Between my grandfather passing in February and my father having a stroke in May, 2019 has been very difficult in many ways. The last few months have been mentally draining for me.
I’m a firm believer in self-care. If you’re not okay, your health, work, family and relationships will suffer. We get so caught up in the hussle and bustle of our daily routines that we sometimes put ourselves on the back burner. I implore you to add some type of self-care to your routine. We perform better especially at work when we take a moment to recharge.
The last few months I felt like I was running on fumes and decided to take a trip to Dallas, Texas to attend Kirk Franklin’s Exodus Music Festival and re-charge my battery. The purpose of my trip was to release and recharge but most of all allow God to restore me. I jumped on a plane with anticipation of hearing from God. I didn’t know what God would say or do but I knew HE would speak!
Sometimes we have to remove ourselves from familiar environments so we’re not distracted by current circumstances and we can fully hear from God. We must remember, things on this earth will shake our faith, people may disappoint us, circumstances may shift and what we want may not be what we need but through it all, God is ready, willing and wanting to wipe away our tears and ease our pain.
I left Los Angeles with comfortable weather – overcast and 60’s degrees. I was greeted by Dallas’ humidity and 90’s weather. In my mind, I thought I would be beating the heat because it was spring and I would be “comfortable” but I was reminded that seasons are changing and sometimes God has to remove you from your comfort zone to bless you.
After being in Dallas a few days, I noticed I was always sweating but I found myself starting to become content with that season because I knew it was temporary! I was sweating and in some ways uncomfortable but I heard God say, “it’s just sweat. You can bear the heat.”
God will use your destination and journey to train you on how to hear his voice. It’s not where you are trying to go but what you learn while you’re trying to get there. God uses your test to hear HIS voice under pressure. Your struggle is temporary, so don’t let it define you!
Benefits of Sweating
The average person doesn’t enjoy sweating unless they’re at the gym working out but perspiring has several benefits.
- Boosts Endorphins – We may not be happy while we’re enduring an intense and difficult workout in the gym but afterwards you feel a sense of accomplishment. God takes us through a similar process in life. We’re sweating and possibly considering throwing in the towel but God steps-in and shows us how to master the work-out; boosting our self-esteem and filling us with tons of “feel-good” endorphins.
- Detoxing – When we sweat, our body releases bad toxins out of our body. God will take you through a sweating process to remove all the toxic people and bad habits; detoxifying your body, spirit and mind.
- Strengthens Immune System – It is said that sweat helps fight germs and dangerous bacteria that attempts to attack our body and prevents colds and other illnesses. The next time you experience a circumstance that causes you to sweat, remember God is strengthening you!
So many focus on the end result but it’s the sweating process that you will benefit from. When you think you have nothing, use your faith to make something. I pray that God gives you ears to hear HIM, eyes to see HIM and a heart that is receptive to what God is doing, during your sweating season.
When we’ve done all we can, we have to P.U.S.H. – pray until something happens. Man’s extremity becomes God’s opportunity. We have the power to rise above our circumstances. You may not always see God working but you will ALWAYS see his work. God’s strength is perfect. It will carry you when you can’t carry on.
Don’t get discouraged by setbacks; instead, be encouraged with the anticipation of your comeback. John 14:18 (AMP), “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you.”
Faith grows stronger with every heart beat. I love the way God works. When I’m pushy, overbearing and impatient; insisting that my agenda and my time matter most; HE kindly watches while I drive myself insane. As soon as I surrender, HE does a MIRACULOUS thing!
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV), “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” God restores me, makes me better than new and those situations I tried to control, HE brings me out on top!
You tell God what you want and HE will give it to you when HE thinks you’re ready.
When we face various trials and tribulations in our lives and we’re ready to throw in the towel, we must remember that God knows how much we can bear and in every situation God is at work. He is guiding and directing our steps and various events in ways that we may never know, to bring about results that we never considered. I find peace in knowing that God is always working for our best interest.
If you ask God for help it means you trust HIS ability. If HE doesn’t help you it means HE trust yours. Don’t allow your circumstances to shake up your faith, let your faith shake up your circumstances. When God breathed HIS life into you, He gave you an advantage that causes you to overcome obstacles and to accomplish dreams.
Every burden is a blessing in disguise. Brief setbacks cultivate opportunities of growth, development and a season of renewal. What appears to be a setback is usually a setup for an upgrade.
God grooms us for greatness during our struggles. God uses adversity to bring out potential you may not have even known you had. You’re sweating but you can bear the heat!
Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for YOU, declares the LORD.” Be still for a while and praise God for HIS favor, grace and awesomeness. God is able to do the impossible and is always near.
I pray that God will take you through your sweating season; promoting you and causing you to excel above your expectations. May God continue to lift you up when you need HIM the most and may you find peace in knowing that HE will always walk with you even in the darkest places.
For All I Trust HIM because regardless of the circumstance and no matter how much I sweat, I know God will handle it. Just because you are facing a different situation doesn’t mean you are serving a different God.
Malachi 3:6 (NLT), “I am the Lord, and I do not change.” HE has done it before and HE will do it again.
The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. God never puts more on us than we can bear. Tests come to reveal where we really are. I’ve learned to just do the work (my part) and leave the “working out” to God!
You may be going through hell but remember, while you’re trying to figure it out God has already worked it out. You’re sweating but you can bear the heat.