Endurance – FEARFULLY WONDERFULLY MADE

Pruning Seasons

January 25, 2021 14 Comments

How do you know you’re in a season of pruning? Does everything in your life feel like it is falling apart? Are relationships ending abruptly? Are you feeling heavy in your current environment? You may also feel like you’re in a weird place right now, but this may not be such a bad thing.

God started speaking to me about pruning last year. According to the Oxford dictionary, pruning is the process of cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth. There are seasons when God does this in our lives too.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
John‬ ‭15:1-2‬ ‭‬‬

Growth Requires Pruning.

Pruning will often result in pain and loss in one way or the other. Sometimes we are reluctant to give up the things that we are used to or familiar with. We may even feel as though we have lost a part of ourselves as pruning can result in losing friendships, old habits, thought processes that have been ingrained in our minds for long periods of time, attitudes, certain behavioural patterns or even an environment that we are used to. Some of the things that we can ask ourselves to discern whether God is pruning us; was what I lost bringing me closer to God? was it developing me spiritually? was it helping me to grow?

Pruning is essential in our Christian walk, as without it, we will not be fruitful in the way God wants us to be.

In 2015 I made the decision that I wanted to grow out my hair natural and stop using texturizer. At this time my hair was a good length, however it was in very bad condition where I had a lot of dead and split ends, therefore I had no choice but to cut it.

This had to happen so that my hair could grow healthy and full. Similarly, growing deeper in your relationship with God and living a life according to His purpose will require sacrifice. This may feel like punishment but that is not God’s intention. God prunes us because He loves us and wants to see us grow and flourish.

Here are 4 tips that will help you through your season of pruning.

1. Stay connected to Jesus.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
John‬ ‭15:5‬ ‭‬‬

It is important that we stay connected to God during our season of pruning. In fact, the Bible says that we should abide in Him. To abide means to remain/stay fixed in a place. What this looks like is leaning on God for strength, meditating on His word regularly and by communicating with Him through prayer.

2. Trust God.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”‭‭
Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭

Pruning will require us to trust in God and not depend on our own understanding. Remember His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). There are many blessings that are birthed when we trust in God. When we do this, He will surely direct us and give us clarity. God’s plans for us are for good and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11). Therefore, if He is taking us through a process, He will surely work everything out for our good (Romans 8:28).

3. Be patient.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James‬ ‭1:2-4‬

‭We need to remember that our season of pruning is temporary. I say this because many fall away from the faith as they see this as a trial as opposed to God doing a work in them. Some of us are unable to exercise patience when we think we are going through trials. The Bible tells us that the testing of our faith produces patience. Patience is actually one of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22) so if this is something that you are struggling with then I would advise that you pray and ask God to be led by His Spirit. Having patience also comes with a promise that you will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ‬

4. Keep you heart right.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs‬ ‭4:23‬

‭‬‬You may be confused in your season of pruning, you may even become angry or bitter, especially as there will be a lot of uncertainty and loss. This is where you need to guard your heart by filtering out the emotions, desires, and thoughts that are not in line with God’s Word.

In ending, I would like to encourage you. If you are going through a season of pruning, stay hopeful. God would not put you through this process if He didn’t care. Pruning produces something good and the end result will be worth it.

Stay blessed and encouraged

Nkay

xoxo

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Motivation

Purpose in Pain

March 12, 2018 7 Comments

Have you ever experienced painful events in your life or perhaps pain is something that you are still experiencing? Are you wondering whether God will ever give you the victory and fulfil His purpose in your life through your pain? If so, keep reading. This message is for you.

I got saved in 2013 and although I had experienced traumatic events in the past, I believed that God had truly redeemed me. By 2015 I really thought that things had changed and I was no longer going to experience issues in my life because I was Saved. Boy was I wrong. 2016 came and I lost my Grandmother to a tragic event. This has been the most painful situation I have ever experienced and had me questioning how God could allow this to happen.

It was my Grandmothers anniversary recently and I was reminded of the pain I went through two years ago. I could feel myself slipping into depression and questioned what the purpose of this pain was.

You see, we go through things and know the scriptures that God is working out everything for our Good, (Romans 8:28) however, how many of us are really believing this when we are going through things?

