God Speaking- Mandisa

Last night was a tough night.  I was missing someone very special.  My daughter, knew how hard I was struggling.  She gave me some quotes that I had given her last summer during a difficult time.  How appropriate that she gave them back to me during this time of transition. 

"One small crack does not mean that you are broken.  It means you were put to the test and you didn't fall apart." 

How appropriate for me, the worrier, who not only worries about the details of my life but also how others will view me.  (I guess we can add pride back to my list of sins.)

As my morning got started I read, God's Best for my Life, a devotional I have been using since 1995.  I should know it forwards and backwards now... but today I gleaned a new nugget from it. 

"I know your works, tribulations and poverty (but you are rich)..."  -Revelation 2:9

The writer doesn't say that IF you  have tribulations or trials... God pretty much guarantees we will face hardships, struggles and pain this side of heaven.  The Greek word for "tribulation" is the same as "pressure".  So if you substitute "pressure" the verse would say,

 

"I know your works, your pressure and your poverty (But you are rich.)" 

I know pressure all too well.  Remember the cracked pot in the quote from my daughter.  That came from intense pressure.  Pressure I wasn't sure I would ever endure.  Pressure that felt like it would take the life right out of me.  But that pressure has created who I am now. 

Pressures can come in all shapes and sizes:

a broken marriage,

a conflict with a coworker,

a child who has left home,

a poor self image. 

We all have pressures and cracks.  That is one thing I love about this stage in my journey,  I am slowly getting out of my own "mess" and I am recognizing the daily pressures others may feel.  I want to spend time with women, talking and sharing.  The specific details of our trials, tribulations or pressures may not look the same, but the inner struggle and brokenness that these bring are fairly similar.  I have never been one to be vulnerable.  I have always kept to myself.  So opening up my life to others, is quite new.  It is intimidating and uncomfortable but I hope I will continue to pursue it.  I want others to be encouraged God is using these pressures, tribulations to draw us to Himself.  "God is speaking, I love you."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZI2gOBvBHk&feature=kp