It's a matter of perception...

It’s a matter of perception.

Life has a funny and I mean funny in a good way of showing up to change your perception.
This afternoon we received news concerning my husbands job and changes that are going to be made. The news was a little bleak at first as it seemed that it would be an inconvenience and bring financial harm to our family. Part of these changes include the company asking the employees to voluntarily take 6 weeks off, with no pay to help avoid lay-offs. They can take the weeks off all at once or in weekly increments

When we begin to weigh out the “what ifs”; discouragement tried to come in and the enemy tried to remind me of our past.
You see 3 years ago we went through a tremendous season of loss. It was a very difficult process, one in which we lost everything that we could have called our own.
Within a matter of a few short months we experienced my husband losing his mother, followed by his job, and as a result we ultimately lost our home. We were literally bankrupt without every having to file the paperwork. That season of loss consumed and over took us like a raging wildfire leaving behind only smoke and ashes of our former lives.

The news of possible change brought the memories of that season flooding back. My mind immediately shifted to prayer and survival mode. I wanted to come up with a plan and quick, you know just in case. Just in case what?!? Just in case God didn’t move, just in case God failed to be God? Are you laughing yet? By the time I was done I know I was (laughing).

As I was thinking about what we would do in the situation – the situation which had not even occurred mind you, the Holy Spirit brought back some words that had recently been spoken.
On the way back from our family trip my husband voiced a desire of his heart and as a family we were in agreement with this desire. That desire included being able to take time off in increments to do something’s that were on his heart with us as a family.

When the Holy Spirit reminded me of that conversation a joy, unspeakable joy was released within my soul. That joy, the joy of the Lord quickly dispelled the shadows of darkness that had tried to bring me down. I knew at that exact moment in time that everything was going to be okay.
I also knew I had to make a choice. I could view this situation as a doorway to our demise or I could view it as an opportunity for God to show up and do what He does best.
Who knows but God that He will use this time to honor and fulfill my husband’s hearts desire?

Rather than it being an inconvenience it may be the best thing ever for us - God already has it figured out but I had to learn that it was all in my perception; and how I choose to see or perceive the situation. Once again I needed my “glasses”.

As my perception shifted I threw up my hands and said okay God here’s an opportunity for you to do the miraculous and to once again be glorified. As I laid the situation at His feet, scriptures begin to flood my heart totally eradicating the lies the enemy had tried to bring in. Scriptures like Jeremiah 31:12 (NIV) - That says; They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD-the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.
Another one was the theme scripture of Well Watered Woman: Isaiah 58:11 - And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
What about; Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11- And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose; For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

No matter what the outcome of the situation with my husbands job, God has us securely in the palm of His hand. His plans for us are not dictated by what the company decides to do, His plans are determined by Him to prove what is His good and acceptable and perfect will.

As I meditated on these scriptures and allowed the washing of the water which is the word of God to flow over me I thanked God.
I thanked Him because truly He does give the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He truly turns our mourning into dancing again and I think I’m going to run on and see what the end will be.

p.s. as I was looking through my photo folder this evening I found the picture shown above.
It's a picture taken by my daughter a few days ago. When I looked at it, it spoke to the heart of this post. Things can look bleak and gray but when we look at them through God's eyes they are full of life, hope and promise.