Overcoming Comparison Part 2.

    Day three. Did God really say?

    Romans 4:19-22. ¹⁹ And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. ²⁰ He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, ²¹ and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. ²² And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” NKJV
    Comparison takes our eyes off what God has given us and turns our eyes onto what was never meant for us. When we start looking at someone else's life, we forget what God is doing in our life. Comparison shows the final work in someone else's life while looking at the incomplete work in your life. It's a joy and peace stealer, which shouldn't be a surprise because that's what the enemy's all about. John 10:10 (NKJV: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

    In the Romans passage, Abraham chose to look to God and the promises he had given him, and not to his present circumstances that didn't align with God's plan. Both he and Sarah were old and, on a human level, unable to have a child of their own. But then, God came and told them they would have a child of their own and that he would be a father to many nations. The enemy's one and only tactic is to get you to question if God really said what he said. We already have everything we need in the season we are in. Whether it looks like it or not from the human perspective. And if we know that in his timing and by his will, he will give us the desires of our heart. Then why do we need to compare our life to the other guy? Simply put, we don't. But that’s easier said than done sometimes.

    Day four. The Carrier of the Blessing
    Genesis 13:9-11. NJKV. ⁹ Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” ¹⁰ And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. ¹¹ Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.
Ephesians 2:10 NKJV. ^“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

    Abraham lovingly gave Lot the first choice of land when they parted ways. I look at it like Abraham was putting Lot first. The author of the study suggests that it's because Abraham knew that God was with him and that the blessing was on him wherever he went because he was the carrier of the blessing. I don't fully understand that yet, but the author suggests that because we are children of God, we carry the blessing wherever we go. This is the freedom that breaks the power of comparison.
When you know God's hand is on your life, there is no need for comparison. You were not built to do what the other guy can do. You were built to do what God has designed you to do.

    Day five. Am I in the will of God?
    Proverbs 3:5 - 6 NKJV. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall ^[a^]direct your paths.”
Am I in the will of God? A simple, and yet profound and important question. As the author says, and I agree, it cuts through the noise of comparison. Today is the final devotional. Beautifully closes out this Bible study. The author suggests that your current circumstances may not look like you had hoped, but someday they might. My circumstances don't look exactly like I would like them to right now either. But that's okay because I know God's got it. They also encouraged us readers to ask ourselves whether we are obeying God right now. Did you do the last thing He told you to do? And are you doing what He's currently telling you to do? Then you were on the right track. I found this to be very encouraging as I thought about my life. Because even though I wish a few things were different, I'm in the Father's will. God has been saying no to a dream of mine. I don't believe it's a hard no. I believe it's a not yet. The other day I prayed about it again, and he said no again. But then I asked why, and he explained. Not that he needs to explain it. Of course He's God. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He doesn’t owe us any explanation. But he did, and it gave me peace and hope because I believe that one day it will be a yes.

    God has used this study to break off the chains of comparison, and I'm so thankful for it. That being said, the enemy did sneak in today and get me to start comparing myself again to somebody. But I'm not going to let myself be defeated by it. I'm going to pray and ask the Lord what I should do with that, whether I should be using that person as motivation or if I should walk away from it and put it at the foot of the cross.
But it's okay if you get tripped up. That's where his grace and mercy come in. And now it's time to enjoy the weekend and not worry about the rest of the world. God bless, friend.

    I pray this blesses, encourages, and challenges, you in whatever way you need today, friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

Overcoming Comparison Part 1.

    Two of the things I struggle with the most in my life are my self-worth/value and comparison. The rest of the things I struggle with all stem from those two. Right now I'm working on a Bible study on comparison. The biggest things I compare myself against with other is my fitness level, diet and how much they can do all at once. Ex. Work full-time, run a house, full-time student, raise kids, etc. How many things can they juggle well in any given season? And then there's me. I struggle with working full-time, running a home, spending time with my family and enjoying my hobbies.

