Devotionals for the Heart: When God challenges you to change you

Learning to Surrender to God’s Process
A devotional by Lynette Allcock Yoon

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”—1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

I squirmed on the massage table as my massage therapist’s nimble hands stretched and kneaded each sore spot in my shoulders and neck. “Relax, relax,” she instructed me with a chuckle.

“I’ll do my best,” I laughed, trying to focus on deep, calming breathes even as my hands gripped the side of the bed. I knew that the therapist was working to help me. She had to get out my knots and stiffness. I knew that tightening my body against her pressure was only hurting me more. But it wasn’t easy to surrender to the process.

The next morning, as I stretched out my sore neck, a thought suddenly sprang into my mind: “How often do I struggle against God’s hand, just as I did during the massage?”

God’s hand in Scripture symbolizes His power, discipline, protection, blessing, and direction. However, the process of His leading and teaching can sometimes be uncomfortable—even painful—for us.

There are moments when God needs to get the “knots” out of my character. He wants to tackle my pride, my self-sufficiency, and my fear. I’m sure you can think of some traits of your own that God is challenging and changing. It would be nice to wake up one morning, feeling magically more patient, gracious, or courageous. But this change doesn’t usually happen overnight. Instead, God allows us to go through circumstances that require us to make choices, experience repentance and grace, and grow our character little by little.

Besides moments of God’s training and discipline, there are times when I sense God leading me somewhere I’m reluctant to go. Obeying God might put me into some difficult situations, that bring me to the end of myself and stretch my faith. Following God might challenge me to love and minister in ways that are outside my natural comfort zone. When God works in our lives in this way, the process isn’t always easy. But it is always for our good.

Isaiah describes God as a potter. If you’ve ever seen a potter at work, you know how literally hands-on they are as they craft their wares. Isaiah 64:8 (NLT) says, “O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We are all formed by your hand.”

But Isaiah also describes how God’s creations sometimes try to fight back against their Maker. He says in Isaiah 45:9 (NLT), “What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’”

God’s hand wants to stretch me, shape me, and ultimately make me into something beautiful. If I resist Him, I’m only making things harder for myself! Isaiah makes it clear that resistance ends in sorrow.

Hebrews 12:6, 11 (NLT) says, “For the Lord disciplines those He loves…No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”

The promise of a peaceful harvest of goodness and righteousness to come can help us learn to surrender to God’s hand in our lives. God loves us. He is working all things together for good.

Where might you be resisting God today? Where are you struggling under His hand? I encourage you to surrender. Don’t make the process of spiritual growth harder for yourself by fighting against it! There is a beautiful harvest of peace and righteousness, and a closer relationship with God, awaiting you.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Thank You for being our Maker. Thank You for guiding us through this life on Earth, blessing us abundantly, and disciplining us with your Hand. Help us not to resist You, but rather to submit to You. Help us to feel peace and joy in surrender, knowing that You are working for our good. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

~
Song of Reflection #1: “I Surrender All” by Carrie Underwood. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Lead Me On” by Chandler Moore. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” by Lynda Randle. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Lynette Allcock Yoon is a writer, teacher, and former radio host. 

She grew up in three countries and now lives in South Korea with her husband.

Lynette writes about life abroad, faith, and relationships from an expat, Third Culture Kid (TCK) perspective.

Outside of work, Lynette enjoys musical theatre and long walks with good friends.

~*~
Connect with Lynette:
Website: https://www.lynetteallcock.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: Life lessons learned from being under construction

Under Construction
A devotional by Shirley A. Denson

“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” – Romans 8:28 AMP

Over the past few years, things may not have turned out quite as you’ve expected.

It may have seemed like wherever you turned all you saw was chaos and debris. What used to be “normal” was no longer normal, and life as you’ve once known it was a fading memory. It may have looked like everything around you—everything in your life—was being destroyed or taken away from you. Although a lot has transpired, and these past few years may have looked like destruction, for many it was actually construction happening!

