In fact, I am pretty sure many inspirational and stand-up mega preachers say that all the time. I think this is a powerful statement and I wholeheartedly believe in speaking positive prophesy into one's life and having the kind of mindset from the beginning of your day that will attract that 'something good'.
However, I so often see that some people say that, and really want to believe it, but do not get into the mental gear to fully walk in that kind of faith-confidence that God has made available to them, that He will do something good for them. Once something does not go according to their expectations or does not go as they plan, that negative thought which feeds negative emotions sets off the mind into spiralling down and away from expecting and attracting 'something good', resulting in a day that is out of control.
So often this happened to me. I must say, I am a recovering control-freak. I remember the tense desire I have experienced in my life (and on occasion still do) to have things go just the way I plan. But, Oh the FREEDOM of LETTING GO! I totally recommend it to anyone :) It's like being in the right place at the right time. When you don't plan it is when you really know you cannot take credit for it...It's like having just the right ingredients come together to make the life recipe come alive!
Today God showed me that when I let go and let Him take charge of my day, my feelings and my emotions, surrendering all of it to Him, He will give me just what I need that day to comfort me and provide just the right ingredients to soothe my heart and help me rest my mind. The thing about God is, you really gotta release the control and slow down just enough to notice Him moving.
It was in the small things, like having the right timing when one of my students texted me and wanted me to come to watch her game and I was 5 minutes away. I was in that place because it so happened that a friend needed a ride. It was my friend who convinced me that I should get my shopping done rather than waiting until tomorrow as I was brainstorming what to do after work, making it all perfect timing to be there. Then, watching a great movie (love movies!) while having one of my favourite meals - the Greek Salad that I happened to have all the ingredients for. To top it off, it was an awesome thing to enjoy the blooming Earl Grey tea (love tea, especially with someone who appreciates and loves tea just as much!) and with some awesome chocolate! These are just a few things that I will mention for the sake of space and sensitivity to reader's time...but the bottom line is that they were all things that I really enjoy and they lined up in just the right way and just the right timing without any planning on my part.
I know this seems like a bunch of coincidental, small, no big deal things. But there were just too many good things that came together in an effortless and non-threatening way without me even planning it, at a time when I probably needed it most...which means a lot to just dismiss them for coincidences. They happened because I slowed down to allow them to happen, and only God knew what would resonate and uplift my mood and spirit.
In so many small ways He ministered to me today and comforted me, in ways that only He can, because only He can make so many small but just the right ingredients to come together to make it meaningful... and it was due to my complete surrender and trust to Him, allowing Him to guide me, that these moments happen so effortlessly and spontaneously. I actually said this morning that something good is going to happen to me today, and it did!
...and for that I am thankful...
O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
~ Psalm 139:1-7
O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
~ Psalm 139:1-7
I know just what you mean by all of that. I have recently stopped trying to control everything in my life as well.
ReplyDeleteI say to God, "Have your way in my life; You lead and I will go", yet I continued trying to plan and control directions of where I supposed God wanted me to go or act. I started leaning more onto my own understanding instead of fully trusting Him. I began noticing that I was one of my greatest hinderances in my life, just because I was in a "control delusion".
I have now consciously targeted issues, thoughts, and actions within myself which move to figure things out in my own power, and I now move to allowing God to simply be God in my life. I can't define God with my own mind and limit Him in my own thoughts. God is so much more than that.
Through hanging out with a friend of mine today as well, as you did, I found that God was speaking directly to me. He answered my unspoken concerns in such unique and clear ways. God presented Himself in such Love that it was shocking and unbelievable LOL Needless to say, I continue to be convinced that God Loves, Listens, and is Ever Active in my Life, and responds and answers PRAYER ALWAYS IN PERFECT TIME ^_^