Nae's Notes

How many times have you heard or even said the following words, “I’m waiting on God,”? Waiting on what? Waiting on God to recognize you are struggling? Waiting for God to recognize you have a problem? Waiting on God to decide He’s going to help us? The reality is that God is waiting on us. God has already done what He needed to do for us to live a healthy, prosperous life. God is actually waiting on us to get out of our own heads and live in the victory He provides. He’s waiting for us to decide we don’t have to live with our own issues and instead walk in His ways. That doesn’t mean you still won’t encounter roadblocks or things that are difficult. We are human and live in a world where Satan works against us. The enemy doesn’t want us to live happy, healthy, victorious lives. That’s where our thoughts come into focus. Our human nature contributes to the problem by spending more time and energy talking about the problem and focusing on the negatives. When there’s something wrong, it’s easier to focus on the negative because that’s what our eyes see. We can’t see God working-we only see the problem. The Bible says, “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭GNT‬‬

When we go to God with our problems and focus on Him, we will find rest. We can survive the negatives that come against, but we can thrive when we focus on God and rest on Him.

The current Webster’s dictionary and the 1828 version of Webster’s dictionary both have “a point of concentration” as a definition for the word focus. Interesting that 2 dictionaries from different eras of time both have one of the same definitions for focus. While focusing on something requires concentration, it doesn’t always include a lot of effort. For example, you can on getting your tasks completed, but if you are working alone there are no distractions. However, focusing on completing tasks with others around takes more effort. So your effort to stay focused can be dependent on what distractions surround you.

Distractions can be caused by people or circumstances. When distractions arise, it takes effort to stay focused. That’s where the word “laser” enters the picture. Laser is defined as “something resembling a laser beam in accuracy, speed, or intensity” only in the current Webster’s dictionary, not the 1828 version. This is interesting when you think about how many more distractions are around today than in the past. There are more things pulling for our time and attention. Focus levels of the past are challenged by how many things surround us each day. Without “laser focus” it can be impossible to get anything done.

The same is true when trying to focus on God and what He has for us and wants us to do with our time. So many days the distractions of the world demand our attention. When our attention is off God, it is easy to forget the good things He has for us and get overwhelmed by circumstances. Psalm 119:148 says, “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises”.(NIV) To mediate on God’s promises requires watching for them and staying “laser focused” on God and His word. You can survive the distractions and busyness, but you can thrive by staying laser focused on God!

Attitude affects everything. Websters Dictionary of 1828 gives 2 definitions for this word: one concerning the posture of a person in a figure or sculpture and one referring to the overall posture or position of a person. For example, it describes one having a firm attitude when faced with trouble. The current Websters Dictionary has many more definitions, including references to the ones listed above. There were two related to each other that drew my attention: a mental position and a feeling or emotion with regard to a fact or state. For example, an optimistic attitude. Together “attitude” can be interpreted as the thoughts or feelings toward a situation show up in your posture. These attitudes not only show up in our physical state, but also what words are used to address the situation. A positive attitude toward a situation brings about positive words and many times works to ease the attitude of those around us. However, a negative attitude toward a situation brings negative words and puts others on edge as well, affective their attitude toward the situation. It’s at these times that it’s challenging to not hurt others with our words. Proverbs 18:21 says” Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (NRSV) Actual physical death is not going to strike when chosen words bring hurt to others. Harshly spoken words will bring distance between you and that person and more importantly, distance between you and God. Distance from God is where the destruction comes for those who don’t control their words and attitudes. Choosing the right words and keeping attitudes in check is a daily struggle. It is possible to survive giving and receiving harsh words, but wouldn’t it be better to thrive by working to control our words and attitudes?

Out of the box thinking. Not something that comes easily to some, including myself. When faced with situations it’s easy to resort to the way of thinking that is familiar and the actions that are comfortable. Seeing situations in a new light is difficult based on a few things.

1. Past history-“This is the way I’ve always done it.” Eventually it worked in the past, so why change the course of action.
2. Doubt-“Nothing turns out right for me.” When it appears others get something that you want, it’s easy to make yourself believe that it will always be that way.
3. Fear-“I’m afraid to try new things.” The unknown is a scary place where many people won’t go because of fear.