You hear stories of people sharing their testimonies and see how God is working in their lives. A Pastor even recently did a revival at my Church and spoke of the traumatic events that took place throughout his childhood and adolescence. His testimony was powerful. But all I could think about was wheres my testimony? Where’s my victory? When are You going to work things out for me? What is the purpose in what I have gone through?

Sometimes it’s okay to let God know that your are frustrated and that you feel this way. He wants you to cry out to Him.

As I was going through this painful time conversations from friends (One in particular) reminded me that although this memory is painful, God is sovereign. Yes, He could have stopped certain events from playing out if He wanted to, however God has a purpose that He can birth from my pain.

I also spoke to a friend who was struggling with the same feelings. Her realness showed me that I wasn’t the only one going through this.

Our pain is temporary.

Ultimately heaven is our home and there is so much more to life then what we see going on around us.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

~ Romans 8:18 ~

This Scripture reminds me that the pain that we may go through on earth is only temporary and does not compare to what God has in store for us.

God uses our pain to comfort others.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ~

Sometimes when we go through pain, God wants us to help others that are going or have gone through the same thing. For example, if you have been through a bereavement, you could help somebody else who is going through a bereavement.

Jesus also went through pain and suffering. We call this redemptive suffering and we see this when Jesus died on the cross for us.

Jesus suffered in order to fulfill God’s plan and reveal His infinite love for us. His pain was used for His own glory and He is more than able to use our pain to bring His Glory and to vindicate us.

In summary, your pain will never stop God’s purpose for your life. Just don’t give up.

When you are going through pain remember these key things:

1. Walk By Faith.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

~ 2 Corinthians 5:7 ~

Sometimes when we are hurting it is hard to hold on to our faith. We want a way out and it may look like anything is happening. God does not tell you when He is going to bring you through it, however He promises that He WILL bring you through it. This is where we have to walk by faith and not by what we see around us.

2. God is Sovereign.

God is sovereign. Remember in the midst of your suffering He is in complete control and knows the beginning from the end.

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”

~ Isaiah 46:10 ~

3. Trust God and allow Him to direct your steps.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

~ Proverbs 3:5-6 ~

God wants us to trust Him when we are going through trying times. Although we do not understand, God is still God. If we lean on Him, He will direct our paths.

4. God is a Restorer.

“And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

~ Job 42:10 ~

In the story of Job we see a number of tragic events happen to him. He loses his children and livelihood in the space of one day. It doesn’t just stop there though, we also see an attack on his health and his friends even accuse him of secret sin as a reason for his suffering.

Sometimes in life painful event after painful event happens and it feels like all hell is breaking loose in our lives. It is tempting to give up on our faith, however we see in Jobs story that he endured his trials and God restored everything he had.

“Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning;…”

~ Job 42:12 ~

God can restore you too.

5. Be Patient.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

~ James 1:2-4 ~

When you are going through pain and it feels as though there is no way forward, remain patient and do not give up. Through your pain God wants to perfect and complete you.

6. There is a Purpose.

God says:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

~ Jeremiah 29:11 ~

My prayer is that if you are going through pain, that God will open your eyes to His word and you will truly believe that God has a purpose in every pain you have been through.

Stay blessed and encouraged

Nkay

xoxo

Lifestyle, Motivation, The Love Series

The Love Series Pt 2: Patience

February 5, 2018 7 Comments

As I am doing a Love Series, I thought what better topic to talk about than to talk about patience. We’ve all been there where it feels like our patience is being tested. It may be that you’re waiting for an answer from God, maybe he’s given you a promise. It could be that you’re waiting for that situation to change or maybe it is a person that you need to exercise more patience towards. Yet, all it feels like you’re doing is waiting.

This is where you will need patience.

“Love is patient, love is kind…”

~ 1 Corinthians 13:4 ~

Patience is one of the many facets of love and is required in all aspects of life. So let’s look at two areas where you would need it.

#1. Patience in Waiting:

If you never had to wait for anything, you would never know that you had the ability to be patient. Have you ever heard of that saying? Waiting actually produces patience.

