Fine... Until Now.

Fine is a word that is quickly becoming my least favorite word. It's a word that answers the question, yet you can't help but say it in a way that gives the impression to the hearer, that something... many things perhaps, in your life, are anything but going well. We can't say that things are okay because they aren't, but you're not the person with whom I feel like sharing what's going in my life right now. Or if  you are the person, then I don't feel like getting into the conversation right now.

And life and the circumstances thereof, change. Instantaneous. Some difficult. Some hard to handle. Some just frustrating. Others, gut-wrenching. Heart-breaking.

Fine...until:

This problem arose on the job-front...
That situation that happened at school involving my kid...
The phone call on the way home from work...
Well, the doctor says...

And if that weren't enough, I just found out...

Insert your real life moment [here]

I'm not sure the body and mind were meant such taxing moments. Sure, there's the adrenaline rush of a physical problem, that super human-strength comes, seemingly out of nowhere, and it in life and death situations, we here stories of what people have accomplished. On the other hand... so many situations simply rise, as if out of nowhere, that throw us off; leaving a "now what" frame of mind. And the answer could take a while to figure out. Much to the demise of our hair color.

Interestingly enough, I was pondering these thoughts yesterday afternoon, only to sit during last night's mid-week prayer service, where Pastor shared a devotional on "surviving the storms of life". Only God's timing.
So when moments change; you are not alone. God is able to calm the storm. God is able to calm your heart, mind and spirit, while you are in the storm. Sure, you may have been "fine" before, but continue to trust God, seek His face and remain faithful during the unexpected difficult moments and God will see you through to the other side. It was His idea, after to all... remember?

Wherever you are, God has you there for a reason. You will come out... with a testimony greater than "fine".

Pray, this #deaconThursday, for pastors and church leaders facing all kinds of storms; of various natures and sizes... some they saw coming and have to see their way through; some unexpected and are trying to navigate, albeit very slowly. Pray for a calming of their storms; more importantly pray for a calming in their spirits. May the remain focused on God; may they strengthen their grip of His hand. May God grant to them wisdom and discernment, as game-plans and strategies are devised and considered. Pray God would lead them, in their conversations and decision; that in the end they would come out victorious.

Perhaps they were fine before...
May they arrive at the other side, more than conquerors.
For the glory of God.
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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