When I was praying the other day I kept saying a bright sun on the beach. The light was amber and very beautiful. It was interesting that I kept getting those gorgeous images because it was actually cloudy and rainy outside. The message the Lord was giving me was stronger than the weather. It was stronger than the sadness that seemed to blanket the area where I live. God is joy and His joy doesn’t depend on our circumstances and on our environment. It is always strong and powerful and it shines all the time. I stayed in prayer a little longer just so I could keep experiencing the great joy that was bright and encouraging. His light encouraged me. It made me look at His beauty and I forgot the greyness that was outside. We all go through seasons where clouds are all we can see. There is no hint of sun or of good weather. Sometimes those seasons last for months. We can be victims of those bad weather patterns or we can react to them with Jesus. When we react with Jesus, it doesn’t matter how cloudy our situation is. He is sunny and bright and full of hope. Every cloud has a silver lining and that silver lining is Jesus. You and I can see Him even when it’s raining. You and I have the assurance that He is going to make everything alright. He is the Sun that never goes to sleep. The Sun that shines in all kinds of weather. Today I want to invite you to react to life with Jesus. Let Him be your first reaction. Let Him be your reflex. Let Him guide you and help you react to whatever happens to you.
I usually check the weather forecast before I go out. I dress accordingly. I wear what I believe is the best outfit for that day. I try to be prepared. I don’t like surprises. If it’s going to rain at some point, I have an umbrella with me. When I start my day, I check the weather forecast during prayer. I check what the day is going to be like spiritually and emotionally. The Lord tells me the same thing every day. He tells me that I am ready and I am prepared for the day because I have Him. He is my strength, my fortress and my beacon of hope. No matter how bad the weather gets, He is with me. His weather forecast never changes. It doesn’t take into consideration the storms of life and the showers of pain and despair. His forecast considers Jesus as the only One who can weather the storms. He shows me that when I react with Him, by trusting that I have nothing to fear, He makes my day an amazing day. When something bad happens, our reaction to that bad event is more important than the event itself. Let’s say you receive an unexpected bill and you don’t have enough money to pay it off. You can panic and fall apart or you can give the bill to the Lord and let Him build you up in that circumstance. He builds you up when you give faith a chance. He makes you stronger when you react with faith. You give Him your small seed and He turns it into a tree by the end of the day as long as you stay in faith. React with Jesus to the bills of life. React with Jesus when you get bad news. React with Jesus when hope seems lost. React with Jesus when you don’t know how you are going to make it. React with Jesus and the sun will shine again!
I used to love the concept “What would Jesus Say?” I liked to remind myself that in all circumstances, Jesus would tell me to stay strong and to keep going. Now, it is much easier to get that reminder because my spirit hears His encouraging words all the time. When a storm is on the horizon and I can’t see it, He encourages me and tells me to hold on to Him and hold on to hope. When we hold on to Jesus during the storm, we can’t drown and we can’t fall off the boat. When we face life with Jesus, we are more than conquerors. We have overcome because He has overcome the world. React with Jesus all day long. Use His words. Use His Word and speak against whatever is going on in your life. React with Jesus by rebuking negative thoughts and all kinds of negativity. When something bad happens and you pray, you are reacting with Jesus. When you are having doubts but you choose to praise the Lord and to give Him thanks, you are reacting with Jesus. When life gets in the way but you choose to believe that Jesus will make a way, you are reacting with Jesus. When everything is good and you lift up His name, you are reacting with Jesus. When the enemy tells you to give up and you give God praise, you are reacting with Jesus. When you are in pain and you can’t go to sleep but you declare that by His stripes you were healed, you are reacting with Jesus. Choose Jesus over doubt. Choose Jesus over fear. Choose Jesus over giving up. Choose Jesus over discouragement. Choose Jesus over giving in to the flesh. React with Jesus and your life will be a lot better. May God bless you and protect you and remember that the Lord will always love you!
Suggested reading: Deuteronomy 30:19; John 15:16; 2 Peter 3:9
Words of hope for today 