"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighed all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."-2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Whew.... am I tired from the last two weeks. The to-do lists from the past few weeks seemed to continuously grow and by yesterday I had grown extremely exhausted both physically and mentally. One of my coworkers even mentioned to me that I looked tired (granted I forgot to put on mascara that morning which is always a necessity). Outwardly, I was wasting away because of the momentary troubles of a to-do list. By the end of yesterday, my momentary troubles reached a point in which my strength had disappeared. Yes as tears filled my eyes, I just knew things were not going to come together in time to meet the deadlines.
I like to think of myself as being an independent, strong willed person who has the organized plan; however, sometimes our best made plans no matter how far prepared ahead of time can fall a part. It's how we handle those falling apart moments that are a display of our true test of faith.
"Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be men of courage, be strong." -1 Corinthians 16:13
As fear and panic filled my head, I chose to pick up the phone and make a phone call. Within five minutes, a new plan was developed and I saw that the "seen" was temporary. This problem was easily fixable and everything would come together just perfectly. I admit that my strength (after two packed weeks full of events and deadlines) became instantly deflated with the "last straw" that in all actuality was only a minor set back. The one phone call was the motivating factor that I needed to regain control of the situation.
In life we all have motivators, sometimes those are internal motivations and at other times they are external motivations AND sometimes we are the MOTIVATORS! Even in that day of the "last straw" I was called to be a motivator for another individual. Sometimes we have to remind others just how strong they are. At the end of the day, God also allowed someone else to be my motivator to remind me of my strength. Even in tough situations, we must remind ourselves and others that we are men and women of Christ and each one of us are called to be strong and courageous and look to Him for that strength when we feel deflated.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."-James 1:2-4
As I sit here tonight typing up this devotion, a sense of joy surrounds me. Looking at my planner, I notice that (knock on wood) my planner looks less eventful next week. But I also know that the joy I feel right now is because I chose to go to the Lord and take time out to write this devotion. Those to-do list trials help us develop perseverance and teach us along the way. They consistently remind us that we do not have to face trials alone. First and foremost, God is beside you every step of the way.... "he will never leave you nor forsake you"....and always answers your phone call. Then, we all have those motivators. People are put into our lives for a reason so during those trials reach out to your friends, coworkers, mentors, family, significant others, etc. for assistance. You never have to develop your perseverance by yourself.
Looking back on the situation, I am slightly embarrassed that I allowed those momentary trials take away my strength yet I know that even those trials serve a purpose. It is for that purpose I am extremely grateful because in the end there is a smile on my face and joy in my heart.
For those of you that had a rough week, it's almost FRIDAY! Hallelujah! Remember to seek out God during those trials and rely on your motivators to provide you strength when you feel you have lost yours.
As always thanks for reading! Have a blessed weekend! Love to you all!
Faith... Patience... Love :) Joy
Whew.... am I tired from the last two weeks. The to-do lists from the past few weeks seemed to continuously grow and by yesterday I had grown extremely exhausted both physically and mentally. One of my coworkers even mentioned to me that I looked tired (granted I forgot to put on mascara that morning which is always a necessity). Outwardly, I was wasting away because of the momentary troubles of a to-do list. By the end of yesterday, my momentary troubles reached a point in which my strength had disappeared. Yes as tears filled my eyes, I just knew things were not going to come together in time to meet the deadlines.
I like to think of myself as being an independent, strong willed person who has the organized plan; however, sometimes our best made plans no matter how far prepared ahead of time can fall a part. It's how we handle those falling apart moments that are a display of our true test of faith.
"Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be men of courage, be strong." -1 Corinthians 16:13
As fear and panic filled my head, I chose to pick up the phone and make a phone call. Within five minutes, a new plan was developed and I saw that the "seen" was temporary. This problem was easily fixable and everything would come together just perfectly. I admit that my strength (after two packed weeks full of events and deadlines) became instantly deflated with the "last straw" that in all actuality was only a minor set back. The one phone call was the motivating factor that I needed to regain control of the situation.
In life we all have motivators, sometimes those are internal motivations and at other times they are external motivations AND sometimes we are the MOTIVATORS! Even in that day of the "last straw" I was called to be a motivator for another individual. Sometimes we have to remind others just how strong they are. At the end of the day, God also allowed someone else to be my motivator to remind me of my strength. Even in tough situations, we must remind ourselves and others that we are men and women of Christ and each one of us are called to be strong and courageous and look to Him for that strength when we feel deflated.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."-James 1:2-4
As I sit here tonight typing up this devotion, a sense of joy surrounds me. Looking at my planner, I notice that (knock on wood) my planner looks less eventful next week. But I also know that the joy I feel right now is because I chose to go to the Lord and take time out to write this devotion. Those to-do list trials help us develop perseverance and teach us along the way. They consistently remind us that we do not have to face trials alone. First and foremost, God is beside you every step of the way.... "he will never leave you nor forsake you"....and always answers your phone call. Then, we all have those motivators. People are put into our lives for a reason so during those trials reach out to your friends, coworkers, mentors, family, significant others, etc. for assistance. You never have to develop your perseverance by yourself.
Looking back on the situation, I am slightly embarrassed that I allowed those momentary trials take away my strength yet I know that even those trials serve a purpose. It is for that purpose I am extremely grateful because in the end there is a smile on my face and joy in my heart.
For those of you that had a rough week, it's almost FRIDAY! Hallelujah! Remember to seek out God during those trials and rely on your motivators to provide you strength when you feel you have lost yours.
As always thanks for reading! Have a blessed weekend! Love to you all!
Faith... Patience... Love :) Joy