When You Feel Lost and Alone

When you feel lost and alone, fill your minds with whatever is true and right that God puts before us each day. Focus on the good and try to avoid negative thinking ~ This can be very difficult to do from day to day especially when it seems as if some things are done to purposefully provoke you. One verse that I find helpful in these type situations is 1 Peter 2:23 "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." It is so hard to do this because we are only human and our flesh just screams to lash out at those that come against us. Unfortunately, every time I have let my flesh take control, I am disappointed and I always seem to feel worse. I never feel better because I have let my emotions take over, and I've let myself stoop to the level of others who quite frankly don't even deserve my time let alone my precious thoughts and sound mind. I'm not saying that it will be easy by any means, because it will get harder each time a blow comes at you. I am in a constant battle with myself about the things that people do and say, but in the end I always find that silence is my best response. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:8-9

The Struggle Is Real

"The struggle is real" ... A quote used by many in various situations. However, for some that saying; those four very simple words carry a whole new weight. What those words could possibly mean in so many situations to so many people is heartbreaking. For some of us the "struggle" really is real, and at times even devastating. Every one struggles with something, no one has a completely conflict free life. Some just struggle differently, some handle the struggles better than others. Some just try to completely ignore the struggle until it erupts into their life like a vicious volcano ... Spewing all over everything and everyone in their life. When it erupts it brings out the ugliness inside of us... The anger, the hatred, the deep dark thoughts buried down in our souls, the hurt, the tears, the insecurities. When these things start surfacing we begin lashing out at those around us. Our family, our friends, our children, our spouses, our co-workers and even complete strangers. Everything in our life is all of a sudden wrong and nothing is right. Our attitude is quick to anger, so our tongue is quick to spout without any thought for the words coming out. We begin to hurt feelings of those that mean the most to us. Why? Because we are angry, we are mad at the world and everything is coming against us. So our natural fleshly instinct is to go into protect mode. So we are instantly on edge always ready to attack anything that should come against us. The problem is when we get to this point we feel like everything is trying to attack us. 

The struggle really is "real", it's just real in different ways for each of us. For some it could be in the form of an addiction alcohol, drugs, sex, porn, gambling, spending, eating or any other addiction out there. For others it may be in their marriage, may be with their children, their siblings, their family members, or it could even be in their finances. Again, everyone is struggling with something. For me it is infertility. It's the lack of feeling like a woman, it's the anger that I have inside because I just don't understand. I'm angry, I'm hurt, I'm devastated, I'm broken, and I don't know what to do. I don't know how to fix it. Dealing with infertility is by no means a childhood dream for anyone, man or woman. No one ever says " hey, I hope some day I can't have kids". They might would say that they don't won't children, but that leaves the option open for them to have them later if they changed their mind. However, infertility takes that option away completely. You get no say in whether or not you have children. 

Today I am sharing with you some of my own struggles; because I want you guys to know that my life is by no means a fairy tale. Throughout this blog I will share my own personal testimonies and let you guys in on some of the things that I have overcome. You see this blog doesn't come out of a perfect life, it comes from a life of struggle, defeat, hurt, disappointment, depression, divorce, abuse and brokenness. However, what I have found along the way is something that I can't help but share. I found the one and only true love that can and will help you overcome anything. "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13 I accepted that my Father in Heaven is my saving grace and I don't have to live a life of defeat. I can and will overcome my past and my hurt. It will take some time because I will and have gotten off course. Even now I have by no means arrived to a perfect conflict free life. I still struggle daily, add to the infertility issue four bonus children who I love dearly as if they were my own and you find a whole new set of challenges. So I guess you could say that by sharing with you guys, I am holding myself and my actions accountable in the face of adversity. I have to make my flesh stop and think before responding to issues in my life. I've been lost in the wilderness for too long and now it is time for me to come out to the light and be a guide to others who are lost. I don't think for a second that my situation is unique. I, unfortunately, am well aware of just how common my struggles are among my brothers and sisters. I realize that God has had a plan for me the entire time. He had a reason for allowing things into my life, just like He has a reason for allowing things into your lives. We may never understand any of it, but I promise you this, when you surrender all to Him and seek Him then you will at least have peace. 

Will your life be perfect when you surrender it all to Him? Nope, not by a long shot. If anything, it may become a little more difficult at times, but you will at least know where to turn. One thing that I tell myself is this "A life without struggle, is a life without growth". Just imagine yourself as a precious stone, in order for it to be molded and cut into something shiny and beautiful it has to go through some things. I'll share more on that in a later entry. Today I just wanted to share with you that it doesn't matter how lost you are, you can turn it all around. You see, you may feel lost and out of control, but God know exactly where you are. He is just waiting on you to stop running and turn around. He is there with arms wide open waiting for you to run into His embrace to find rest and comfort. He already knows all of your imperfections, but He loves you in spite of them. His grace and mercy are never ending and there is nothing that you have done or will ever do to make Him stop loving you. So stop trying to do it all on your own, and look up to where your help comes from. Accept your past mistakes and imperfections, forgive yourself and move on with the help of your Father. Think about this scripture and let it marinate for a while as you apply it to your life: But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 

So you see, you don't have to already be perfect and have it all together. God works miracles every day and every day He takes broken people and makes them whole again in His perfection. So don't think you have to have it all together before you come to Him. To Him you are already perfect, you just have to realize your own self worth and start living for Him. We are here for you, to lift you up through prayer and to cheer you on as you begin your journey. So let us know how we can pray for you. You can contact us through email ,Twitter (@God_Working_Daily) or even Facebook (God Working In Our Lives Daily). 

