Weak

"Let the weak say, I am strong." Joel 3:10b

Weak means "not strong; liable to yield, break, or collapse under pressure or strain; fragile; 
frail."

Heading into a Storm:

We have all been in "storms". We are been tried and tested. We have faced trials and frustrations, both from the outside and inside. When it is others who are in the trials, it's heartbreaking to see them go through it. It's hard to be supportive and to know what to do. When it is ourselves, it is hard to smile and stay strong.

HA! When it is both, it's hard not to see the irony and want to cry at the same time.

What to Do during Storms:

*Cling to CHRIST:
We need to hold on to our Saviour. Holding on tightly to the strong tower of our Rock! (Deut. 32:4) He is our Solid Rock. He is our strength. He will be there and never leave us or forsake us. The Holy Spirit will guide and instruct us. (Psalm 18:1-3, 6)

*Cling to HIS WORD:
Read Psalms and the gospels. Claim promises from His Word and repeat them over and over again to yourself through the day! Hearing His promises comforts the mind and eases the stress and frustration of little things. Sing hymns and spiritual songs of encouragement. (Ephesians 5:19)

*Cling to PRAYER:
Don't ever stop praying. Continue to pray and seek God while in storms. (Psalm 86:3) Continue to connect with Christ through daily conversation. Tell him about your frustrations, fears, and annoyances. Don't stop talking to God. Draw nigh to God... and he will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8, Job 16:21)

Reminders:

Be patient. We tend to rush and want things to be solved immediately, yet
the Bible is filled with verses about waiting on the Lord. Wait. Stop looking for solutions and just wait. Storms do not last forever. Wait. (Psalm 130)

Do what's right. While you wait, do what God is telling you to do. Obey the commands He has given you in the Bible. (Deut. 11:27)

Yes, we are weak, but God is ever strong. Yes, we are weak, but God is able to carry us through each storm. Yes, we are weak, but storms strengthen us.

~ Don't forget the classic children's song. It's encouraging to sing. ~

"Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me."

Plans Change

"But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper." 2 Kings 5:11

Frustration:

Yesterday, I had a busy day running errands with my girls. After picking up my husband, we went home, ate our dinner, and starting getting ready for church. Although my children and I were dressed for church most of the day, after the meal, the girls needed to be changed and I didn't like what I was wearing and kept changing my outfit. 

Understandably, my husband starting getting frustrated. I know being on time is important. I am working on doing a better job of it. :)

We were late... Just as we came up to the first stop sign on the way to church, these teens literally crossed our path. As they walked by, my husband recognized one of them from our bus ministry. He called out to them. It had been raining and was getting dark. They all needed rides home. The two guys, who have never been to church, were extremely grateful that they didn't have to walk an hour up and down hills to go home. Praise God.... things didn't go according to our plan.

What if we left on time? What if things did go according to our plans... we wouldn't have seen them. We would have missed a great opportunity to reach others for Christ. :)

Naaman:

His story is found in 2 Kings 5. He had a plan for how he should have been healed. He wanted it to be easy and quick, so he got frustrated and even mad... that things didn't go according to his plan. "Ugh! I have to do what!? Dunk myself in some nasty water? Really?" When he did it, he humbled himself and gave glory and reverence to God. (vs. 15, 17) Would he have honored God if it was easy or pleasant? Probably not.

So... If Your Plans Change:

If things don't go according to your plan, it's okay. God's plan is better. He has a reason and a purpose for changing your plans. Don't let it bring you down or discourage you, rather trust God and watch to see how God will use it for His glory! (Isaiah 55:9, Prov. 3:5-6, Ecc. 7:8, Psalms 37:23)