    I'm working through a Bible study on the topic of comparison. One of the things I have come to learn/realize is that comparison is a waste of time and energy. I was having a hard time with the topic last Saturday. It took me down for a little while

    After working through it, I was at my sewing machine finishing up my latest dress project. I realized right then and there that comparison is a waste of time. Because instead of getting upset and then getting into an argument with hubby. I could have simply continued on with the task I was doing and then headed to my sewing machine early and finished the project sooner. But instead of enjoying my life and all the things that God has given me and I get to do, I was wasting time comparing my life to someone else's life who didn't know and likely doesn't care because they are enjoying their life. I was chatting to a coworker about my struggles with comparison and sharing a few of the above areas in which I compare myself to others. Interestingly enough, I don't care about wage differences. If you make more money than I do, I'm happy for you. There are a few other topics that I don't feel the need to compare with others, but the wage difference was an interesting realization. We had been discussing wages and such, and it occurred to me that I don’t care about that difference. There are other areas, of course, that I do not compare myself against other people with either. Another area I don’t compare myself with others is clothing choices. I don’t care what you wear. The immodest fashions of today drive me bonkers, but I don’t feel bad about how I dress. Anyways, there are some areas that I do compare myself with others and some I do not.

    Day 1. A heart at peace
    'A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. ' Proverbs 14:30 NKJV
The author asked how old you were when you first started comparing yourself to others. As I thought back, I realized that like many of us, I have been comparing myself to others my whole life. Not always in a bad light mind you, but always comparing myself to others. But it didn't start bothering me until I was in my teen years. The verse used for today's devo talks about being at peace with yourself. It was both convicting and encouraging, and like every other word found in Scripture, correct. If I had been at peace with myself that morning and many other times, I would not have lost out on enjoying any of my day. I'm also working on practicing gratitude. I’m trying to thank God more often for everything and working on changing my mindset/perspective.

    Day 2. You don't know their fertilizer.
    "But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each of you shall bear his own load. Galatians 6:4-5 NKJV
The author reminds us of the downfall and the trap that social media can be. We see people's nice posts. Their highlight reel, and unconsciously start comparing our selves to them. Now, it would be one thing if we were comparing their highlight reel to our highlight reel, but we aren't. We are comparing their spotless kitchen to the pile of dishes in our sink. The problem with this is that we are comparing apples to oranges. Two different things. We also don't know the work that went into getting that post. That vacation picture that you saw, is it on credit or paid in full? Or did the couple have a fight 30 min before the picture was taken? Hopefully not. Point is, though, we don't know what work they had to put in order to get that picture. Personally, I have become very intentional about what I post on social media. Am I posting to brag about my latest sewing project or to help encourage someone along their journey? Admittedly, a little of both sometimes.

    The author also reminds us of the work that likely went into that post. Do you want to put in all the work that person put into getting that post? Maybe you do, in which case, use them as motivation to help you get where you want to go. But, more likely, you don't. Another good question. Did that person get there on their own strength, or did God bless them? As the author put it, 'You could be in your own lane, faithfully obeying, comparing yourself to someone who is not even in the will of God. That is a dangerous metric to live by." This statement hit home in all the right places. They also worded it this way: 'Comparison is so dangerous, you could end up comparing where God has you to where the devil has them.' Also helpful.

    I am part way through this study, and already God has healed so much of my heart. I pray that it heals your heart before you finish reading it too.

    There are a few other reflection questions for day two.
1. Think about someone you've recently compared yourself to. What do you actually know about their story? The two people I was comparing myself to that morning. I know some of their story, but much of it I do not. I do know that they have both seen hard times, though. I can also imagine the one person encouraging me not to compare myself to them.

2. Are you willing to go through the process that it took them to obtain the things that they have that you want? I don’t have the time or energy to obtain the things that they have. One of them is a major athlete. Yes, I would like to be fitter and work out more, but I have no desire to be at their level. The other one has a very high level of education. I would love to finish my bachelor’s degree, but I don’t care to go further than that. As I do these reflection questions myself, I realize just how silly it is to compare myself to these people. Hubby and I were discussing my struggles with comparison the other day, and he was reminding me that part, if not the whole root cause of it, is that I don’t know who I am or like who I am. He has a point. Something else I’m working on.

