But God…

This is actually more of a follow-up to my post earlier this past week, but as I continued to reflect on those thoughts throughout the week, a new thought formed.

One of my FAVORITE phrases to come across in the Bible is “…..but God”!!  I love how so many times throughout the Bible, the story gets to a certain point where it just seems absolutely hopeless and then * PLOT TWIST * we read the words “….but God”.  Suddenly the entire story does a complete 180, just when God’s people thought all hope was lost, God shows up and hands them the victory!!!  

I wonder how many times a soldier has gone into battle and finally, after days or weeks or even months of fighting fiercely, reached a point of crying out “PLEASE MAKE THIS STOP!  I CAN’T HANDLE THIS ANYMORE!”…….not knowing that the battle was about to be over and the victory would be in his/her favor!!

So many times (and so many more lately it seems), I have prayed, “God, why does this have to be SO hard?  I CAN’T HANDLE THIS AMYMORE!!”   Then somewhere deep down I hear Him answer, “You are not defeated.  This is exactly where you need to be and the exact amount of “training” you need to prepare you, and strengthen you, for what’s just ahead. The victory is coming, keep moving!”  Then before you know it, I’m on the other side of the battle, in Victory Lane!!  #WINNING 

However, sometimes, unfortunately, the battles lead to casualties (mistakes and regrets), but each one is a lesson that I will use, they had to happen.  So the next time I stand before the enemy lines, faced with the same challenges as before, I will be READY, armed with lessons that will make THIS time a quicker and easier Victory!! 

On the other hand, sometimes the experiences teach us that the best way to win a particular battle is not to engage at all.  The lesson to be learned in the last battle is to avoid the things that got you into that situation all together!   Most of the time, I am certain, we can all reflect back and recall the very pivotal moment that an entire battle could have been avoided had we just simply, in that moment, made the decision to turn and step away from the whole situation.  You know those moments, when God gently nudges us to just take the exit ramp?!  The good news is, once the experience is over, you will be wise enough to recognize (discern) the harmful people, conversations, places, or situations ahead of time, and can make the choice to simply avoid them completely. 

Through our trials, we become much more capable of recognizing (discerning) the sound of God’s voice.  It’s not a loud booming voice from above, it’s that gentle whisper (subtle thought) that tells you, “this is not a good idea”.  If we can just learn to “practice the PAUSE”, get still and listen, dig into God’s written word for answers (one sure-fire way God speaks to us), we can choose to respond differently to the challenges that come our way.

So I think the lesson is this……

There will always be temptations in life, there will always be battles to fight, challenges and struggles to overcome (majority of mine are usually self-created due to poor decision-making…or sometimes it would seem I’m just a glutton for punishment)….BUT GOD!  I just need to REMEMBER that God is, not only right beside me in that battle, protecting me from more than I can handle, BUT GOD is also already ahead of me, beyond this “season of learning”, providing the way out, pointing the direction towards the Victory ahead. 

I think the lesson is true for you too….

YOU ARE HIS BELOVED, and YOU HAVE A PURPOSE that is greater than your temporary struggle.  Look around the battlegrounds, take in all you can, what can you learn NOW that you will need later?  Now dust yourself off, STAND on your Faith, ARMED in God’s truth, and KEEP MOVING!! 

The Victory Is Just Up Ahead!!!! 

“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4

“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

Stay authentic my friends!!

Crystal

P.s……If you get a minute, you should look up all the times the words “but God” are mentioned in the Bible. Good stuff!!