Feeling Defeated

"Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts." -Elizabeth Elliot

I feel so defeated lately. Within the next past year and a half we've had so many heart breaks as a family. In relationships, job situations, health and the list goes on. We've had to speak truth to ourselves and remind ourselves of God's love so that we don't have a defeated life. 

Romans 8:18 KJV "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 KJV "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

We try to do the right thing and make the right decisions. We are doing the best we can but we are human therefore, we are imperfect creatures with a sinful nature. If we could remember this with one another, our relationships would be stronger.

I love when other Christians come along side, accept my imperfections and help me grow and navigate this Christian life, which is very hard. As we grow in Christ, our beliefs may change and alter. That's ok! God convicts where convictions is needed. We are not to question others convictions even if it is something we are not convicted about or don’t necessarily agree with. Instead, love one another and be the Christian support you should be because we are never going to agree 100% with each other. What matters in life is how God sees us not how man sees us.

Often times we view our situations or circumstances that we are going through as a consequence of something we have done wrong. Although, there are times when this is true, there are other times when it is not true. In order for us to figure out the difference, we are to pray, read our Bible and examine our hearts as well as the path we are walking. God has us go through the fires of life not to defeat us but to refine and grow us. The pain we will experience is hard but when we look back, we will see growth and change. We will be able to thank the Lord for what we went through because the growth is what Christ desires in our lives. God promises that this pain is only for a season. He will always bring us through it and be by our side along the way.

I Peter 1:6-7 KJV "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor 
and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

Don’t give in and let the enemy defeat you or steal your joy. Don’t have a defeated life. Keep pushing forward even if you feel like you can't because with God's help, you can.

Psalm 34:19 KJV "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."

Ephesians 6:11-12 KJV "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

God only wants good for us but He won't give us everything we want because He doesn't want us to be spoiled, selfish human beings. He is the giver and taker. In each of these seasons we need to find joy and rest in His promises. You may FEEL defeated but don't BE defeated. 

*A defeated life is a life crying out to God for help and comfort. He will answer and give you peace.

~JuneAnn Miller