Sometimes it takes moving into desert places and out of our routine to reach a new level of understanding and awareness. I’m not talking about going from America to the wonderland a European vacation. I mean really getting into a place that is really completely away from all you know and where you feel safe and comfortable… where all you insecurities, shortcomings, and faults are exposed. Here in Qatar, I don’t have the distractions of ordinary life in America or Europe. Here, I am an obvious outsider, limited by language and cultural understanding. Like many of the Biblical heroes, moving to the desert can test your faith and bring you revelations you couldn’t otherwise receive.

Consider Moses, who grew up in the palace of the pharaoh, then spent 40 years wandering around in the desert where he learned the ways of the true King.  After being baptized, Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert.  Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, David, Joseph all spent time in the desert. Granted most of the Bible took place in the desert, being alone in the wilderness is when they heard and saw God’s work.

My 2014 started off rocky to say the least.  I learned I was the daughter of a breast cancer warrior the day after the guy who said he wanted to give me his last name changed his mind. I’ve gone through what I consider major tests only to be surrounded and comforted by God. Clearly, the good Lord wants my attention.  I got the epiphany that I seem to I write about everything else but my testimony. I mean, looking through my blog, you wouldn’t be able to tell I try to follow God’s guidance for my life with varying success because I don’t speak about his goodness. Well, here I am changing that with the messages of encouragement I’ve received during the first 15 days of 2014.

I lead Zumba on Wednesday nights. Last Wednesday as I was cleaning up after class a participant lingered after class and said, “I’d like to give you this.” In her hand was a pewter necklace with a cross on one side and the words, “Be still and know that I am God.”  Wow! What a message. Basically, God sent a new friend…we’ll call her and angel… to let me know, “Chill the frick out, I got this!”

It’s so easy have faith in God’s plans when they are right in line with my own. Each night I pray, “Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven…” then get so upset when God’s will isn’t in synch with my own.  He has a reputation for doing amazing things and giving me more than I could ever ask for. Why would he stop now? My dreams are coming true. I need to start thanking him for the works he’s already promised me rather than keep asking him to meet my deadline.

I get so annoyed when people question me. When others want to know what I’m doing or why I made the decisions I made, it makes me so uneasy.  So why on Earth do I do the same to God? I have to learn just to accept God’s answer. I need to let God be God. He’s got this.  Now, more than ever I understand Hannah and Sarah wanting what they want right then and there. But I’m learning God uses delays in fulfilling our heart’s desires to strengthen us, train us, and test our obedience. Take the Israelites wandering around the desert for 40 years…you can take the Israelites out of Egypt but you can’t take the Egypt out of the Israelites. The Israelites probably had a lot of Egyptian habits like making idols that God just wouldn’t let them take into the promised land. I’m satisfied to wait for the Isaacs in life, do not rush and end up with an Ishmael. I’m usually pretty spontaneous and take comfort in the “whatever will be will be.”  But when it comes to what really matters to me, I am a meticulous planner. I’ve got to let go.

Disappointments happen with unmet expectations. Instead of dwelling on past disappointments, be excited and optimistic about God’s plan for your future. Look for the silver lining in all misfortunes. Disappointments are opportunities to prove to god you are growing. Maintain a positive attitude regardless of the situation around you. Don’t absorb all the criticisms and negativity around you, make positivity a habit like Polly Anna. Be anxious for nothing but give all your worries to God. Joseph had betrayals, setbacks, and disappointed in his life. But we don’t know of his grumbling. We just know of his patience and his grace with those who hurt him.

Not everyone deserves to have a piece of your time.  Some people are just going to be critical of you, no matter what you do or how hard you try to please.  If someone can spend six months or so with you and still fail to realize how fabulous you are, well, that says more about that individual than it does you.  Give up the goal of winning approval of others. Doing so only sets you up to be controlled and manipulated by that individual. Instead, be controlled by God and strive to please him. Know that when you are forgiven by God and living a new life that is pleasing to God, how other’s judge you doesn’t matter.

Proverbs 25:17 says “Iron sharpens Iron; So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Amazingly, I have been bum-rushed with tons of encouraging girl friends who just popped up out of nowhere who encourage and celebrate me. They sharpen me rather than make me dull and unsure of myself.  The good Lord has brought me amazing people who lift me up; people who encourage me to dream and believe in me. In 2014 I will be disciplined to spend my time with people who appreciate my talents, personality and celebrate my accomplishments rather than emphasizing my weaknesses and tell me what I cannot do. There’s power in God’s words. I mean, He did use them to speak the universe into orbit. So surely his words can handle the little things in life.  A co-worker randomly provided me a list of affirmations of who the Bible says I am and capable of. When surrounded by people that say hurtful things, it may take morning affirmations to remember what God thinks about you and how wonderful you are.

 “I am a virtuous woman.” Proverbs 31

“God wants to give me hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11

“He who finds me, will find a good thing” – Proverbs 18:22

“I am a Child of the Most High God, fully accepted by the Father.” – John 1:12

“I am more than a conqueror.” – Romans 8:37

“I am forgiven.” 1 John 1:19

“God loves me enough to sacrifice his only son for me.” John 3:16

Don’t act on emotional impulses. Be disciplined while emotional so you don’t make choices you regret. Be concerned about later on, not how you feel today. You can be right or be kind. God brings peace on earth if you chose to accept it. He causes a cessation of hostility and anxiety. Always maintain your Belle poise and demeanor. You don’t ever want to come off as graceless.

Since the New Year I have received an outpouring of love, acceptance, and encouragement from friends. co-workers, and random strangers. I have developed new networks of people who celebrate me.  I’m not alone in this world. God sent his angels to let me know he is looking out for me.  It takes getting out of my comfort zone and places of distraction to find out who I really am and what I’m made of.  We all go through metaphorical deserts where the days are oppressively hot, dusty, grimy and all around uncomfortable and hope to cross metaphorical River Jordans into the promise land.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths -Proverbs 3:5-6

A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way? – Proverbs 20:24

Many plans occupy the mind of a man, but the LORD’s purposes will prevail. – Proverbs 19:21

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. – Proverbs 16:9

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11