Are You in Labor?

A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (John 16:21, NKJV)

I gave this post a very unique title, I know. For those of you who have had children, you know the pain that brings. But you also know the reward that will eventually come from the pain. Once that child is in your arms, you forget all that pain. In this Scripture, we see the trials being compared to the pain of labor. In my Beth Moore study on the book of James, we talked about how our greatest joy can come through our greatest pain. We also talked about how the pain and joy can be swapped out. With labor, the pain you feel is swapped for the joy of that precious child. So let me ask you this question ladies. Are you going to give up before your baby is born? In other words, are you going to give up before the trial is over? Oh I know we want to give up at times, I know I do. But we also know that out of our pain can come our passion. What are you passionate about? In childbirth, you're passionate about getting that baby out. In our trials, what are we passionate about? So let me ask once more, are you going to give up before your baby is born? I pray we won't.

Father, thank You for the joy only You give. Lord sometimes we don't feel joyful, but praise God it isn't about feelings. Help us Lord to see the joy even in the midst of our greatest pain. In Jesus name, Amen.  

Practicing Gratefulness

1 Thessalonians 5:16
"...give thanks in all circumstances,..."
Does God really expect us to be thankful in all circumstances? Have you wondered why He asks us to be grateful in all things?
I believe it is because He knows that gratefulness breaks the bondage of critical spirit, ungratefulness, and fear. This verse states such simple words that if practiced will have a major impact on our lives.
Are you going through some hard situations? Is your future unknown because of job uncertainty, a sickness in the family, or financial hardship? The Lord knows our first response is usually to be discoraged, to fear, and to worry. But in His Word, He tells us to give thanks in all circumstances. When we do our eyes turn away from the hard situation and onto a Lord who we know will show us how to battle through and to overcome.

Gratefulness slaps the devil down.

Satan wants us to be bitter toward God. Our thankful spirit will bond us into God. It will foster an intimacy we have never known before the terrible situation came upon us.
Remember friends, the Lord gives us steps for victorious and abundant living! Through His instructions to be grateful, He is indeed setting us free from the ties that want to bind!
This week, let's write down the things for which we are grateful and thank Him for always being there to see us through it all!

Sandra Stanford
Titusville, FL