Good morning,
I am reminded of a story about a young boy who found a cocoon, and seeing how hard the insect struggled on the inside, he cut the cocoon open, thinking he would help the bug escape. Instead, the butterfly died. A butterfly expert told him that it is the struggle within the cocoon that gives strength to the butterfly and enables its wings to grow and develop. Only then can it emerge and go free.
If God cares so much for butterflies, to give them a covering while they transition, I know He covers us as we change or even as we are going through tough or trying times. Is. 41:10 says, “Fear not, (there is nothing to fear), for I Am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I Am your God, I will strenghten and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My victorious right hand of rightness and justice.” This “hardening” us to difficulty, is also where we receive strength to come forth from our God-given cocoon. Harden means to make tough, to strengthen or confirm in disposition, feeling or a course of action, to make bold. You see we become tougher and stronger to outer circumstances and easily pliable to inner change. He will harden us to difficulties emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
This is the Word of the Lord; “I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” Do not be shaken or moved by the outward circumstances that have come to test and try you, I have allowed them so that you might see what We are doing on the inside. I Am shifting how you think, and what you are preoccupied with thinking. All of the cares of this life are temporal and I need you to keep eternal vision. The futility of the race of this world will overwhelm your thought life if you let it which pushes out “keeping your mind stayed on Me.” I need you to meditate and ponder on My Word and My promises to you consistently. You know that Our enemy’s purpose is to take your mind off of Me and My Word down a tunnel of hopelessness and despair. I Am greater than all of the scenarios of your wearied thoughts. Know this, I have overcome the world and I have given you the keys to open up the door and walk as an overcome in every area of life. Be prepared always to wage war against the enemy. But what I have given, I have given! Stand and take your position, as you do you will see the salvation of your Father.
“But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose;” (Luke 21:34)
“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
“You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” (Psalm 32:7)
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 