Drops of Sunshine - Daily Bread

Growing up, the Assistant Pastor at my church would repeatedly tell the congregation that we had to stay connected. She had a humorous way of putting it that sticks in all of our minds all these years later. But I always walked away with the understanding that you can never run out of what you are in need of if you are connected to the source. So if you want a continual supply of God's provision, don't sever the connection.

 Waiting can be difficult. Especially when you have an idea what the end result should be. This is why I like to think back on some of my anxiety-laced life experiences. Had I known how uneventful that performance evaluation would be, I would have eaten breakfast that morning. If I knew the test would be on things I learned, I wouldn't have stressed myself to the point of an upset stomach. It's true. Hindsight really is 20/20. But I've learned, a little more each day, that God desires my vision to be 20/20 up front. Because I trust Him and can have full confidence in him, then I can march around my Jericho walls with the an assurance that the must come down.

 It's only been in my adult years that I've come to truly admire the beauty of science and nature. (Nature more than science) I learn so much about my spiritual living from them both. It's amazing how one drop of salt can alter the molecular structure of H20. Just a speck. Showing that however little, it caused my pure water to no longer be pure. That's how I've come to think about what I feed my spirit. I don't want tainted spiritual food. So it's imperative that I'm asking God, daily, for clarity and discernment.

 It may be hard to admit it when the obstacle you are facing is...you. I shared that it can be very easy to walk away from other people tearing you down, but it's not so easy when it's you. You can't walk away from your own mind. However, you can pray. You can cast those cares on God and listen for his direction in overcoming you as an obstacle.

Have you ever experienced favoritism? I was thinking some time ago about how I've been on both sides of that table. I've benefited and been disadvantaged by it. When it comes to my faith, I'm so glad that I serve an equal opportunity savior. Man will have you all twisted and confused with all the restrictions they place on you and your access to salvation. Thank God that my acceptance of such a beautiful gift doesn't have to be vetted by mankind. We likely wouldn't pass that test...

It's amazing how it feels like a weight has been dropped when you are honest. Even with yourself. Rather than hold it all in, spend time talking to God about every issue, every struggle, and even every triumph. Watch the weights fall off. 

There is no wisdom like the wisdom of God. He is the maker of all things and therefore knows and understands it all far better than man. If it's understanding that you seek, ask God. If it's healing that you are in need of, ask God. No matter what it is, He can and will always deliver. Just because it doesn't happen when we think it should or how we believe it should, doesn't mean God's not moving on our behalf. Trust Him.

When we truly rely on something, it becomes a part of who we are. My family values, instilled in my youth, are largely in part due to not only relying on my parents, but in building and establishing a level of trust that I don't have with just anyone. Through them, I learned to trust because they always kept there word. As I developed my relationship with Christ, I learned that on a deeper level. God is not a failing kind of God. He will keep his promises. It's a small thing for me to return that love and kindness. One easy way is to develop true dependence on God and to rest in that place. I can't be acquainted with darkness if I'm reliant on light.

No one truly has to teach us how to do things wrong. As children, we learn pretty quick that honesty, sometimes, is accompanied by a consequence. Consequences we don't want! As adults, we hopefully learn that, as the saying goes, honesty is the best policy. There is so much freedom in being sincere in all areas of our lives. Not just because others are watching, but because God is. As his children, we want to live in a way that is pleasing. We may not get it perfect each day, but thank God that he gives us another opportunity to get back on course and walk in his light.

How easy is it to see the sun when the skies are cloudy and gray? Not very easy, right? Likewise, it doesn't take much to cloud up our thinking and make the path seem more foggy than it should be. That's why we need to be intentional about the time we spend in God's presence. Afterall, the same way my taste buds crave what I feed them, so does my spirit. It matters what I take in. And if I don't spend time in the scriptures, it becomes more of a challenge to discern when what I hear is not truth and therefore something I should not be feeding my spirit.

 As a child, my behavior would at times depend on who was nearby. Was I with my parents, and therefore on my best behavior? Was I with friends trying to fit in? It depended. As I grew, I learned that it didn't matter who I was with. I wanted my character to be consistent. That's our goal as believers. No matter where we go or who we are with, know that the Holy Spirit is right there with you. We need to remain on alert concerning what we allow to enter our gateways. Everything is not beneficial. As temples, where the Holy Spirit of the true and living God resides, we should be mindful of what we allow inside.

 Growing up, a squad was always reassuring. You knew that you all thought similarly and that they had your back in times of trouble. The reality, at times, for the kids I grew up with is that most of them were causing the trouble. but that's a different story. It's a joyful thing to know that you have a support system. Even when you feel like you are utterly alone, God is right there. He alone is your squad! He'll fight that battle so you won't have to and turn that situation around better than any Bestie ever could. Let Him do it! 

In order to recognize what is evil, you have to know what is good. That doesn't mean you have to dabble in sinful things. Instead, when you make a choice to live righteously and take on godly characteristics, then you lose the desire to do the things that are not pleasing to God. Don't let the only difference between you and those who habitually practice evil be that you claim to be different. 

One of the things I respect about my coworkers is that when they know...they know. In other words, no matter how many customers come at them with a gaslight attempt, you're not changing their mind. They know the truth. That's honestly the mindset we should be aiming to achieve as believers. If we armor ourselves on a daily basis with the truth of who God is, it's a lot more challenging to be shaken.  

 A few months ago, one of my coworkers had to spring for a new car. Since it was brand spanking new, he was way more meticulous about it than he was with his older vehicle, including doing a walk around to check for scrapes and dints on the hour. As humorous as we all found it, that's honestly the mindset we should develop with salvation. On a daily basis, we should allow God time to do a similar walk around with us. See if there are any remnants of the old that need to be shed. Let's trust God more each day to make us even cleaner than we were the day before.

The wise are those who are always willing to learn. Each new day that God grants us is another opportunity to see God move in a different and unexpected way in our lives. Don't box him in. We are more likely to miss out on the wonder of his blessings when we do that.

When we feel a little weak or unsteady on our feet, the first thing we typically do is reach out for some support. Especially if we're walking so that we won't fall. God is and wants to be that support system for us. If I feel weak, God is greater. If my mountain or the giant I'm facing seems to big to tackle on my own, God is greater. If I feel lonely, God is greater. The point is that no matter the situation I face, God should always be the center of and the reason for our joy. Our everything!

When I was a child, I always wondered how you fight a war without any weapons. For sure, that was a losing battle. Mind you, as a child, the only weapons I could envision were physical. But just as the saying says you can't bring a knife to a gun fight, you can't bring physical weapons to a spiritual war. Furthermore, it takes spirit to understand the spiritual. In order to armor up and learn what I need to be equipped with, I need to rely on God.

 Remind yourself on a daily basis that the adversary is busy and does not need your help. Don't allow him to use you against you or against anyone else. When you find yourself facing off against those fiery darts and arrows, continue to remember that this is a battle that has already been won. Don't be so quick to respond to negativity. Sometimes, silence is the best answer.

I once heard someone say that if we spend more time counting our blessings we will have less time to covet or be worried about someone elses. It can be hard to look away when you see others appear to prosper with evil works. But ask yourself if you want to receive evil's ultimate reward or if you want all your blessings to flow from God?

God is deeply concerned about us. When you truly care for someone or something, you want what is best for them. That is the confidence we can hold on to each day. Those moments when it feels like no one cares and no one understands, know that God does.