Stop Talking Start Praying

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"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."

-Ephesians 6:18

What in your life are you trying to control?
Probably a lot, just about everything I would guess. Take a second to just think about everything you feel you need to control or need closure from or are stressed out about.
Instead of reaching for a social media outlet or a friend of yours to vent to, simply open a conversation with God. 

At Days of Difference we talk a lot, and to just about everyone we meet about everything we can think of. Not that that is a bad thing but somethings are better left unsaid: like complaining, venting, gossiping etc... Sometimes we need a good venting sesh but before we go and do anything, give it to God. 

If something is stressing you out: Give it to God. 
If you feel something is controlling you: Give it to God. 
If you think you should do one thing but others are telling you to do something else: Give it to God. 

If you need God's intervention... Don't talk about it, Pray about it.
How are you supposed to hear anything when you're talking all the time.

Slow down, stop gabbing, and pray.

What do you need to pray for?
 

Rest

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“For everyone who enters God’s rest, ALSO rests from their work, just as God did fromHis. Let us therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.”
-Hebrews 4:10

Rest… what a concept. Does our world even know what that means anymore? I know my grandma and grandpa know how to “rest”, but hey, they’re retired so obviously they can rest.
Me? Nahh…there can’t be time within my day for rest. That is just foolishness.

Wait a minute Rachel, let’s think about this for a second. Freshman year of college, you were hit by a car while biking, had to leave school, and suffered through the worst time of your life…. But was it the worst? Or was it the best? Sure, it may have appeared sucky from the outside, a traumatic brain injury is not ideal, but the lessons God taught me in that time couldn’t have been found in my chaotic, busy days prior to the accident. I spent so much of my timing talking with anyone and everyone that I never truly sat down, in God’s presence, to let him fill me with his peace.

Today is April 13th, 2016. It has been 4 years and 5 months since I was hit by that car. 4 years and 5 months since God began to teach me the most valuable life lesson I have learned thus far: TO SLOW DOWN. Yeah, I’ve heard it before.. way too many times, but I never understood it until this accident. It is kind of comical how the only way I can learn how to rest is if my hyperactive body is physically injured.

However, now I know. I know I need to take breaks. I know it is important to find silence in the business of life. I know God is just waiting for us to sit down and take a big fat chill pill. I know that if I do not rest, my brain will force me into it by slowly shutting down my word configurations, my energy, my ability to be around people, and my ability to read words without pain. I know the importance of being still, the importance of reflection, and the importance of rest.

It is no coincidence that when I take the time to stop and listen to God, to find His peace, all the pain in my head is relieved. No, God isn’t forcing me into pain, nor is He punishing me. However, I recognize the valuable lesson He is teaching me.

Take a step back, choose a smile instead of sorrow, help a friend instead of sulking, and do not let the difficulties of the present moment, overshadow the reality of God’s promise.

“To enter His rest, you must believe that God has this relationship in mind for you; you must stop trying to create it; you must trust in Christ for it; and you must determine to obey Him. Today, is the best time to find peace with God. Tomorrow may be too late.”
-Hebrews 4:6,7 notes in NIV application bible.

Take some rest!

He Did Not Open His Mouth

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"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth"

Isaiah 53:7

 

Oppressed: subject to harsh treatment

Affliction: something that causes pain or suffering

What if we too, did this?
Can you imagine how this world would change, if we learned to hold our tongues, when we experience affliction and oppression.
When we experience pain from harsh words someone spoke to us or about us.
When we experience pain from a dysfunctional relationship, where it seems all you do is fight.

We will all face it; it is seemingly inevitable. How can we go through this life without facing affliction, really? Such is life.

But just take a minute. Take a deep breath, and imagine a world where people did not open their mouth, when they were afflicted.

Imagine your life like this.
There is no way this is easy. We are human, our mouths open REAL wide, and we let quite a bit out; oftentimes, far more than we should.

But today, meditate on these words, and when affliction comes your way, try not opening your mouth, and watch how God works in and through you, and those around you.

Reverent Submission

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“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” –Hebrews 5:7

How do you pray? Why do you pray? To satisfy your own desires or God’s? Do you pray expecting God to simply give you everything you ask or do you pray offering everything you have to receive everything God has for you?

When we pray with submission we offer all we are for all God has. Praying with submission is living in full obedience of God’s plan on our lives. Having obedience in good times and also in times of suffering. We will undergo trials, it’s inevitable, but we survive and make it out of these trials not because we want to suffer, but because we want to obey God. Let Jesus encourage you in times of trial and when you pray, pray with, here it is again,reverent submission, willing to live out God’s purpose for you.

What does reverent submission mean to you and how can you live it out today?