When we ask God to move in our lives, we can’t be taken back when the ground begins to shift. This is always such a difficult a concept for me to grasp. As I listened to a speaker just the other day, they made the comment to “be careful what you pray for” — little did I know just what that really meant.
My husband and I recently joined a life group for young couples in our church. Being the introverts that we are, this was well out of our comfort zone. But we knew that if we wanted to be surrounded by likeminded people, we were going to have to get out there at some point!
We began to dive into God’s design for love and the instructions He provided for us. If you have ever attended a wedding or even strolled through the isles of Hobby Lobby, chances are that you came across the scripture 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
We were given the challenge to replace “love” with our name and examine whether it would hold truth.. “______ is patient, ______ is kind..” you get the gist. Right off the bat I realized that there was much overdue work to be done in my heart. I hadn’t realized just how impatient I could be or how unkind I would act until I started to look for it. I mean, it happens of course but I wanted to see movement and transformation with this!! I began to grow more and more determined to be the best spouse that I could be, the kind that God intended for me to be.
Because of that I started my day praying this over my marriage: “Lord help me to be patient and kind, I want others to see you through me under any and every circumstance. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, soften my heart and help me to be the wife that my husband needs me to be. Help me Lord to be the kind of woman you had always intended me to be.”
BOLD move girl.. bold move.
Remember how I mentioned the whole “be careful what you pray for” thing? Oh yes, not a moment after speaking that over my life did He begin to orchestrate situations that tested my patience and placed situations throughout my day that offered a chance to show kindness. Funny how that works… Rather than waking up a transformed person the next day-moment after moment and day after day my strength (slowly..very slowly) began to grow more than ever before. My reliance on Him enhanced and my consciousness began to be more aware of the faults of my flesh—which are many.
Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me…”
I am so grateful for this sweet reminder. He is my strength and helps me though I don’t deserve it. He is a sovereign and righteous Father. “Yet the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
I thank Him for being my unwavering refuge and strength. Here is to the beginning of my surrender, I place life in His hands for His will.
Built On The Rock 