I don’t know who this is for, but I’m going to be obedient and share, and I pray my transparency helps. I took my daughter on a trip this summer, and when I got back, everything seemed to go crazy. We discovered bed bugs, which resulted in me throwing both of our beds away, leaving us currently sleeping in my living room on the couches. I’m having a battle with child support. My washing machine broke, not to mention the scars that were left on me from being bitten by bed bugs, amongst all other financial troubles. However, I have truly learned and received that peace that passes all understanding, and God is so sweet he even gave me joy too lol.

I may not look like it, but I’m no stranger to the wilderness. God gave me a revelation that helps me press through, and today I want to share it with you. These times in our life come, there’s no escape, there’s no way to avoid, no matter how obedient we are. The story of Job taught us that. Instead of giving up, freaking out, or falling apart, think of these analogies: when you are pushing a child in a swing, and they want to go higher, what must you do…you guessed it, “PULL THEM BACK FURTHER.” When using a sling shot or bow and arrow, what must you do for you to hit your target at a far distance, again “PULL IT BACK FURTHER.” For a seed to sprout, it must “GO INTO THE GROUND.” When a student does not understand or comprehend the lesson, that student is sometimes “held back” or has to “stay after class.”

I said all of that to say this: when these tests and trials come, don’t look at it as you’re being held back, punished, or forgotten, but look at it as though God is placing you in a sling shot. Think of the story of David and Joseph. Though it may seem like your problems have you going backwards, God is actually setting you up and positioning you so that he can propel you forward and higher than you were before your trial began!

To go even further, some of you may be saying to yourself, “My problem is way worse than that.” It doesn’t matter. This attitude works. Perception gives you peace. As a child, I was sexually abused so many times by so many people that I lost count. I’ve been beaten to the point of having to have plastic surgery on my face. Just 2 years ago, I had an ex-boyfriend hold a gun to my held yet in a trial, I challenged the prosecuting attorney to pray for the names that come across his desk and convinced him that his job was not to judge but to pray. I don’t know why God chose me or allowed me to go through so much, but just knowing that I’m in a sling shot gives me all the faith I need to press forward, no matter what comes my way. My attitude and perception throughout the hard times in my life allowed me to keep my mind. I’m not saying I always had this peace, but when I changed my mind about my trial, it changed me.

Proverbs 2:8 NLT He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him