Drops of Sunshine - Daily Bread

 

When we have something positive we are looking toward, it may ignite an anxious expectation. We're almost gleeful thinking about it. That's the way we should carry ourselves as children of God. Every day, anxiously looking forward to his blessings and resting in the confidence of knowing that he will come through. That then gives us a positive reason to look back and see how we overcame by his grace.

It can be such a challenge to hold onto faith when it seems like everything is topsy turvy. Compounded by seeing those living without morals appearing to prosper in some phenomenal ways. Those are the moments when we need to remind and encourage ourselves. Our faith is in God. He is a better father than we can ever imagine and will not fail to keep his word.

The beauty in waiting for the Lord is in knowing, with certainty, that he will come through. That can be a faith struggle since what we see doesn't always seem to match his promises. That's why we need to remind ourselves of God's word every single day and trust him even more than we did the day before.

As a child, I always found some of the older saints in church a bit fanatical. They stayed ready with a scripture to pull out of their hat for any situation. Now, I understand the necessity of holding on to that encouragement and finding God wherever I go. If I seek after him, I will find him.

God will not set you up for failure. Instead, we have to learn to trust that he has given us the exact skills needed for each test we face. Is there anything better than an open book quiz? If I'm struggling, all I have to do is ask God for help.

It gets easier to exude confidence when you've learned to trust. Rather than wallow in fear and worry, you are instead able to rest in the comfort of knowing that God's taking care of you. I equate it to a visit to the grocery store and swiping your card. Either you are confidently certain you have funds to cover the transaction or you're desperately hoping there is just enough to work for this one transaction. Our goal with our faith is to become confidently certain.

Yes, waiting requires a great deal of patience. When you go to a restaurant and place an order, it's not typical for that meal to instantly arrive and be placed before you. There's a period of waiting. And if we truly send up prayers and wait on God's answer, we can do so with an expectation that it is coming.

Often when you begin a search, you have something in mind. Whether it is a new home or a new car, or whatever. You know may not know exactly what you want, but you have a pretty good idea of what you don't want. The same attitude of expectation is one we should carry in our spirit walk. If we trust God enough to take our cares to, then trust him enough to provide the answer.

 As a child, my parents always recognized the difference in my sound. When I was happy, sad, hungry, etc. They knew when I was just making noise and would promptly tell me to 'hush up that racket'. God, likewise, understands the sound his children make. And as promptly as natural parents address a need in their child's life, God already knows what it is and what to supply to resolve it. Ask Him for it.  

 Years ago, I remember hearing my mother speak about the importance of being faithful with our ask. If I really want what I'm asking for, then my request is consistent. But there is another aspect to this when it comes to our prayer lives. What we do while waiting is just as essential as the request. If I trust God enough to make my requests known to him, then I need to live knowing he not only heard me, but is readying me to receive more than I can imagine.

We as parents recognize the sound that our children make. Sometimes it's hunger related. Sometimes they want comfort. Other times they could be hurt. And other times, it's just noise. But we are able to discern those sounds and respond accordingly. In a similar way, God does so for us. He will not forsake us when we are in need. Keep waiting on Him!

An author knows what their plans are for their story. They know how it begins. How it ends. And all that happens in between. Rather than feel perplexed by the journey of our life, we should trust that God knows what He's doing. Follow His direction and know with certainty that He only desires good for you.

 In my teen years, I would always write. Thoughts, dreams, creative stories, prayers, everything. I learned the value in this in being able to go back and look at some of those things and realize their manifestation. That's why the Bible and it's history is so valuable to me. Seeing those promises that are recorded for us is the reassurance we need that God's word never fails.

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.

 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! 

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.

We have a lot more confidence in the things we have knowledge of. That's the type of relationship God desires of us. To truly know and to understand him. In so doing, our swag is a little lighter than we were carrying all those burdens. Instead, we have a confident hope in the God that we know will come through.

 Walk into your weekend with an expectation that God will show up for you. He is the same God today that he was for the men of old. Because he is consistent, he is still able and willing to deliver. Don't abandon your faith. When hard trials come, pray harder and believe God even more than you did the day before!