February 20, 2012

discouragement dies with gratitude

Discouragement.
It's a one word description of where I am-and I don't believe I'm alone.

There are some reasons I'll let you in on...adoption wait times extended....slow down of referrals of children (especially infant girls)...additional government restrictions....no other avenues makes me frustrated....down a staff member at church, and my friend from 'Lovin Much' says it the best:

And with all that...My FAITH waivers. My HOPE falters. My WORRY builds. My PASSION fades.

But thankfully HE remains constant, true, stable, trustworthy and always faithful. ALWAYS. FAITHFUL.

That's what keeps me going month after month after month...God's constant faithfulness. His gentle reminders that He is with us. His soft whispers that He is in control. His quiet confirmations that this is His plan. His sweet reassurance that this wait is all part of His timing.

But, I'm tired of the discouragement, so it's got to end. One thing that is true of discouragement is that it's a choice-and I'm going to choose to be done with it. (Y'all can really hold me to this-please, I need all the help I can get!) I really feel like I'm warring right now. To stand still is really to fall backwards, and I must press on and move forward in my faith!

A dear mentor of mine taught me to fight discouragement with gratitude. This is not my natural bent. My spirit really has to fight my flesh in this area. I heart pessimism :) I heard a quote yesterday from a movie that kind of describes my attitude in my 'natural man' regarding this. It goes like this "I hate optimisim. It's too *dang* tiring!" But something supernatural happens when I remember God's goodness...counting my blessings...one. by. one. ahhh....worship...an entering into God's presence-His help.

The battle is in my mind and I need God's word to fight in it. so here are some of my weapons today:
"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in Him. Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with Gratitude." Colossians 2:6 & 7 I just love those 'solid' word pictures when I'm feeling so shaky!

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the Peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7 yes, I'll take some more of that please!

"Set your mind on things above, not on the things of this earth." Colossians 3:2

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body: and be thankful." colossians 3:15

Finally, I'd like to ask you to pray today. The Truth is that God is Greater, we carry His powerful name, and He desires to hear from us and answer our cries! (amazing) James 5:13 "Is any among you suffering? He must pray."

Please pray for the orphans in Ethiopia (and around the world) who are suffering because of broken sinful systems.

Pray for those families who are adopting that our faith would be rooted and grounded and would grow to be a beautiful thing for God's glory. (God's just as interested in molding our character as He is rescuing little ones) 1 Peter 1:6-7 "You have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

I'm so thankful for God's faithfulness to carry me! How can I be praying for you?

7 comments:

  1. I love you, sweet girl. Hang in there. I am praying for you.

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  2. Love your post. Sorry you are discouraged. Interestingly, all of the scriptures that came to mind while I was reading, were included by you at the end of your post. :)! But, I have one more that is extra special to me. "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9. I don't know the kind of waiting you are having to do now. But, we are in a "waiting place" of our own at this moment... Having to trust that His timing is going to blow us away. Thanks for sharing. Will be praying.

    Amy

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  3. Warring along with you. It's truly a daily battle.

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  4. So Today the Lord has encouraged me so much through you all, your prayers, and His living Word! I've been camped out in Isaiah 40:25-31 and 41 especially verse 10 and my prayer for Ethiopians in verses 17-20. Then I read in 'Jesus Calling' for today: TRUST and THANKFULNESS will get me safely through this day. Trust protects me from worry and obsessing. Thankfulness keeps me from criticizing and complaining.

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  5. I'm adding you to our blogroll so I better keep up with your journey to your sweet girl! Praying for the system and all the families today!

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  6. Love this, Megan! I agree, it's a daily battle for me against discouragement too! I loved Jesus Calling this morning too! Trust and thankfulness, trust and thankfulness, trust and thankfulness...

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  7. Praying for you Megan. We are just going to be starting our Ethiopian adoption this spring through AGCI. Discouragement from time of the waiting process has had us question Ethiopia, but we KNOW God called us there. Praying for all the orphans and waiting families. Breaks my heart.

    Jessica
    www.bringingyoumorethanasong.blogspot.com

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