I'm Still Standing
What are you thinking about on this last day of 2018? I am taking some time to think about all that happened in the last twelve months. It is good to take a moment and consider what we’ve been through. It may be encouraging to think about what we have come through, or it may be painful to revisit some of those hard times. But as we bring this 2018 chapter of our lives to a close, let’s ask God to give us His perspective, exchanging our disappointments of yesterday with new HOPE for tomorrow.
If your year was anything like mine, it had joys and sorrows. I made new friends and I lost a few. I had times that I struggled with sickness. I packed all my belongings and moved somewhere new. We took a few road trips, including the job of moving members of our family to a another state. Honestly this year has been intense and physically exhausting.
That’s why I think the fact that I’m still standing is cause for celebration! Every hope and expectation I had for this year may not have happened, but I can still consider it a WIN if I did all I knew to do, like it says here, and am still standing.
Ephesians 6:10-18 TLB
“Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world. So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.
But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval. Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God. Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.”
Even if you weren’t aware at the time that there was an unseen battle at work around you, and you only reacted to everything at face value, there’s still time to turn that around and consider it a WIN. This is one of the incredible attributes of God! He is not bound to our chronological timeline, He works outside of the pie system, He creates things from nothing, and it is never too late for Him to bring redemption and restoration to what was lost.
Three ways to turn your loss this year into a WIN:
Repent for any unhealthy reactions you have had this year simply by saying to the Lord something like this, “Lord, I bring this un-forgiveness, bitterness and anger I have toward this person (be specific) who offended me. Please forgive me for ____ (you fill in the blank). I don’t have the ability in myself to love them, but I choose to forgive them. Let the love and forgiveness you have for me expand and overflow from my heart to those you have called me to forgive. Transform my heart today, Amen.”
Return to the Lord, by turning fully toward Him. Much like the sunflower, turn your heart to Him until there is no shadow blocking the warmth of His light. Bask in His warmth by meditating on His goodness and asking Him to show you more. “Lord I choose to turn to You and ask you to remove every distraction and obstacle blocking me from experiencing Your love and interaction in my life. Please give me Your desires and heal every area of my wounded heart, until I am able to receive Your love fully. Amen.”
Resist the enemy that has been busy doing everything in his power to keep you from experiencing the goodness of God in your life this year. Do what it says in Ephesians, put on the armor of God so you are well protected and infused with the power and discernment to be able to recognize the lies and tactics that are at work around you. “Lord God, I want to do what it says here in Ephesians, so I’m not easily tricked, wounded or defeated by circumstances. I choose to put on The Helmet of Salvation, that I would have Your divine perspective. I place The Breastplate of Righteousness over my chest, rejoicing in the fact that I have been made righteous through the Blood of Jesus. I place the Belt of Truth around my wait and the Shoes of Peace on my feet, that I would know and walk in the power of Your Truth and be an ambassador of Your Peace wherever I go. I pick up faith as a Shield that completely surrounds me and I pick up the Sword of The Spirit, which has divine power to breakthrough every wall and demolish every stronghold set against the will of God.”
I hope you can join me in celebrating the fact that we are STILL STANDING UP after everything we have been through this year. Here’s just a lighthearted song to enjoy as we consider how God is at work on our behalf even as we wait on Him.
Blessings,
Tami Gaupp