We are ALL going through something
Whether you’re American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander or White; whether you’re a Christian, Jew, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Taoist or Atheist; whether you’re married, widowed, divorced or single; whether you have children or not; whether you have lots of money or not; whether you live in a mansion, a single family home, rent an apartment, live in a homeless shelter or live on the streets; whether you have a degree or degrees or not; whether you drive a Maserati or Nissan or don’t have a car and use public transportation, bike or walk; whether you wear designer clothes or not; whether you have FB friends, Twitter or Instagram followers or not, there’s one thing for sure, we are ALL going through something. The only way to get through stuff is to shake it off with God!
This is not a levelled playing field and no one gets an easy pass in this life. So let’s not judge, criticize, envy, compare or be dismissive or insensitive just because we’re not going through what another person is going through. You may not be going through what that person is going through but you’re going through something. And if you’re not going through anything right now, trust me, you will sooner or later. That’s just life.
When I see people, they look great, all smiles until we start talking, then they pour out their hearts. This is why we should not feel better or lesser than anyone or make anyone feel better or lesser than us. Instead we should empathize, sympathize, encourage, uplift, comfort and love each other.
No one is happy all the time
No one is happy all the time, that’s a fact. Oh yes, we have happy moments: weddings, births, birthdays, graduations, promotions, family reunions, new car, new home, vacation trips, etc. but once the moment is over, we’re right back to facing our realities.
We are mourning the loss of loved ones, caring for loved ones with terminal illnesses or serious health or mental issues that affect everyone’s quality of life. We’re suffering with aches and pains every day – all day, bills mounting up, no money to buy food and don’t see a way out, working two-three jobs to barely make ends meet. Some are caring for aging parents and making difficult decisions or aging parents moving in or financing adult children who work but are struggling financially or moving back home, consequently having to make living adjustment. We’re worrying about our special needs children’s future if they outlive us, grandparents raising grandchildren, getting a good paying job or getting a job. Some are going through nasty divorces, broken relationships, hoping to find their soulmate, empty nest syndrome, fighting addictions, and the list goes on and on.
Shake it Off with God!
The struggle, lack, emptiness, pain, fear, loneliness, pressure, anxiety, depression, sadness, worries, many sleepless and tearful nights are all real. You just can’t “shake it off.” So, you ask God, “Why me?” Or “Why not me?”
For some people it might be easy to shake it off but not for others. Too, there are just some things you just can’t shake it off… not by yourself. You need someone greater than what you’re going through to help you shake it off. And that’s God, through Jesus. Greater is Jesus in you! Jesus is greater than anything you’re facing, and He will help you to “Shake it Off.” Only God can turn whatever bad thing you’re going through into good. He’s got the power to do it and He will when you go-to Him. So, the only way to shake it off and win the battle, is with God!
God’s Word will help you Shake it Off
You need God’s Word to be deep rooted in your heart so that when you need it, it pops-up in your mind to remind you that God is God and He is in control. Then stand firm on God’s Word believing that it will come to pass. When God’s Word is deep rooted in your heart, you’ll be in His presence and you’ll feel His love, comfort and hope. You’ll have His joy, His peace and His strength to overcome whatever you’re facing. You’ll be able to look beyond your circumstances and see the good, and be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18) in the midst of the storm. Yes, no matter how bad things are, look and feel, when you seek God, you’ll see the good.
God will and can make even bad things work together for your good. It’s hard to see the good when you’re so overwhelmed with the bad but when you read God’s Word, meditate on it and allow it to penetrate deep down in your soul, you’ll feel it working in you, for you and through you. God will bring out the best out of the worst situation. With His mighty power at work, He can accomplish more than you’ll ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Yes He can! I’ve seen Him do it. So, shake it off with God!
Living God’s Word
The only way for God’s Word to be more than mere words, to make a difference in your life, to become your reality and for you to experience the mighty power of His Word, is by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You have to surrender all to God and allow the Holy Spirit to take control over your life. This is the best thing that will ever happen to you. You will not regret it. I know this! I live it! It is my reality and it can be yours too. You just got to believe and trust God!
Believe God when He said that He’ll never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Believe Jesus when He said that if you believe that you’ve received, it will be yours (Mark 11:24). Believe that all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28). Believe Jesus when He said that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Make scripture yours, make it personal. Live it!
Yes, you can! “Shake it off” with God and Praise Him!
Bible Reflection
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8 NLT
“For the word of Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” Psalm 33:4 NIV
“Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path.” Psalm 119:89, 105 NIV
“Every word of God is flawless; he is the shield to those who take refuge in him.” Proverbs 30:5 NIV
“Jesus replied, “Your problem is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.” Matthew 22:29 NLT
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NIV
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
From Deb’s to yours…
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