** What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate? http://thelife.com/landing/joj_1.html
by Gail Rodgers
Change. It comes to all of us on our journey. Some of the changes we embrace heartily and with anticipation. Other changes are more difficult.
Being God’s children we know He has a plan for our lives. Yet at times we long to know… does it include this move, this change? Sometimes we have a hard time figuring it out. Is this an opportunity from the hand of God? Can we know His will for our lives for sure?
As we seek to know God’s will we find that His word reveals fresh insight.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
When we know nothing else of God’s will, we do know these three things. We are to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful! The perplexity of our anxious wondering can hinder these things in our lives. Joy fades when fear and anxiousness creep in. When God seems silent on a matter we can find our prayers dwindling. The attitude of gratitude is hard to maintain as we worry about making the right choice.
We choose. In every change and every uncertain step… we choose. Either we continue to stew about what God’s will is…or we embrace what we already know is His will as taught right from His Word. We ask Him to cultivate in us a thankful spirit, a joyful heart and a prayerful attitude.
Over time the way becomes clear. God shows us that He is more interested in our internal state than in our external location. Once we get His perspective, peace can settle into the soul. He can be trusted to open and close the right doors.
Make a conscious effort to ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be joyful and thankful today. These are not our natural reactions in situations of uncertainty. Write a prayer on the blog today http://talk.thelife.com/ expressing your faith and trust God will guide you through the maze of life as you walk in His will for you today… joyfully, prayerfully and thankfully.
~Father God,
In the midst of the uncertainty of my life I ask that You would help me to make the most important change…the change in me. I ask that You would help me to have a joyful attitude, a thankful spirit and a praying heart. Work in me by the power of Your Holy Spirit today. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Questions to ponder: How can we be joyful, prayerful, and thankful in all situations? How do we get to the point of trusting God to open and close the right doors?
About the Author
This devotional was written by Gail Rodgers. Learn more about Gail: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/gail-rodgers/
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Today’s devotional really speaks to me this morning. I know that I worry too much and that I need to leave these matters to Him. This past week has been a difficult one and I see that I must leave it all to Him as He loves me and knows best. I pray for my anxiousness to subside and for me to allow Him to work more in me and to give me the strength to deal with the things I cannot change only He can.
Wow, today’s devotional was exactly what I need to hear. We are in the midst of a job change for my husband that is taking us from my home, in Minnesota, to the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. I am terrified, sad, anxious and filled with mixed emotions. I feel like my entire day is spent thinking and worrying about what will happen. How long will it take to sell our house? How long will my husband and I have to live apart from each other across the country? Will I fit in there? Will my little kids be o.k. there? How much scarring will this cause them?!?! It keeps me awake at night, and stressed all day. I want badly to be Godly in the midst of this. I want badly to “do” the spiritual things I should be doing. But as Gail said, the only thing I know I need to be doing is CHOOSING to be joyful, thankful and praising God for His faithfulness regardless of how I feel or how my circumstances may look. And I can’t wait until I feel that way to start praising and choosing “life”. And I don’t think I can do that if my joy and praise is correlated to how my life looks. So – I have to focus on God, and His great love for me minute by minute by minute. Then I will have no choice but to be thankful, joyful and full of praise.
How very blessed we all are to have this daily devotional that hits home on changes in our life. How very blessed we are that the Word of God is alive and offers us ALLLLL the answers to our worries about change or anything we are going through. How blessed we are to know that God knows all and everything happens for us to thank Him for. I’m glad to know Him, glad to have Him and glad to thank Him. Lynda
The Lord proves to me over and over again that He is with me and working in me to will and do His will. I thank Him for making Romans 8:28 fresh and new to me time and again.
I’ve been a Christian and seeker of His will for many years. Many time I have doubted, but persevered and found Him to be faithful in His love and care of me and my family.
Where I am and in what situation I face does not matter as much as knowing that He is with me and working in all things for my good and His glory.
My life has really changed since I have retired, at first at felt relief at not having to work every day, but now that it has been almost a year, I find that I am a loose ends and don’t know what to do with myself. Seems I have lost the joy, but I also have been taking care of my disabled husband for several years, I need the joy back. I worry that we won’t have enough money to get by but I know God will provide. Dear Lord, help me to get the peace and joy back , it seems to have gotten lost somewhere. Thank you Lord. Amen
It is so hard for me to relinquish control and let God help me through changes, so this devotional really spoke to me. I forget to include the Holy Spirit when I am walking through changes. I’m starting a new job next week that I am oh-so-excited about. I’m going to invite the Holy Spirit to guide me on this new journey of change so I can offer more joy and thanksgiving to God for this gift.
