TRUSTING GOD WITH EVERYTHING

Sometimes in life things may go in a totally different direction than anticipated. A child might suddenly get sick, You might suddenly lose your job or a promotion you were believing for. Or maybe you may start experiencing some rocky turbulence in your relationships, finances, education, health, ministry – Today I want to encourage you to trust God with everything.

Daniel 6:19-23

¹⁹ At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.²⁰ When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

²¹ Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! ²² My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

What is impossible with man, with God it is possible. All we have to do is continue to trust in Him. Like Daniel you might be facing  life threatening Lions – All hell seems to be breaking lose – But be encouraged– that God protects His own. He will shut the mouths of the Lions that you are facing. All you have to do is trust in Him.

In the midst of danger, Daniel never stopped trusting God. And because he trusted in God, Daniel’s life was spared from the hungry Lions.

I don’t know what hungry lions you are facing today but be rest assured that they will not kill you. You may be facing sickness, job loss, financial hardships, children gone wild, marriage gone wrong, mental distress, infertility, hopelessness, nothing seems to be working for you –Whatever the case maybe; Hold on to your faith and trust in God. He has promised us in His word that he will never leave us nor forsake us.

Daniel could have grumbled to God – He could have said something like – “After all I have done for you. After all  the time I have spent praying to you, Lord I even prayed 3 times a day Lord-did you not see or hear me – WHY LORD, WHY ME? See Lord, now they are throwing me into the Lion’s Den full of hungry lions – Lord no one has ever made it out alive there…

Daniel could have said all these things – like most of us would or are probably are already grumbling about – BUT , NO Daniel DID NOT complain not even one bit. His Faith and Trust STAYED on the Lord. He wasn’t moved by the unfriendly change of events, NO. He continued in an attitude of Worship, Thanksgiving, prayer and trust in the Lord. And Because He trusted in the Lord, The Lord NEVER forsake Him.

“….And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God” – Daniel 6:23b

Be encouraged to have an unwavering faith and trust attitude that says “Even though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil – for Lord God you are with me”.

The bible says  ^“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee” – Psalm 9:10 (KJV)

Friend, though you maybe in a Lion’s den situation, continue to seek the Lord in prayer having total trust and reliance in His Faithfulness. If God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the Lions and kept Daniel safe in the Lion’s den –Nothing can stop Him from doing the same for you today – JUST TRUST IN HIM. He will preserve your life too. He is turning your situation around for you – Keep Trusting.

God is saying to us today, like he spoke to Joshua:

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

PRAYER:

Lord thank you for reminding us to always trust in you. Help us to continually trust you even in the most frightening and disheartening situations. Father we trust you and surrender all to you. Thank you Father for you have never forsaken those who seek you. We love you Abba, Father. Your name be Glorified. In Jesus Name, AMEN.

Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged

-Lady Rue J. aka Ruvimbo Judith

“Let Your Light Shine”

WEEKLY DEVOTION #6

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. _Philippians 4:6-7

DON’T GIVE UP – PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!

If you are having problems right now – whatever area of your life it maybe – I want to encourage you to keep praying. Even if there’s no sign of hope – keep praying. God hears and He answers PRAYER.

Have you noticed how when you are praying for someone to change , they  might even become worse than they were before you prayed. It will look like your prayer is doing nothing BUT Keep Praying. The more resistance you face in prayer the more you should press on.So continue to Pray with thanksgiving and a joyful heart knowing that things will soon turn in your favor. God is at work for you! and He is dealing with your situation, your job, your friendship, your marriage, your children, your health…etc – KEEP PRAYING 🙂 You will soon see your answer.  The creator of the Universe is at work on your behalf. He has angels concerning your life; charged to fight for you and work things out for your good.

REMEMBER THIS:  When Your Prayer(s) Face(s) Resistance; that’s NOT the time to stop praying – Rather, that’s the time for you to pray even more. – God is doing something behind the scenes on your behalf. Whether you can see it or not; Don’t get Discouraged – Your PRAYER has been heard  – Your Answer is on its way 🙂

(Read 1 Kings 18:42-45)

[In the midst of a drought Elijah did not stop praying until it rained] – It doesn’t matter how long you have been experiencing a drought season and nothing seems to be baring fruit in your life. Today; be like Elijah who will not stop at nothing until His prayer has been answered. However long it takes for your RAIN (answer) to come – Keep praying. God’s Rain (Answer to Prayer) when it comes – it will come in abundance and water every dry area in your life and bring life. Stay strong and remain in Prayer.

