Closed doors prevent mistakes. Just because a path is clear doesn’t mean it’s the one God intends for us to follow. Sometimes we won’t have the information we need to make a wise decision, so He blocks the way. The Holy Spirit knows the whole road map for our life, so we should follow Him.
Closed doors redirect our walk. God won’t leave a willing servant with nothing to do. Closed doors can result in better fruit, more satisfaction, and greater glory for Him.
Closed doors test faith and build perseverance. Waiting for the Lord is hard, but it’s a means by which we can learn wisdom, patience, and trust.
Closed doors buy us time. We aren’t always as prepared as we’d like to think. God may temporarily hold shut an opportunity for service until we’re ready.
These 4 reasons were written by Dr. Charles Stanley for our encouragement. Going through a challenge? Reflect on them and be encouraged while you wait.
Woke up feeling agitated. Nothing worked. Traveled internationally for a Book Signing event. Computer would not connect to the work system. Important personal items missing. Important book signing items missing. Every where I looked something was missing. Totally confused.
To a meticulous planner, it’s like the end of the world. What’s happening? Why? Why do airlines require you to leave things or charge you to bring the ‘world’ with you? No pun intended. Is it for safety, precaution, to make money? Why?
All Things Work Together For Good
As I searched, I took a deep breath and started thinking. Maybe the way I planned it was not the way the Lord meant it to be. Responses from prayer partners came with reassurances:
7 Assurances Of God’s Leading
God works All Things together for our Good
He’s intentional
Be anxious for nothing
In humility ask and accept what he’s doing through others
Wait, obey as He leads
Oh what Peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear when we do not carry everything to God in Prayer
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
The irony of it all is that I was writing the final in my GreenLight book series titled RedLight: When God Says No. As my frustration weaned, I began reflecting and reached for the morning’s devotional which …as I read the topic, I laughed out loud. I looked up, and shook my head in wonder. Here’s what stood out for me:
Life is challenging, so we can easily get distracted and allow circumstances to dictate our emotions. But if we operate that way, then when life is good, we’re happy; when times are tough, we’re frustrated; and when hardship pours in, we’re miserable. On the other hand, unwavering commitment to the Lord is a cornerstone of faith. When we are situated on that foundation, we can focus solely upon God.
In Touch With Him Devotional
I Surrendered
I surrendered with the realization that everything worked the way the Lord wanted it to. I was never able to connect to the system, so no work could be done. My colleague took me shopping for a few needed items as a birthday gift (yes, it was my birthday). Practical learning as I write about when God says no or stop. Indeed the Lord gets the well deserved glory as I sit back quietly with soft smiles gasping at his wonder. Indeed He worked all things out for His own good.
I resolved to follow His lead and hope you will too.
God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind
2 Timothy 1:7
It’s natural during times of change that we feel worried about our future. We feel Concerned when we can’t see our way. Take courage. Know that the lord is our God. He will lead, guide and protect us.
Here are 13 verses to comfort an strengthen you in times of need.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows
You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling
For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident
So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.
You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things
Which do you lean on most in times of anxiety and stress? Any missing that you would like to share?
May we experience Peace
Peace in the midst of chaos
Peace in the midst of struggle
Peace when things get out of hand
Peace during mayhem
Peace during lack
Peace in courage
Peace in times of Fear
Peace in times of confusion
Peace in sickness
Peace in health
Peace in quiet time
Peace in ease
May we always experience peace. A peace that only our Lord can provide. He is my peace. Hope he’s yours too.
I wish God kept a clock with my timing as priority. But He doesn’t. It’s in the waiting that we Grow.
Dr Shelly C
I could write a whole book on Max Lucado’s Quote that God doesn’t keep a clock. Personally, I wish God kept a clock with my timing as priority. But when I pray and ask his intervention, I have learnt to trust his timing.
Waiting Is Hard
I remember publishing my Research. After it was accepted by the JAABC, I was told it would be published in the Winter of the following year. Though it was long, I actually had a publishing date to look forward to. Contrast that with the birth of a child. A mom waits in the final weeks because the baby could arrive at any time. No specific date is given even when the doctor gives a ‘proposed’ date. The baby can still wait.
That said, life experiences prove that waiting is hard. It comes with the associated worry, fear, and riveting anticipation. We become impatient. But I have learnt to trust God’s timing. When we become weak and heavily burdened, we turn to the source of all things new. Our refuge and strength. Yes indeed, he is a present help in times of trouble. Let’s turn to him. Pray. Seek his guidance while we wait. One thing is for sure, he will come through for you and me. But only in his time.
Walk in the assurance that God’s timing is always right…and by the way… Pray while you wait.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in his wonderful face And the things of earth will go strangely dim In the light of his glory and Grace
I looked up as I heard the familiar chorus playing. Then I began to ponder the words. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. But the part that got me … then the things of earth will go strangely dim.
