Do you ever find yourself running from God?
His grace & love, ever present in our struggles, are our companions even when we don't see them. Like a scared mustang who has never learned to trust a human, we must learn to trust and rely on Him by learning who He is through His word. Mustangs, and all horses that are just getting started need time, consistency, and effort. How often are you putting those three things into your relationship with God?
Time. Consistency. Effort.
Just like training horses, our time and relationship with God is a slow build, there are setbacks and there are big victories, but it is a never ending journey to grow. We have to grow, learn, stumble, question, find answers, and grow more. Just like a young horse may try to buck the saddle the first time, or a hundred, that it's put on them, we often try to buck God's hand in our life. But, He, a good trainer, teacher, and a Father full of love, will continue to guide us and discipline us, to teach us His ways are easier. He is always honest and true. God never tricks us.
If we can put this time, effort and consistency in with God, we can learn to trust in Him and to stand in His goodness even when our hearts are crushed and we are physically in pain from a broken and disappointing relationship, or a lost job, a loss of a family member, or the scary word cancer, or any number of the other hurts this world comes with. God's grace is bigger than our mess ups and His love is greater than our questions.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 NIV
Awhile back, I started two mustangs as a part of the Mustang Heritage Foundation's TIP program. The one mustang, Cory, demonstrated a child like faith, though he questioned me and was definitely scared from time to time, he chose to trust and believe in my plan fairly quickly. He sought the relief of pressure and safety I provided. I got my first touch on him in no time. He remained steady learner through the whole process. On the other hand, Fred, the other mustang, ran his little heart out for weeks. He was terrified, too scared to think. He didn't even give me a chance, he just ran circles in his pen, determined running was better than my alternative plan.
How often do you find yourself more like Fred? Running in circles, making no progress in life, but positive your plan is better than God's?
In those times of running, cling to God's promises, read them for yourself in the bible. Remember, we have a hope of a better Earth upon Jesus's return, and in the meantime we can hug those hurts close, allow God's healing hands in, and rejoice in God knowing our pain will have a purpose and God's plan has always been redemption. You are not alone. You are never alone!
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity." Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV
Do not allow your pride to keep you captive to your stress, your sin, your hurt.
I challenge you to grow your faith, plant your roots deep in good soil, and stay rooted with God instead of running away or blowing to and fro like a ship caught in a storm.
Here are ways you can grow your faith:
Read your bible every day - start with just a verse or a chapter a day, if you don't know where to go, try the New Testament, start at Matthew and read your way through the new testament, or read 1 chapter of Proverbs a day
Pray - if praying is hard for you, set a timer on your phone to sit and pray with no distractions, or make a list of what you want to pray about, for, or who
Write it down - Each time you see God in action, write it down so you can look back in trials and have a reminder to yourself that He is GOOD
Find a friend - or a few that believe in God and keep Him first in their life, talk to them about things you find in the bible, ask questions, pray with and for each other
GO TO CHURCH - we were not created to do life alone and we need a community of people who love the Lord to surround us
Serve others - if we aren't serving others, we are serving ourselves, we need to take our minds off our self and focus forward on God, His will, and His people
Do you need encouragement or help with any of these things? Please reach out! I'd love to help you.
xo,
Sara
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