There are questions we should ask ourselves that reveal so much about how we are handling circumstances in our life. This question can be difficult, however it's necessary for clarity, growth, and spiritual maturity.

Stressing or Stretching: Which one are you doing?

If we’re being real with ourselves, receiving growth through stressful times isn’t fun. Nevertheless, the requirement for growth is taking inventory. Inventory is digging into the cluttered areas in life. Those areas we have closed off, sheltered or placed on the back burner to deal with at a later date.

Recently, I’ve asked the question “Stressing or Stretching: Which One Are You Doing? This came to me during an extremely stress filled time. Honestly, the Holy Spirit brought this question to mind. The stress connected to many different situations in my life became overwhelming. Gently, in the midst of challenging moments, the Holy Spirit nudged me and told me to take authority over my thoughts taking notice of what is at work. In order to realize the way in which the enemy had been tossing me like a rag doll (which is what I tell my son all the time).

Stop allowing the devil to toss you around like a rag doll, cast him completely out, rebuke him, take the authority you have in Jesus, judge the thoughts, and fill your mind with God’s truth.

“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute [of good report, praiseworthy, or commendable]; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].”

(Phil 4:8)

See, it's the way in which we see a thing that matters the most.

All I can really say about this time is I knew Jesus had not left me, but I didn’t always see clear ways to maneuver. I could not see the rainbow on the other side of the storm. I couldn’t see the silver lining in all I was experiencing. I really wish I can say, I see it all at this point. However, I still don’t see the end of it all, how it’s going to work out. Although the benefit is that I’ve learned to truly trust God despite my feelings and the uncertainty.

To say that it’s unnerving is an understatement.

It is an extremely uncomfortable place. I do, trust that God will see me through. That’s pretty much where I am with it all at this point.

There are a few things I do know:

1)   What I am experiencing is real and the pain is often overwhelming. But I know that my hope is in him, not my circumstances which are subject to change at any given moment. “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart lean not to your own understanding, for he will direct your path” (Proverb 3:5-6)

2)   He is faithful, no matter what. “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” (2Tim 2:13)

3)   He is with me in my circumstances, not because I feel it, but because I know it. “Do not fear (anything) for I am with you; Do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you: I will certainly take hold of you with my righteous right hand (a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation - in the Greek means “God's rescue which delivers believers out of destruction and into His safety- deliverance, preservation.” (Isaiah 41:10)

 I am reminded of the wonderful promises in the word of God and I’ve learned clinging to them has given me peace through the storms in life.

Seemingly, life will toss you some circumstances which can shake your faith. In my opinion this is when, as My husband would say, “you hold it in-between the white lines, and where the rubber meets the road and you hold it in the road.” In other words, you “therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corthian 15:58)

 In the word of God there are many stories about overcoming trials and tribulation. I would say the bible is filled with real people who have gone through things, trusting God, relying on him and puting their fate in his hands. Which leads me to believe God knew we would need these stories to reassure us of his faithfulness and love for his children.

     In the story of Nehemiah, he met opposition on every side, he was committed to helping his people rebuild the wall of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. “But, when the people of Ashod heard they plotted against Jerusalem and stirred up trouble against it. But they prayed to God and posted a guard day and night to meet the threat.” God gave Nehemiah specific instructions on how to defeat the enemy. The wall was completed, rebuilt and the people were able to regain safety and stability. (Nehemiah)

   This and many other stories in the bible depict the faithfulness of God. Nehemiah received guidance and direction throughout his journey. Which is similar in the story of Abraham, he was told by God to go leave his home land and go to a place that I will show you.” (Gene (12:1) God, told him to leave his country, family, and father’s house to go to a land that God would reveal.

The stories above reveal to us how much our faith is needed when we’re in places, situations or circumstances, we may not see the finish line or clearly what God is doing.

So, I ask you again, Stressing or Stretching: Which One Are You Doing?

I like to think that I am stretching although there are for sure stressing moments in the stretching. I am more than willing to be stretched even if it feels like stress. I want God to have His way and do what He sees fit for me to be prepared for where He is taking me. “God brought Abraham outside and said, look now toward the heavens and count the stars – if you are able to count them. Then He said to him, So, will your descendants be” (Gene 15:5) Later, in Genesis 17:5, God said, “No longer will your name be Abram, but your name will be Abraham (father of a multitude) For I will make you father of many nations.”(Gene 17:5)

  There are real benefits to allowing God to stretch us, were getting prepared for our next. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows what you need before you arrive. He wants to equip you for the next place of your anointing.

Yes, it’s hard! Yes, it’s challenging! Yes, it’s an uncomfortable place! Yes, it’s not where you want to be at the moment! Yes, it’s all these things and more. But it’s necessary.

 So, let’s choose to find, peace, joy and love along the way. Let’s choose not to look at what we don’t have, but what we do have. Let’s agree to trust him in the midst of what we’re feeling and experiencing at this moment. Let’s step on the enemy’s head and crush his plan! Letting him know he is a defeated foe (enemy).

The enemy has no right nor jurisdiction in your life!

 I’ve felt compelled to remind you of:

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.”

 This serves as a reminder of who God is in my life. I hope it serves you well too.