Peace Eludes
How often we allow the cares of the world including our finances, on-the-job issues, unemployment, relationship deterioration etc to cause us to go astray. We pity ourselves, become sad and depressed because we are limited in our way of handling our issues. It’s hard. Let’s face it, we can’t do it alone.
The Quest For Success
Even Success sometimes deter our relationship with the lord. I’ve often said that we pray for the achievement of our goals and aspirations, then when the lord answers our prayers, we forget to give him thanks. Then we continue our quest to maintain the ‘success’ often on our own. And yes to our detriment. Alas, the sleepless nights ensue.
As I reflected, I was drawn to another familiar song which in part says “Oh what peace we often forfeit…all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Today I implore you to remember these well known songs. Let’s take our troubles in prayer to the lord. Let’s allow the things of earth to go strangely dim. Let’s experience the comfort and peace that only God can provide.
Pause right now and Look full in his wonderful face. Let it be well with your soul as you sleep peacefully at nights.
When we don’t know what to do, Father you do. When we don’t know what to Say, speak through us. If silence is all we have, help us not to fear it but receive it. Grant us comfort and strengthen hearts while we wait.
When we are far away from our ailing loved ones, you’re there. You’re near. When we feel helpless, grant wisdom When we are perplexed, grant clarity
Father, please intervene as only you can. Please Quiet all hearts right now. Grant comfort, quiet peace to the entire family’s anxious soul. Intervene now Lord as only you can. Please intervene.
Take care of the Ailing’s body and spirit Take care of the family. Take care of caregiver’s anxious mind. We pray these things in your name. Intervene Lord, intervene. Intervene as only you can.
We conquer by faith. This is a common verse yet as I read it today it jumped out at me. Faith is all we need. When we pray, the Lord doesn’t always answer giving us the details of his quest. He may give us the Goal as when you feel led to do something but he doesn’t include in that calling a step by step guide.
The Righteous will live by Faith
Romans 1:17
The righteous will live by faith means we have to trust him when we don’t understand. Trust him when the way seems foggy. Trust him when our career goes asunder. Trust him when a loved one gets hurt, or even passes. An old hymn says we will understand it in the by and by. Understanding comes with:
Praying for Guidance
Reading the Word
Quiet Reflection
Listening for Directions
Looking back over your life and the evolution of its path
Connecting the dots to see where it’s leading
Sealing the time with Prayer
Trust God. Trust his leadership and guidance. Because his words says the righteous will live by faith not worry
Those were the words I saw on a list of things to do written by my little one. She was in Grad school and as most of us know, moving becomes a part of college life. As she packed to move she had a list of things to do. A trait taught by her mom to ensure everything or most things are captured as part of planning life’s journey. As I went to help clear an area in the kitchen, I pounced on a post-it list of things to do for the packing. On the list I read the words “ask the Lord’s guidance“. Wow! As a mom I was happy see her giving the lord the place she needs in her life. My goal was to discreetly capture a picture of the list but my phone was some place else. Later, I left and forgot to capture the treasured list.
Commit to Memory
I think of Sergio’s family who lived in the building that came crashing down in Miami. A building labeled as a catastrophe (unknown to residents). It claimed the lives of over one hundred people while they slept. Immediately people of faith prayed and prayed, pleading with God for the safe survival of those affected. Sadly it was too much and after 14 days searchers resorted to a rescue mission instead to retrieve the remains of fatalities. This was a national crisis acknowledged by community leaders up to the President. Such catastrophes we may not easily forget as we remain on our knees.
I reflect also on Hailey’s mom who had a degenerative condition. Similarly, Ken’s brother was admitted in the hospital for prolonged treatment while Laila felt discouraged as she couldn’t find a job.
Common to these scenarios is that all asked asked friends, colleagues and the church to pray. Many joined in prayer at the outset but as time progressed forgot to pray and only remember intermittently. Life’s daily priorities often overshadow even the most devastating catastrophes as they linger.
Prayer Checklist
That’s where a prayer checklist comes in. It serves as a basis for times when there’s too much to remember. Though we mean well, our fickle minds forget to pray for the sick, those in relationship turmoil, the jobless, the discouraged, and our daily needs. Let’s not forget to mention how often we forget to give thanks for answered prayers.
A prayer list is invaluable. To satisfy your curiosity, here are five reasons:
It helps us remember what and who to pray for.
It serves as a testament for Praise and Thanksgivingwhen prayers are answered.
It provides a medium for reflection when we look back at what the Lord has done.
It serves as a means for acknowledgement of our journey with God. Sometimes he had to carry us. Sometimes he comforted. At other times we look back unable to understand how we made it through. That’s when he strengthened us in our weakness.
Most importantly, it serves as a yearend dialogue with family and friends when we reflect.
Start capturing those prayer requests today. An e-notepad (smartphone) or a simple sheet of paper will do, but a prayer journal will help to keep them more organized. You can get them at most pharmacies, grocery or convenience stores. But here’s GreenLight Journal that will definitely help.
Now it’s your turn. What are your thoughts about a Prayer checklist? Do you use them? Please share. We would love to hear.
GREENLiGHT 