DEVOTION PRAYER :

God I pray for strength in the lives of your people to remain in prayer against all odds. Father, grant them the grace to keep their eyes on you even in the midst of season of Drought. May your Peace bring wholeness and completeness in their hearts as they wait patiently on you to answer their prayers. Lord I Pray for an abundance of rain to fall on every one of us and bring renewal and restoration in all the dead areas of our lives that need you divine touch. In Jesus Name . AMEN

God Bless and Be Encouraged

-Lady Rue J. AKA Ruvimbo Judith
“Let Your Light Shine”

Someone once said to me ” You will experience God at your level of expectation of Him” –

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And th
e woman was healed at that moment.

Have you ever noticed how when you are waiting for something to happen and it will usually seems like that exact thing you believing God for; is availing itself to everyone else except you? Say, you believing for a job, and it seems like everyone else around you has a job or are landing good jobs or great opportunities are coming their way. Maybe you believing for a husband or a wife – and seems like everyone around you is either married or engaged – And you probably wondering WHEN IS YOUR TURN COMING?

Or maybe you are hoping and praying to have children, start a relationship, get a job, a financial breakthrough, academic breakthrough, a good medical report, a change in life’s direction – but it’s all happening to everyone else except you. Has waiting become a burden than a blessing to you? Or are you just about to call it quits , throw in the towel? Then this devotion is for you 🙂

Waiting sometimes is not always the easiest and fun thing to do. To quite honest, Waiting especially for a long time will test you on every level. Waiting will test your patience, you meekness, your humility, your endurance, your kindness, your faithfulness, your commitment … etc.  However, I’ve learned and still have to remind myself that it’s OK to wait on God – even if the answer takes a little bit longer to come than anticipated.

What happens is, there are some things that you will ask for and they will happen right away. But there are also others that will take a little longer to come to pass. We need to understand that sometimes God will delay manifesting answers to your prayer for your own good. Delayed answer to prayer may sometimes be God taking time to build the right character in you to sustain the blessing His about to bring forth in your life. Whatever, you are praying for – God knows the right time for it to come to pass in your life – So don’t get discouraged.

In the book of 1 Samuel, we are told of a barren woman named, Hannah. She was barren for a very long time. She was so barren that she began to receive mockery and taunting remarks  because of her condition. It is written that after much prayer, God opened her womb and blessed her with a son whom she named Samuel – Because she had asked God for him. Hannah is a perfect example of what it means to wait on God faithfully, and how Great Rewards follows those who patiently wait on Him.

Here are 3 things I want us to learn from Hannah about how to deal with your Waiting period experiences

During your waiting period:

1. CHANGE YOUR HEARING – She didn’t listen to the negative voices around her – especially Peninnah  

1 Samuel 6-7 (TLB)

Peninnah made matters worse by taunting Hannah because of her barrenness. ⁷ Every year it was the same—Peninnah scoffing and laughing at her as they went to Shiloh, making her cry so much she couldn’t eat.

While in the waiting period you need to be VERY SELECTIVE as to whom you listen to and attend your ears to. If you listen to the wrong people – you will only get more discouraged, and potentially give up and stop waiting. Not everyone’s opinion about your circumstance/situation is worth your attention. So don’t allow the opinions of others to deter you from faithfully waiting on the Lord; and remaining in Him; however long it takes.

John 15:7 (NIV)

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

Like Hannah, you need to learn to recognize which voices you are going to outright shut down and ignore completely. People see only what’s on the outside and make judgement based on your exterior condition – but  God  is not like man; He sees Your condition beyond your exterior – He see what’s on the inside. I believe when God saw Hannah – He looked beyond her bareness (exterior condition) –He saw the condition of her heart- He saw a heart sold out for Christ, He saw her relentless faith, her unwavering determination and strong belief in Him. Don’t lose hope on your dream or waver in your waiting simply because of what someone may have said out of ignorance to you or about you. The ONLY voice that matters in your life is that of God.

2.  CHANGE YOUR FOCUS- Hannah FOCUSED ON GOD not HER BARRENNESS

Although she was barren; Hannah chose not to focus on her inability to have children –  She Chose to focus on God (the Solution) not her Barrenness (the problem)

In your walk with God you will need to stay focused on God and not what’s happening around you. This doesn’t mean you are denying your current circumstance but rather you are choosing to focus on a SOLUTION and NOT the problem. Many people spend too much time focusing on their problems rather than focusing on the Problem Solver who has the power to change things in their favour. Friend, what you choose to focus on will determine whether you continue to wait on God or give up.

