Be An Overcomer!
Oh, no!!!
Unbeknownst to us, when we bought our 100 year old farmhouse in 1988, it came with extensive termite damage. It was a major renovation.
It took most of the summer and into the fall to expose and replace all the affected studs. By then, the snow was falling. And, we were broke and exhausted. We just did not have the rockets or the funds to put new vinyl siding on the house as planned. Instead, we covered that side of the house with black tar paper material that insulated the house enough to get us through the winter.
Uh oh!
But by following spring, we’d gotten used to looking past the expanse of ugly black paper on the side of the house. You could barely see it from the street, so instead of finishing the project, we used our discretionary income for new shoes, dinner dates and a trip out of state to visit our folks.
Our complacency toward the project was abruptly interrupted when we were invited over to our new neighbor’s house for coffee. The view from their deck was the side of my house sporting the tar paper. Seeing our full scale panoramic eyesore was horrifying! My Hubz and I were humiliated … and ashamed.
New view!
Has that happened to you? You contended through a trial or persevered through a trauma. As an overcomer, you confronted the enemy in battle and won.
But then… you settled. You got tired and stopped pressing in for God’s best. Life wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough. Not plentiful. Not prosperous… but enhh, good enough.
You had just enough money, health, food and clothing, cars to drive and home to feel comfortable, so you told yourself it was good enough.
It took a fresh view to jolt us into action. Looking at your lingering project, unfinished business, incomplete work and unresolved relationships with fresh eyes or through someone else’s eyes are just what’s needed to jumpstart action.
Be an overcomer.
We all know we have an enemy that wants to inactivate our faith. To incapacitate us! He uses calamity, discouragement, and strife to take us out and get us to question God’s goodness. Did you ever consider that he uses complacency to shut us up and close us down?
I meet so many women who are willing to settle for less than. Sure, there is a time when you must sit tight, pray and be content. But so many of us settle when there is so much more for us.
Open my eyes, Lord.
This week, ask God to open your eyes to areas that have fallen into complacency. Perhaps you need to:
- Cut loose a relationship that’s toxic or dangerous.
- Go after a better job.
- Reinvest in parenting your kids.
- Do some self-care.
- Put in some time on your marriage.
- Advance your education.
- Fix your house.
Get back on track.
What is it that you need to get back on track? Leave me a comment and I’ll agree in prayer with you for the “want-to” you need to get started again.
Verse of the day: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. Colossians 3:23
Prayer: Lord, Give me fresh eyes to see where I have become complacent to the ministry in my home, the call on my life and the work that needs to be done. Show me how to get jumpstarted. I so want to be part of what you’re doing to advance the Kingdom, live Truth in my home and bring hope to my circle. In Jesus Name amen
Work in progress circa 1988
30+ years later, the old house still looks pretty good.
If we keep our focus on Jesus we are overcomers
When the negative overcomes us we are not having our focus on Jesus! Make sure which side you are on. Jesus brings peace only. Love to you.
That’s really a great reminder. I needed that this morning:)
So true Delma. Thanks for posting.
Hey Robyn first of all your house looks very nice. I’m wanting you to agree with me on advancing my education I’m getting to start on my bachelors degree in healthcare compliance and regulations and to agree on a better job advancement and for God to lead me to where I need to live to get this job advancement I’m wanting to get a job in compliance and regulations once I finish my degree unless God gets me in a job doing it before I finish school with an internship that would be nice also. Thank for all your prayers God bless you
Kim Evans
Hey Kim, Good for you!!! So courageous to tackle a new vocation and move into it. I do ask for the Lord to guide your every step and open doors and find housing. I ask that your instructors are translate data from books to your head in ways taht are easy to understand and retain. I ask for supernatural leading for an internship that suits you well and leads to permanent and profitable employment. Jesus! Lead on! amen
Today at church as we sang about God’s great love for us I was suddenly furious. I was angry and I sat down and stopped singing.. He didn’t deserve my praise I thought as I stilled myself from running out the door.
It’s been a year and I thought I was over my anger. God didn’t rescue my so from alcohol or save my husband from a post surgery heart attack. And I thought I had dealt with it. But there it was all over again. Please pray for healing I’m this area and forgiveness. Thanks
I hear you LouAnn. Suffering such big loss, so close together, in the middle of a pandemic! Isolated and alone and grieving – what a trifecta of misery.
The reason therapists say we have to practice forgiveness is cuz it’s not a one and done thing.
I do pray for you.
Lord God almighty, we know that just as you were with Daniel in the lion’s den and with Joseph in an Egyptian prison – through no fault of their own, we ask that you comfort LouAnn in her grief. Lord, manifest yourself in miraculous tangible ways. Let her KNOW you are here. Give her a glimpse of why this happened. Bring some good of it and comfort her in ways only you can. We ask this in Jesus name amen
My family and I are healing from COViD and great full for being able to just breathe. We want to slow down, enjoy life and get back to enjoying the basics. We need to grow much closer to God!
Oh Amy, that virus is a beast! Yes, take care of you and yours.
Praying you experience supernatural healing!
My passion for coaching was re-ignited after listening to a commentator talk about how a 59 yr. old woman had completed a beautiful cookbook at her age.
That woke me up to the call to empower women over 50, and to mentor the younger generation.
I really need prayer to keep being consistent and to not procrastinate when it comes to building my coaching business.
I also want you to know that you inspired me to add speaking to my ministry, and I recently joined Toastmasters.
Thank you for all you do!!! ??
Hurrah YOU! I’m so proud of you for pursuing your dream and obediently following your call.
Toastmasters International is solid ground for speakers to practice.
Thank you Robyn for your motivational encouragement. I needed that bit of prodding, not only to spur action but also to light up my soul.
My pleasure. Always good to hear.
I just love reading your emails. They always brighten my day.
Judith – you are so sweet to write and tell me! Thank you.
Thank you Robyn!
I needed to hear that encouragement to get busy and get a better job and find a home I can afford!
To keep asking God for guidance & then having faith He is providing that and make the choices necessary for it to happen.
Thank you!
Hey Diane, I can agree with you in prayer for those things.
God, you know we need purpose, people and a place to live. Provide those things for Diane. Let them come organically so she does not stress or toil. Reveal yourself in this way. In Jesus we ask amen.
I really need to get busy on my house I waste so much time I am disgusted with me
I hate it when I get in that spot. Sorry.
A couple things work for me.
Do ONE thing today.
or
Set a timer and tidy up for XX minutes.
Progress=Happiness.