Dealing With Delays, Disappointments and Doubts
We all have to face stinky stuff in our lives.
What do you do when the washing machine overflows? How do you react to a really negative post on your Facebook page? Can you keep your cool when your curling iron overheats and melts your hair? Imagine discovering that your car has been towed!
Delays, disappointments and doubts stink!
In John 11, Lazarus is deathly sick and his sisters, Mary and Martha, are stuck in a stinky situation. When Jesus finally shows up, Lazarus is already dead and has been in the grave four days!
The sisters are crying, the mourners are crying, even Jesus cries. They are still weeping and wailing at the cave/grave where a stone has sealed in the body of Lazarus.
Then Jesus makes the most remarkable request.
He says, “Take away the stone.”
Martha jumps in and says, “But Lord, by now there is a bad odor!” In response, Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
When faced with a big stink, it’s easier to leave well enough alone. To settle for what you’ve got instead of contending for all the good stuff God has for you.
At Jesus’ request, they do take away the stone and there is a stink!
The stink.
The stink isn’t there to symbolize sin. Nothing in the text indicates Lazarus was struck down because of sin.
- The stink is there … to DELAY God’s Glory from being revealed.
- The stink is there … to DISTRACT them from seeing the miraculous.
- The stink is there … to DETOUR them in doubt instead of believing.
They had to PUSH THROUGH THE STINK to get the miracle.
Sometimes you have to push through the stink to get to the good stuff. But, Friend, good stuff is coming!
Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And, the dead man came out!
Are you facing down some stink in your life?
I don’t know what you’re facing today, but if Holy Spirit is telling you to do, or to go, or to say something that seems wild and outlandish, just do it.
Face down your fears, push through the stink and claim your miracle or your calling or your peace.
Don’t let stink DELAY God’s Glory from being revealed in your life. Decide not to let stink DISTRACT you from seeing the miraculous. Above all don’t let stink DETOUR you in doubt instead of believing.
It takes perseverance to push through the stink that’s distracting or detouring you.
It’s hard to:
- Kick that addiction …
- Forgive someone who’s hurt you or betrayed you…
- Pray fervently for a prodigal. …
- Stay invested in a hard marriage ….
- Keep your job, quit your job, start a job…
There is a fresh testimony waiting just beyond the stink. I’m sure of it.
Push through the stink to get to your miracle or victory or Good Stuff.
What is the stink that’s holding you back from experiencing God’s glory and favor? And what do you need to do to push through it? Leave me a comment, I’ll be happy to encourage you!
Verse for today: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 NIV
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for drawing me to yourself. Use my story, my mess, my moments to reveal yourself to others. Amen
My age? am to old to start over.
Celeste,
Never too late for a fresh start. 🙂
Hi Robyn
I meet you at the Lacasadecristo women’s retreat in Flagg
I Talked to you a lot about by husband Alcoholic, and passed away in November.
I have been pushing away a lot of stink!
I’m starting to get my self confidence back, and trying to figure out who Brenda really is.
I still have a long way to go, with God and all my dear sweet friends, I’m trucking on.
I redid the room my son was staying in, with the help of my friends, we painted and caulk and I’m a really messy painter, my friends fired me from painting. Lol
So I rented that little studio apartment to a 79 year old women, I hope she don’t die on me lol
I have my fare share of taking care of people for a long tine.
She has her own in out entrance, so I really should not see much of her. The money will help me for sure.
My son is living well I don’t know where he is.
I know he can’t move back here. I can’t deal with the disrespect any more.
At this time he has no car, and is staying with a girl for sex and her ex boyfriend and he is off his medicine and smoking pot.
I just pray all of the time for him. He told my friends daughter he still wish I was dead. He has so many issues, and stuff that he learned from his Dad DISRESPECT.
This week was our 32 anniversary, and I guess part of me is really angry. Why did i stay so long with him and messed my kids up and my self.
Wow can’t believe i just wrote a book lol
It’s been a tuff week a new beginning. Having some one live in a part of my home
Thank you for letting me vent
Hey Brenda,
You have been in some stink, for sure. I commend you for taking action NOW and moving toward taking care of YOU! Praying God continues to lead you to wholeness, to forgive yourself for doing the best you could with the information and the circumstances you had, and tough loving your son. Press on! Love Robyn
Great article , Robyn. The message is often in the mess!
Thank you so much .I needed the spiritual lift up.because we was trying to buy a. House.and because of this virus it’s been delayed since feb.and I was about to give up and I have been trying to get a job and I can’t but now I realize I need to stand strong and get rid of the stink.Thank you so much for the spiritual lift up.We have amazing God.I will keep you in my Prayers.Have a blessed day
Stephanie, Delays are stinko! Praying you have breakthrough soon for both the house and employment.
Getting through the stink! I like how you put that… My marriage is ohhh he is so controlling and selfish. Just when I take a deep breath and believe we are past the controlling and selfish it comes again!! He knows he is doing it, when I start to drift away he tells me he is sorry and knows he is doing it then…. Ugh I don’t know how to even put it in words anymore.
Ugh, Carrie, that is so stinky. I’m sorry.
Praying for God to drench him in Holy Spirit love and conviction and for you to have discernment and hope.
Thank-you Robin you always have a timely message to encourage us or challenge us or remind us and you make it so relevant to the situation. I appreciate your honesty and transparency and most of all your faithfulness to the ministry God has called you to. Encouraging reminding and challenging women in Jesus to be all we can be in Him and for Him and through Him !!!
Is this a delay?
You can trash this comment.
It is a test.
Dave