People will diagnose and will give you a prognosis of your life, but remember its God’s word about you that’s matters and has a say in your life. As impossible as things may seem to be, God is capable to do even the impossible. “What’s impossible with man – is possible with God”. Don’t focus on how barren you are but rather focus on how great and powerful God is. God knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5) – so he can change any situation that is working against you. The question is; are you willing to wait on HIM and stay focused on Him.

3.  PRAY- Hannah prayed until something happened

It is when we are waiting on God that we should pray the most. Its so easy to get discouraged while waiting – so you need to be in constant prayer so that you do not give in to the negativity or discouraging remarks from outsiders.  The enemy will use all sorts of tactics to get you distracted (Peninnahs).

Prayer is what will keep you grounded and focused. Notice how, Hannah never exerted any energy fighting her Rival Peninnah. Instead she chose her battles well. Arguing and fighting with Peninnah wasn’t going to get her pregnant. She knew who to vent out her heart to. She ran to God. And so should you and I.

I encourage you to spend more time PRAYING and Less Time fighting your Peninnahs’ (Peninnah is just a distraction) . LET GOD DO THE FIGHTING FOR YOU. LET GOD DEFEND YOUR HONOR. Stay rooted in Prayer as you WAIT on Him.

THE REWARD OF WAITING FAITHFULLY

1 Samuel 2: 20-21

Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to[c] the Lord.” Then they would go home. 21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

See this; your waiting period has a reward to it if you remain steadfast and faithful to God. Hannah was further blessed with 3 more sons and 2 daughters after Samuel.  Waiting may be difficult, but you sure know that God won’t keep you waiting beyond what you can bare. It is usually during your periods of waiting that Character is refined, and maturity is developed. Did you know that sometimes the longer the wait – the greater the REWARD. Hannah asked for a child and God blessed her with children – more than she had asked for. When we wait on God, know that when He answers and blesses you, He will bless you beyond comprehension. Waiting on God will bring you to a place of “More than Enough”. God rewards faithfulness. If you faithfully remain in Him, and trust completely in His Sovereignty He will be faithful to reward you with more than what you asked for.

Whatever you are waiting on God for – I want to encourage you to keep on waiting on Him in faith, total reliance and surrender to Him – YOUR GREATER IS COMING. Right now it may seem like all odds are against you – And everyone around you seems to be do much better than you – Just keep waiting on God.

May God build your Character and Spiritual stamina as you wait on Him. Do not despise your Waiting Period – Your Turn is coming soon. May God grant you the grace to remain standing and faithful as you wait on Him.

Psalm 30:5b

“Weeping may endure for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning”

Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged!

-Lady Rue J. Aka Ruvimbo Judith

“Let  Your Light Shine”

It’s time to exercise some discipline over the types of thoughts we entertain in our lives. Not every thought that crosses our hearts and minds is worth pondering on.  Some thoughts are best of ignored and left un-entertained. If they are passing through thoughts then let them just be passing through and not take residence in your soul. An undisciplined heart and mind is a recipe for disaster for its master.

“John 13:2 (AMP)2 It was during supper, when the devil had already put the thought of betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son”

Watch this, the devil didn’t tell Judas to betray Jesus. He simply put a thought. It was now Judas who entertained and dinned with the thought until it made perfect sense as to why he should betray Jesus. What we need to realise is that the devil will never really tell you what to do. He simply plants the thought, what you then do with that thought will determine how you will behave afterwards. A thought is like a seed – with enough fertile ground and watering it will soon grow and bear fruit.

When the enemy plants a thought into your mind – if you do not entertain it – the enemy has nothing to come back to. But if we entertain a thought from the enemy – sooner or later the enemy will come back to see if that thought has taken root in our hearts. And if it has – he then comes in and takes full control.

Vs. 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I am going to give this piece [of bread] after I have dipped it.” So when He had dipped the piece of bread [into the dish], He gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After [Judas had taken] the piece of bread, Satan entered him.

