Embrace the Within no. 92

"When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done."

Johnson Oatman

There are many things for which to be thankful. I have so many blessings that I could hardly count them all. I have those blessings despite my circumstances. Times come and go. Troubles arrive and leave. God and His blessings are always there.

He is constant. He keeps His promises. He is Truth. BUT I see a lot of folks that aren’t thankful anymore. Some obstacle has appeared in their life and they just can’t get through that hurdle. It’s equally difficult when I know that things do not have to be that way. In the way of the world, I got stopped by obstacles. I felt defeated. I felt like there were insurmountable odds stacked against me . . . . . And I still do.

What changed wasn’t the problems or obstacles or challenges in life. Those hurdles are always going to be there. What changed was my mindset. I stopped being defeated. I stopped being a slave to those thoughts. I stopped feeling less.

I started out with just being positive. BUT that doesn’t last. Knowing and trusting in God was what lasts. No matter what problems or obstacles or challenges arrive in my life, He has the Way. I just have to shut up and listen. I have to stop fighting against His Way with my way or a friend’s way or the world’s way. The Bible is a long collection of stories of folks fighting God when He shows them the Way. And, spoiler alert, He always wins.

So, if something is stopping you, then stop and listen to God? If you are feeling defeated, then stop and listen to God? If you are feeling like the odds are stacked against you, then stop and listen to God?

He has the answer. You just have to get out of your way and into His Way.

Shavua tov. Shalom to your home. Bless your being. The reign of YHWH is now. Be a blessing to YHWH and others.