By mid-morning, I was circling my living room with my arms raised in victory like Rocky. I conquered writing two long pieces for publishing before I drained my tea pot. After dinner, I was repeating the same stance. I finished my book proposal, save a few hours of editing.
Productivity and feeling a sense of accomplishment does some good work toward hopefulness. Writing is saving me from swimming in a cesspool of despair during our waiting season.
In Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus writes that hope exists only in the future, and if the future does not exist, there is no hope. When we have hope we have a sense of destiny.
“For some people, the contrast between the life they have and the life they long for is more than they can bear . . . It’s not enough for us to merely exist, we are compelled to achieve.” ~Erwin McManus
This long period of waiting in the tension of what is and what we hope for in London is a serious mental battlefield people.
When things aren’t going the way we’d like or envision, despair is the prostitute wooing us. Instead of pressing through the pain of disappointment and trusting God will take care of us, we are tempted to carelessly select easy satisfaction; take destiny into our own hands giving her pimp validation.
The counterfeit for joy is choosing temporary pleasure. In the end, it leaves us emptier with unsatisfied longings.
How do we push back the darkness?
We respond in the opposite spirit preventing a stronghold of the enemy.
Instead of focusing on the negatives, we find grace in thankfulness. Instead of fretting in comparison, we bless those who are successful. Instead of hoarding our possessions, we give them away to the needy.
Though we are without income, I thank God for running water, food in the refrigerator and electricity.
I help my writing friends launch their wonderful books and trust God with the outcome of my proposal.
Instead of selling our Christmas trees and decorations we give them away to Habitat for Humanity.
I choose to believe that even when I reach milestones of accomplishment there is still more to be grasped because God’s character is immutable and his abilities infinite.
There is always Hope and Hope never disappoints. Ask me how I know that.
He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. Psalm 107: 7-9
I won’t be sharing my posts on social networking channels daily because who wants to see that much of me, really? If you want to follow our adventure to London subscribe to the blog in the side bar and posts will slide quietly into you inbox. Start from the beginning of the series here.
I’m happy to hear this news as all along I have felt your book being accepted for publication and arriving in London would be simultaneous…both to be birthed at once like twins and I have always been sure that your book launch is going to open doors for you in UK, and that you will a busily employed as H. Hope I am right 😉
I’ve always felt like the book and our move were linked too Mary. I didn’t know why or how, but your sense about it feels like confirmation since we’ve never talked about that. Thank you. You are such a gift.
I have been meditating on Psalm 107 the last week or so, too. God’s word is such a gift.
God’s word sustains me, leads me, bring peace. I’m finding treasure in the scriptures even after reading all these years. Can’t imagine life without it.
THRILLED FOR YOU … and for us, your readers and friends. Cheering you on, my friend.
You are the very best cheerleader Jennifer. Glad to have you in my corner, I’m so thankful for your friendship. Knowing you has truly enriched my life.
Hope can be contagious. As I read your post, I felt joy that you find so much to be thankful even when circumstances are not ideal. Thanks for sharing.
http://mary-anderingcreatively.blogspot.com/2014/10/day-4-simple-need-met.html
Mary, it’s lovely to meet you through the 31 Dayers. I’m so encouraged that you felt joy reading here, what a gift.
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion” (Ps 84:5-7)
Oz Hillman writes today: “There’s a spiritual law in the Kingdom. Every great leader will pass through the Valley of Baca. Baca means to weep. However, Baca is also a place of springs. It becomes the source of “secret things in hidden places” described by the prophet Isaiah (Isa 45:3) reserved only for those willing to journey on the Great Pilgrimage with God. Ultimately, Baca leads to the presence of God”.
Even before your move, your life was an epistle Shelly – a sacred document of God’s work in you and I look forward to reading about it in your book. But THIS season of pilgrimage is the result of a holy invitation. Secret things will be found in this hidden place. It’s such an honor to travel with you. Thank you for candidly sharing your journey. We’re richer for it.
Pat, I’ve come back here several times to read your comment. Yours along with the one right after it from Dea feel like encouragement straight from God’s mouth. Thank you, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.
Absolutely thankful to God for confirming that you write these 31 Days to London and I agree with Pat that your life is an epistle. I am reminded of 2 Cor. 3:2-3: “You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” Your heart letter is scribbled in never-diminishing trust; it a tenacious letter of hope. There is no way we (and I am speaking for everyone here- ha!) can go away from the letter of your life published on this page and not find our own story of trust and hope. Truly a gift, my friend. Thank you so much…I know you are living the dailiness of this journey on the battlefield of the mind and I personally am so blessed to believe with you that anchor of Hope will hold you always…fair weather or storm… Love you (Hugs)
Your comment along with Pat’s feels like I’m being cared for by prayer warriors who work in the prophetic. I came back several times to read what you both wrote and I’m so appreciative, truly.
Congrats on the writing successes! This is going to be an exciting 31 days for you. You are also being tested. It is great to see how strong in faith and hope you are. You are ready for this journey!
I’m hoping for an exciting end Janet but I’m relinquishing my grip on how it will all turn out. God is with me and that is all the matters right now. Thank you for being here.