Satan entered into Judas because there was something in Judas that he could relate to (the evil thought that he had planted). Friend, when you and I fail to stop the enemy in his tracks (at the onset of a lying thought having being presented), we give him a reason to come back and torment us. It’s very important that we guard our hearts with the truth (the word of God). If our hearts are filled and soaked with so much of the word of God, the lies of the enemy have nowhere to attach themselves. The problem with most believers is that we don’t spend enough time in the word of God – the truth, such that when a lie is presented to us in the form of a thought we have nothing to fight against it . And because we don’t know the truth/the word/Jesus we find ourselves believing the lie. You need to find and know for your self what God says about you in His word. Because when you know the truth – it will indeed set you free from the lies of the enemy – and No lie can stand in the presence of the truth 🙂

Whatever we dwell our minds and hearts on, even if False, it can become our false-truth. Maybe the enemy has been lying to you – putting thoughts of fear, thoughts of failure, thoughts of suicide, thoughts of murder, thoughts of fornication, thoughts of betrayal, thoughts of rejection, thoughts of depression, thoughts of doom, thoughts of hate … – whatever the thoughts may be – I dare you fight them. Fight them with the truth (the word). Don’t allow yourself to dwell on disruptive negative thoughts. Not intending to generalize – but if you take time to research some of the causes of depression, low self esteem, feelings of inadequacy – the source sometimes can be traced to untamed thought-patterns that were entertained for prolonged seasons of time, such that they are now ingrained in the host’s mind and heart and they can’t tell apart –what’s real and what’s not.

Proverbs 23:7 – As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is. 

In essence –You become what you think. We have the power to choose our thoughts, we have the power to decide which thoughts we are going to entertain and meditate on. Choose today to stand up against every negative thought, doubt, feelings of failure or inadequacy that have attacked your thinking.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (KJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Make it a habit to daily renew your way of thinking. Guard your mind and heart.

Romans 12:2New (NIV)  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Meditate on good and healthy thoughts. May the truth (The Word) be always on your MIND and in your HEART.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Think your way into abundance of life. Do not think your way to death

Proverbs 4:23 (AMP) 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.

I know its not easy to just wake up one morning and your thoughts are right. I know, I’ve been there – But you have to make a decision that you will do whatever it takes to think right. You have to make every effort to discipline your mind and heart. Don’t allow the enemy to steal your destiny through your thoughts. The enemy is the father of all LIES so don’t entertain him not even for a sec – for all he will tell you are lies to kill, steal and destroy you.  Its time to Think Right and live a victorious life. Take a stand over negative thoughts. You are Who God says you are. Don’t believe the Lie. You are God’s Chosen.

God Bless and stay encouraged

-Lady Rue J.  aka Ruvimbo Judith

“Let your Light Shine”

It’s amazing how we have read and heard so many sermons on Fear and yet we still find ourselves enslaved by Fear one way or the other. Regardless of its crippling effect on our lives, we seem to be held back by it. This week’s Devotional Study is on FEAR – Recognizing it. Facing it Head on, Overcoming it and living a Victorious Life.

As I write on this topic I want you to know that I am not immune to the attacks of fear. I get afraid too. Sometimes fall into its trap. But through God’s grace I’ve learned to face my fears head on and Trust God to do the rest for me as I continue to stay obedient to Him.

My personal battles with fear

Every time I have to preach somewhere , Fear attacks me. Especially, the week before I am supposed to speak, I get all these fear thoughts attacking my mind as to why I shouldn’t speak. Thoughts like “You aren’t qualified to preach?” “No one will listen” “You going to make a fool out of yourself’ “How do you know you speaking the word in season” “What if no one comes”… all these thoughts of fear attack me every time. There are times I’ve curved into fear and told my pastor I can’t preach anymore. lol. But I’ve learned to face my fears. If it means to preach while afraid, I just do it anyway. Because in the end God is the one who speaks not me and  its all about Him not me – So if He needs me to speak or share something – I’ve learned to do it regardless of how I feel.

Let’s begin…

So, yesterday I was reading from the book of 1 Kings 19,  and vs. 3 caught my attention. It read “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life” upon hearing that Jezebel was going to kill him. Isn’t it amazing what fear can do to one? Elijah a prophet of God, mightily used by God found himself on the run for his life out of fear of what one woman would do to him. Never mind all the victories God had given him – never mind all the prophets of Baal that he had killed through the power of God working in Him. Oh never mind God on his side who responded to his prayer for rain during the 3rd year of a severe drought. All Elijah saw was his death, all he heard was tomorrow you shall die,which led to him to be on the run for his life. Ah excuse me Elijah. Hold up! What about consulting GOD before just getting up and running…Sir Elijah What is going on?