3. Are they in God's will? Are you comparing yourself to someone else's detour? I do not know where these two people stand with the Lord. I know that one of them was raised to know the Lord, but I do not know where they stand now, and I don’t know the other person’s faith background. I do know that I am in the will of God though.

I pray this blesses, encourages, and challenges you in whatever way you need today, friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

I Need God's Grace and Mercy Every Day.

    Two weeks ago we were headed to my brother's wedding. Along the way, I had to apologize to hubby for something. I don't remember what for, and it doesn't matter. Anyways, I apologized, and he forgave me. I sat quietly for a few minutes and thought about God's grace and mercy and how I really do need them every day. The Holy Spirit then reminded me that's why His grace and mercy are new every morning. In my self righteousness, I thought that I didn't need His grace and mercy everyday. That I needed it most days. A few days a week, but not every day. In my self righteousness I thought that if you needed it everyday then you were definitely struggling with sin of some sort. I tried to tell myself that I didn't need it everyday, that I could handle life on my own most of the time or at least some of the time. I see now that I was wrong.

    Holy Spirit then reminded me that this is why His grace and mercies are new every morning. Because He knows that when we are honest with ourselves and with Him, we do in fact need it every day. It was a beautiful moment of conviction and correction.

    I shared this with hubby a few minutes later, and he agreed that not only do we need it every day, but every minute of every day.

    I'm working on admitting that to myself and to you, friend/reader. That I'm a sinner saved by grace who needs a new dosage of grace and mercy everyday.

Lamentations 3:22-23 through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His Compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. NKJV. I also thought that there was a verse literally saying, “His grace and mercies are new every morning.” Turns out this is that verse is the verse. It is also an important reminder to know the Word of God and not just assume that you know it.

Anyways, we all need God’s fresh grace and mercy every morning.

God Bless

~Hannah

Finding Balance In Our Closet.

    Track pants have their place too. Hear me out, ladies. I am all for getting dressed up and being out together for myself and for hubby. It also doesn't hurt that 90% of my wardrobe is 'Sunday Best,' and I haven't worn pants publicly in 4 years. I will also be one of the first people to encourage you to get dressed up for your hubby, but I'm also coming to the conclusion that there is a happy medium as well. Track pants/ lounge wear have their place.

    What I mean by all this is that there have been plenty of times when I deliberately put on an outfit for hubby's attention, and times when I wear it just for myself. There are also times when we are relaxing, and I'm in my PJs. There have been times when we are sitting down to watch a movie, and I'm in a nice dress or skirt, and hubby will suggest that I put on pj's so that I can be more comfortable. I lovingly tell him that I am comfy. And we move on. There are also times when we sit down for a movie, and I automatically put on pj's.

    One evening a few weeks ago, I was washing off my makeup before winding down for a movie on a Saturday night. I felt bad because I was taking off my makeup and that he couldn't enjoy it anymore. He reminded me that he had been enjoying it all day and, of course, that I don't need makeup to be beautiful.

    He also regularly tells me that I look sexy in my PJs. I usually give him the 'you have two heads' look. His explanation is that by wearing my PJs, and so on, around him, it says that I am comfortable around him. I would hope after 11 years of marriage I would be comfortable around him. Either way, it's cute and sweet. He isn’t wrong, though; how you dress says a lot about yourself, and your relationship to those around you, whether you are at home or out in public.

    By no means am I saying to change into your PJs the second you get home. I'm just saying we don't have to be put together all the time either. I’ve also heard it suggested that you should be put together at all times at home, and even if you are cooking and cleaning that day that you can still put on a “house” dress that may be older, that you no longer wish to wear publicly, but is still comfortable and you can move about freely while you do your tasks. This agument also has it’s place, but I think we need more of a balanced approach.