I pray for those of you who are experiencing the change of a new career, those who are moving their home and thus their lives, and those who are experiencing the change of not working at all anymore.
Thank You Father for change. For it is through these changes that we learn how to deepen our walk with You and trust You when things are uncertain and shaky.
The last two years of my life have been nothing but change, beginning with the breakup of a six-year relationship with the man I thought I would marry and the devastation of his betrayal. Since then, I am attracted to another man, but he is complicated and our interaction is complicated and becoming awkward and strained. I keep saying to God that once and for all I’m going to leave it all in His capable hands, and then I go and do something completely stupid on my own. This happened again yesterday, and I’m still torn on going back on my decision to Trust God yet again, and making my situation worse. So when I read this devotional this morning, it truly hit home.
Please pray for me that I am able to turn over my relationship issues to the Master, and allow Him to work it all out. He is supposed to be my First Love anyway, right? Have a wonderful, joyful day, Ladies!
Thank you everyone for your beautiful prayers and your faith in the midst of struggle. I too am facing a move with my husband and two small daughters, but it’s back to our home which we had to leave 4 years ago for a job. Still, the girls are at different points in their lives and there will have to be adjustment for the 6 year old as well as myself, since I actually have friends here where we live now. That has been truly a gift.
I just try to remember that God has taken care of us so well, and that the change is part of his merciful and loving plan for us all.
God, you know my heart, my hopes and my pain. You have been my Healer and Confidante through so much, your handiwork has been so evident in everything that’s come my way. I am so happy that I recommited to you through your son Jesus Christ and that your word in the Bible and shared in these devotionals touch me so deeply. I feel so blessed to be connected to your Holy Spirit. Teach me how to pray continuously, let me replace my worry with the awareness of your tender care. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
HALLALUJAH! That God is on the throne and is a loving and gracious God. I pray for all the bretheren in Christ today that we will all see changes in ourselves and to be able to let go and let God. It’s hard and no one knows this better than myself, I myself am between a rock and a hard place but can still find joy in the good that is in my life and the joy that God has allowed me to see with new eyes, with eyes in the Spirit and with the Faith that God wants us to experience. God wants to please us and wants us to experience his Joy and his Peace. He is our Father and just like an earthly father he wants to bring joy to our hearts. And we must honor Our Father in all things, by having faith in him, letting him handle every aspect of our lives.
My prayer, Lord, is that you would guide me through this dark place I am in right now. Though the sun shines outside, internally I am in the dark. You are my light and my salvation; You are my hope. Holy Spirit, I ask that you would help me to be joyful today and that you would help me to be thankful. You, Lord, have blessed me in so many ways and I know that you are with me in this difficult time as well. Thank you. I ask for your guidance and for joy in the midst of the storm. You are good and gracious.
Lord, Thank you for the blessings you have given me thus far. Thank you mostly for my faith and the continued desire for me to deepen my faith. I will be still and listen especially today to hear what you have to say on the particular change and decision I need to make soon regarding my career. I long to live my life according to your will, and I feel so torn in this case. Help me to be still and listen. And then help me to have the courage and discipline to live your will for me. Your will be done. Amen.
Lord,
wow. what a devotional.God is the reason for the changes in my life,I am begining to see how much of my life I have based on fear. the fear my marriage will fail, fear my son won’t be healed, fear I won’t know god’s direction,fear of losing my friends it’s endless. But one step at a time I’m learning to rebuke the bonds of fear *once I realize it’s fear based*.To know God’s Helping me see this and giving me strength is a huge comfort.
Sabrina, thank you for Luke 12;47-48, I have made a choice to listen about my friends, I know that God’s leading me in a different path than they are taking.Since I’ve chosen to tell them that I can’t do the things they do God has given me peace there. Idon’t feel guilty at all.
Eve, hang in there we are praying for your strength and deliverance.Just remember God knows your pain he was there waiting for you before you got there.Draw nigh to him, He will draw nigh to you.
cindyk – It is so great to see you write and turn to God and His Word for the darkness that you are feeling. My heart goes out to you. It is sad to think that some people go through the same situations and do not know what to do because they do not know God – but you do! I’ll pray for you. Lynda
Our son and daughter-in-law are currently traveling to Springfield, MO with a 24ft. U-Haul and all their personal belongings as they embrace change and God’s will for their lives. God must rule our hearts if our feet are to walk His way. As Christians we are required to be obedient to His call in our lives. Change often comes when you least expect it. As a partnering pastor working alongside my husband we have learned that obedience makes all the difference in the world in this profession. I believe many folks miss huge blessings in their lives because they either choose not to hear God’s voice, they are too busy to listen to His voice or they simply feel like they cannot do what God has called them to do. We can’t do what God has called us to do but He can do through us what He has called us to do!