Fear has that effect on people even those used by God.If entertained fear will distort your picture of life and whats happening around you-it may even cause you to make abrupt decisions which maybe life changing and not necessarily good for you. Although Elijah was an anointed prophet of God – He fell in to the pit of FEAR and it got the best of him – such that He forgot all that God had done for Him (Fear undermines  your capacity to think clearly) , he lost sight of the mission/mandate that God had asked of him (Fear kills Vision) He fled for his life (Fear will take you on a detour).

If not dealt with or confronted – Fear will kill your Vision, Undermine your Thinking & take you on a Detour

 When we allow fear to have its toil on us It will paralyze our ability to hear God, think straight, or move forward. What you fear will become your reality if you do not face it head on and overcome it. Fear creates a false reality that robs us off today’s blessings and victories. Take a brief moment to look at your life right now – are there any missed opportunities, missed blessings because you aborted your mission, vision or dream? How many dreams, aspirations, ambitions, visions have you fled from because of Fear. 

As you read further in 1 Kings 19 vs 10 & 13 – you read  “And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Twice God asked Elijah the same questions – WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? God knew what Elijah was doing there – but wanted Elijah to realize his foolery – as to why he was Running away.

Sometimes there are things that we are running away from because of FEAR.And God is asking us the same question He asked Elijah today- What are you doing here? Did I tell you to run away? Did I command you abort mission? Did I confirm that Jezebel (your situation) will kill you ? – So why are you running away? Why are you giving up before you’ve even started?

I would like to believe that God is perplexed when He sees us as His sons and daughters running away from what He has called us to RUN TO or RUN THROUGH; When He sees us aborting dreams because they appear too BIG to come to pass; When He see us diverting to an easier course of life because we are just to scared of what could possibly happen to us – He is hurt.

Maybe you are that person that walked away on a Job, a relationship, a business opportunity, a dream not because God told you to, but simply because of FEAR;  Or maybe you just about to walk away from something really beautiful because of FEAR? If God hasn’t spoken – don’t flee. Wait, Consult God, Hear what you need to do and follow through.

“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1 :7

THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT FEAR

Fear will disqualify you before you’ve even began

Fear will tell you all the things you don’t have to make it

Fear will make you major on the minor (Shift your focus on whats truly important)

Fear will hinder you from advancing

Fear will cause to walk away even when you had everything in you to face your GIANT

Fear will tell you how many people who have tried and failed – so what makes you any Different

Fear will kill the LIFE out of you – IF YOU ALLOW IT.

Fear is NOT from God – SO Don’t give it  a foothold in your life

 Don’t settle for less because of fear. You were made for greatness – Embrace you authenticity, Embrace the greatness on the inside of you. Do not fear – Do not Flee – Stay put and watch God step in and fight for you.

 Today, let your Faith fight and defeat your Fear.

Let your Faith lead you in to a Victorious Life.

MAY YOUR FAITH TRAMPLE OVER ALL YOUR FEARS TODAY

MAY GOD GRANT YOU THE GRACE AND STRENGTH TO FACE YOUR FEARS HEAD ON

MAY GOD GIVE YOU VICTORY IN ALL AREAS FEAR HAD TAKEN ROOT IN YOUR LIFE

MAY GOD TURN YOUR FEAR TO FAITH

IN JESUS NAME

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE ISAIAH 41:10

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

God Bless and Stay Encouraged 🙂

–Lady Rue J. aka Ruvimbo Judith

“Let Your Light Shine”

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Thank you and be Blessed.

Let me be just real for a sec.

A while ago I had to tell myself to snap out of it – Like really common Rue SNAP OUT OF IT!!!!!.  I found my self day dreaming and envying the life of another. In my heard I just thought , they just had the perfect life cut out for them. Everything about them just seemed so perfect. You know those people who just look like they on top of the world with no cares or anxieties at all – their life is just  perfect. You know what I’m talking about right? LOL? Its like everything about them just seems to happen well for them. They are always happy, Always on cloud 9. And if they are church pips – they always have smile and a hallelujah on their mouth – No problem at all. Everything is just perfect (**in a Madea Voice).

Yes those kind of people? Have you met those people? Maybe you even follow some of them on facebook. They are the true image of PICTURE PERFECT. Yes, that was me  a while ago – so engrossed about another’s “perfect life”. And as I was just about be feeling sorry for myself (silliness to its highest degree) – I felt a huge NUDGE in my spirit. It was like Holy Spirit was screaming on the inside of me shouting “SNAP OUT OF IT NOW” “SNAP OUT OF IT NOW!” It’s like someone just poured ice cold water on my face! I just felt this strong conviction in me  – How dare I compare my life to another. How dare I envy?… A part of me screamed back… but Lord they have it all together, they everything they need, they look very blessed to be quite frank. -Its amazing how 5 mins on someone’s profile page on FB, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube can totally distort your perception about life and who you are as a person…smh.