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

When You Are Blessed To Be A Blessing

There are so many times in life that we may be asked to help someone or may be lead to help without even being asked. In these cases we should always give with a genuine heart never expecting anything in return. Too often we hear about someone's troubles, but it isn't always from the person who is in trouble or in need. Unfortunately, we hear about their misfortune through the complaints of the one that helped them out. They are either mad because they feel like they are owed something or they are just looking for a pat on the back from someone else. Today's message is to remember that when you are blessed enough to give then do so with a heart like Christ. Give without any expectation and give without letting anyone else know. The true blessing of giving doesn't come from the repayment or even the gratitude of the receiver. The true blessing of giving comes from the multiplied blessings that your Father in Heaven will reign down on you and your life. Stay blessed and give with a pure heart because God knows the intentions of your heart even when man doesn't.....
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ~ Matthew 6:2-4

Just Be Still

Even in our darkest moments, we always have a place to turn. When the pain is too much and the hurt just keeps coming, turn your face unto the Lord and He will give you strength and guidance. Sometimes in life people will not only disappoint us, but will also hurt us. It is in these times that your character and faith are tested. You can let your flesh overtake you and lash out or you can give it to God. If there is one thing I have learned over the past few years, lashing out is never the answer. In the face of adversity the best revenge and response is to do absolutely nothing but pray. Pray for yourself, Pray for your situation and most importantly Pray for your enemies. There are times in life that people do things deliberately trying to get to you, and the best thing to do is ignore them. Is it hard? Absolutely, but just remember who you have on your side. Your Heavenly Father sees all and knows all, so forget about what is being said and done. Just focus on your walk with Christ and do what you know is right. Do what is pleasing unto the Lord and don't worry about the opinions of man. In the end you only have yourself to answer for. With that being said don't let the actions of others dictate how you will have to answer for yourself when you stand before your Father in Heaven. Hope you all have a blessed day  Feel free to share our page with your friends and family.
~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Don't Be Afraid To Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

There are no such things as comfort zones when you live for God. God is going to challenge you, push you, nudge you, and stretch you. Challenging you to toss off self-centeredness and live for him. Pushing you to put Scripture into action - to live a radical life of love, peace, and mercy in this world. To change your community. To speak truth and shine the light in a dark world.

This isn't about feeling good or living a cushy life. Like a potter shaping clay. God will keep working on you - poking and prodding and sculpting your life and character - as he makes you into the person he's created you to be. God has a purpose for you on this planet - and it won't be easy. But it will be worth it.

The Struggle by Jennifer Lawrence 

As I sit here studying on yet another sleepless night, I came across this very simple yet profound statement. As I read it, I couldn't help but think about how it related so much to my very own life. What caught my attention was the very first sentence ... "There are no such things as comfort zones when you live for God", because he is going to challenge us. He is in fact challenging me right now in a couple of different areas, but he did start out by nudging then he began pushing and now I can feel myself stretching. You see I am just happy and content being behind the scenes, ministering to people on a one on one basis. However, God has a different plan for me ... He for some reason feels the need to have me speak on a much larger level.  

I said all of that to say this... when you feel like you have "arrived", you may need to think again. God will always want us to do more. He will continue to challenge us in our lives, and when He sees that we are getting comfortable He will give you something else. I'm sure you guys have heard the saying "God will never give you more than you can handle" and I have also heard the response "I just wish He didn't trust me so much". Which makes sense, but as Christians our work is never done. There are too many unsaved souls out there for us to ever think we are done with what God called us to do. God allows us to go through trials and tribulations so that we can be a light to someone else. Our life is our testimony, no one has a perfect fairy tale that they have lived. We have all dealt with some kind of adversity, whether it be: divorce, abuse, addictions, death, illnesses etc...  So the next time you feel like God has given you more than you can handle; just remember that He put you in that situation and He can pull you out. God has complete control of our lives, but He also gives us free will to make our own choices. So when you are faced with a difficult task or situation, just stop and seek His guidance. You may not understand why in that very moment, but in His time He will reveal the answers to you. So in closing, I don't quite understand why He has called me to this particular task, but I will prepare myself to the best of my ability and leave the rest of it up to my God. Whatever skills and ability that I lack He will no doubt overcome, and His glory will shine through. I pray that I can be a vessel for Him to speak through. Thank you for your support and I pray that this blog will somehow be a light into your lives each day. I pray that these posts are reaching those that need them and I pray that they are speaking to your specific situations. Don't forget that we do accept prayer requests and will be honored to pray for you. May God continue to bless you richly. 

Do You know Your Worth?