What a blessing to read the devotional this morning! I really needed to receive this message! God has really been speaking to me about change. He knows I’m concerned and want so deparately to do His will. I am having great trials on my job. In essence I feel I’ve been demoted in job content. My salary nor title have changed. I also know that my boss would like nothing better than for me to resign my position. She has put great pressure and has stripped all support staff from me and reassigned them to other people. She is excluding me from meetings and events that help me to do my job efficiently. There is a rumor that her step son-my new boss is going to try to convince me to take another role in the company. I have a great deal of stress as I am an outsider. I know that I am in the world but not of it. It seems to be recognized in this company one must lie, cheat, steal and live in fear of the owner of the company. The sad thing is that many of us here profess to be Christians. God’s word says He is no respector of persons but to respect those that He has placed above us…and I do. This woman has accomplished much and she has no awareness that God has given her the ability to create wealth.
I have prayed to be removed from this unhealthy environment. The word I get is about being salt on the job. It now appears God is opening a door for me to become a business partner in a firm. I pray that God will make it plain if I am to leave this unhealthy environment and pursuit an unknown entity or take this leap of faith. Last evening the Lord comforted me with the Scripture found in Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)
My prayer: Lord please help me and others entering a new season to trust You perfectly and completely. Help us to accept in our hearts that you have a plan for our life for good and not evil. Help us Lord, to seek your will in all things, Lord. Help us to rejoice even in the season of uncertainty because all things work together for our good. Help us to live by faith and not by sight. Lord, also if you will help us to have faith that you will deliver us too, not only our friends as we watch You work in their lives. You are great and worthy to be praised. We promise to give you all the glory and honor. In Jesus name!
It is such a privilege to hear all of your hearts shared so honestly & openly. I’m reading 3 days today, catching up for the weekend.
My Dear AMY
I just wanted to say that I went through a similar situation & I know what you mean when you talk about the pain just shredding your heart piece by piece, & how it just went from bad to worse. But GOD is so faithful, & I wouldn’t change anything because I learned to know Him in a way that I never had before. It taught me never to judge what I “think” I see in someone else’s life & it taught me that Jesus will never leave me nor forsake me NO MATTER WHAT,& I need not fear what man can do to me.(Hebrews 13:5-6) When I felt that I had lost everything & everybody, HE was ABLE to hold me up. “I waited patiently for the Lord, & He inclined unto me & heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay & set my feet upon a “Rock”,(Jesus is the Rock) & established my goings. AND He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. Many shall see it & fear & shall trust in the Lord.”(Psalm 40:1-3). This is my testimony, Dear Eve, of what He has brought me through ! Just hang onto Him. Try not to look at your circumstances to see good or bad, just keep your eyes on Jesus, & He will be enough & become “so sweet” to you that you will never be the same again after this. But you will just be so pliable in His Hands that He can do whatever He wishes with you. Because when He speaks you will be able to hear the faintest whisper of your name. You WILL bring much glory to the wonderful Name of Jesus. One more word for you from Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities … so let us therefore come BOLDLY unto the “Throne of grace” (into His very Presence), that we may obtain MERCY and find GRACE to help in time of need”. He loves you SO MUCH, Eve, that He puts all your tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8-9). He doesn’t miss one that falls.But this season shall pass, & remember that “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
& My Dear NANCY,
It is wonderful the steps you are taking. Your steps are ordered by the Lord,& He delights in your ways (Psalm 37:23)
I just wanted to encourage you to read the book of Acts, for you will be delighted with what God will show you throught His Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:4-5 it says “And (Jesus) being assembled togther with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, you have heard of Me (in John 14:26). For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence”. Pray your way through the Word, wherever you are reading, & it will become more alive to you than ever before. In James 4:2b it says “…you have not because you ask not”, so ask & keep on asking & God will fill you in ways you never dreamed. He wants to make Himself so very real to you, & make you aware of His Presence all the time.
I will be praying for both of you, Eve & Nancy, & for all of you that request prayer, along with the prayers of all the other beautiful people that God has drawn to this website.