God made me realize something so amazing that I’ve held on to and has been the reason for my recent passion and growth in Him. He said to me “ENVY & DISCONTENTMENT  are an ENEMY to PROGRESS & SUCCESS “. He was like Rue even If I have destined you to be great, to be successful, to be on top – you will not taste a bit of it if you are still comparing your life to that of others. He went on to say “I know the plans I have for you – My plans for you are the best – How you get there is my choice -but you need to STAY FOCUSED on your journey and not the Journey of others”. I quickly repented and asked for forgiveness…

This got me really thinking and realizing that we do that a lot as humans – we find ourselves comparing our lives to others, to celebrities, to media icons up  to the point where we fail to appreciate the treasure that is on the inside of us. Have you ever noticed how you can literally spend hours on an artist’s, celebrity or an old friend Facebook page and wishing we could dress like them, talk like them, have money like they do, in a nutshell have a life like theirs.

BUT, What about the life that God intended for you. What happens to that Life? Whose going to live that life if you and I are constantly living the lives of others in our minds? 

I want to encourage someone today – that your life was designed for you to live in it and to live it to the fullest. Even if you are not where you want to be today – why don’t you channel your energy and time to be where you want to be. Opportunities come to those who are progressing. Opportunities come to those who are doing something.

Envying and comparing your life to that of others is not progression rather its regression. Every time you envy you are taking a few steps back rather than forward.COMPARISON is indeed an enemy to GROWTH and PROGRESSION.

Now, instead of envying the lives of others who by the way are  “LIVING THEIR LIVES” – why don’t we choose to start living our own lives. Greatness is awaiting you and just need you to move towards it. Today, I want you to quit feeling sorry for yourself and start appreciating what you do have. Appreciate the family that you do have , the job you do have, the friends you do have , the money you do have, the woman or man you do have, the kids you do have . Becoz there probably someone out there who wishes they had what you have. She might not be the perfect wife or he might not the perfect husband but at least you have one and he or she is just a prayer away to become your idea. Or maybe your Mr Right or Mrs Right you haven’t found yet – you still single and wondering when he or she will come  – but in the mean time why don’t you work on you to become “right” for your Yours truly Mr or Mrs Right. Become faithful with the little that you have and soon enough God will bless you with more. The only time you are to look at the life of another is to find encouragement and motivation to run your race knowing that in due season your Greater is coming.

Even when we look at scripture – Who would have ever thought, that Ruth a widower would  remarry again to a rich kind man BOAZ from another tribe (Read the Book of Ruth), Who would have thought that Esther, a ragged, impoverished, low class Orphan would find favor and win the heart of the King and becoming Queen herself (Book of Esther). Who would have thought that Moses , abandoned at birth (/tender age), then a murderer in his adulthood would be used by God to lead His people out of captivity… I could go on and on… But the moral of the story is YOUR LIFE IS JUST BEGINNING… DON’T GIVE-UP ON LIVING BEFORE YOU’VE EVEN STARTED LIVING.

Just because all your high school friends are married and have children – And you don’t -It doesnt mean your life is over – It simply hasnt started. Just because others you graduated with are now in good jobs or have made empires for themselves and you have nothing to show for the 8 years or so in school, it don’t mean you are a failure – It just means your turn hasn’t come yet – but if you keep on running your race and stay focused – your brighter day will soon come knocking on your door step…(Remember Jacob in the Bible had to work for 14 years to get the woman He loved” (Read Genesis 29:18-30)

We are all destined for success its just that it comes differently to each individual. There’s a path that God wants us to all take-different as they are we sure know that if we stay content and focused we will get our prize. Don’t disqualify yourself on the journey of life simply because you keep looking at how others have it all or they seem better off-  B’Coz guess what you don’t know what mountains, hills, valleys, etc they had to go though to make it to where they are.

Choose to use your time wisely. Choose to cultivate and grow yourself – Don’t miss out on opportunities to succeed because you constantly envying the lives of others. YOUR TURN IS COMING – STAY FOCUSED.

God bless and stay encouraged

– Lady Rue J. aka Ruvimbo Judith

“Let Your Light Shine”