    I have heard it suggested that some women dress up for work and then once they are home, change into sweats. Meaning that they give the world outside of their home their best but then aren't putting in any effort into how they look at home. Again, I think it's more about balance and not shaming anyone. Maybe some days you are more put together than other days. I work in a factory and put little effort into my appearance for work. Yes, I do wear skirts to work, but they are no longer a part of my “Sunday Best” wardrobe. They are stained from paint and other things at work. Some evenings I put myself together more than others. Then on the weekends I am 'Sunday Best' for most of the weekend. Recently, hubby has joined Blessing and me for our daily walk; we head out the door a few minutes after I get home. I don’t bother getting changed because I am sweaty and know that I will sweat on the walk as well, so I shower after our walk. One day last week I didn’t sweat very much, so I told hubby I would take a quick “sponge” bath and get a little cleaned up and then change into a nicer outfit for our walk. I knew it wasn’t really a hot day, so I figured the chances of needing another shower after the walk were slimmer. So I quickly got cleaned up, changed into a nicer skirt outfit, came to the living room, and jokingly, with a big smile on my face, said to hubby, “Okay, I’m pretty now.” he smiled and said to me, “You are always pretty.” I know that I am pretty without a nice outfit on, but the outfit did make me feel better.

    So, let's find the happy medium between Sunday Best and never getting out of your sweats. I also know that getting dressed up and putting yourself together looks different for every woman. Not every woman is the pink skirt girly girl that I am. God created us all different on purpose. For some, it is a nice pair of jeans and a pretty top, and that is also beautiful. And some women don’t wear makeup at all or wear minimal makeup, and again, that too is beautiful.

    So ladies, let's aim for balance. Relaxed outfits when the moment calls for it, and dressier outfits when those moments arise as well. That being said, dresses can be really comfy. I have a handful of sundresses and skirts that I can easily relax in, and with summer coming to a close and fall heading our way, I am so excited for sweater dresses, tights and scarves.

    Again, not here to condemn or anything else. I’m just hearing a lot of talk on both sides of “the issue” and wanted to balance them out.

I pray this blesses, teaches, encourages, and lovingly challenges you in whatever way you need today.

Have a blessed Sunday, friend.

~Hannah

Unexpected Lessons and Blessing from a Bike Accident.

    On June 30th, I received a phone call that no wife wants to receive. It was a hot day. I was biking home from work. I had just turned onto my street and was pulling my phone out of my pocket to text a friend and co-worker that I had enjoyed my ride home that day. She had wondered if it was too hot for me to ride that day and asked if I wanted a ride. I politely declined. As I pulled out my phone and started to text her, my phone started ringing instead. I looked at the caller ID and saw that work was calling me. I answer. My poor boss got the privilege of breaking the news to me that my husband had been in a bike accident and was being taken to Chatham Hospital via ambulance. She said there was a witness and would text me the number so I could call them and get more details. Alrighty then, not exactly how I expected my afternoon to go.

    We hung up, and I called my friend/coworker and asked for a ride to the hospital. I told her that there had been an accident, and that there was a witness, and I would call the witness on the way. She gets in her SUV and picks me up. While I was getting ready to leave our apartment, I saw a text from my father-in-law, saying that hubby had been in an accident and to use his car to get myself to him and bring him home. At first, I declined because I already had a ride planned, but once I dialled the number for the witness and discovered that the witness was my father-in-law. You see, when I first got his message, I didn't understand his involvement in the accident. Once I understand his connection, I asked my friend to drop me off at the shop to get his car and find out what happened.

    After hubby's last accident a couple of winters ago, when I found out about it after the fact and saw that he was physically okay before I knew about anything, I wondered how I would respond if I knew about an accident before seeing his condition. Well, that day was the day. I was panicked, but not hysterical. I simply needed to get to my husband. I was safe to drive.