My Dear, Dear EVE,
SO sorry, that I started out calling you Amy. I knew it was EVE – have no idea why I called you Amy, unless it was because we prayed for an Amy at Friday night prayer. Or more likely because God wanted me to go back to your e-mail so He could remind me of the second part. Because He has an answer for you for that cry to Him. It’s in Matthew11:28-30 & it says that you don’t have to hang on, because Jesus says for you to COME TO HIM, EVE, WITH ALL OF YOUR BURDENS & YOUR HEAVY LOAD & HE will give you rest. Take HIS yoke upon you, & learn of HIM, for HE is meek & lowly in heart & you shall find rest for your soul. For HIS yoke is easy & HIS burden is light! And James 1:5 says that if you don’t know what to do that you just need to ask God, & He will give freely to you all the wisdom that you need. Never, never doubt His Word. He means what He says & He is saying this to you, His dear daughter EVE! Love you loads, Eve, & we all want you to keep in touch with us. Don’t go running off & hide, OK? Blessings on you ! & many, many hugs !
Dearest Barb R,
Thank you so much. You are a blessing to me, together with all the other wonderful and beautiful ladies on this site.
I am searching for answers. i have been searching for a long time. All i seem to hear is WAIT. That God is fighting for me and that the answers will come in due time. The situation seems to worsen by the day, and yet it is still WAIT. I am waiting, and i am hurting. At the same time, i also know that God is changing me, He is strengthening me, and molding me into who He wants me to be. But the knowledge of all that does not take away the human physical pain that i feel. It does stop me from crying out to him, asking ‘it’s already been SO long God. How long more? What is Your will for me and my marriage? How do You want me to proceed?’
I do not feel strength, or peace or rest. I just feel under attack all the time, and am desperately trying to hold on to His face and His words … “Be still and know that I am God”.
PAT:
I know exactly what you mean!! I was in nursing I loved my job.I would work 12 hour days sometimes more.The whole time I was going to school for my position I could’nt wait to actually work with real people. But I got married and his son was disabled, I tried sitters but that didn’t work for long because I constantly had to leave work because of problems. So I Decided to stay home with him which meant quitting the job I loved and spent years in college to do.I was thrilled at first , but the more I was here the more I didn’t want to be.To make a long story short I got resentful for having to be here. But God showed me that by being at home I Had more time with him in his word and I volunteer (with my son ) I cook for people who can’t, We read to people wo can’t, We go visiting and make phone calls to people who can’t get out.We started with our nieghbors , it was a good way to met them. we’ve cleaned flowerbeds Just all kinds of stuff. God always gives us someone to help. It keeps me from losing my joy in my circumstances. your in my prayers.
I have relly enjoyed the comments from all you ladies I have been eoncouraged to continue to let God have his way in my life
Father God, today I choose… In every change and every uncertain step…I choose. Help me not to stew about what your will is, but to embrace what I already know is your will as you have taught me right from your Word. Cultivate in me a thankful spirit, a joyful heart, and a prayerful attitude.
Father, help me to remember it takes time for the way to become clear. Help me to remember you are more interested in my internal state than my external location. With your perspective, peace WILL come into my soul. I trust you to open and close the right doors.
Father, I pray this prayer also for Gail, JoAnn, Schelli, Lynda, Doris, Pat, Jackie, Debbie, Avril, Barb c, Eve, Fran D, and Chris. Thank you for hearing our cry, and for answered prayer. We give you the praise and the glory! Amen!
Father this prayer is also for Louisa, Ann, Francine, Cindy K, Teresa, Marilyn, Barb R, and Monique. God bless you all.
Hi. This is the first time I have visited this site and I am truly blessed by your prayers and comments, I guess I am not the only one out there who has problems, Mine is rather mild compared with some. I and my husband are retired, and live in a big house, which we are selling, and have had it on the market for two months and although we have had a few interested as yet no offers. The thing is I am now undecided as to what to do. Do we move into a brand new retirement life style villa, or stay here. I have got my self so confussed.I am trying my best to Trust in the Lord , as I know He has always come through for me before, I just need patience, and to trust Him more.But I find myself fretting and worring, and have lost my joy.I cant seem to get into the Word at all at the moment. I still pray. I would value your prayers. As I don’t know what to do. Bless you all heaps
Beloved Father..
Thank you each and every day for being there for us all…Today was such a hard day here in the natural and Your silence doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten us..But, I know you understand when the human frustrations overtake us..and we Praise You for “fighting our battles” as we surrender them to you ..things we can’t solve, but YOU CAN! Please bless all these dear ones who’ve written in, pouring their hearts out..So many needs and concerns, but NOTHING too Hard For YOU, Father (Jeremiah 32:17)..Give us rest tonight that we might have the strength for whatever tomorrow brings. Thank you for Psalm 46:10 and help us to “be still” while we wait on you and your direction..We love you so much, dear Father…Amen and we give you All Glory, in advance, for what you will do, before our human eyes can even see it (Romans 4:17)!!
