I know I’ve referenced this on multiple occasions, but since God brought it up yesterday, I will reference it again.
I have endured 102 hours of unmedicated labor in order to bring three of my children into the world. God reminded me of this and then I saw each labor individually. Each one lasting longer than the one before, which is not what normally happens. My final birth lasted longer than the other two combined.
Then He showed me this season we are walking through. Facing long term unemployment and living on faith. He reminded me that this is the third time we’ve walked this out and this time has been far longer than either of the other times. Twice as long, in fact. Then I heard the promise, “This will never happen again.”
(Yes, I have four children, but as most of you know I adopted my eldest, so I’ve given physical birth three times.)
In that moment with God, I felt so flooded with relief. I felt a burst of energy and realized that we were about to deliver this “baby”. This season where we have learned so much and received so much blessing and this time where we have been stripped down to bare bones and have allowed God to fortify us not in shame, but in power, is about to end. This will never happen again. We will rise victorious, in fact, we already have over and over again, each day choosing to follow the Faithful One.
God uses the things in our lives to prepare us for whatever we will walk out with Him. If we lean into Him, then He will fortify us for the days to come. If we pay attention, then we will always be a step ahead and prepared for life and its ups and downs.
Fortify: strengthen with defensive works so as to protect it against attack.
God’s design was for me to walk out medication free labor. It was His plan to use the length of labor for my good. To weave into me a steadfast, can do spirit. It strengthened me. Even though I would have rather not had labor go the way it did, it was remarkable the way the experiences shaped me for today.
Now, I’m learning again. Even though I’d rather not have to walk out these uncomfortable and sometimes frightening times, I won’t shy away from them either. I face each moment head on, whether I like it or not. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.
Prayer Moment: Have you allowed God room to fortify you? Are you willing to face difficulty and trials without running away, so that God can use them for your good? Take a minute and ask God to remind you of times when He has built you up during difficult seasons. Ask Him to continue filling you with fortification to endure these days ahead. God, we thank You for keeping watch over us, day and night. Thank You for turning my troubles into strength. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So, let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
365 Days in the Presence 