Intentional

Sometimes chaos won't leave us alone.

It's that little painful voice from your past that likes to whisper worry, destruction, and hopelessness into your present. It grows louder with every chance we give it to make itself known and at home in our hearts. 

I think one of Satan's greatest victories over us as Believers is his ability to make us focus on what happened, rather than what is happening to make way for what WILL happen. 

The worst thing to do is to sit around and let it overtake you.

Those feelings take no time creeping in:

"You weren't good enough then, so why would you ever be?"

"It's just gonna fall apart and you'll look even more foolish"

"Don't dream so big-- unless you wanna fail again"

"No one could love you because of XYZ"

"It's not worth the risk"

"It will stay this way forever"

And by feelings, I meant lies.

Often we think we can just sit there and ignore them and they'll all just politely leave us alone.

But that's not the case. They multiply and get louder and louder until we become crippled by their unrelenting voices. 

I have learned the best thing to do in times like these is to intentionally seek Jesus. 

This tactic fights AGAINST the Enemy rather than just avoiding him. 

We often think "ignoring" is the same as fighting, but the Truth is alive and active, it's not ignorant and passive.

It looks different for everyone.

Running 5 miles into the sunrise.

Sitting down at a coffee shop with Isaiah 43.

Long drives by yourself in nature with worship music.

Reflecting on His past faithfulness.

Fill in whatever works best for you.

I have yet to be intentional with moments like these without Him speaking. 

Because He a l w a y s blesses our obedience to seek Him out.

Being intentional doesn't look like 5 minutes a day if you have time and can remember, just like fighting doesn't look like ignoring the issue and hoping it leaves you alone.

It looks like sacrificing something you inherently desire for something you need more. 

Like giving up sleeping in for gaining a sunrise.

Or giving up Netflix to gain a half hour with your Bible.

It will never be what you expect, because it will be better than what your human brain could concoct. 

He is intentional to answer if we are intentional to ask.

He is intentional to give if we are intentional to seek.

And the peace that floods your soul as every voice of "can't" fades away, will make the "sacrifice" seem like no sacrifice at all. 

He will bless each and every choice you make towards Him and away from just filling up time.

So be intentional against your past and for your future. 

Hope is never far away if you just have the courage to look for it.

-Han