Faith and Prayer #28

Dear Glorious Saints,

In the past I have shared that my desk is covered in little notes that remind me of the truth that the Lord has spoken to me that help me to stay on track. Well I added a few more last week that I want to share with you.

I was feeling somewhat discouraged and frankly, sorry for myself. God has given me numerous long-term faith and prayer projects that have required years of believing and praying. I am so grateful for the many answers He has given me in the past year. Two sons married to wonderful young women, a granddaughter on the way, and the Marriage Prep classes are no small things to me. I am very thankful. But last week I had my eyes on the answers that are yet to come, the promises that are still unfulfilled. My eyes were not fixed on Jesus but on the unanswered prayers. Not good. It’s hard enough to deal with the circumstances but when my joy is robbed by the self-pity and the hopelessness that comes with taking my eyes off the Lord, then it becomes even more difficult.

Fortunately, the Lord in His kindness spoke to me and He reminded me of some of the things He has said in the past. Some are quotes that I had written down but without their source (so apologies to the writers), others are from the Word.

“When you are following God’s plan for your life, you’re living the life God created you to live.” God created me to live this life with these circumstances. This is the day that the Lord has made. I am running the race set before me. It’s not the race set before you. You have your own race tailor made for you. “Every trial is to bring you to a greater position in God.”

It struck me; if I cannot run this race with joy, why bother to run it at all? What good would it have done for Mother Teresa to have gone to India, given up the “good” life to serve the poor if she grumbled and resented the life she had to live? What good is it for me to wait on the Lord and not take things into my own hands if I cannot do it with joy and trust in Him? God loves a cheerful giver. If I cannot be cheerful in giving my life to Him and waiting on Him, then what’s the point? It will not please Him.

He reminded me that one of the virtues that I choose for my life is joy. “I will not let any person or circumstance rob me of my joy.” My quote. I had let myself be robbed of my joy and my hope by focusing on the circumstances and the length of the wait. No more! By His grace I will keep my eyes on Him, remind myself of His faithfulness, His wisdom and perfect timing. By His grace, in this day that He has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. If I am going to offer myself as a living sacrifice I want to do it cheerfully and full of joy and hope and trust in Him.

Rejoicing in His kindness,

Marianne


Marianne Paulus is a marriage and family educator. She offers weekly classes in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex on Marriage Preparation. She also teaches at the Mid-Cities Pregnancy Center.

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