"STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN "

If you are like me, there have been times when you have  said, or heard someone say, "I am going through so much right now."  It is a statement that clearly indicates the intensity of our struggle in the midst of difficulties. These words make me think of the word "overwhelmed", and whether it is one big thing or several small things, we all, at some point, find ourselves feeling this way. 
I actually started writing this blog several days ago, but have just not moved beyond the first few words. I think it is because my thoughts on what to write about, was not the direction God wanted me to go.  
I have had a day or two of feeling all kinds of things. I have been bored but didn't want to do anything. I have had feelings of  uncertainty and wondering what is going on. And adding everyday life things to the mix, I had begun to feel a little overwhelmed. I was not moving beyond any of this. The word stagnate describes it all pretty well.
While talking to a friend, she shared with me that she had been feeling a lot of the same things. In sharing, she used the word doldrums (where I had used the word stagnate) to describe the place she was in. She looked up the word stagnation and found that this word is similar to doldrums, which means "stuck, not moving." I began to realize that "Both I and my friend were feeling stuck." 
This, I believe, is what Holy spirit would have me share:
"When circumstances, big or small, overwhelm us, we just might find ourselves in the place of "Being Stuck."
However, He also wants us to know that this is not what He has for us..and that it is important to make the choice to not allow the enemy to keep us "Stuck."
There are so many little "mini" parts to this thing we label as our lives. When several of these parts become affected, this is when we need to: 
"STOP,  LOOK,  AND  LISTEN" 
We have a heavenly Father who knows exactly where we are and knows all of our needs. He knows that the circumstances of life can become so overwhelming to us that we can find ourselves "moving into a shutdown mode." STUCK!
I love the Word of God! And I can tell you that whatever is going on in regards to ourselves or those that we love, we can find truth and direction through His Holy scriptures. 
Psalm 46:10-11 and Jeremiah 32:26 proclaim the greatness of who God is. I believe it is important to "STOP" and think about the words expressed in these two scriptures:
Psalm 46:10-11(Amplified)
"Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! 
"The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold)." Selah (pause and calmly think of that.)
Jeremiah 32:26-27 (Amp.) 
"Then came the word of the Lord to Jeremiah, saying, Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?"
It is vital that we stop, cease, slowdown from dwelling on our circumstances and  raise our eyes to look upon God.  God, the one who created us..the one who loved us so much that He gave us His greatest gift, His Son Jesus.  The one who alone, is Mighty, Holy, All Knowing and All-Seeing. The only one who can say " is anything too hard for Me?" We can rest in the knowledge that nothing surprises Him and that He alone wants to be our strength. 
Paul, a disciple of God's, tells us in:
2 Corinthians 12:9 (Amp.)
But He said to me, "My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy)is enough for you (sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully); for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in your weakness."
Paul went on to say:
 "Therefore,  I will the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me."
Paul knew the love, power and strength of God, our creator, of God our Heavenly Father. And Paul knew that it was not because of anything we can do to receive all that God has for us..It is God's Grace that abounds to us. Grace released to us when Jesus died for us.
Jesus wants to be our strength when we are unable to sort things out, work through them. He wants to supply the answers to all of our needs! We need not "move" into the place of feeling overwhelmed.
Psalm 61:1-3 (Amp.) says it this way:
"Hear my cry, oh God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth, will I cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting; lead me to the rock that is higher than I (yes, a rock that is too high for me.) For you have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary."
Jesus is that "Rock." He is the place that we long to be able to be.. the place where we can go to with all of our pain, struggles, uncertainties and questions. David, a Psalmist of the Lord, knew this and whenever he was in difficulty would cry out to the Lord for the answers that he needed. "God said that David was a man after His own heart." 1 Samuel 13:14 (Amp.)
God's word further tells us that we can find "safety" in Him..As we abide in His presence!
Psalm 91:1-2 (Amp.)
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (Whose power no foe can withstand)."
"I will say of the Lord He is my Refuge and My fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him (confidently) trust."
Look at this promise from His word. If we choose to accept His love, His gift of salvation and to put our trust in Him believing the truth of His word to us, then we have the assurance of the safety of His presence. He will be our help, refuge and our fortress.
The feelings of being stuck or overwhelmed will flee as we choose the truth and love of God, our Heavenly Father!
God wants us to hear His voice as He speaks His words of life to us! The New King James Version of the Bible speaks of His desire for this in another way:
Psalm 46:10 (nkjv)
"Be Still and Know that I Am God.".....
God is encouraging me and you, all of us to:
"STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN"
Invite God into whatever it is you are going through..you will find that "HE IS THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS".

Blessings in Jesus name,
Drema