GOD IS IN YOUR MESS

UNDERSTANDING YOUR MESS One may ponder or question, can God really be in my mess? I use the word “my,” because as people, we have the tendency to personalize our situations. We may argue or question the fact that my dilemma is different than someone else’s. As true as that sounds, the situation you are in is unique to you, but still a problem. It does not matter if your stuff is a troubled marriage, bad relationships, the loss of a job or a home foreclosure. It could be the repossession of a car, facing eviction, returned checks, or the fact your children are acting as if they have lost their minds. Not to mention, a health crisis of you or a loved one, drug addiction, being bullied or harassed, coming from an abusive home, or life as you know it, is spiraling out of control. Sometimes, your turmoil can also haunt you from the inside. The pain no one knows, like feeling unloved, grief, sexual abuse, molestation, physical abuse, and the hurt you simply cannot let go of. Realistically, any predicament that knocks you off your feet literally, figuratively, or mentally is a mess. As well as any confusion that hinders you from being the awesome individual that God designed you to be. Occasionally, the pickle we find ourselves in; could really be you, yourself. Yes, I said it, you! Many times, we are our own foul-up. We belittle ourselves, in our minds by putting ourselves down, telling us that no one wants us or that we are not deserving of this or that. If we are honest, we do not realize how often we will not even accept a simple compliment without interjecting a negative response. It is hard to accept that every now and then, the reason life itself is in disarray is a result of you (yourself). In fact, it is going to have to be something deep within you that desires to get rid of your mayhem, for your situation to change. One must put forth the effort and work if they want life to be different. Look at this scripture or quote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 KJV) It does not say someone else’s name, it says “I,” meaning everyone can do ALL, not somethings, but All things. This includes every kind of mess there is. But how? I know your mind is questioning. The answer is there also. Through Christ who will give you the strength and encouragement, which leads me back to this book. Once you decide to do something about the pickle you have found yourself in (and honestly you already have, because you are reading this book). You acknowledge that there is chaos, disarray or clutter in your life, and desire enough to rid yourself of it and search for answers; God will help you along the way. Sometimes the how, is not for you to understand, just trust him with mustard seed faith that he will show you the way. A mustard seed is as big as the (.) at the end of this sentence. That is not much. (Matthew 17:20-21) All God needs you to do is take a step, no matter how small, in the direction of cleaning your mess, by seeking him and trusting him with the rest. (Isaiah 48:17) “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20-21NIV) This is what the Lord says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. (Isaiah 48:17 NIV) My testimony over the next few chapters, will show you much of the debris I have had, or found myself in, and the many ways God has shown up. Yes, I did say it, he showed up during my mess, my dirt, my pain. Did I see him in the flesh? No, but still I knew, that I knew, that I knew, it was him moving on my behalf. Hopefully, by the end of this book, you too will be able to see some areas, he may have shown up in yours.