Do you know your true worth? For some of us, we feel like we are nothing and we'll never be nothing. We are worthless and have no purpose in life at all. Well let's go ahead and stop that lie right now. That is a lie straight from the devil in the pits of hell. My Bible tells me this in  Jeremiah 1:5 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." ~ Well I don't know about you, but that tells me that I am somebody. Unfortunately, so many of us go through life being made to feel worthless and ashamed of who we are. We are beat down and broken to the point that we start to believe it ourselves. I don't know your specific situations or where you came from, but I know that you are not your past. We have all made mistakes and we are all sinners, but there is hope. We can all be forgiven of our past and move forward in life with no guilt of who we once were. One of my favorite quotes is by Oscar Wilde: "Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future". So take that simple sentence and put it to work in your life today. It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, where you came from or how little you have; you can apply that statement to your life.

For my saints out there, remember that you yourself have a past; so let's stop pretending that we are perfect. We all have had to overcome something in our life and being judgmental is not what we are called to do. Let's go ahead and revisit Matthew 7:1-3 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Now I'm sure that stepped on a few toes and ruffled a few feathers, if so then I apologize. However, I correct in love through scripture. We are called to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, not because they are like us, but because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Now for my sinners, come on and join the rest of us sinners that now have a future. Just because we are saved doesn't make us perfect by any means, what it makes us is forgiven. Let me share with you this verse John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." What that means is that God wants you to live a life free of guilt and shame. He understands that you have messed up and made mistakes. He is the author of your life He already knew the choices you would make; so stop being so hard on yourself. He just wants you to turn your life over to Him so that He can love you the way that you deserve to be loved. He wants to love you like only He can, there is no greater love than the love of your Heavenly Father. You see God created us in His own image, so you are perfectly and wonderfully made. Before you were conceived, God knew you and loved you. Life may have beaten you up a little and you may have gotten off course, but you are still His. You may have been lost, but He has always been there. He is just waiting on you to turn from the wicked ways of the world and recognize that you are His. He is waiting with arms wide open to take away the burdens that you carry around.

I will close with this, you are a precious jewel in your Father's eyes. Regardless, of what anyone on earth says, you have a purpose. Remember, God appointed you as a prophet to the nations, but you have to acknowledge and obey His commandments. You have to seek His Will for your life, and you have to know that you are a child of God. It is never too late to make a fresh start, all you have to do is pray a simple prayer asking God for forgiveness and invite Him into your heart (there is no specific prayer to pray, but an example is referenced below). Then live each day according to His word. Be blessed and feel free to send us an email if you need prayer for anything. If you prayed the Salvation Prayer, please let us know so that we can celebrate with you.

Resources: All scripture quoted was from the NIV Bible
Salvation Prayer: "Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In your name, amen" (PeaceWithGod.net)

Has Your Ship Sailed?

Do you ever find yourself in a place of doubt, worry and wonder? Have you ever thought to yourself: Is it too late? Has my ship sailed? Did I miss the boat? I think we all have at some point in our life. It is in these moments that we feel as if we are drowning in this thing called "life". Well I am here to tell you that there is hope. You don't have to face it all alone. You don't have to go through life by yourself, no matter how alone you feel. Sure some of us have large families, spouses, children, parents, siblings etc, yet you still feel all alone in this great big world. You feel like you have no one to turn to. You feel like if you admit your fears then you are admitting failure and defeat. When the truth is all you have to do is look up. We question so many things in life: why did God allow this to happen? why did God take this away, and why is God not blessing me? or a better one why is God punishing me? You see God never punishes us, yes He may allow things to happen, but He doesn't punish us. It is during these times that all He is waiting for is for you to look up and acknowledge that you do in fact need Him, and admit that you can't do this on your own. Sometimes He lets you hit rock bottom because the only place you can go from there is up. Psalm 121:1-8 says:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth

He will not let your foot slip

he who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, He who watches over Isreal

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day, 

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

So when you get to the point of giving up and feel like there is nothing going your way, then stop trying to do it all alone. Just look up and acknowledge your Father in Heaven and let Him lead you back to the blessings that He has waiting for you. God does indeed have a plan for our lives we just have to be willing to listen and follow Him wherever He may lead us. Sometimes it isn't the best situations or the nicest environments. Sometimes He calls us to places that we never imagined ourselves being, but rest assured He is there with you. God will never call you or lead you into situations that He isn't prepared to get your through. What we must do, however, is not be afraid to move. When He says "go" then you go without fear or hesitation; because when it is God appointed then there is nothing that can stop it. Whenever you get to a place of doubt then refer back to this scripture ~ Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, "says the Lord, 

"plans to prosper you and not harm you, 

plans to give you a hope and a future."

Thank you for visiting with us today. It is our prayer that you will find peace and comfort in our Heavenly Father no matter what your situation or circumstances are. Remember we are here to pray with you and for you because prayer is the most powerful weapon against the enemy. You have a purpose here and you are precious so don't ever let anyone tell you any different. Be blessed and we look forward to connecting with you tomorrow. 

Note: All scripture quoted today was from the NIV version of the Bible.