I love this quote from Audrey Hepburn, “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, ‘I’m possible.’” This is the mentality I’ve loved to take with life. No matter what daunting task is before me, I can do it. Nothing is impossible, even if most of the time is spent banging my head against the wall to make it work! Somehow I will find a way through or figure it out.
However, as of late, I feel like I’ve given up on those sayings in some areas of my life. I’ll still fight and help where I can but when it comes to my day-ins and day-outs I’m too tired to have the ‘I’m possible’ attitude. It seems like everywhere I turn there’s more problems, more issues, more ‘fifty-thoughts-steps-to-accomplish-one-simple-task’ type of issues. I know you’ve felt that also and Covid has probably amplified it as well. However, problems are not what I want to talk about in this blog; it’s getting back to the ‘I’m possible’ attitude.
Being exhausted made it harder to spend my time in prayer the other morning. So during the evening, I started my prayer with asking for forgiveness about that and then I asked God to speak to me. I didn’t have words for Him, but you can be assured He had words for me. Some of them stung, but as the Bible says,
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.” [Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV]
Or as the Contemporary English Version puts it,
“My child, don’t turn away
or become bitter
when the Lord corrects you.
The Lord corrects
everyone he loves,
just as parents correct
a child they dearly love.” [Proverbs 3:11-12 CEV]
God’s words are always meant to encourage us and make us more like Him. I love that He corrects and encourages us. If you feel like all you get is condemnation from God, know that it is not His voice for God corrects, not condemns. For in John 3:17 [NIV] it says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” God will show us areas in our lives in which we have sinned but He will never throw a heap of ‘condemnation coals’ on our heads. Picture someone, possibly you, who has had to correct a child or a pet. Sometimes you might have to discipline them and tell them what they did wrong, but you can do it in a way without telling them they are complete mess-ups. Though you discipline them, they still know you love them no matter what.
In this prayer, God pointed out where I needed to grow but He also gave me encouragement on where I am and where I’m headed. Here are some excerpts from my prayer time when God’s quiet and still voice came from within me.
God: “Be still, My Child. You are loved beyond measure…be still and rest. Become the child you once were, who trusted in Me without reservation. The child who was willing to give Me her most prized possessions. Go back to the young girl who loved colors, who lived with joy and smiles, who loved Me unconditionally. You’re growing up in the weeds (see Matthew 13:18-23 for reference) and lost your First Love. Pick up your roots and move them to the fertile soil. Yes, problems and issues will still be there but your life is based in My soil. In My soil you can flourish despite your surroundings, That’s what I want for you. Not a life of despair and focusing on the issues, but one of joy and hope. You are My Daughter. I want nothing but the best for you…point others to Me.”
Me: Father…how can I do that?
God: “Have joy. Have peace. Have smiles in the pain. Your life is not easy but I gave this life to you to accomplish My purposes. You are meant to be a shining light…in the world of pain, so others will see Me in you.”
Though this is going to be hard for me, but I know I am called to smile and have joy during these hard times. It’s time to get to back to the mentality and feeling of (I’m)possible through God’s strength. I’m not going to be perfect and it’s going to be hard for a while as I’m learning a new habit, but I know there’s not a better plan out there.
Is there something God is asking that may be hard for you? If not, ask Him. Ask Him His will for your life. When you get that, please feel free to put it in the comments below. I would love for all of us to grow together and help each other out!
Keeping the perspective,
Lauren
You. Are. Beautiful. 
Leave a comment