Wanted dead or alive

I spent my morning writing an email message to a dear friend. She is currently overwhelmed with discouragement. So,  I pray and I try to speak words of encouragement but they all seem to fall short.  Why is that?

Today in my devotional book that I have been working through I received the answer.  Because it is God's job to rebuild, restore and rejuvenate souls ... not mine.

Our great and glorious God is in the business of rebuilding.  It is His finest work afterall.  Look what He did for His own Son.  It is not a difficult work for Him.  It is a great joy to Him.  It is us that have a problem with the whole process.  We want it now.  Or we want it to come in a different format.  Or we forget to even turn to Him for it in the first place.

The hardest part is ours ... trust.  We need to rest in a place of trusting God to finish what he started, bringing  us to completion and perfection.  Only it will take a long time. I know that hurts to hear.  Especially when you are struggling, barely surviving, and overwhelmed beneath the weight our of your circumstances. But may I offer this bit of encouragement to you today.  The Lord is faithful.  The Lord is continuously working on your behalf (and mine).  The Lord will not rest until it is complete.

Do you feel better now?


Ahhh, but it is not that simple you say.

I agree.  The reason is, not only do we have a great and amazing God working in our hearts and lives to bring us restoration, but we also have an enemy that will do whatever he can to discourage, distract and destroy the work of God.

Just read the first few chapters of Nehemiah for an example.  Our enemy wants to thwart the work or our King.  But Nehemiah reminded the people:

Don't be afraid of the enemy.  Remember the Lord who is great and glorious and fight for your friends, your families and your homes. (v14)  And our God will fight for us (v20).

This is the victorious part, friends.  You may not feel the progress of restoration in your life right now.
You may not feel the battle that God is fighting on your behalf today.  You may not feel like there is hope in your overwhelming pain and frustration ... but there is.  God is strong and capable.  And He is working.

Now, glory be to God!  By His mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. (Eph 3:20 NLT)

or

Now to the God who can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than we could ever ask or imagine through the power at work in us, to him be all the glory ... (Eph 3:20 The Voice) 

So, be alive in this life that you are living.  Where you are standing is not a mistake.  God has a plan and a purpose for you in this place.  Trust Him.  Lean into His strength and His comfort.

If you need more encouragement, may I suggest you check out a song to life your spirits.  Here are the lyrics to an amazing song by All Sons & Daughters.  It is titled Alive.  A fan made video can be found here.