one thing, but to choose to surrender AND have a good attitude about it is something else entirely!! Is God good? Yes. Does God love us? Yes. Is God sovereign? Yes. Does God see us? Yes. Does God hear us? Yes. Is God for us? Yes. YES, YES, YES!!
A great prayer to carry us this week:
“Lord, I surrender to You again. Over and over I choose to surrender to You. I surrender my life, my heart, my attitude, my perspective, my dreams, my plans, my desires, my everything. Have Your way in me, Lord!”
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