Get Out of the Way!

As I was taking a shower this morning and listening to my favorite Christian radio station (K-LOVE), God spoke quietly to my heart: "Crystal, I can work now. You got out of the way!"

I have been struggling with depression since losing my job recently, and have spent a lot of time sleeping. I didn't see how my husband and I were going to pay our bills without my added income. I also was not optimistic about finding a new job. However, the Lord challenged me yesterday to get up in the morning along with my husband, and to not get back in that bed during the day! It was difficult, and necessitated three cups of coffee, but God enabled me to succeed. I awoke this morning again with my husband, and I am just amazed at how much better I am feeling.

I'm not out of rough waters yet--it will take some time to establish a better routine. However, God has given me a more positive outlook. What did it take for things to begin to change? My letting go of bad habits. My obedience to the Lord, even though it was challenging. My getting out of the way, so that God could move and work!

A song was played on K-LOVE this morning that reiterated what God has been teaching me. It's called "In Better Hands," by Natalie Grant, and part of the lyrics are:

I am strong, all because of You. I stand in awe of every mountain that you move. I am changed, yesterday is gone. I am safe from this moment on. There's no fear when the night comes round. I'm in better hands now!

Contrary to what we may think and feel sometimes, God doesn't need our attempts to work situations out on our own. He often just wants us to trust and obey Him--and get out of the way so that He can move mountains for us!

God is Our Refuge

"The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in Him!"
~Nahum 1:7

God is our refuge--He is always there for us when we need Him! A thought came to my mind after my work-day ended yesterday: "It's going to be okay!" This may not seem like a huge revelation, but I guess I would have to say that for me, it is! I tend to be pessimistic (I like to call it realistic, but either way, my natural inclination is not to have a positive outlook), and just the idea that things are going to be okay, that they're going to work out, was comforting. And the reason I could say things would be okay? GOD! He is in control. He loves me. He wants the best for me. Yes, I'm struggling with different issues in my life, and it's never easy. But the truth is, I have a God who lived and died and rose again, all to give me the opportunity to have an eternal lifetime of knowing and loving Him! I have to say, this is definitely something worth praising Him for!