Living in "Might" Situations

“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

I might lose my house.

I might be quite sick.

My husband might lose his job.

My child might get rejected.

Might, Might, Might.

The “might” situations come often in life. Sometimes they usher us into a valley where desperation for God’s help grows like the wild flowers in a meadow. And sometimes they are precursors to a trip to the mountain of gratitude, having missed bad news.

I am in a “might” situation right now. It’s a precarious place, where the fear of the unknown knocks on my door often. But I don’t have to let him in. I can make the choice to look at “might” in a totally different way

Might has two basic definitions: 1) Possibly 2) Power

You and I have the freedom to choose how we deal with waiting for news, be it bad or good. We can live in the realm of possibly, which is like balancing on a moving log in water. Could go this way or could go that way but while I’m waiting I need to move my feet frantically, hoping to control the outcome.

We can also choose to live in the realm of power, which is like standing on unmoving boulder. I still don’t know how it will go, but while I’m waiting I stand confidently on the ROCK, leaving the outcome to God, the Mighty God!

In practical terms, I use the Word of God to tell the enemy to go away when thoughts of possible bad news attack me and tempt me to fantasize about the worst possible situation. If I dwell, I get stuck in fear which leads to depression. The Word of God keeps me focusing on Mighty God and this moment right now!

I also don’t waste time wondering about the “mights.” I could probably spend most of a day just sitting and conjuring all the horrible things that “might” happen. So I remain busy, working and focusing on the tasks God has laid before me TODAY.

If you are not in a “might” situation, you will be someday. When it happens, remember that His Might is more powerful than any “might” situation. Today, this day, has so many wonderful gifts. Open them up, one at a time, and enjoy life right now. The “mights” are tools by the enemy to distract you from the Might of the One who is in control!

Supernatural!!

“…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19

Accompanied by a wonderful group of women, I am going through the book Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst. This week we discussed a chapter called “But Exercise Makes Me Cry.” I related completely.

When I was younger my body remained joyfully silent as I swam, played tennis, and jogged.

Now, my body is never silent. It makes constant noises of pain when I attempt movement that involves something besides walking to the frig.

My body is also loudly telling me that if I do not take care of it, it will betray me with sickness and an early death. Last year, it whispered the word, “Diabetes.” Since then, I’ve tried to incorporate walking into my life. Many days I walk the dogs with purpose and joy, knowing that I am answering the call.

But some days are difficult. Extremely. Like the other day when I got up, put on the knee brace and the walking shoes, hooked up the IPOD and drank the coffee, getting all ready to conquer a long walk with Scooby and Thor. Unfortunately, my body started leaking motivation like a balloon losing air.

When John came through the living room on his way to work, there I was, slumping on the couch, staring at the TV which was now turned on, my eyes glazed over.

“John?” I moaned, as if from my death bed. “Will you walk the dogs?”

He tentatively asked, “Do you want me to walk the dogs or tell you to get up off the couch?” (John has learned this behavior after several overreactions on my part. :0) )

“Walk the dogs.” And he kindly leashed them up and left.

I was empty. No motivation. No energy. No resolve whatsoever. I surfed through the channels hoping for an old movie marathon. It was as if someone said, “Stay” as I tell my dogs.

And then I heard my God who loves me whisper, “Choose life. Use My Words.”

I knew what He meant. The Word of God is a weapon. Supernatural and a life-giver.

“Fine.” I said with absolutely no conviction whatsoever.

I began to say verses I’d memorized aloud. I did it rote, with no passion at all. No energy. I did not think about the words. I just said them. The TV was still on.

John came back with the dogs and then left for work. It “occurred” to me to turn off the TV. (The Spirit gave me that notion.) I continued spouting out the Bible as an act of obedience, devoid of any feeling.

And then…

The Spirit of God filled me up. Do you understand this? Supernaturally, my energy changed, my motivation changed, my will changed. Simply because I used the Word of God to bring me life and purpose.

After a little while, I stood up and made my dogs happy. “Let’s go, guys!” We took a long walk.

I chose life and my journey to good health continues.

Join me. Choose life.

Grace - It IS amazing!!

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. “ Ephesians 2: 8-9

What does grace look like?

Grace is dropping that book on my foot or forgetting where I put my keys without mumbling, “Stupid.”

Grace is holding on tight to God during a hair-raising adventure of scary circumstances.

Grace is taking off my glasses of judgment and purposefully putting on His glasses of unconditional love.

Grace is housetraining a puppy that has a bladder the size of an ant – expect accidents.

Grace is watching my son forget his homework for the thirtieth time without blowing up in anger.

Grace is allowing John to be God’s guy, not my husband who I control.

Grace is forgiving when:

              The driver in front of me cuts me off.

                      The woman in front of me pays with change.

                                   The customer service person puts me on hold.

Grace is that moment in relationship when you bandage up your friend from a wound you caused. And then allow them to rub ointment on your scars.

Grace is letting stress out on the curb before it drives me to bad health.

Grace is living in that place of uncertainty – not knowing when crisis will come.

Grace is embracing folks who are completely different than me.

Grace is believing that cause and effect got booted out of office the minute Jesus died on the cross.

Grace is treating each other as if we are all saints, even though every single one of us is a black-hearted sinner.

Grace is taking that bag of rocks we use to stone ourselves when we feel unworthy, and using those rocks to build an altar of gratitude to God instead.

Grace is understanding sin doesn’t keep us from heaven. A lack of relationship with Christ does.

Grace is unmerited favor from God who cherishes us.

Amazing grace? Absolutely.