So what are you waiting for today? Since we are talking about love, this one is for all my single sisters. You may be waiting for God to bless you with a husband and as you are waiting you may feel yourself growing weary. God says…

“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

~ Isaiah 40:31 ~

Wait on God. Maybe you’re tired of waiting and may feel to take matters into own hands. If you are feeling like this, consider that this is likely to have detrimental effects. Look at the story of Abraham and Sarah. Not only did God promise Abraham a son, He also promised that his descendants would be a great nation. The Bible says in Genesis 15:6 “Abraham believed in the Lord.”

However by Genesis 16 the Bible says that Sarah had borne Abraham no children. This is where we see them both take matters into their own hands. Sarah then gives Abraham her Maidservant, Hagar. Abraham, who previously “believed” in God’s promise agreed with this proposal and had a child with Hagar.

When the focus becomes the delay as opposed to what God has promised, you will end up discouraged. Not waiting on God can result in you making wrong decisions and wrong love choices.

Patience, however is the ability to accept that some things just take time. God will always strengthen us and give us courage during our waiting period.

“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”

~ Psalms 27:14 ~

#2: Patience with People:

Last week we spoke about loving people and a big part of this is having patience with people. This is something that I personally struggle with especially when disappointed.

There was a time where I was notoriously known for cutting people off as soon as they started acting up. I would give no word of a warning, because in my mind they already knew what they had done wrong.

Even during the time of writing this blog post I was dealing with feelings of losing patience with people, so this message is not only encouragement to myself but to you also. Yes, people will get on your nerves and some people will not always understand what you are going through but be patient with them anyway.

“with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,”

~ Ephesians 4:2 ~

So how do we develop patience in relationships or when we have to wait for something? These are some of the things that I have learnt over the years.

1. Pursue Patience.

“…and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”

~ 1 Timothy 6:11 ~

In order to pursue patience, you have to make it a conscious effort. When dealing with a difficult friend/ family member, go out of your way to extend patience to them. This way they will see the love of Christ in you.

2. Pray!

Praying for patience can be one of the most dangerous prayers that you could ever pray. I experienced this for the first time in 2014 where one of my prayer points was to have more patience with people. Immediately things began to go wrong and I believed that the devil had sent people to harass my life.

No matter what, pray anyway as these circumstances will perfect you and He will build up Godly character inside of you.

3. Never Forget That God Has Been Patient Towards You.

“and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,”

~ 2 Peter 3:15 ~

Every day we let God down, however He remains patient because of the love He has towards us. Without His patience, Jesus would of never made it to the cross, and we would have never been able to experience the gift of His salvation.

4. Trust God.

During times of waiting it is easy to lose hope, however trust that God will work everything out according to His timing.

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.”

~ Psalms 130:5 ~

I hope this message has blessed you.

Love Nkay

xoxo

Motivation

God Has Not Forgotten!!!

April 8, 2016 4 Comments

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs on your head are numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

~ Luke 12:6-7 ~

Sometimes when we are going through difficult situations in our lives we begin to question whether God is seeing our pain and whether he is going to bring us through. Maybe God has been silent in your season of struggle and you are wondering if he is listening to your prayers. I have experienced this and began to have feelings of anger towards God. I related God’s silence during my trials to Him forgetting about my needs.

One day during the period of me feeling like this I opened a Christian app on my mobile phone called Words by Jesus. To my surprise the topic was called None are Forgotten, followed by the scripture Luke 12:6-7. In these two verses Jesus is talking to a crowd where a multitude had gathered. He goes on to speak about five sparrows and makes a point of telling the crowd that despite the sparrows low value, not one is forgotten by God, they are all provided for. Jesus goes on to highlight that we are of more value than the sparrows.

As I read these scriptures, God gave me the revelation that I am indeed of more value than the sparrows, so surely I am not forgotten by Him. Although I may have felt forgotten by Him, I will always be precious in His sight.

What was also revealed to me when reading this scripture is that God pays attention to detail. He has counted all of the hairs on my head and also counts every tear that I have ever cried.

“You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?”

~ Psalms 56:8 ~

Isn’t that amazing? God took particular notice of David’s grievances during a time when he was distressed. He did not cast him to the side, however He recorded all of David’s sorrows. God does the same for us today. He sees everything and will supply for our everyday needs.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

~ Philippians 4:19 ~

Knowing this I am content in Christ, and you should be too. God provides for us because He is faithful and we are valuable to Him. Just remember whenever you are going through things and feel alone, God remembers you, just as He remembered the sparrows.