Most people resort to familiar ways and ways of thinking due to a combination of all three things listed above. What if you could move past that? Even though we live in this world, we have a God who does not operate on the principals of this world or under the restraint of the things listed. A few weeks ago was Easter. This is the time many people celebrate Jesus dying then being raised from the dead. The principals of this world dictated that when Jesus died he be placed in a tomb. However, God saw to it that Jesus not be restrained by the principals of this world or common human thinking. To everyone who witnessed the event, the tomb was permanent because that’s how it worked. Jesus didn’t stay in that tomb. God went against what was supposed to happen and brought Jesus out of the tomb. We serve a God who doesn’t operate under the principals of this world or our in the box thinking. God is an out of the box thinker. He can take whatever you are facing today and provide a solution that goes against what “should” happen and make it better than you expected. You can survive each day with in the box thinking. However, you can thrive by letting God out of the box, so he can show up in a way that is better than you expected!

We’ve all had days and times where we wonder if those around us hear what we’re saying. Parents to children, children to parents, bosses to employees, employees to bosses, co-worker to co-worker just to name a few. Most people just want to be heard and know someone is listening to them no matter the situation-in good, bad and normal everyday occurrences. Sometimes we get irritated if we think we’re not being heard and give up on trying to communicate the point.

That can happen in our relationship with God. Where we can just text, email or call people to communicate, those are not options when it comes to God. There’s no instant feedback or recognition of the communication. Silence-that can seem like the worst thing depending on the current situation. However, something happens in what we call silence. For a moment, our words aren’t messing with the purpose and plan God has for us. Our earthly brains only see so much of a situation and calculate what seems to be reasonable answers to our situations. We tend to insert those words and outcomes into our prayers because we can’t comprehend any other way through the circumstances. However, God sees everything-the beginning, the ending, and everything in between. What we interpret as unwanted silence should really be viewed as us taking our limited thinking out of the equation, which allows God’s infinite wisdom to take over the situation.

Don’t be afraid of the silence. God hears everything we say every time we say it. We can survive by trying to dictate our own outcomes, but we will thrive when we let the silence show us God’s way!

Each day comes with challenges-some are new challenges and some are the same things that have been hanging around for awhile. Some days it seems the challenges stack themselves up against us and form walls that can’t be penetrated. Feelings of isolation and despair set in, take over, and seem to be unending much like the multiple cloudy days experienced in winter in some places. When will the sun shine again? When will the light break through the walls?

When this happens, remember a few things that are listed in Isaiah 49.

1. We are God’s creation and He cannot forget us-v. 15.
2. God is faithful and chose us as His own-v. 7
3. God is our strength-v. 5
4. God comforts and has compassion on His people- v. 13
5. God will save and vindicate His people from those who try to put them down-v. 25
6. Those who wait hopefully for God will not be put to shame-v. 23

There are so many things coming at us from all directions every day. It’s so easy to get caught up in what we see, kind of like the cloudy winter. The sun is actually shining-we just can’t see it because of the clouds. When you can get above the clouds, you can see the sun. Instead of just trying to survive the cloudy days, remember the 6 things listed above and you will begin to thrive again and see the sun!

Today’s world brings many trials and troubles. Things that can’t be explained trip us up from time to time causing us to doubt or lose our way temporarily. This is not unlike the Israelites in the Bible. Their lives took many twists and turns. They encountered things they wish they could have avoided. Some of it probably could have been avoided if they had not gone astray, like worshipping the idols of the nations around them. No matter the reason for the trials, the Bible reminds us that it doesn’t have to stay that way. Isaiah 48:11 says, ”For the sake of my reputation, for my own sake, I will act…I won’t give my glory to another.” (CEB) The “my” and ”I” in this verse are God speaking. God started good works in all of us, and He is not going to let that go to waste. He wants us to know that He’s going to finish what He started. Verses 17-18 tell us how. ”He’s our Redeemer, the Holy One, and the Lord our God, who teaches us to profit and leads us in the way we should go when we follow His commands.” (paraphrased from NRSV)

It all comes back to obedience and trying everyday not just to survive but to thrive by seeking the one who made the plan and will see it through!

