Ever had the rug pulled out from under you at a crucial time in your life? Have you ever been betrayed or neglected by those you depended on for viability? Have you ever wondered why things like this occur--often when you feel that you're in dire straits?
Well, I've got the answer for you. Sometimes, we become too emotionally dependent upon people and things outside of ourselves to make us whole. We begin trusting in them more than we trust in God. So, God, in His infinite wisdom, will allow something to happen that causes an upset in our daily routine. He'll stand silently by and let things "go South" while we look on in dismay.
"...The Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart... So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger...that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord" (See Deuteronomy 8:2,3).
Now, this may seem like cruel and unusual punishment, but it isn't. Actually, it's one of the greatest blessings you'll ever get. You see, once you learn that your economic solvency, emotional stability, and complete wholeness does not rest in anything or anyone except the Lord; you'll handle your storms better.
Understand that God is growing you up. That's right. He's maturing you and letting you know that you have the ability to stand on your own two feet--with His help of course. You don't have to depend upon anyone but Him for satisfaction and well-being.
When you grasp that lesson, then He'll allow things to regulate in your life. Situations will once again return to normal; BUT this can only occur when you become free of unhealthy co-dependency issues.
Once God can trust you not to panic when things look uncertain; once He sees that you're strong enough to stand... even when you have to stand alone; once you begin depending upon Him as your source instead of returning to old vices and crutches... then and only then will He unleash all He has for you.
Remember what I told you yesterday? You have to ask yourself, "What should I be learning? What is God trying to teach me? What am I supposed to carry away from this test, that will keep me from ending up here again?"
Don't fret. Rather, rejoice, because every troublesome experience takes you to new levels of growth, maturity, and productivity. You get closer to that place of emotional independence where you no longer look to the left or to the right for your help. Instead, you make up your mind that, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1 NKJV).
Until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com