    My Father-in-law gives me the run down of what happened, hands me the keys and tells me how much gas the car has and that the A/C was working. I thanked him and was on my way. I drove out of the shop parking lot, and the tears started coming. I quickly tell my emotions to get in line. I consider calling my mom and talking to her while I drive. I quickly decide not to call and simply pray. Pray to my heavenly Father. The God of the universe. So I start praying and worshipping. While I drove, I prayed for his safety, his healing, praising God for His goodness and worshipped Him for who He is. In case this was the end, and I was about to walk into a critical or life-threatening situation, I thanked God for the 11 years that we have been married. I didn't want to have to look back on this prayer time with any regret. I didn't want to question God. I just wanted to pray and worship. So I did. I wanted to be able to look back, even if the accident was fatal and say that God is and was still good and in control. I am proud of myself for how I reacted to the news and for worshipping God in the process. So, for the next 30 min I worshiped and prayed. Once I arrived, I figured out which parking lot was the correct one, and then, praise God, found the perfect parking spot close to the door. I parked and headed for the main entrance.

    I got directions to the emergency room and asked for hubby. After what seemed like a very long minute, I was led into triage. I went around a corner made by curtains. There is a slit in the corner, and I see a foot. Looks like hubby's foot. But I didn't want to believe it was him until I saw his face. A second later, I'm led to the opening of the curtain and see hubby's face. Relief. I was preparing for the worst: wires, cables, etc. nothing. Praise the Lord. Just a relieved husband smiling, and I, his wife, smiling back at him, equally relieved. The doctor working on him asked if he belonged to me and I to him and then to eachother. We said yes, we belonged to each other. Then the doctor filled me in on the details of his accident and the testing they wanted to run. The Dr. had a student working with her, teaching her about the ultrasound machine. Hubby and I quietly talked, and then I gave him a foot massage.

    The ultrasound didn't show anything. They ordered an X-ray for his left shoulder and pelvis. We also agreed before all of this that hubby was cognitive and of sound mind. At the scene of his accident, he was seizing or something and was shaking. He then asked me to get him some food; seconds later, the doctor told him not to eat until after the X-ray.

    We waited for the X-rays and then the results. Broken collarbone. They gave us a sling, a list of prescriptions to fill, a temp dr note, and a business card for a surgeon. If the surgeon didn't call in two weeks, we were to call them. We left the hospital at 7:30. I was impressed. I arrived at the hospital at 3:30; I think he arrived at 3, and we left together at 7:30. Ultrasound, X-rays, results, and prescription list in4.5 hrs. Rather impressive if you ask me.

    We drove home, and I quickly ran up to our apartment to get him a new shirt. Then off to Walmart to fill his prescription just before closing. Then through the drive thru to get supper. We spent the next few days getting adjusted to hubby's new one-armed life. I am not naturally a caregiver. I can cook, clean and run a household, but nursing someone when they are sick? Forget about it. This has been a point of tension in our marriage for years. So there were a few arguments to be had in the first few weeks. Along with dealing with, or better yet, not dealing with my own issues. At the three-week point, I finally came to the end of myself and told God, hubby and myself that it was time to start doing things God's way. I also know that I wanted to get better at taking care of hubby. So I prayed. I knew that I wanted to do better with caring for him. I wasn't there for him during his depression years ago, and I regret that. I didn't want to regret not taking care of him this time. So I prayed and asked for a better servant heart, and He gave it to me. I'm not flawless, but I have come a long way in the last few weeks, and we are both grateful for the change.

    I also have a new respect and appreciation for caregivers. I had no idea how exhausting this would all be. Working full-time and then coming home and taking care of hubby full-time has been exhausting. I don’t mean to complain by any means, just being honest. I am grateful that his injuries were not worse by any means, but I am exhausted and done with that sling. So, to those of you who are long-term caregivers, I tip my hat to you. I had no idea. And I will keep on taking care of him until the bone has healed.

    I am thankful for it all, though. It has been quite the journey, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but it has changed me for the better and for that I am grateful.

    The moral of this story is that God is good, hubby is healing, and I am a changed woman. Glory to God.

    I pray that this encourages, teaches, and blesses you in some way today, friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

Look To God, Not Your Circumstances.