You may have seemingly seen your future lying haphazardly in a heap of carnage amongst unfulfilled dreams, delayed promises, and misguided expectations and thought all your dreams and aspirations were destroyed. When you thought you should have been advancing, you may have experienced major setbacks.

You may have felt like you were losing everything, or you may have lost everything at some point. However, there’s nothing lost that God won’t replenish, in abundance. It may have felt like everything you held dear was being destroyed. Though you may have been struck down, you were not destroyed. Destruction is damaging something beyond repair, but construction is building. Even after destruction, something new can be built. Even loss is a part of the plan. God always has a plan of redemption.

Although the effect of deconstruction and construction may look similar, their results are not the same. Destruction is tearing down, whereas, construction is building up. Your life may look like a battlefield right now, but know that God still has a plan. In some instances, some things have to be destructed so that other things can be constructed. Old mindsets, habits, dependencies, tainted relationships, and toxic environments had to be destroyed so that the plan God has for you can come together.

Everything isn’t always the devil, and even when it is it can be worked for good. If you’re having a hard time right now, press into God’s Holy Spirit more. It may not be for your demise, but for your good. You very well may be under construction right now. Things may look in disarray, but from the ashes of the debris something beautiful will be constructed. You can stand in confidence knowing that because you’re deeply loved by God, He won’t let you fail.

His plan for your life will prevail!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, I thank You for knowing my end from the beginning. You knew every detail, intricacy, and detour of my life before the foundations of the world were formed. Help me to trust Your plan through the seasons when things seem unclear. Give me faith to endure until everything works out. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Note from Alexis: Shirley’s devotional message today reminds me of two songs: “Confidence” by Sanctus Real (Listen to it here) and “God is in Control” by Twila Paris (Listen to it here).

~*~
Author Bio:

Shirley A. Denson is a native of Statesboro, GA. 

She found out at a young age that she had a creative mind and a way with words. Later on in life, she learned to cultivate her passion for writing as a budding author.

Shirley is very passionate about writing. Each book that she releases will be a product of God stirring and cultivating the gift He’s entrusted her with. She has won numerous writing awards/certificates, and is a published poet and blogger.

For the past six years, Shirley has worked as a professional ghostwriter, editor, and author. It is her joy and goal that through print, she might impact lives and leave the imprint of the King.

Visit her website to stay in the loop about her new book releases, current projects, and to read her blog posts.

~*~
Connect with Shirley:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SayWhatEnterprises
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saywhatenterprises/

14 Days of Love: Say It's For Good

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Teresa Tysinger.

~*~

Book Blurb for Say It’s For Good:

Is a decade enough time to heal old wounds? 

Professional chef Leah Spencer is level-headed, responsible, and practical, so moving home to Laurel Cove, North Carolina to care for her ailing father was an easy choice. All he wants is for her to find love like he had with his late wife—before he leaves Leah all alone. 

Desperate to ease his worries, as well as her own fear, she breaks character and creates a fake relationship with the one man in town who likely wants nothing to do with her. The one man she’s ever truly loved.

Jasper Bowdon has successfully avoided commitment ever since his heart was broken a decade ago. When casual dating grew tiresome, he decides to take a break from women to finally figure out what he really wants. Why, then, does he agree to a pretend relationship with the very woman who’d ruined him in the first place? And why is he left wondering if it could all be part of God’s plan to heal them both?

Love and friendship get a second chance in this final installment of the Laurel Cove Romance Series. Books in this series are stand-alone and can be read and enjoyed in any order.

~*~
Author Bio:

Teresa Tysinger is an author of Southern Contemporary Romance inspired by grace.

She writes on the fringes of being a wife, mom, and full-time communications and public relations professional.

Teresa loves coffee, traveling, and loves almost every genre of music.

Born in Hawaii, raised in Florida, and educated in North Carolina, she now resides in Texas with her husband, daughter, and dog.

~*~
Buy Teresa’s book on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Teresa:
Website: https://teresatysinger.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresatysinger_author/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teresatysingerauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16536072.Teresa_Tysinger
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/teresa-tysinger

~*~
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway