DON'T WORRY! God Always Offers a Plan [practical steps to reconnect]
I don't know about you, but I leak sometimes.
I leak confidence. I leak hope. I lean into despair or worry... and it seems so legit, cuz the stuff is real and it hurts, or it is taking too long, or I don't know why "it" didn't turn out like I thought.
What's wrong with me? I've seen God answer plenty of prayers. I've been the beneficiary of provision, healing, forgiveness, guidance, comfort and so much more, but when stuff comes up. I seem to forget all that.
When I was a child and first heard the stories of the Israelites being delivered from Egypt, going through the Red Sea on dry ground, and being provided for in so many miraculous ways but then crying out to God wondering where He was, and asking to go back to Egypt; I didn't get it. I thought they were short-sighted and ungrateful.
Turns out they were just human.
Turns out I am too.
I guess the Apostle Paul was like that too. In Romans 7:15 he says,
I do not understand the things I do. I do not do what...
WARNING: There's Always Going To Be Stuff...
Ever feel overwhelmed - like there is just too. much. stuff. ?
Sometimes it is your own stuff - like facing a transition, a misunderstanding, a loss, or working hard to accomplish a goal. Maybe even wondering if you are on the right path or will ever achieve what you had hoped for.
As I get older other people's stuff weighs on me more - like my adult children's stuff or the people I work with or serve in ministry.
It could be health stuff, job stuff, relational stuff, financial stuff, house stuff... There could almost be endless categories. Stuff can be overwhelming. Stuff can steal your hope and your joy. It can distract you and blind you to all that is beautiful and good in life.
In Bridges Coaching, we talk about the Always Circle. It has three parts and the first one is: There's always going to be stuff. (Stay tuned for the next two blogs where we will explore the other two.)
It's true. There's always going to be stuff, but take heart.
Jesus said,
"I...