Strength. Who doesn’t need strength in their lives to face the day. Isaiah 40:31 is often quoted when looking for strength. Looking back to verse 28 reveals a few extra things to note.

1. God is the Everlasting God who does not become weary or tired. That’s hard to comprehend as a daily part of our lives is experiencing tired or weariness either emotionally or physically. God does not become tired or weary waiting for us to focus on what He has for us.
2. Verse 28 also states that God’s understanding is inscrutable (NRSV). Inscrutable means incapable of being analyzed; mysterious; unfathomable. Therefore, we cannot understand God’s understanding of us. That can sound confusing at first. We don’t understand sometimes why we do things or others do things. God’s understanding of us is something that cannot be analyzed, which is a good thing. Most of us would have given up on ourselves or others at some point in the journey because we can’t understand things the way God does.
3. Verse 30 talks about youth growing tired and weary and vigorous people stumbling badly (NRSV). Some people feel they were much more energetic and capable when they were younger, especially physically. The next sentence in v. 31 says that “those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength”. Many people rush to do things or make judgements about situations or wish they could have something right now. We often lament the fervor of our youth. However, the word ”new” is the key. Think about it: If we wait on God, He will not only give us strength but ”new” strength. New-fresh-something we haven’t had before. This can be better than anything we had, even our youthful strength and energy!

New strength and a fresh perspective can only come from waiting on God, the one who understands us and doesn’t grow tired or weary in helping us thrive toward our best!

The following verse is quoted often:

“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast (that is committed and focused on You in both inclination and character) because he trusts and takes refuge in You (with hope and confident expectation). Trust (confidently) in the Lord forever (He is your fortress, shield, your banner), for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 AMP

There’s a a lot packed into that verse, especially in that version. So many times we tend to gloss over the familiar or things we think we know. We all know that we can have peace if we trust in God. However, upon reading this, there seems to be a little more to it. Look at the Google definitions of a few words from above:

• Perfect-absolute, complete
• Constant-occurring continuously over a period of time
• Inclination-a person’s natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way
• Character-the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual

So it starts with confident trust-unwavering, in a mind that is inclined to focus on God as part of their character. The result is absolute and continuous peace. Most people would say they have never experienced absolute and continuous peace, but it’s because we don’t make trust in God part of our character. There are so many other things to focus on today. The surviving comes when we focus on the other things and forget that we can thrive and have peace when we make trust and focus on God part of who we are.

Not a word anyone wants to hear or admit they have experienced. Reality is that everyone has been lost at some time in his/her life. Physically lost when going to a new place or trying to get back to a place you’ve only been once and don’t use directions. Mentally lost when there’s a change in your job and you have to start a new routine. Emotionally lost when families grow and change and you’re trying to find your place in the new situations. Spiritually lost when you are out of church for awhile or let the busyness of the world invade your time. Most people have probably experienced all of the above examples at different stages of their lives.

Lost is defined as having gone astray or missed the way (dictionary.com). Webster’s 1828 dictionary uses the following definitions: not able to find the right way or the way intended; bewildered; perplexed; alienated. Definition number 7 says, “not perceptible to the senses; not visible”. All of the above are different levels of “lost”. However, they all lead to the next step being “not perceptible to the senses; not visible”. So how does the next step become visible?

First, you have to want it. You have to want to stop being lost and be found. It’s easy to start the pity party and wallow in your feelings. Unfortunately, that won’t yield any results or point you in the right direction to be found. We are surrounded by people who know us and may be able to help based on their own past situations. There is, however, only one who truly knows how to help you be found…God. When you’re lost, you typically feel far from God and don’t know how to get back. The good news is that God has not moved away from you. You can still communicate through prayer. You can also find some scriptures to help you focus on God and not on your situation. The book of Psalm is full of prayers from David for the Lord’s help. You can also read a Proverb a day to help gain wisdom and give examples of how you should live. That will help take your focus off being lost and put it on to finding your way back.

We are not intended to live life alone or wandering through each day as if we were lost. Each day has a purpose just as each person has a purpose. Seek God and God’s purpose for your life so you can stop surviving and start thriving!