    I finished writing my last post about the Holy Spirit and thought, 'Ah, I can put my feet up.' Holy Spirit quickly told me that I needed to be fed (Spiritually) because hubby is going through a rough time and needs me." I thought, 'Okay,' so I opened up Spotify and found one of my favourite podcasts and looked for a title that spoke to me. I quickly found this one and started listening. “Before God Changes Your Situation, He Does This First”. It touched my spirit and soul and fed me so beautifully that I just had to share it with you. I spent much of the time listening to it, holding back tears. Tears of joy and relief.

    We have all had hard seasons. We may be worn down, discouraged, whatever verb you like. You may find yourself praying and asking whether this hard season, or valley, as the speaker refers to it, will ever end. Will things ever change? Will I ever change?

    Thankfully, as believers, we do know that things will eventually change because the Bible tells us that if it's not good yet, then He isn't done with you yet. But in the meantime, this episode touched a deep place in my soul.

    God meets his people in dry places through His word and His Spirit.

    Ezekiel 37:1-14

    The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' I said, 'Sovereign Lord, you alone know." 4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath into you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'" 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what Sovereign LORD says; come, breath, from the four winds and breath into those slain, that they may live.' 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet- a vast army. 11 Then he said to me. 'Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, 'our bones are dried up and out hope is gone, we are cut off." 12 Therefore prophecy and say to them: "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people , will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.""

    The people of Israel had been in a valley for a long time, and everything felt hopeless. But God does not leave His people there. Right in the middle of the vision God gave Ezekiel, God asked him a question. V3. Son of man, can these bones live?" Ezekiel answered "Sovereign LORD, you alone know."

    Before God would change their circumstances, he was changing their perspective and calling Ezekiel and the people of Israel to look to Him and not their circumstances. God knows that we are forgetful people and need regular reminders. He also knows that we are human and have a limited perspective. So God wants us to turn our eyes off of our circumstances and turn towards Him and allow Him to change our view point before He changes our circumstances.

    Psalm 121:1-2 I lift up my eyes to the mountains -where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

    It's easy to lose hope when we are more focused on our circumstances rather than on God. It's not easy, though; we have to remind ourselves daily when we are going through struggles. But when we lift our eyes to God, He reminds us of His unchanging character.

    We see Ezekiel practicing changing his perspective in the passage from the valley to God and His unchanging character.

    How about you and me, friend? Do we believe in God's unchanging character? Or do we need a little reminder? It's okay if we need a reminder from time to time. We are forgetful people, after all. We have to renew our minds and remind ourselves, myself especially, friend, that the God of the Bible who takes care of His people and kept His promises then is the same God we serve today. I think we often forget that the people in the Bible were regular people just like you and me and struggled with all the same things you and I struggle with today. Or at least similar things.

    The speaker talks about how life in the valley becomes possible through the word of God and the Spirit of God. We see the power of God's word demonstrated when God tells Ezekiel to prophesy over the dry bones, telling them to come to life. Ezekiel didn't have any power in and of himself. But he was willing to be used by God, so God used him and demonstrated His power through Ezekiel.

    Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

    Psalm 119:25 I am laid low on the dust; preserve my life according to your word.

    Psalm 119:50 my comfort in my suffering is this: you promise preserves my life.

    Psalm 107:20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

    Grab hold of God's word when you are in the valley, and set your eyes on Him who cares for you. The one who holds all things together. Read the word and meditate on it. Let it encourage you and remind you of God's unfading love and goodness. He may not restore your circumstances right away. But watch Him restore your viewpoint. Watch Him change your perspective.

    Much of the time we think that in order for our situation to be fixed, He has to fix the circumstances. The truth is, though, that He doesn't have to. A) Because He is God and it's His creation, and therefore He can do whatever He pleases. He doesn't have to explain anything to us. But, more importantly, B) He knows that if He changes our perspective and we look to Him instead of whatever circumstances we are walking through, then the work of restoration has already begun. Plus, it teaches us to look to Him to fix things, and not ourselves. God often starts the restoration process in our hearts before He changes anything about our circumstances.

    We also need God's Spirit, also known as the Holy Spirit, to help us along the way. In fact, we need the Holy Spirit just as much as we need the Word of God.

