They say right before you are about to fall asleep at the wheel you’ll have the feeling of your car standing still and the road moving towards you. What a great metaphor to use in describing how I’ve been feeling this year. Maybe I’m about to fall asleep at the wheel? If so, how do you stop it?
I’ve always heard it helps to roll the windows down and play loud music you can sing along to. But it may be best just to stop and stretch for a bit. This is why I’m posting today–my way of stopping to stretch, chat with some friends and see if I don’t feel a bit more refreshed tomorrow. But I can’t chat alone. I need to hear from you. How is your journey going? What is God currently saying to you through His word. Won’t you send some much needed encouragement my way? I could use it!
Thanks!
Route 66 Club 
Christ is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and whether we know them or not our infirmities are a most likely a direct result of sin. “…whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it…” 1 Corinthians 12:26 We are all suffering in the body of Christ because of our sins and because many do not acknowledge them or take the proper measures to be purged from the latter, we all suffer. God is merciful to our unrighteousness and He does not exact upon us as our iniquities deserve, but is longsuffering towards us in earnest belief that we shall overcome by the faith of His son. This I know because much kindness is levied into my account and I am still breathing! My hope for you, the rest of the body of Christ, and myself is that we awake the righteousness of Christ and begin to work our salvation with Him in fear and in trembling with the blessed assurance that “It is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 We have been weaken’d by the suggested American lifestyle which is high on fatty foods, video games, money motivation, and entertainment. Through these delicacies our minds have been made sleepy (spiritually speaking) and we naturally to not enjoy doing God’s will. Satan would have it thus… At a time when we should be sharing the gospel around the world. we are idling preparing for the next pagan holiday. I suggest brother that you embrace the words that Christ gave to the rich young ruler. “Go and sell all that you have and follow me.” This is the high calling I believe that God is calling you and I to; a lifestyle to leave the world behind and take Route 66 into the promise land. Do you know how fruit grows on a tree? No, but you can visualize it. “I am the vine (the word) you are the branches (our minds) He that abides in me (the word) the same brings forth much fruit (Galatians 5:22); for without me (the word) you can do nothing (absolutely nothing). We must be patient as the soil brother and ask God to give us a speedy growth that we might bear fruit. In the meantime ask Him brother, what plan does He have for your life specifically. Surely, it’s greater that the plan you have mapped out for yourself. “Call out unto me and I will answer you and show unto you great and mighty things that thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3
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Thank you Steven.
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Good morning Debi, thanks for your honesty, I appreciate it. It’s always good to stop and stretch a bit. It has been a slow process for me this year in my daily reading. I am doing a “read through” from Genesis to Revelation, but am stuck in Nehemiah. I know, that is not very far since this is November already. Typically, I tend to finish what I start, and when I would think of not finishing my reading goal this year, I would get discouraged, but in those times, my Heavenly Father would remind me that He is gracious and righteous and full of compassion (Ps 116:5). Yes, gracious, that is what I need. When I hadn’t read my bible at all, He would let me know that His mercies are new every morning, that He loves me with an everlasting love and is holding me with His everlasting arms, not because I am faithful, but because He is, and I’m so glad. He doesn’t need to remind me that I’m a sinner, I am aware of that and He knows it. He speaks further and deeper to my heart and continutes to remind me day after day that “yet” He still loves me, He renews my focus on my relationship with Him, not on what I am accomplishing. This changes me, makes me more like Him, causes me to love the way He loves. This year, I have taken many stops along the way, and in these times He not only revealed Himself and His mercies, but has also caused me to see others in front of me and behind me ( I never looked at them much before) on this same journey and has allowed me to care for them the way He cares for me, that is worth the journey even if I don’t finish my reading plan. His road plan is better, He always takes me where I need to go, I’m learning to let Him drive.
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Thank you for your encouragement, Lisa. What a blessing you are! Miss you.
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The link below is to a paper I wrote for an English Teacher/friend while doing an independent study of John. I chose to write on John 2:1-11 (haven’t received my grade yet, but I’ll let you know how it went over!) While it doesn’t speak directly to discouragement, maybe that is just what you need.. A little detour. 🙂 Feel free to add anything you know about this miracle, its repercussions, OR Jewish ceremonial washings (That just for my own curiosity!)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O67feMdG4pQHlNrB3lG1F7VR8PrK8_n1m29rMvOtnJY/edit
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Alexa,
I love this paper! Excellent job, and I’m so glad you shared it with me. Let me know how you do with it.
Take care,
Debi
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I’m sorry you’re feeling discouraged. I feel your pain (as you know). I have never had a discouragement that didn’t give way to God showing me something. It might be sin, it might be new direction, it might be more about Him, it might be a greater appreciation of the people God has put in my life. I know he will meet you. You know how those grids on the side of the road wake you up if you pass over them? God is like that. He keeps us, warns us, loves us. And if we go off the road, he sends the Holy Spirit to assist us and guide us to righteousness, joy and peace in Him. Love you, my friend.
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Hi there Debi…sorry you are feeling discouraged! Hang in there girl! If you haven’t already, ask the Holy Spirit to get ENcouraged again! 🙂 I have been going to Shirley’s book study on Monday evenings and feel not only encouraged to read but for spending time just alone with the Lord. We are learning how He is vying for our time. I am trying to spend time alone in worship and just being quiet.
Love you…
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Hey Debi, I know exactly how you are feeling, am right there with you! On seeking to see what is going on with me, I’ve had to admit that I have willingly agreed to do way more than I am supposed to be doing right now and in the process the Lord has been squeezed out instead of being the increased. Thankfully most of those commitments have been met and now I can put my focus back where it needs to be. Like Bonnie said, I’m so thankful for those bumps on the side of the road and the Holy Spirit assisting in getting me back to being able to be the encourager instead of the one needing it. Praying for you girlfriend!
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Thank you to all my friends near and far. You have been a great encouragement to me. What great counsel you have all given me–I am rich indeed!
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