Sunday, April 30, 2017

Trusting God's 'No' (feat. Todd Galberth's "Lord You Are Good")

"I was sitting in the kitchen and I was like, Lord, what am I gonna do? I have all these responsibilities, all this going on, & I feel like I'm doing all that I can for You... [and it feels like I] took 5 steps forward and two steps back..." This is the beginning of Todd Galberth's hit single, "Lord You Are Good." A month ago when I heard the song for the first time, I listened to it a second time, a then a third, and then I bought it on Google Play. I don't think I've ever purchased a song so fast, but it resonated with me just that much. We've all been there at some point in our lives where we feel like we're doing exactly what we're supposed to be doing, giving our all to God, and the enemy's still throwing punches. In those instances, we have to remind ourselves that:

          Lord, You are good,

          You've been so good,

          Lord, You are good,

          You've been better than good

          I can't praise You enough,

          I owe You my life,

          Can't praise You enough,

          Even if I tried



I was already hooked from that first verse alone, because although it seems simplistic, if we sit back and think about just how good He's been, an ugly cry will ensue. Just when I didn't think it could get any better, in came the bridge:

          So many doors You've opened,

          So many ways You've made,

          So many times You've healed me,

          You've been better than good to me

I've had "Lord You Are Good" on repeat off and on for the last month, but one line in particular has been ringing in my spirit the most these last few days: So many doors You've opened...  I took some time to reflect on the doors He's opened in my life, and I am so grateful for them. In my reflection, though, I had an epiphany. Yes, the doors He's opened have been wonderful, but we should be grateful for the ones He's closed too. I wasn't exactly sure why, but the other day, I felt compelled to pray this prayer:

Dear God,

Thank You for protecting me from what I thought I wanted/needed. Help me to only walk through the doors that lead me to You; and if the door is closed, make me take my hand off the doorknob. Help me to understand that closed doors are not necessarily the final "no;" they just mean greater is coming.

Sincerely,

Your child

As Christians, sometimes we get so caught up in what God can do for us and all the yes He's given us, that we forget to thank Him for the times He told us no. We forget to praise Him for blocking us from those things/people we just KNEW were forever, who were actually  stumbling blocks sent by the enemy to impede us in our Christian walk. Sometimes we wrap ourselves up in the idea of certain people and things that we convince ourselves that God said yes to something that He clearly said no to. Just because you want something doesn't mean that it's what God has for you. That's a hard pill to swallow, especially because we are emotional creatures, but sometimes it's necessary. If God slams a door in your face, no matter how hard He slams it, even if the force of the slam knocks you off your feet, you have to be strong enough in your faith to know that He will help you get back up and move on. Whatever you do, do not try to reopen a door that God has shut. Know when to take your hand off the door knob, because if you open that door, you may never be able to close it again. Doors open and close in our lives for a reason. Even if we don't understand it, there is a method to everything that God ordains, even if, at the time, it feels like madness.

Dear God,

You've opened so many doors for us. You've made so many ways when there seemed to be no way. We thank You for every yes and no you've given us, no matter how much it hurt, because every door, open and shut, is leading us towards our destiny. Let every slammed door make us stronger and more focused on You, because only You know where we're going. Regardless of how many doors You choose to close, help us to remember that You love us and to recognize that You are still good. Help us learn to follow Your lead and fully surrender to Your will.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

1 comment:

  1. Once again you have delivered a well thought out and spoken, timely message.Pleaae continue to bless us with these messages,as the Lord speaks through you.

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