Last night I had very strange dreams and woke up unsettled. I am training myself to give everything over to God because I know that I have an enemy who would like to see me fall into depression, despair, and extreme loss of every kind. I opened the doors to my balcony this morning, turned on some worship music ( Hillsong radio) and immediately felt better. My day started with Jesus’ Calling and some other words I receive on a daily basis. I could fill the heaviness leaving as I continued getting ready. I felt peaceful by the time I left my house…… And then…..I pull out of my garage and head down the street. I come to my first stop sign and out of nowhere I guy yells at me who is running in the street. My heart skipped a beat but I recovered quickly. I drop my son off to school and come to my next street light and the car behind me lays on his horn because I am not moving fast enough for him. I take a deep breath and recover again. I get to work and see a couple whose dog is pooping in the church yard next door. This church puts so much work into their lawn and it is beautiful. The couple does not pick up after their dog who has pooped right by the front walk way. I am now frustrated so I pull my car up beside them and say, “Can you please pick up after your dog?” They immediately become defensive, don’t pick up the poop,  and the husband flips me off. Now, I am furious. I want to jump out of my car and punch him right in the face. I can’t calm down because I am so outraged at how insane people are. So many people are walking around this earth in a rage, ready to unleash on anyone who comes across their path. Then it occurs to me, I too, was ready to unleash on this guy. I won’t even tell you what was going through my mind because it wasn’t pretty.

God is so good though because he knew what I needed to hear…. I needed a reminder of who I am .

From time to time everyone encounters frustration, anger, and despair. The apostle Paul did. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he encountered incredible obstacles. He lost possessions and comforts and he faced unpopularity and incarceration, but he didn’t give up, give in, or give way to hopelessness. There were probably moments when Paul doubted his progress just like we do… When we realize that the daily battle is the Lord’s, we can confront the boulders that are in our way. Ask yourself: What am I going to do about this? Do I cry or slam my fist on the table? Go crazy? Seek revenge? Do it my way? Or do I let go and let God do what only He can do?

When you come to personal dealings with others, remember who you are? We often think the world is suppose to care but we who are in Christ hopefully do care. It’s a funny thing and seems so backwards but when people are ugly, it’s even more important for us to be kind. When you give or help or don’t become offended, you are sowing in someone else’s life as well as your own. God blesses us when we sow and don’t grow hopeless. He loves us the exact same amount when we do lose our cool but something is happening when we start to rise out of our own feelings, injustices and demonstrate grace. It doesn’t come naturally and we all will fail but each time we recognize and hopefully pass those little tests, we are ascending. I believe without a shadow of a doubt, coming up higher is where the favor of the Lord is.