Face To Face With God

In my life when I've gone through some of the most painful things...I've often wondered why I didn't see His hands at work right in the moment or why I didn't hear Him.  I would read His word and pray and then call everyone I know rehashing the issue over and over and over....

I the current battle I am going through I am being shaped, molded and taught everyday.  In order to get to this place I had to come to the time when I only looked at Him.  I had to quit making calls, listening to people's advice, wondering, worrying and whining.  I had to get face to face with God keeping my eyes on Him.  How did I do that?  I will let you know.

1.  I let Him break me.
I had been fighting Him in some areas of my life for so long that it took everything I had to try to control things.  I had to let go of my fear, cry plenty of tears and tell Him ok I give up.  I can't do this.  Let's do it Your way.

2.  I surrendered everything to His will.
This was really hard because often when we pray we truly want things our way.  We don't think about what God wants or His purpose for what is going on we just want it over and our way.  I had to learn that and say whatever You want to do.  If I am in Your way move me.



3.  I learned to listen to Him.
In order to do this I had to get quiet.  That meant turning off the tv, radio, going somewhere alone where I wouldn't be interrupted.  I had to make the effort.  It was really tough at first because I just wanted to keep praying and not stop long enough for Him to get a word in.  Then after a while I did start hearing from Him, when reading the Bible, sometimes I would be in the middle of something and He would tell me to go pray specifically for a situation or person.  He would give me every word.

4.  I had to learn to trust and obey Him
Once God started talking to me in a way I could understand...I did pray for that so I wouldn't miss anything.  He started telling me to do things I didn't want to do or was comfortable doing.  I will give a few examples..He asked me to go and pray for a guest speaker at my church in front of everyone and the guy didn't even ask for it.  That was so scary but I knew God was telling me to do it.  Another time He asked me to do laundry for someone who didn't want me to do their laundry.  I argued with Him about that one but I eventually gave in.  That was so tough because I really didn't want to do it and I got angry but He had me do it.  I started learning that He was going to keep testing me with different things He told me to do just to make sure I did trust Him and obey Him.  It didn't happen overnight but once it started I had such great peace.

5.  I had to put my cares aside.
Talk about tough.  I had to give over all my worries to Him.  Every time I felt like I was under a spiritual attack or I let my fear get the best of me...He spoke to me about it.  I can clearly remember one time where He said to me what is going to take for You to trust me?  I immediately repented.  A good way to put it is if you were in a desert with no food, or help of any kind from anyone but Him.  A storm comes, then a legion of demons come mocking you and insulting you and threatening you.  Instead of looking around and fearing it you look at God right in His face sitting in front of you and listen to Him.  Talk about life changing.

Many times I felt like Peter when he stepped out of the boat and wanted to walk on the water to Jesus.  It's a strange and scary feeling not knowing what He is going to ask you to do next but knowing He is there.  I felt like a totally different person and that was really weird.  But once you can start doing these things.  You will experience a peace unlike any you have ever felt before.  He will take you by the hand and guide you every step of every day.  Just let Him.

Failing to Succeed

Micheal Jordan said that he could succeed because he had failed. I agree. It's not being afraid to fail that can be what it takes to be successful. I have attempted nearly everything I have ever dreamed of in life. I am constantly dreaming, trying, failing and succeeding. I learn so much from my failures that they push me. I am constantly praying and asking for guidance. Obviously I can't achieve all my dreams. But when it's not just about me but about reaching people for God. That's where I truly find success.