I was at lunch today with a sister who has been through an amazingly hard year. I cannot even describe all she and her husband, have been though, in almost every area of their lives. Some things just bizarre and occurring in a seemingly relentless and often simultaneous manner. But as I was sharing with her today, I told her I was able to see in both of them a new strengthening, establishing and upgrade coming their way!
The manifestations of the spiritual upgrades were actually sequels of physical upgrades now coming to their home. As I said, they had one issue after another appear, sometimes simultaneously. Many things needed to be demolished, fixed, removed, replaced and upgraded. The list went on and on, at home and at work.
Looking back now, she did admit that if the first event, had never happened, (a flood) more serious issues would not have been uncovered. But at first it looked like “Chicken Little, the sky is falling!” What blessed me even more was that she was encouraged and could see for herself God’s plan, looking back.
Once all the demolitions, renovations and upgrades are completed, they will be almost a “new home.” In the spirit even now, they have a greater view of His faithfulness, a newfound strength and a stronger resiliency. God is even building a platform in their business to eventually free them up to do kingdom work.
From an outsider’s view, I could see some of what God had done in their lives through all of this difficult journey they endured. Even in the process, they had not lost their love for God and others or their sense of humor. They allowed God to work in this despite their lack of understanding of this rough journey.
Some people call it drama; it is really called “life.”
Are you seeing what I am?
Remember, God’s Word says new wine will never be contained in an old wineskin. Using new wine in an old wineskin will cause it to burst. The process of making a new wineskin ready for new wine is very labor intensive. There is always a process before the finished product. But when it is done, it will be as God said when He made the earth, ‘it is good’.
Remember Joseph’s lessons and preparation for his upgrade came in the pit, not the palace.
Transition is never easy. It is the worst part in the natural of the birthing process! But it is a necessary part of the process. Joy returns with the birth, and the pain is forgotten in the person of the new life!
But while they were going through all of these trials, at home, work and so on, that is not what they saw. The inclination could have been to wonder if God had forgotten them, or a faulty expectation that things would always be this “insane” and “difficult” all the time. Or they could have been tempted to have the “hard place” mindset: “Do I dare think things will ever get better?” Hardship becomes the norm, and hope is disappointed. This is a major strategy and attack of the enemy on hope; “stinkin’ thinkin’ for sure. Ever been there?
The Bible says: “Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:5, AMP).
How do you know the lie? Well you have to know the truth first!
The Bible also says: “But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory through Christ Jesus, will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Pet. 5:10, MEV).
Sounds like the Lord is not surprised at all this. I am a firm believer that nothing passes the throne of grace without His permission, that there is a process, plan and means to an end. His end! Have you ever said to God, “Could we learn this another way, maybe?” Or have you said, “Lord, you and I do not agree with how much I can take.” God says He will use all for good, if we let Him.
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose” (Rom. 8:28, AMP).
He says, His grace is sufficient, and He is looking to the final product in us, for the tasks at hand, He has had for us, before the foundations of time.
In addition, when we are through it, we now have a ‘track record’ of His faithfulness in the “process.” When we hit the next mogul, or ‘blip’ in our lives, we can say with greater assurance that God is the same, then and now. We can weather the storm only with more strength and resilience, and less anxiety, if we let the process work for us, and remember what He did for us in prior situations.
God does know what He is doing. Do we really believe it?
“This is God’s Word on the subject: ‘As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for'” (Jer. 29:11, MSG).
If anyone has ever done a renovation project, there is always a demolition first, a removal of the old stuff, and then the upgrade!
“We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways]” (Rom. 6:4, AMP).
Dying to self is never an easy process.
Can you see how this translates to us in the spiritual realm! Can you relate? Are you there? Are you in a season of demolition? Take heart, the upgrades are on the way. Embrace the process knowing He is and will be faithful.
I sensed the Lord wanting to say, “There are many in a season of seeming demolition. In fact, it has been going on for a long time, with no obvious end in sight. I sense Him also saying, “Breakthrough and upgrades are on the way!” I also feel Him say to encourage you to keep the perspective that the demolition is the vehicle to the upgrade.
He also showed me that one of the greatest battles Christians face is to not be troubled. This is another strategy of the enemy, the ultimate troubler. If in these situations we can recognize from where all of this comes, it becomes easier to ward off what is coming from the enemy, and realize it is not from God and keep our peace and joy in this process. James 4:7 says, “Submit to God; resist the enemy, and he must flee” (author’s paraphrase).
So, I will end with this: “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believer also in Me” (John 14:1, MEV).
“For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection” (Rom. 6:5, AMP)>
Scripture says also we will share in His glory as well.
Take heart. Breakthroughs and upgrades are on the way!
Reverend Josephine Marie (Jo) Ayers is a wife of 26 years, mother, grandmother and devout lover of God. She is also a worshipper, author and conference speaker, prophet, teacher and evangelist. Visit flamesoffire.us.
