RECEIVE.

For the glory of God:

Lately I have felt discouraged, unheard, misunderstood, and alone. There was not a significant event or moment that caused this to happen. Sometimes we just get lonely and discouraged. It is interesting how this happens even as we continuously seek the Lord and His love. However, this is not God's fault. We live in an imperfect, fallen world that we will never feel completely full or loved in. Some seasons we feel that more than others. Some seasons we feel like no one hears us. Some seasons we feel like we are pouring out so much and receiving so little. Some seasons we don't understand how we can face another person or another hard day or another trial in life. Some seasons we want to give up and just waste the day away. Some seasons we want to quit. And that's okay. But what's not okay is when we forget that our God is also our first encourager, our foundation, our truth, our first love, and our refuge. John 16:33 says, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." He has overcome the world! What could man do? So, let's not run after people. Let's not run after success. Let's not seek happiness that will last a few moments. Let Jesus be enough. He IS enough for you. Are you really believing that Jesus is all you need when you are so desperately pursuing the other things in your life that pull you away from Him? God blesses us with encouragement through other people, but we do not need that encouragement. We want it and often times, God speaks to us through others, but all we need is our first encourager. That is Jesus. 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." We become so fixated on what we can "get." Many people say what's more important is what you give. It is highly important to give when we are pursuing a relationship with the Lord. After awhile though, we become exhausted and we need to be poured into and loved. Others' love and encouragement may not always exist within our day and even if it does, it will never fully fulfill us. Jesus is to be our refuge and therefore, our first encourager. He is the best one there will ever be and He will never leave us. Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." After all, we are not able to love these people that we are pouring into because of our own self, but because of Jesus and the love He consistently pours into us so that we may have the strength and continuous desire to love others with the overflowing, mind-blowing love He consistently pursues us with. Let's be more focused on how we can receive, rather than how we can "get." When all we do is look to "get" encouragement from others, we forget that we can RECEIVE that encouragement from the Lord first. Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Receive His encouragement, love, and deep care for you. It's there. You simply just have to receive.

~ Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

I pray that you would soar with the Lord's peace and guidance that He provides for you and that you would receive His goodness and mercy each day. He is pursuing you and it's your turn to pursue Him.