Have you had a tough year? I don’t know about you – but 2016 has had some AMAZING highs, and some stressful low’s. I have been STRETCHED spiritually like NEVER before.
I remember one day, I was at the gym, working out and I was just thinking about the spiritual attacks. As I was working out on the stair stepper, I heard the Holy Spirit interrupt my thoughts and tell me, “Heather, I am preparing you for something so much greater.”
It was the sweetest, purest words to me in that moment. Although I preach about the preparation, development, trusting in the Lord, resting in His timing, rejoicing during the tests – but then that moment comes where you’re faced with what you preach and post about. At times, it seems like it’s so easy to encourage everyone else but when it comes to yourself? Well, you’re a little bit harder on you.
As I stepped on that Stairmaster, I told the Lord that I will rejoice in this test. I told Him that I am thankful to share in a TINY bit of His persecution. I was thankful to share in a TINY bit of His suffering for righteous sake.
And, in every time and in every moment, I have watched the Lord strengthen me through those tests.
So, if 2016 has been a year of stretching for you too – I want to encourage you that if you’ve been SOWING love, peace, joy, OBEDIENCE, trusting God when you don’t’ understand and walking by FAITH – GOD HONORS it. It is NOT in vain. I love harvest season because I know when I’m passing a spiritual test, I will see a spiritual harvest. Ya’ll KNOW I am not one to say that “THIS IS GONNA BE YOUR NEW YEAR” – because I don’t know what season you’re in but I DO know that if WE stay like those TREES that are planted by the rivers of water (Psalms 1:3) that we will BRING forth FRUIT in our season, our LEAF will not wither and whatever we do will prosper.
DUE SEASON WILL ALWAYS COME!
So, don’t dig your tree up and move it somewhere else if things are hard. Stay planted. Just stay there. Stay in that test and PASS it. Don’t run back to your past. Don’t rush back to what was once comfortable. I can ASSURE you that you will see something on the other side of it ALL. When you live a life of disobedience, it HINDERS the Lord from working in you. So, repent sis, turn back around and endure! God will give you the strength to pass whatever is in front of you.
I started this blog to you all this morning and then I got confirmation that I have my own show on the WORD network (AHH!) called “The Heather Lindsey Show.” If you’ve been following the ministry, you know that I’ve always wanted to host again but I put it down because the Lord told me to do so for a season. And, almost 10 years later, I’m picking it back up again.
I’m completely convinced that there’s a PATH for each and every one of you (Jeremiah 1:5). Your story may not look like my story because it’s YOUR story, but, along that path of saying YES to Jesus – you will find the life that He has prepared for you. This doesn’t mean that tests stop. Actually, they will probably increase. But, it simply means that you get to lean on and depend on the Lord for every breath. I can assure you, with tears in my eyes – God is faithful. If He does nothing else, I want you to know that He longs for a relationship with you. He longs to walk with you. He longs to be close to you. He longs to speak to you. He longs to LEAD your life. Put down that strife and division in your heart and open up your heart to Him. He’s constantly waiting.
I always say that a new year isn’t a new you unless you renew your mind and say Yes to our Jesus. So, cheers to committing to spend the next year at the feet of our Jesus. He never fails us.
I love you all so much. I’m not sure if you know how much I truly love you but I pray for you all on a regular basis. I want to see you win. I want to see you walk in your purpose. I want to see you free from bitterness, I want to see you bold. I want to see you committed to Jesus. So, cheers to never quitting.
Just a few things:
1. Find my (6) books (including my NEW book, “Fighting Together”) purity rings, shirts & all that good stuff via www.pinkypromiseboutiques.com!
2. We have developed an APP! Think: daily post notifications + weekly devotionals, recipes and so much more! It’s out NOW for iphones + Androids. Under: Heather & Cornelius Lindsey: Today With the Lindsey’s
3. Register for the 2017 Pinky Promise in Atlanta, GA! It sold out last year so you don’t want to miss out! www.pinkypromiseconference.com
4. As always, you can join a Pinky Promise group locally! There’s about 50,000 ladies that have joined! Find a group near you by joining & checking out the intro page! Join here: www.PinkyPromiseMovement.com
5. We are headed on a Revival Tour to Kenya, Nigeria, London and Capetown. Register here: www.lindseyevents.com
God loves you like crazy,
Love,
Heather Lindsey
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