Have faith and Trust God.

One of the things that affects our faith is our constant questioning of God. Why God, why, when God, when.
We need to get to the point where we stop questioning and start to trust unreservedly. Because we don’t live by explanations but by holding on to the promises of God, through faith, believing it will come to pass in our life.
I have come to learn that there is no such thing as trusting without waiting, we have to trust God with the when and the how and forget about the why.

According to Joyce Meyers, it is important to remain hopeful as long as you are alive, through the toughest days of your existence, if you don’t give up hope, you will enjoy everyday life.

She also says that any time, we want something so bad that we absolutely cannot be happy without it, we probably want it more that we should.
That’s actually what lust is about. Not just a sexual desire, it is wanting anything too much. If God is first in my life, I don’t have to let what I want destroy my joy.
I will just go on believing that God knows the desires of my heart and will bring it to pass in HIS time.

We have to get outside of our little box of issues, problems, disappointments, delays, obstacles, sadness and say to God what I really want is you.
Give me the grace to be happy without the things I am looking for, after all he said his grace is sufficient for us and that with him comes all that we are looking for, (blessed be God who has given us all things to enjoy in Christ Jesus), so the secret is to be in Christ first. So seeking him first guarantees us all things. Yes it may not come when you want it, but he’s on time.

Our joy comes from being in the perfect will of God, not from having a job, because we want one,
Having a spouse, because we want one
Having a home, because we want one, the list is endless.
It is living in his purpose and will as stated in His word.
Only then can we know that we are justified, if we live by faith.

So Straight from my heart is this piece to encourage you that as you embark on this journey towards trusting God implicitly, may you live each day in joy, taking your place in the city of praise.
Setbacks may occur, brought on to pull you down, but though the clouds gather, it may not always pour down with rain, the clouds may roll back to make way for the glorious sunshine of his grace and even when the rain does pour, perhaps with its droplets are showers of blessings.
Let the drops refresh you and renew you for the next season.

Surprises

I don't like surprises. So when I became pregnant I was pretty sure that no one would be able to pull a surprise baby shower for me. I set out to find out if anyone is planning one. My mind was set on a particular week and I knew my sister and husband will be in on the act. I went to work on my sister since it can’t happen without their knowledge, no need to work on my husband he won't crack, but I tried all the tricks in the book to get my sister to talk, she almost did, but still gave nothing away. Needless to say that on the day itself, I was not only surprised, but shocked.
How, when, who? Planned it all? In my own home! It was a brilliant move and a beautiful day. I don't tear easily but the tears came pouring out.

I was not only surprised by the surprise, but by the warmth, love and atmosphere on the day. I couldn't believe that so many friends took the time out to gather on my account. I was truly touched.

No matter how much we prepare or second guess the future, surprises have a way of showing up. Some good, some bad, some pleasant some unpleasant. We may do all we know to do to plan against a surprise, but just like my baby shower, you may still be shocked/surprised by an event or someone's attitude.

My prayer for you is that just like my shower was pleasant, may God surprise you immensely. With good things, may your expectations be met, your joy over flow, health restored and hope renewed.

Even with your best effort at second guessing God's goodness, may he blow your cotton socks off when that which you have waited for and expect becomes a reality, as he exceed all your expectations.

So I urge you to enjoy the moment as you wait for God to show up in your situation. His surprises are always pleasant.

Setback To Comeback

We've had one of the toughest winter in a 100 years. The effect of the winter months is evident in our garden, our once plush and beautiful patch looks like a drought land. Plants dead, those still alive are weak and would require a lot of work to get them back to life. 
Our gardener who is my hubby (oops)!  has already started planning for the recovery. 

So how do you recover after a set back. Do you sit back in misery and wish the set back never happened, do you go on a Blame game?  

 
Instead of doing all these, plan your come back. Yes disaster has struck, ask yourself what you can do to aid your come back. 
Who, where, can you get help from, what help is available? 
What can you do physically or otherwise to remedy the set back. 

As I watch my hubby tend the garden, I also observe the changes taking place. He dug up dead plants and replaced them with new ones, some old plants are springing back to life, he laid some bark, feed and watered. more is still needed to get it back to what it was or better. But the important thing is that there is beauty again as the garden makes a come back. 

You took can make a come back if you are willing to get to work regardless of the set back you've had. 

So on this resurrection day, remember Jesus made a come back from a set back, draw from the strength his resurrection brings,
 dig out and throw away old habits, replant néw seeds of love, tenacity and rekindle old and good traits.

A set back can be a spring board for a comeback, a lunch pad to hope again, dream again and believe in possibilities. 

So unless you are willing to do what it takes, you will not attain your desired end. 

When toss about by the waves of adversity, look within you, rekindle hope for there is a new dawn waiting to birth after the tide has receded.