    The speaker also made the connection between God breathing life into creation and into the dry bones in Ezekiel and encouraged us today that He is still the same life giving God that we get to serve as well.

    Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

    The speaker encouraged and reminded us that not only do we celebrate God's restoration after the valley is over, but it's something we can trust in the process. As hard as it may be, and it is hard. Instead of complaining and asking God to change the situation and get you out of the valley, try praying and asking Him what He wants to teach you in the valley. I'm a firm believer that the trials we go through here on earth are not only a testament to God's faithfulness but also a teaching point and encouragement to those around us. We can also thank Him in advance for the restoration that He will do down the road.

    The miracle of Ezekiel is not only breathing life back into the bones, but it's also restoring His people back to Himself. Ultimately, our circumstances don't matter. Our relationship with God does. By no means am I saying it's easy, but it is worth it, and in time God will bring you through it, and you will be stronger for it.

    As believers, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us and are called to walk by the Spirit.

    Ephesians 2:4-5: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.

    Galatians 5:16 so I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

    Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

    Romans 8:5-6 Those who love according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

    1 Thessalonians 5:19  Do not quench the Spirit.

    Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

    So even when we are in the valley and life is just not going well or the way we expected. We need to remind ourselves that our hope is in Christ, and not on the things of this world. Again, easier said than done. We lift our eyes to God. We keep trusting, keep obeying, keep pressing in because we know that He is not done with us yet.

    The only way we can get through the valley is by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The good times and the bad times are both invitations from God to us to have a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him. Plus, at the end of the valley, it's it better to be able to say that you clung to Jesus rather than walked away from your faith or blamed God? Personally, I want to be able to say at the end of the valley that I clung to Jesus with everything in me. That being said, I have definitely had my seasons of walking away, so to speak and getting mad at God for not taking care of the situation the way I wanted Him to. I have become a stronger believer since then and spend less time mad at Him when something doesn't go the way I want.

    But I too needed this reminder when I hit play on that episode to look to God and not my circumstances. I pray this encouraged you today, friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

Understanding the Holy Spirit

    I opened up Spotify a few weeks ago and started listening to “Proverbs 31 Ministries” and found an interesting episode about discerning between the Holy Spirit’s voice and you own. Something that I struggle with at times.

    The guest speaker started by saying how oftentimes, people don't properly understand the Holy Spirit and His role because of their upbringings. Whether that be what their parents taught them or what they learned in church.

    Joel 2:28 NIV “ 'And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your son's and daughters will prophecy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” She told the listeners a story about how the Holy Spirit woke her up one night and gave her this verse. She had already been seeking God and wanted to know who the Holy Spirit is and what our relationship with him is like. The speaker quickly recognized that this was the work of the Holy Spirit. The speaker didn't know what the verse was until she opened up her Bible and read it. It was a very special moment for her that hasn't happened since. This experience taught her that the Holy Spirit longs to have a relationship with her and with all of us too.

    Over the years, whenever she would ask people about the Holy Spirit, they would send her to Acts 2. Which is where Jesus tells His disciples that He is going to send the Holy Spirit to them when He goes to heaven to be with the Father after He was raised from the grave. One problem with this method, though, is that Acts 2 is not where we first learn about the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-2 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

    Pentecost then happens, and the disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Pentecost becomes a symbol of the start of the early church. With signs and wonders. The problem with directing people to Acts 2 for an understanding of the Holy Spirit is that it doesn't look like our everyday lives, and we will likely struggle to relate. The speaker explains how if we look at Acts 2 without any knowledge of the Old Testament, it may seem strange or different. But when you look for the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, you will find Him everywhere. As you look for Him through the Old Testament, you will see Acts 2 as more of a culmination of the Spirit's power and presence since the beginning of time. Showing up to Acts 2 with no prior interaction with the Holy Spirit is like showing up to your wedding day without ever meeting your spouse before hand. There is no history. Nothing to build on. Just a big important event.

