Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
I very rarely live up to people's expectations. Many others could probably say the same thing. Maybe having expectations on someone else just sets us up for disappointment. Often times, others do not mean to let us down, but life may get in the way. After all, everyone is carrying something, and they may not broadcast it to the world. I know that is true for me. Some days the continuous battle is so tiring that I want to curl up and retreat, especially when there is nothing I can do about any situation.
I think expectation also seep into my relationship with God. If I pray, I count on getting an answer. Often times I am impatient in my anticipation. I have been praying for a few people in my life for a long time now. A few of these are people close to me, and they have been struggling for a very long time in different areas. I pray and I pray, but not a lot of answers are happening. Do you ever feel like your prayers are hitting an invisible metaphysical ceiling? I sure do. I never question God, but I do question if I am faithful enough in my prayers, DO I have faith as small as a mustard seed that God can and will cause change in the lives of the people I love. Most days I pray warrior prayers over people. but some days all I can do is cry out to God with a weary soul. Today is another one of those weary days.
I never question God, or His plan; well at least not anymore. I know He does work all things together for good, even when the process is difficult to see. Faith, hope, and trust In Jesus are there even when I am at my weakest. Sometimes, however, my outward disposition does not reflect this. I become very quiet or weepy, and this is very obvious to those closest to me. Do they question the strength of my faith? I wonder sometimes if they do; for I never want these times to affect my testimony. If anything, I want to show others that Jesus is there holding my hand, even when I have a difficult time releasing others and their struggles to Him. He knows what causes my, and your, burdened and weary hearts, and will never leave us or forsake us in our weary brokenness.
Isaiah 40:29 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
First off, you have always gone above and beyond for my family and I Lehann!! So you have never come up short in my eyes. You have dropped everything to come running numerous times!!!!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I know the praying over people is up there on your to do list and we can pray all we want for their conversion, and acceptance, and relationship with God. But THEY also must heed the call, or hear the whisper, or accept. God will try and God will knock, but they have to be open to the call and knock as well. Sometimes WE are our worst enemy. Your prayers are powerful Lehann so don't despair. God is listening but the people we pray for need to be open to it too =)