Dig Your Heels In

"When you hit crisis you either crash and burn, or you dig your heels in and persevere.

You either get bitter, or you decide to trust what God is doing even though it makes no sense.

You lose your faith or you find out you can handle a lot more than you ever thought you could through the power of HIS Holy Spirit in you.

You discover what was sent to destroy you is what God is using to set you and others around you free.

You find out your lifeline is your prayer closet or the rug at the end of your bed in the dark in the middle of the night where you fall to your knees and pour out your heart and your tears. And then when you can say, "Not my will, but Your will be done" you begin to hear the whispers of heaven.

You learn to go deeper and to climb up higher. You begin to see people and situations through a new filter, a divine filter, where no human is too far gone and no situation is so bad that God can't change it.

You learn to be diligent with your thoughts and words, because they possess life and/or death. You learn to only repeat what you hear the Father saying and you repent for all the times you have agreed with the enemy over someone or a situation.

You realize that God is your first source of information about everything. A friend has a terminal illness? What is God saying about it? Your marriage is broken? God is thinking about it and wants you to share his thoughts with you. You need a job? Heaven has a strategy for it. There is turmoil in the streets and uncertainly in the government? God can't wait to give you the word that will settle your heart and give you peace to know that no matter what, He is in control and he can use any man or anything to accomplish his purposes.

It doesn't mean that it will be easy, painless, or fast. Quite the opposite. Jesus was so stressed over what He was about to face (beatings, betrayal, and the torturous cross) that He was sweating blood. That’s why He kept praying even when no one would stay awake and pray with Him. Kingdom work is hard work. It can be brutal and gut wrenching. It's not for the faint of heart - but for hearts surrendered, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit (not your own strength). And through the process you might look the same on the outside but you are a completely different person on the inside. And that's the goal. A work in progress. You keep growing so that you can carry more grace, more love, more life, more mercy, more faith. You don't ever accept anyone or anything at face value. You plug in to eavesdrop on the strategy sessions in heaven regarding that person or that situation. It's a partnership. God gives us the privilege of partnering with Him to accomplish His will on the earth.

Don't run from trouble in this life. Don't shut down, don't tune out, don't self-medicate, don't settle. Run to God and for God, with all you've got. Get alone with Him and pour your heart out to Him. He knows the impossibilities you’re facing. He understands. Cast your cares on Him because He not only cares for you, He has the ability and desire to do the impossible in your life. He alone has the ability to infuse you with His power from on high. He’s your Healer. Your Redeemer. Your Refuge. Your God. He's an expert at turning the broken, lost, and ugly things in our lives into something beautiful that reflects His glory. Anchor your life in Christ Jesus. He will walk with you through the valley of the shadow of death. Fear no evil. He is able to keep you and all that you commit to Him, and bring you through to victory. He’s got you. And He is trustworthy. It will all be worth it. (written in part by Shelli Prosser)