Thank all you dear Prayer Warriors, too..Heaven’s switchboard lit up tonight for us all..that is a comforting thought! And HE is listening…Hallelujah!!
It’s such a wonderful thing to hear from God and read through what all these ladies have shared. Mine is to come before God open and willing to receive from Him HOPE and assured Future. Jesus said that if we abide in Him and His word abides in us, whatever we ask of Him we’ll receive, yes at times it’s not instantanious, but the answer will come eventually.These are seasons which do not last, they too will pass. So be of God cheer, He is a Faithful God.
My life as from a young age has been that of looking up to God for every little thing, and the good news is ,He always came through. There were times of great want and need and in the last hour, He sent someone with the answer(I do recall all those hard times and thank God for they were tools to mold and strengthen my Faith and I’m glad that He never changes).
We are moving offices too and before I would worry about so many things, but I’ve said I’ll Trust God with this move.
Today I thank God for His Sovereignity in all our lives.At the different stages of our careers, home life, social life, walk with God and every other aspect of our lives. ‘Father nothing about us suprises you, everything about us is known to you and today we come with thanksgiving in our hearts knowing that when we’ve approached your throne of mercy we’ll receive Grace for our time of need. Lord we have different needs which have caused us to loose our joy,prayer or song of thanksgiving. Father forgive us for letting worry take over, we therefore take on the sheild of faith and the sword of the spirit and say we’re more than conquores in Christ Jesus our lord. Father we stand in faith trusting that ‘You who started this good work in us will bring it to completion’.We ask for times of refreshments in your presence and for your strength to do that which is right and pleasing to you in Jesus name Amen.Thankyou that you that when words fail us you see and hear the cries of our hearts.Be our strength and salvation dear Lord, we praise you and exalt you now and forever Amen.
Maureen
Thankyou for blessing us with a community of belivers who will be that helping hand when we need one, thankyou for that shoulder to cry on and that heart which will feel our hurt. Father may your comfort be spread abroad as we look to you in Jesus name Amen.Thankyou for the joy of salvation in all our undertakings, Lord thankyou for your peace which surpasses all understanding resting in our hearts as we surrender to your will in our lives in Jesus Name Amen.Have your way Heavenly Father and let your will be done in our lives in Jesus Name Amen.
Thank you all so much for your sharing and for your prayers. This is the first time I have responded although I receive the devotions daily.
June thanks for your prayer and specifically the reminder that God is interested in our internal state rather than our external surroundings. He is speaking to me through you!
Teresa
Oh. Wow!
Beth – I like the thought of NOT focusing on the problems we are dealing with but as we are taught – focusing on HIM. If we spend our time talking to Him and picturing Him and his loving efforts and wondering what He is doing and reading about Him and chatting about Him and just letting it be Him Him Him (knowing he is busy handling us), then we are not going to be thinking so much about our worries. Think Him Not “TT”, Think Him, Not “IT”, Think Him, Not “IT”. What love he has provided for us all. Isn’t it fun to be a part of these devotionals? lynda
Welcome Beth, so glad you have joined us. I can relate to you having your house for sale and wanting to move on with your life. We are in the same situation: retired, and ready to downsize. I can honestly say after 2 years of praying and waiting, I finally have peace about our house not selling. I know our house will sell in God’s perfect timeing, and not mine. In the meantime, I plant flowers, keep house, relax, fellowship with other Christians, pray, read His word, and all under the roof of this safe haven He has given me. I thank him for this home…and for many other blessings he has given me.
Thank you Teresa for your kind words, I must confess I copied the thought you liked from what Gail Rogers said earlier in the devotion. She suggested we write a prayer, and the Lord led me to use some things she had said, that were worth repeating. Hope you don’t mind Gail!!
It jumped out at me too because I, like many others, concentrate too much on the external location. It seems to be the American way.
Maureen, I loved your comments, and all the others. May His many blessings bring you much joy today!! (((HUG)))
I really glad to read the devotional of today. It just came on the right time since me and my husband are worrying where to live. After our marriage we stayed in my country. We decided to go to the country of my husband. so my husband went back to his country hoping to find a job so that i can go to him. We are now living separately for some months and this situation is frustrating us because doors seems to be close to find a job. We are praying for an answer. After reading this we know we have to leave this to God. Our lives is in His hands. He is our way, our truth and our lives! From now on we will not look at the circumstances but we will focus on Him so the we will understand the Holy Spirit better. I really feel joyfully and thankfully…God bless you all