hope

Delays-Disappointments-Detours

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

Gail Johnson www.centerofhiswheel.com

Dreams

Dreams are such fragile little things. We hold them close to our hearts daring to believe that one day our dreams will come true.

Dreams ignite hope. Hope gives us the courage to look to the future. Dreams help us to plan. Our lives are built on plans. We begin life by imagining the next adventure. Education. Driving. Jobs. Marriage. Children. Retirement. Heaven.

But then, things change. Sickness. Heartache. Job loss. Waiting. Detours. Delays. Disappointment. The loss of a dream often brings discouragement and hopelessness.

Delays-Disappointments-Detours

Physically there was no way Sarah could become pregnant.

No hope

Moses spent forty years in the desert before leading his people out of Egypt.

Delay

Joshua and Caleb, still carrying the dust of Canaan, watched as their dreams fell to the ground. Although faithful, they were sentenced to forty years in the wilderness.

Disappointment

Martha ran to Jesus and said, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”

Loss of hope

Paul, a Hebrew of Hebrew, born of the tribe of Benjamin thought he had it going on until Jesus gained his attention on the road to Damascus.

Change of plans

But…

Don’t you love that word? I do when it pertains to the things of God, the author of our hopes and dreams. As the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2), He is well able to keep His promises. And in the end, He alone will get the glory.

God is not behind schedule, and we are not late for the appointment. He knows exactly what He is doing. And in His time, everything will fall into place. All we have to do is surrender our dreams to Him, move when He speaks, and trust His heart.

Deliverance

Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Genesis 18:14

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. Genesis 4:12

Doubtless ye (the doubters) shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. Numbers 14:30

Thy brother shall rise again. John 11:23

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he (Paul) is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. Acts 9:15

So, why the wait? Only God can answer that question. But one thing is certain. A circuitous journey prepares us for the destination. While passing through the valley or hiking over the mountain, let’s dig a well and claim the ground! Learn of Him, and collect every nugget along the way

Easy? Not by a long shot. Read the red. He promised troubles and trials,  heartaches and afflictions. Yet, He also promised to never leave us.

Decision

Delays, disappointments, and detours are nothing in His hands. God’s not behind. You’re not late. Trust His heart. He knows what is best.

 

Crossing the River

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

In the book of Joshua, the priests were commanded to stand in the river, and the Bible said the flood waters of the Jordan rose upon a heap and they passed over on dry ground. Afterward, the Lord commanded that stones be taken and set as a memorial, a testimony to coming generation.

window2I have a memorial. It’s a sixty-year-old window hanging on my dining room wall—a—reminder of character building years. During those five years, we were stripped of everything but the absolute necessities.

It was “through” that time, I learned how to “to trust in Him” and “pour out my heart before Him” as Psalms 62:8 tells me to do. And when I became overwhelmed and felt as if the flood waters would overtake me, He comforted me. He whispered hope and encouraged me amid my troubles. He didn’t remove me from the situation, but He gave me the strength to cross to the other side.

It wasn’t an easy journey, by no means. But I came to understand that all seasons are necessary if I’m to grow. Something else I learned was seasons change. I will not stay in the place I’m in at the moment, for He promised I’d cross the river and take new ground.

Maybe you’re in transition. Maybe you’ve been stripped of everything but the necessities. Maybe you’re on a Spaghetti-O budget. Or maybe you’re without a car—pennies have become precious to you. Maybe you’re in a new field, uncertain and feeling vulnerable. Maybe you’re wondering if you’ll ever see the other side of the river.

Trust in the Lord. He never fails. Just as Joshua and the children of Israel crossed to the other side to claim the promised land, you will cross to the other side, too.

And when you do, I encourage you to write it down, or as I did, take part of that which helped mold you and hang it somewhere as a reminder. Then, when hard times come knocking again, and they will, remind yourself of the past victories and stand assured of this one thing: He is with you.

Fear not. Take courage. You’re not alone. Someone is praying!

Blessings

Gail

 

 

 

A Tree of Life

/ Gail Johnson

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12 KJV).

If you haven’t observed nature this week, you’ve missed a miraculous event. The difference a day makes is amazing as bare trees transform into colorful blossoming beauties.

Dogwood~Gail Johnson

Dogwood~Gail Johnson

We live in a transient world. Things are constantly changing around us. Through time and change, we quickly learn not to rest our hopes on the world around us as we watch marriages fail, finances fail, peace treaties fail, and dreams fail.

If not careful, we begin judging everything based upon these changes. We lose hope. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” said the wise man.

Yet, in this ever-changing society in which we live, there is a constant—a solid Rock—a veritable Refuge—an unmovable, unshakable foundation—an Anchor. And no matter where we are today, He is there with us. Whether it is a sea of affliction, a financial wilderness, or a valley of suffering the Lord is with us. He knows what is best because He has searched us and known us. He has placed us exactly where we need to be at this moment in time.

Oh, dear friend, if you are struggling, if you’re sad and hurting, let me assure you, God is on your side. He hasn’t forsaken nor forgotten you. You are His treasured possession. You are in His hands. All else may fail but He will never fail you. He has promised to deliver you.

Just as a bare tree will bloom in springtime, hope will spring forth once more bringing new life. “But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” Every winter must have a spring. So keep your eyes upon the Lord and remember He sees our needs and hears our prayers.

Reflection

What are you going through at this time? How is God helping you? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment here or you can find me on Facebook here. Send me a friend request.