The only way I have survived this time of being laid off is by staying very tuned into Holy Spirit. Here is one example. When I knew we may be laid off God told me to be prepared to walk through December without a paycheck. He showed me where our money would come from. (We have a savings account that we’ve been living on.) So, when the final word came and being laid off was a certainty, I already held a measure of peace.
That’s grace friends. I wouldn’t have had such peace if I wasn’t already always listening.
Another time, I knew we wouldn’t be buying big Christmas presents, so I decided to do fun stockings. Still, when you have no income, it’s really hard to make a decision to spend on something that feels frivolous. Yet, one day I felt literally compelled to go buy stocking stuffers. I prayed about it and asked Chris how he felt about it. He said that I should go ahead and do it, so I got in the car and headed out. I made a split-second decision to check the mail as I was leaving and lo and behold, we had a business insurance refund check in the mail that would more than cover all the stockings!!!
That’s grace again, friends. I can’t live without it.
I want to testify another time, if you don’t mind. While we were visiting my parents for Christmas, I got a huge hole in my tire and needed a new one. Which meant I needed to go ahead and get four because we really needed heavier duty tires. It was a risk, but we had peace and made the decision to get four new tires. Right before I called the mechanic, I checked my email and again we were getting another business insurance refund check for twice what the tires would cost!!
Grace again…..
Are you noticing a theme?
Now, I want to really give you something to think about. How often does God provide for you and then you get mad because you “have to” spend it on something like tires? Do you get what I’m saying? In the moment that I found out we’d be getting that check, I had two choices. First, I could’ve complained about getting that money and having to spend half of it immediately on “stupid” tires. Second, I could rejoice in knowing God had planned, in advance, to not only provide for our need, but to exceed it!
During this whole journey I have made that same decision. As each obstacle has come, I have made a definite and purposeful decision to be grateful and rejoice over every victory, no matter how large or small. This is something that must done on purpose. It seems in the world today that grumbling and complaining, even for Christians, is the standard in life. Not for me. I truly believe the more we can train our hearts and minds to be grateful and our tongues to speak with gratitude, the more joy we will have in life. My abundance comes from inside. It’s not connected to my circumstances, it’s connected to Christ in me, my living Hope.
Prayer Moment: God, help me to always guard my tongue. Forgive me for the many times I’ve spoken death over myself and others. Forgive me for groaning and complaining. Hem me in, Lord so I will live my life being held by your Presence. I only want to be with You. Nothing else matters. You are the fountain of Life from which I drink. Every morning when I wake up, You’re the first thing I think about. Let that always be true. I am Yours completely. In Jesus name, Amen.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you! Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4
365 Days in the Presence 