    The speaker encouraged us listeners that the reason why we so easily miss the mention of the Holy Spirit is due to language and terminology. The Hebrew word for Spirit is Ruach which can be translated breath, wind, air or angel. So depending on how the translators translated your version of the Bible, you will see these different word choices. As you might imagine, the average believer doesn't know many Hebrew words and could likely miss some of the mentions of the Holy Spirit. I know I have. So you may have to look extra close to find Him. But I promise He isn't hiding too hard because He really wants to be found by you.

    Before listening to this podcast, someone pointed out to me that the Holy Spirit was on scene in the very beginning. Genesis 1:2. He is mentioned as Spirit of God. Personally, I took that verse for granted like many other seasoned believers.

    The speaker gave the analogy of a picture with lots of other items hidden in the picture for you to find. Hidden so well that at first glance nothing looks out of place, and then when you look close you see the random items. This picture is to remind us that the Holy Spirit is all through the Old Testament and is also working all through our lives as well.

    The next discussion point was about how we address Him. Do we call Him Holy Spirit or the Holy Spirit? The speaker chooses to say Holy Spirit versus calling Him the Holy Spirit. Her argument is that we don't refer to God or Jesus as 'The God' or 'The Jesus' so why call Holy Spirit 'the Holy Spirit '? She makes a valid argument that you are speaking to a real person, which you are and therefore can drop the 'the.' Personally, I tend to go back and forth between calling Him Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit. I see the speakers argument for not calling Him the Holy Spirit. I think I have seen examples of both in Scripture. The grammar program that I run my posts through before publishing them says that 'the Holy Spirit ' is correct, and I think my phone does too. When talking to hubby, I think I say it both ways, but I can't swear to it. At the end of the day, I think it comes down to your conviction and relationship with the Holy Spirit.

    The speaker encouraged us and reminded us that the Holy Spirit is with us in the chaos and uncertainty of life. We see this in Genesis 1:1-2 and how, in the midst of darkness and the unknown and the water, the Spirit is there with us.

3 ways to awaken a vibrant relationship with the Holy Spirit. There are more than 3 ways, but these are the three the speaker talks about.

1. Stay alert to his hovering. Psalm 139.. God formed each one of us with intententionity and care.. she also encouraged us that with God creating us all so differently, naturally the way the Holy Spirit communicates with each one of us will also be different. He speaks to us in deep, meaningful ways to each of us. Maybe it's a Bible verse that means so much to you and yet little to someone else. Or a verse you have read many times, and yet, today, it comes alive in a new way. Or maybe the lyric from a worship song, and when you hear it, it feels like your heart put to music, and every time you hear it, you can't help but get choked up.

2. Ask Holy Spirit one question a day. You could ask about your purpose, identity or service. Then reflect on this question throughout your day. Be in conversation with Holy Spirit. Get to know His voice. Then journal about what happened. This technique can help you track the work and role of Holy Spirit in your life.

3. Talk about Holy Spirit to others. Ask each other what the Holy Spirit is doing in their lives. Just like laughter and joy, it's contagious. The more you talk about Him to others and talk to Him yourself, the more you will recognize His voice and prompting.

    And finally, what do we do when we are questioning if a prompting is from the Holy Spirit? Keep pressing, keep praying and asking. Does the prompting get stronger? Or does it go away? Don't be afraid to bring your questions, your doubts and concerns to Him, who cares for you. Read your Bible; if possible, ask others to pray with you/for you. Compare the nudges you sense with the character of God. If the nudges are from the Holy Spirit, then everything will line up. Don't be discouraged though. If the prompting wasn't from God in the end, His grace is sufficient to cover it. Ex you thought you felt a prompting to go and talk to someone. So you do, but nothing really comes of it. Or at least nothing you expect. That's okay. Maybe God wasn't telling you to talk to the person, but it may have still made their day or encouraged them in some way that you may never know about.

    Listening to this episode encouraged me that I am not alone in questioning/discerning the difference between my inner voice and the Holy Spirit, and I pray you found encouragement through it in some way as well.

As always, God Bless.

~Hannah