Shaken to Move
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Have any of you experienced situations in your life that shook the very core of who you are? This shaking can be so severe that it moves you into a different place spiritually, mentally and emotionally. With each shake, things you have relied on and trusted in begin to fall and break right before your eyes.
There was a time in my life I was so shaken. My marriage was in trouble, I lost friends, and I thought I would lose my mind. I recall during these times; I would burst into tears because the shaking was so overwhelming. It was like an earthquake had occurred in my heart that shattered everything I had become comfortable with. Each time I would try and put things back in place to remain status quo, the aftershocks reminded me that it was time to move from where I was to where God wanted me to be. I have to be honest, I hated it, and it was very uncomfortable. I recall praying, asking God to make things like they were before, but God did not answer my Prayer, and I am so glad He didn’t. It was a tumultuous time in my life, and the shaking was hard. But I soon realized God allowed the shaking because He was moving me into a new place of intimacy with Him, and a knowing of who I was in Christ.
You may be going through a “Shaking" experience. It may be in your family, career, ministry, or even the calling God has on your life. It may not feel good, but I want to encourage you to seek the Lord, and ask Him why the “Shaking” is occurring. Is it possible the “Shaking” is occurring to move you? Remember, I asked God to just make things like they were before, but He did not answer my prayer. In fact, the “Shaking” continued. Was I going to surrender to what the Lord was doing in my life at that time, or remain in the same place and possibly miss out on the future plans He had for me?
As I look back, I remember waking up one day and realizing that I needed to make some decisions regarding how I would transition from my “Shaking” experience. I knew enough about God to know that He loved me and desired to deliver me out of my situation. The decisions I made were simple. However, I knew that in order for me to get through my “Shaking” I needed to be committed and remain consistent in doing what God had called me to do. I believe the decisions I made in 1999, and will share in this blog contributed to where I am today in my relationship and identity in Christ.
I pray these decisions will encourage you and build your faith to trust Jesus through your "Shaking" experience.
Decision #1- Surrender to Jesus
I decided to surrender all of my anxiety and fears to Jesus. It was not easy, and at times I struggled, but I was determined to live a life surrendered to Jesus. Each day I would ask God to help me, and He would. I encourage you to give Him the situation; tell Him your problems. He has the power to bring you through whatever it is you are experiencing. His love will sustain you through the shaking experience. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. Reject every voice that tells you that you can’t do it, or you can do it on your own. Jesus is real and ready to lead you UP and OUT of your “Shaking”.
Decision #2- Intimacy in Prayer
I decided to make Prayer a priority. Even when I found myself falling asleep as I prayed, I would wake up and continue praying. I wanted to hear God's voice, so I prayed. My prayers were not eloquent, but they came from my heart. I was praying from a place of hurt and disappointment, and I knew that Jesus was the only answer. I encourage you to pray from your heart. Ask God to give you prayers to pray. Romans 8:26-27 says, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.” Don't allow your shaking to distract you from praying. Keep praying; God hears your prayers.
Decision #3- Meditate on God’s Word
I decided to read God's word. I began to memorize scripture and recited them every chance I got. I read the testimonies in the Old Testament of how God loved, covered, and delivered His people out of bondage and oppression from those seeking to destroy them. The testimonies built up my faith, and I no longer feared what I was going through. I believed the same God who delivered the people of Israel could deliver me from my situation.
I encourage you to be intentional with reading God's word; make time to read His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a revelation of God's word, and allow it to transform your heart. God's word is life, and when you read it, it aligns your heart with His heart. Psalm 119:14-16 says, “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.” The Word of God is powerful, and when you read it with an open heart, it will transform your life.
Don't despise the “Shaking”. His desire is that you agree with the transition plan He has designed to help you through your “Shaking” experience.
The “Shaking” was never meant to destroy you, but move you into your Purpose for His Glory.
Cynthia B. Jackson
Speaking Encouraging Words-S. E. W.
“Live Beyond your Expectation”