When we're deep down in the midst of a difficult situation.....

Good morning and Happy Thursday...wow, this week has been a fly by, seems it was just Monday!!! The view from my window is amazing this morning, the sun is just ready to crest the mountain which is producing streaks of salmon and lilac colors across the sky, it is such a breathtaking gift from God and I sit with eager anticipation to see that sun in all its glory rise high in the sky! What a wonderful thing to wake up to!

I first would like to thank all who came and prayed with us yesterday, I know that prayer is amazing and that God hears and responds to each one we lift. It is amazing the answers that we are allowed to see and the answers that we are allowed to feel. God is so very good!!!

So many ask me each day "why God does not hear their prayers?", so many tell me they have grown weary with God not making things happen in their lives, they are losing hope and faith because all they do is pray and seem never to get an answer. So many tell me their faith has run out, that they have no hope, that God has walked away from them! I came across this little read today that could not have put into words any better my thoughts on this...Sometimes it is US who are not ready, it is US who still need to learn and grow before God can set his plan in motion...HE cannot and will not put things on us that we cannot handle and we must always maintain our faith and have hope...we cannot just use him when we find ourselves at the "ends of our rope" we have to come to him not only in the bad times and in our hour of need: we have to come to him in all things and praise him for the good, give him thanks each and every day for the very breaths that we are taking!!

     Many times God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in our life to "swallow us up." This season in our spiritual growth is a holding pattern. We can't move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit, like Jonah sat in the belly of that great fish, so God can have our undivided attention and speak to us. 

God put Jonah in a holding pattern because He needed to speak to his heart. Jonah was all alone. There were no friends to call, no colleagues to drop by, no books to read, no food to eat, no interference, and no interruptions. He had plenty of time to sit, think, meditate, and pray. 

When we're deep down in the midst of a difficult situation, God can talk to us. When He has our undivided attention, He can show us things about ourselves that we might not otherwise have seen. 

A Few of God's Holding Patterns: 

When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed but God has not healed you yet, you are in a holding pattern.

When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on the altar, but God has not delivered them yet, you are in a holding pattern. 

When you have been praying for the salvation of a loved one and they have not been saved yet, you are in a holding pattern. 

When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God, but it has not been restored yet, you are in a holding pattern. 

When the doors slam shut before you can knock on them, you are in a holding pattern.

When we are deep in the belly of a difficult situation, there are no interruptions. God has our undivided attention. All we can do is sit, think, meditate, and pray. We cannot run from God because there are no mountains that are high enough, valleys low enough, rooms that are dark enough, or places that are hidden enough from Him. 

We must remember to praise Him while we're waiting and remember three things: 

The pattern has a purpose. 

The pattern has a plan. 

The pattern has a process. 

So stop struggling and start listening, praying and trusting. He'll keep you right where you are until you can clearly hear Him say, "I love you." 

Prayer: 

Father, forgive my unbelief. I know You love me and will turn anything around to benefit me. You have planned nothing for me but victories and I am ready to receive them regardless of how difficult the path. Amen

The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.

--- Author Unknown --- Submitted by A.B. --- Ohio