Just Pray About It

Have you ever been annoyed or frustrated? Ready to give up on something or somebody?  Maybe a family conflict or just a situation that has yet to be resolved?   Have you caught yourself Complaining to your friends or anyone who would listen?

Have you ever considered that it may not be by accident that, such and such has bothered you so much?  Why is it that it bothers you SO much and others may not have even noticed it?

When I am mad, I FAIL at this.
- That's right. I'll admit it. I'm human and I get mad. Not only mad, I can get ugly mad. :)

This may sound like a duh' but think about it, 
Have you stopped and prayed about it?  

This can be hard because sometimes you're mad and in a sick way, you kinda like it.
Ha! It sounds crazy but I'm serious. I'm not saying it's ok. I'm just saying it happens. And you don't want to hear from somebody that you shouldn't be mad. Or that you're being unreasonable.  You have all your reasons listed out as to why you're mad, how you've been wronged and how you see it you have every right to be mad.   

If I were reading this I would roll my eyes and ignore this because "I don't want to hear it."  I either "know it already" or consider "Just Pray about it" shallow, because "just pray about it" is a sentence that is SO overused in the christian community- it is a scape goat to Christians that don't want to get real with someone.

But if you are a child of God.  LISTEN!

For 25yrs of my life I heard that phrase and even said that phrase but never knew what "just Pray about it" meant.  So "That's" not what I'm saying.

When I say "Pray about it." I don't mean shout out to God asking Him if He's mad at the situation with you too. :)

Pray about it. Pour out your heart to God. Write it out in a journal, on a scratch sheet of paper or even on a napkin.  I cannot tell you how many tear stained napkins I've had in my life.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And

the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.- Phil. 4:6-7 (ESV)

I see supplication as a FIRM  yet humble pleading and it's not just stating your case. We do that so often.
At least, I know I do - poor husband.  :/

Sometimes I get so mad, I don't want a response. I just want to gripe and fuss.

But supplication is conversational. Like you're stating your case but you are begging for a response.

Friends we have to quit praying At GOD and begin praying with GOD.  What's the point in praying if you're not waiting for His answer.

Are you scared? I used to be.

(I would pray and think-Lalalalala.  I tell on myself alot :)

I would be scared to death that His answer would cut me to the core and my core was already hurting, so I didn't want to hear it!

That's not how GOD responds! His response is always gentle, and I've come to know HIS response because it always comes in the form of a question with a gentle finger pointing back at me.

I'm saying all this because This is what I'm learning. If something frustrates me, sometimes it's HE who has created me to notice it.  He's given me that passion, He's given me that burden and HE wants it BACK! He wants to turn it, and shape it into something Beautiful!

When I say, "I'm GOD's" it's not just for salvation.  He doesn't just want my natural talents, that's junk to HIM. He made them. He knows exactly what I'm capable of in my own strength, it's fluff to Him! 

HE wants to show you what HE can do in your inadequacies! 

He wants the ugly stuff too! No, HE really wants the ugly stuff. Because it's in the ugly stuff that HE shows you HIS character and exactly Who HE IS!  He wants to take our ugly and make it more like HIM.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.- James 1:5 (ESV)

See, I can't change people or circumstances and I canNOT change what's already happened. However, it is my responsibility to surrender my response to it!

It's time for us to Quit Complaining and Start Praying!  :)

HIS Clay~

Melissa

The Lord's Timing

Sometimes we become so worked up in our Audacious Necessity prayers (You know what I mean? The ones where you're praying for a huge necessary change.)  that we neglect to notice when the Lord's gently answering our prayers.

I was praying about this issue today. How slow some changes are happening compared to how fast I feel they should happen.  As I was praying over this here's the thought that came to mind...

You can't drive from the East Coast to the West Coast in an Hour.
It's one measly, slow mile at a time.  We need to recognize that things take time and to enjoy the journey, while noticing the little miles in between that are leading to the prayer being answered.


Lord, I pray that You will make me aware of the areas You're moving in, every tiny mile I'm traveling.  Help me to realize and know that I'm taking the "mile strides" that Your placing me in.

{Image Credit}       

             

His Clay ~