This was written for the Five Minute Friday Community, where a number of writers gather for a weekly writing challenge around a single word prompt and write to our hearts content, but only for five minutes (or there about! I have marked where my five minutes stopped).
This weeks word prompt is ‘name’. Click here if you want to see what other people wrote. You can also have a go yourself. What do you think of when you hear the word ‘name’?
When I was growing up through school I was an easy target. With moving around a lot, I was always the new girl in class and I had very little self confidence. As a result, I was the class victim for everyone’s amusement. The problem though was I didn’t find it very funny.
In the same way the sun never grows weary of shining, nor a stream of flowing, it is God’s nature to keep His promises. Therefore, go immediately to His throne and say, ‘Do as You promised.’
Charles Spurgeon
A promise is where someone makes a pledge to do something. If someone promises something, it is guaranteed they will do it. You can rely on that person to carry through what they said they would do.
So, what happens when a promise is not kept?
When our friends or family let us down, it hurts. Depending on how big the promise was, the hurt is probably so deep we may feel rejected. It’s hard to then wonder if we can trust them again.
There are many promises in the Bible about how God will take care of us and look after us. We should be able to rely on God because He will carry through what He has promised.
But what about when we feel God let’s us down?
I have had people let me down in life, time and time again. Friends say they will be by your side, but when it comes to it, their promises are empty. People promise to “have your back”, but when the time comes, they turn their back on you instead.
And because I think God is like any other human being, why wouldn’t He do this too? Surely, at some point, God let’s us down? After all, if God promises to keep us safe, then why do we go through times of trouble?
I know how hard it can be when you are thrown into a situation beyond your control. In these moments, the promises of God seem a little far fetched. But He is not like any other human being though, is He? God is not in the habit of making and breaking promises.
I was recently reminded that God does not promise to keep us safe. Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean we have this protective bubble placed over our lives and nothing can pierce it.
He knows we are going to face afflictions in our lives. God promises that when we are faced with trials, He will be there with us. God will be behind us pushing us forward, by our side walking our journey, and in front leading the way.
He promises to send His Spirit to provide us with the necessary resources to get through life. We just need to seek Him out. This is the crucial bit I often forget.
Are you going through something and you feel you have been abandoned by God? Why not take it to God right now? Maybe start by saying the prayer below. When you feel ready, mention what you are going through at the end of the prayer.
Lord, thank you for the promise you have given to me that you would never leave me. Please give me the knowledge that you are always with me, even if I don’t feel you there. Instil a sense of peace within me today. Help me to stand firm when I feel I am falling. Amen.
This was originally written for the Five Minute Friday Community, where a number of writers gather for a weekly writing challenge around a single word prompt and write to our hearts content, but only for five minutes (or there abouts).
I couldn’t stick to five minutes on this one though and ended up missing the link up! Doh!! The word prompt though was “promise”. You can click here to view what other people have written.
I haven’t taken part in the Five Minute Friday challenge for a few weeks. Why? Because, well, life. It kinda gets in the way sometimes. Do you find yourself like that sometimes?
I snapped at a friend once. Straight away I apologised for the use of my sharp tongue. I was getting frustrated and impatient at situations and I just ended up lashing out.
Anyone ever done that?
She looked at me graciously and told me not to worry. She thought I was one of the most patient people going, considering I had 5 kids and a ton of things to do.
I probably would agree with her on that point. I think I am quite patient with people. I tolerate a whole heap before I end up biting someone’s head off. It’s usually with people I am close to that gets a whip of my tongue!
The reason I am patient with people is because I can see them. I can gauge, more or less, how people may respond and how I would need to respond back accordingly. Plus, I may never see a certain person again for a while, so being patient with them in the moment is easier.
However, when it comes to situations I find myself in where I am waiting for something to happen, I find myself being like a little girl in a sweet shop wanting what she wants…and now!
At first, I am ok. Slowly though as time progresses and I am still waiting for answers and situations to resolve, I find myself getting restless. When it doesn’t go my way or how I planned, I start to feel angst. I feel I lose control.
That’s when I start to snap with people. Not because of them, but because of what I am going through.
I am impatient!
I forget at these times who has me when I lack patience.
The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! Psalm 22:26
In these moments, I forget who walks by my side when I lose my patience.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
I forget in these situations who I can turn to when I feel anxious.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
This is what I need to remember next time I lack patience in a situation which does not go my way:
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. Psalm 37:7-9
This was written for the Five Minute Friday Community, where a number of writers gather for a weekly writing challenge around a single word prompt and write to our hearts content, but only for five minutes (or there abouts).
This weeks word prompt is ‘lack’. Click here if you want to see what other people wrote. You can also have a go yourself. What do you think of when you hear the word ‘lack ’?
