On Days When You Feel Like You're Behind

Ever wondered if you took a detour in life? 

Or if you're totally off course? 

I know that I have. 

There have been days in my personal life, when I have felt like the road ahead of me is L.O.N.G. Like there's still so much that I want to accomplish and I haven't even gotten halfway through my to-do list. I will evaluate my progress. And at times, I will sit and ponder on my decisions. "Did I make the right decision?" is a question I frequently ask myself. Then I will stare at my mistakes and failures (mistake #1: looking back), especially if I don't see the fruit of my labour or the rewards of hard work. I forget that fruit takes time to grow. I feel discouraged by the lack of progress in my own life. And begin to feel frustrated with myself and discontent. 

I think what escalates matters at times is that we as a generation have created this thing called a 'social clock'. And we use this 'clock' as a benchmark, a timetable so to speak to determine when cultural and social expectations and also life events should occur in our lives (mistake #2). That is, we create a time-frame which we use to determine when specific events in our lives should happen, such as the age you should have our own home, a spouse and a proper career etc. And when those expectations have not yet materialized, there is a sense of disappointment and discouragement as we realize that we've shifted our focus from God's plans. I know that at times, my mind needs to be re-aligned, particularly when I make the pace my focus. I want to fast-forward time in certain areas but it seems like it's just not happening. I am then  aware that I need to counter the resistance. Get my mind, heart and vision aligned with God's. 

For I realize that the path I'm on may not necessarily look like the path others have undertaken and that's because they had a different destination and calling to mine, and that's okay. Ever heard of the quote, "God wrecks your plans when He sees your plans  are about to wreck you"? I pictured my journey to be linear, smooth and without obstacles. Yet, in reality it's actually been quite meandrous as there has been curves and turns I didn't see coming. And by using an 'incorrect scale' (standard) and the wrong 'road map' to measure success, purpose and fulfilment this has costed me valuable time (mistake #3).

How?

See the map which I used at times has failed me, because it didn't include the mishaps, trials and errors, potholes and roadblocks along the journey. It didn't take into account the delays, setbacks and pitstops. It didn't include the preparation time, waiting time and the examination itself. No, it just showed the end-result and final destination. 

That's because much of which was unforeseen and unexpected was left out. Such as the battles that needed to be fought. Some battles were small and easy to win but then bigger battles came and sometimes fear crept in (mistake #4) and such encounters affected growth and progress. But I realize now that limitations needed to be broken, light embraced and truth upheld. And I had to get that into my head. God holds the complete plan view of my life and yours. He knows when certain events will unfold in our lives and He asks us to release our hold of 'the timetable' (Psalms 139:16) and surrender the script. 

Allow me to explain, sometimes I forget that Jesus said in this life we will face trials (its right there in John 16:33). And when one is facing trials and our faith is being questioned, we may have a period of endurance. Yet, we are to take heart. Keep the faith. Remain hopeful, patient, full of perseverance as we mature those parts of us in our character that are still spiritually immature and let the fruits of the spirit develop and multiply (Romans 5:3-4 and Galatians 5:22-23) in us. And James 1:2-4 says count it all joy when you face various trials, know that the testing of your faith produces patience. 

Reflection 

I had to ask myself some tough questions. And I realized that something had to change if I wanted different results in the future. I had to be the one to take the risk and move away from 'mountains' which I've dwelt on for far too long. I had to change my perception of the situation and get over some things. Yes, get over it! If I wanted to make progress, I had to stop looking back, stop looking at what was because that is how people get and stay stuck! I had to consciously replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts which God approves (Romans 12:2). Open up my mouth and speak what God has promised me and know that it will come to pass. For I have realized that the enemy is out there, he preys on us when we're vulnerable and weak. He utilizes things to steal our joy and peace. He deposits lies into our ears. And when we give him space in our minds, he takes up room and makes us miserable. But the devil has no business on God's property and when he's trespassing, he's committing an offense. We've got to kick him out. 

Don't mistake opposition for a closed door. 

God didn't promise everything in life would be easy. And just because we experience a delay, friction or resistance at times doesn't necessarily mean that God isn't working. Resistance may come in different shapes and sizes. But it is temporary! It will pass. And it's evidence that we're taking off. We must continue to gain momentum. Continue to eccelerate in the things of God. Hebrews 4:2 4 says "... Let us hold firmly to what we believe". If you're experiencing a high tide, don't let the pressure, the waves of negativity take you down. Instead hold tightly onto God's Word. Encourage and strengthen yourself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6).

Always make sure your motives are right.

 I mentioned earlier the importance of character. Don't chase approval. Don't pursue a so-called image. Don't make the timeline an idol. Check your motives. Let each season in life teach you something different. Whether you're at the beginning of the trail, halfway up a hill, on a mountain top or in a valley make sure you're attentive to God and His Holy Spirit.

Keep going.

Dear friend, when you feel lost, stuck or overwhelmed instead of being discouraged, God wants you and I to keep going. Know that God is building you up. So do not despise the days of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10), humble beginnings or the strenuous uphills. But make it a priority to understand the times and seasons you're in (look at my previous post). Time validates the promise. I'm learning to trust Him with my time here on earth. He's doing a work in me and not just around me. His instructions are seasonal. You and I may not understand some things at times, especially when we pray for rain and there's no sight of a cloud. But we are not to lose sight of the promise God put in us, in our hearts. Instead choose to be diligent. Hearken the word of God. Increase and strengthen your faith. Increase your expectations. And believe God for more! I know that I am.

- Mel ♡

P. S. Always remember this, the progress you are making counts. It has meaning and value no matter how insignificant or small you think it is. 

Below this post are a list of scriptures to get into your system. Don't let God's word depart from your mouth. But meditate on it, day and night. Let God's word guide you and guard you. 

Scriptures when you're feeling low:

    ■Psalms 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

    ■Psalms 43:5 Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God.

    ■Psalms 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.

    ■Psalms 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).

Scriptures when God calls you to wait:

    ■Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

    ■Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Scriptures for when you need direction:

    ■2 Thessalonians 3:5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

    ■Luke 1:79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

    ■Psalms 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

    ■Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

    ■Proverbs 11:2-3 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

    ■Isaiah 48:17-18 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Scriptures for days when you need strength:

    ■Psalm 1:1-6 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

    ■Joshua 1:9 I command you—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

    ■2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance.

    ■1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Scriptures on endurance:

    ■Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

    ■James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Scriptures for the mind:

    ■Proverbs 3:5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

    ■Proverbs 16:1 THE PLANS of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue.

    ■Proverbs 16:9 A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

    ■Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.

Scriptures to remind you to keep your footing:

    ■Psalms 121:3 He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber.

    ■Proverbs 3:26 For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger].

    ■Joshua 1:3 Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses.

    ■Psalms 91:13 You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!