I just had a good counseling session with my therapist. I've been seeing a therapist for years, but recently see her twice a month which has been very useful.
I'm an overthinker. I process so much that it gets overwhelming. I contemplate and ruminate on my issues over and over. I go through so many emotions.. I continue to learn how to correctly manage stress and disappointment. I continue to learn how to stay focused and disciplined in self-care and in being responsible.
A lot has to do with how we perceive. My therapist is always good at helping me see blind spots. She says, what you may see as something bad, God could be using as a blessing. You pray, hope, and expect for God to show up in the way that you want. Rather than praying for His will to be done.
And she talked about asking God for what we want, and crucifying the things that are not in alignment with His will. God is a gracious, loving, and giving Father. I talked about how frustrated I was with how metaphysical and abstract God can feel sometimes. And a lot of times we think, If I pray, read the Bible, go to church and do everything I'm supposed to, then God will show up and give me what I want, and communicate to me the way I would like. But the fact is that God is God and we are not.
In scripture, there are several passages that talk about Asking / Praying to God specifically what we'd like to see, have happen, or obtain. No this isn't about making God some magical genie, rather our Father wants us to synchronize our heart to His Will, Word, and Way. God loves to bless us when He knows what is actually good and for the best for us. Sometimes that includes not giving us what we want, sometimes it includes disciplining us, and having us go through trials to refine our faith.
God uses all things for our good, whether or not we acknowledge or understand every detail.
This is important to get right. We live by faith and not by sight or feeling. As challenging as our lives can get, we must remember that every breath and moment we experience is only possible by God's grace that sustains us. God loves us even when we can't feel or sense it. I argued that hey, if God loves us so much then shouldn't I always be able to feel or sense that more often to a higher degree?
God does not work or operate as we'd always want. The main point is not to obtain some sort of physical or emotional blessing. The main point is to acknowledge, trust, obey, worship, and find our utmost joy in the Blesser, a relationship with God Himself.
I forget that. I get distracted by so many different things, that it's easy to lose sight of what's truly important in life. There is a lot that I don't fully understand or know why God allows certain things, and sometimes it's not really for us to have the entire blueprint or explanation we desire.
Have you ever felt frustrated because it feels like God is silent and not responding? He has not abandoned, forgotten us, or gone on leave. He is using this time to strengthen our faith and character, to become who He's called and predestined us to be. So do not grumble, complain or throw hissy fits when God doesn't show up and provide the way we want. Yes, it's good to ask and pray, and even vent or cry out to God for the things we need. God does honor our prayers, but we must remember to ask for a heart of desires that is in alignment/ accordance with his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
So a life of obedience, worship, faith, service, and surrender, will involve an aspect of suffering, grief, and hardship. Sometimes it's not about praying for God to remove the storm, but praying for God to help us in the midst of it, and seeing how God is there with us even when it's uncomfortable, stressful, painful, and hard. It's not avoiding the dark valleys, but knowing that God is there with us using this time and all seasons for all things for His glory and purposes.
I know how easy it is to wish circumstances were different. How easy it is to wish to have the exact life you want and desire. The point here is to accept the challenges that we face, and trust that God is working within us to draw us closer to Him. So whatever hardship you feel like you've been alone dealing with, know that God is faithful, just, holy, sovereign, and wants us to surrender everything to Him.
Our life is not even ours! Everything we have is from God. Look at the beauty he has created all around us, including you. You're still alive and have the ability and capacity to do great things. Appreciate and express gratitude for the people, family/friends, around you, and even the simplest joys. Stop focusing on whatever you feel isn't right with your life. See the goodness of God that we have all taken for granted. Realize how blessed we all are just to experience the wonders of life. Praise God that He is gracious and all that is good.
Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Psalm 37: 3-7
3 "Trust in the Lord and do good;
Live in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
6 He will bring out your righteousness as the light,
And your judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him"
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