Don't Resist the Upgrade!

I currently have an iPhone 7 Plus and if you know me, I am not super-tech-savvy so I'm never pressed to upgrade to the latest phone. I was discussing with someone the other day how there was an article or news coverage about how Apple intentionally causes glitches with the older phones and software to push iPhone users to get the latest upgrade and phone. It's so frustrating because I get super comfortable with my current phone and never want to start over saving and backing up photos, apps, notes, and music. However, If I don't eventually upgrade, the current phone will give me so much trouble it will more of a hassle to keep it than to just go ahead and transfer everything for a new phone. This is the same way our lives are when we are in transition to a new season. We like to remain comfortable with what we are doing, what we have, and who we are. But God, like the makers of iPhone will cause discomfort and frustration to push us to the next upgrade.

Many times through hardships I find myself wanting to go back to the state I was in before I encountered the hardship. I have felt that I had somehow let myself down, because I should be, do, have this or that by now. I've felt like I've fallen short and felt like a has-been many times. I am glad that my Heavenly Father does not dwell on the past when it comes to confessed sin or accomplishment. God knows what He has put inside of each and every one of us. He knows what we are capable of. He also knows the heart and the habits. There's things within us that must be refined in our hearts and in our habits before we are truly ready to receive what He has in store.

Furthermore, God always provides provision when we are in the wilderness. Wilderness literally means uncultivated (work without valuable returns), uninhabited (isolation), and inhospitable (difficult, uncomfortable) region (place, time). I have always found the company of at least one or many people that I can call to vent to, or to cover me in prayer through tough times. Initially, I always hope that God will just rescue me from the hardship altogether. But the strength I've gained from enduring with His help has helped to make me a stronger woman. I've gained blessings in being more patient, grateful, building bonds with new people in prayer, strengthening my current relationships, more heightened discernment, more active and engaged prayer life, increased faith, greater confidence, and I've been cured of the disease to please other people. The biggest blessing has been removing my shame and understanding that it's okay to not be perfect! Again for somebody in the back:

IT'S OKAY TO NOT BE PERFECT!

There's just so many blessings that you can't buy! Trust Him with what you've asked for. Trust that where He's taking you, whether it looks like what you had pictured or not, will be the best thing for you in this life and the next.

When we encounter tough moments it feels like God is abandoning us or punishing us, but He is preparing our character for the blessings ahead. Don't miss the blessings within the hardships! Don't look back on what you use to have, be, or do and think that that's better than where you are! Where you are headed is far greater! Don't fight the process--God is upgrading you!

#powerofprayer #keepingthefaith #religion