Sweet Encouragement

I always considered myself one who enjoyed research.  In high school I participated in speech and debate competitions, which I thought was "research based."  While there was a good amount of searching and time spent reading, that was very different from what I am doing right now.  What I did in high school was perusing newspaper and news sites to stay updated on current events, while that did serve to spark my love for reading the Economist and Aljazeera, it was not close to the type of research I am absorbed in right now.

Over the past month I have read more peer-reviewed journal articles, learned more about the strength of studies, and printed more trees than I would ever have hoped to.  To say I dislike research feels like a huge understatement right now! 

 

I am not blogging this to whine to the world, more to remind myself 6 months from now when I say "it wasn't that bad" that "YES, it was that bad" :P

 

Anyways, all of that being said, I came across this blog on tumblr over Christmas break, which has offered such encouragement and challenged me to live joyfully, despite the craziness/stress.

 

I absolutely loved this challenge to trust the Lord's timing.  It was such a "just keep pushing forward" affirmation for me this morning, but also a challenge that it is not up to me to "save the day".

 

"The vision is yet for an appointed time…”
(Habakkuk 2:3, NKJV)

The scripture says, “The vision is for an appointed time.” That means there is a specific time already determined for the fulfillment of the desires God has placed in your heart. The appointed time is the best time! We have to trust that God can see the big picture for our lives. He knows what’s up ahead. He knows what we’re going to need, who we’re going to need, and when they need to show up. If God did everything we ask on our timetable, it would limit us because sometimes, what we’re asking for is too small. Sometimes the person we think we can’t live without, God knows in ten years they’re not going to be good for us. So He is closing the door right now. Sometimes the promotion we want so badly, if God gave it to us right now, He knows it would keep us from a much bigger promotion that He has three years down the road.

 

Remember, God has the advantage of seeing it all. The longer I live, the more I trust Him. The more I see His hand of faithfulness, the more I know that His plan is better than my plan. Today, trust that He knows what He’s doing. Trust that He has an appointed time, and it is the best time to bring to pass His promises in your life!

 

I hope that encourages you today! 

Happy Thursday :)