Here’s some more thoughts on our topic around Brave Vulnerability, Transparency and Love, through sharing our Struggles, Rejections, Overlooks, Fears, Failures with others.
Right let’s start again in the Word
Have a read 1 Samuel 16, here’s a summary Samuel is told by the Lord to anoint a new king for His people and Samuel thinks right, I know who and where they are. But the Lord says nope, not this one, this one, any of these, it’s actually the youngest one, the shepherd who’s not here, he’s working, looking after and taking care of the sheep – David he is the one I’ve chosen, my next king for my people. By the way he has a heart like Mine. Wow, who wants to hear God say by the way …. He or she have a heart like Mine.
1 Samuel 16:7 “The Lord does not look at the outward appearance, but He looks at the heart”. The Lord sees beneath to the hidden stuff and He loves us and choose to see us through the Righteousness of Christ by the Blood of Jesus.
The world says “play to your strengths” God says ‘play to My strengths, share your struggles, rejections, failures, and give Me the opportunity to work powerfully in your lives”. You say ok God how? Through My Holy Spirit empowering you in the struggle, painful and loss moments, that you would rather forget. Jesus says come to Me.
In John 14:6 Jesus says “I will never leave you nor forsake you” I’m leaving you a helper who will remind and reveal to you truths I’ve told you. Because it’s through your turning to Him, you will experience His strength , pouring, filling and flowing out of you, because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Key point: As Sons and Daughters of God, we can be content, accept, even embrace, our struggles, rejections, failures. So that we can have eyes to see them how our Loving Father does as part of our growth and maturing as Sons and Daughters and to support others in their growth.
As we are willing to create a culture of brave vulnerability, transparency and love through sharing our struggles with each other, testimony tis given to His wonderful power shining at work in and through us!
The Lord’s reminding me of times I’ve had grand plans and absolute assurance in myself, that every teaching position applied for, would automatically be mine, they would appreciate me, and it would have an ease to it. That came with recognition, fun, and acknowledgement. Lofty, puffed-up thinking, I know, but I’m being brave, vulnerable and real with you about lies I’ve believed and the truth that He revealed which set me free and gave me peace.
So, some positions I was chosen for and got given, but a lot I wasn’t it was then I had a decision time. Simply what am I going to do with this no, this disappointment, this rejection, this answer that I don’t like?
Can you relate when you felt disappointed, rejected, overlooked, missed out and why not me? This is rubber hits the road, choice time! will this make us bitter and sulk? or will we get up and go to the Lord with it and hear what He has to say?
I’d love to say every time I’ve gone to the Lord, but I haven’t over the years I’ve got better at it, but it’s still a WIP a reminder of Holy Spirit going hmm wonder what God wants to say to you about this? I’m like oh yes, because my rejections, overlooks, failures, mess ups, falls, have taught me and keep teaching me to GO TO JESUS, RUN TO JESUS, BE WITH JESUS.
I wonder if that’s because my struggles, rejections, overlooks, and fallings keep me desperate and delighting in Jesus as the One, I go to.
Key point: Be encouraged and expectant when others share about their struggles, rejections, losses failures, because this is where God steps in, and we see God do a miracle in their life and those around.
Challenge time: Grab some space free of distractions, and your journal to be with the Lord.
1. Ask the Lord what are the struggles, rejections, overlooks, failures, you’ve had that He is asking you to share with others today? (write down all He reveals to you)
2. Ask the Lord for the details, the when, where, who and how, to share these (write down all He says to you) complete this for each thing He reveals to you.
Take your time this is not a race; it’s about lingering to listen to all He is saying.
3. Ask the Father, to reveal what He wants you to do with each of the struggles, rejections, failures, and overlooks you have had (write down what He says) repeat this step for each one.
4. Choice time: What are you going to do with what the Lord’s shown and asked you to do?
If you want to receive the new way that He is giving you for your rejections, fears, failures, overlooks, and fallings, then maybe say a simple prayer like this:
“Father I choose to give you (write the rejections, losses, overlooks, fears, failures, fallings He’s revealed), and I choose today to pick up the new way (say all the new way He has revealed for each) in brave vulnerability and love.
5. Thank Him: For who He is and who you are in Christ as a child of God.
Father we thank you for how loving You are and how you care about all parts of our life. We ask that you keep pouring into each one of us, so we are overflowing in courage and strength, to be vulnerable and transparent about the weaknesses, and fails we’ve had. For others to receive the invitation to do the same, and for You God to get all the Glory. In Jesus name Amen
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors/Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
