A Hope That Overflows

I clearly remember the moment in 2014 when many calls and text messages came in and pictures went up all over social media. Friends and loved ones from all over were sharing awesome news of their new relationships, engagements, weddings, babies and new jobs coming from every direction. At first, I was super excited. I love my friends and loved ones. I want the best for them and have prayed with many of them for years to be able to experience the exact news that was coming in. But, following month after month of awesome news, I began to realize something was happening inside of me. I could feel a slight pull to the left where my heart was beginning to question God. “God, when am I going to be able to see my prayers answered and shout from the rooftop my good news?”

Let me explain. I have never been the type to be jealous, envious or even insecure about other peoples’ lives, especially those that I love. So, this new feeling that I was experiencing was quite a surprise and very uncomfortable. I wondered what was wrong with me and why that feeling was coming up. However, after some thought, I realized that this feeling was actually very normal, especially for someone my age. Holy Spirit revealed to me that my issue wasn’t with my friends receiving blessings–I actually was genuinely happy for them. Instead, my issue was that what they were receiving was highlighting my unmet desires. My issue was with God, not with my friends. Oh help me LORD! I’m sure many of you can relate for different reasons of your own. As the issue began to reveal itself as more of a “me and God” issue than a “me and my friends” issue, I was able to take it to the Lord. I eventually realized that I needed to ask God for forgiveness….several times. My trust in the Lord was being tested. GHEESH, this is so real! But, after sharing this story with someone in Seattle the other day, I realized God was showing me that it needed to be shared with others as well. I’m thankful that God ultimately showed me the root of the problem and that the season I went through didn’t last long. I hope that sharing it will bring freedom to areas of your life as well.

So let me go back. During that time, after several awesome reports came in and I took time to process it with God, my good, good Daddy God spoke to me pretty loud and clear. I felt Him say, “Prepare yourself to celebrate others well in these next seasons of your life. The way you celebrate them will determine how you will be celebrated when it’s your time.” EEEKKK and BOOM Shakalaka! Man…that hit me deep and I couldn’t help but take it in as a loving “PREPARE YOURSELF” from God. In that moment, I asked the Lord to help me. I asked Him to give me the grace to be able to do exactly what He asked and the awareness to protect my heart from entertaining any other thought other than celebrating my friends and loved ones well.

I must admit, I haven’t been absolutely amazing at celebrating each and every single time. I’m still growing in that, but it is my heart’s desire. God absolutely loves when I celebrate others in their success. I’ve seen many distance themselves from the Lord when they go through seasons like the one I experienced and I know many relationships that have been negatively impacted as a result. I cherish my friendships too much to allow any of that in my heart and I refuse to allow disappointment and discouragement affect my relationship with Jesus–it is way too precious.

I know what it feels like to pray and believe for something year after year and not see it come to pass. I know what it’s like to feel discouragement and disappointment in the process. I know what it’s like to allow those feelings to take over for a season and really put a damper on my mood, my relationships and even my daily decisions. July 2016 was a season of reviving my hope and faith in the Lord.  This year wasn’t about having a hard time celebrating anyone since I had already caught that revelation and was living it out, but I can only imagine what my life would have looked like if I hadn’t listened to the Lord. The last season would have been so much harder. I’m thankful that in the midst of my own disappointments, I was able to celebrate my friends in their success. If God hadn’t prepped me for this over 2 years ago, I know I would be struggling, possibly resentful in my heart towards the Lord or others around me.

To all my friends, loved ones, coworkers and church family, please continue to share your testimonies and awesome news and allow myself and others to celebrate you well! Never hold back from sharing great news because of what others are going through. If God is doing it for you, He will do it for others too.

As a matter of fact, the more He does for you, the more it reminds me that He is a God who is still on the move! YES LORD!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

-Romans 15:13