Courtnaye is a Christian blogger who loves writing to help women grow in their walk with the Lord. It's all about real talk, real issues, and real life in the faith! Don't miss out on her weekly posts every Monday at 7:30am on www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
Have you ever dealt with difficult people in your life before? Did they make you just want to pull your hair out or scream? Think about that for a moment. I would imagine that you probably didn’t have to go that deep in thought. But let me ask you a couple of quick questions. Can you think of a few people in your life currently, that may be a little difficult to deal with right now? Do you feel like you’re being mistreated by someone?
If so, I’ve been there before, sis! I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve discovered that once you overcome one, here comes another. It’s like they are assigned to you! LOL!
Nevertheless, I know that God is at work here, and I’m sure He’s at work in you too (and He will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ). With that being said, I believe that one of the reasons God allows this continual process of being around difficult people, is so that we can truly learn how to “love” individuals the way Christ loves us.
When I began working on this post, I kept hearing the word, “love.” Now, some of you may be thinking, “What? That’s it. That’s all you’ve got Courtnaye?!” And I would answer a wholehearted, “Yes.” Romans 13:8 states, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another…” It may seem simple, but if you’ve ever overcome to some extent in this area, you’ll agree that loving a difficult person is anything but easy - especially when you’re met with opposition. But it's biblically right.
Now, before we go any further, let’s take the love test. This is a good way to tell if you’re around a difficult person. Here we go! Do you cringe when that individual comes around? Do you feel like you’re walking on eggshells with him or her? Does that person say negative things when you’re trying to be positive? Let me ask another question…please. Are you feeling mistreated right now?
If so, how are you handling it, sis? Have you lashed out, given him or her a piece of your mind, or have you responded improperly in some way? If you did, and if you haven’t asked the Lord for forgiveness already, take a moment to do so right now. Get free. Because God is calling you to love…no matter how difficult the individual or individuals may be. He’s actually making you more mature in your walk with Him and making you stronger in godly character.
Trust me. I know this is not easy. Remember, I’ve been there before countless times. But here’s the thing. Here’s the how-to-part.
The next time you encounter that person, do something different. In other words, when you come face-to-face with that individual try loving them in action, like a friendly greeting or a smile. Be cordial. Pray for him or her (and yourself in the process).
And guess what? This is not about being fake. Instead, it’s about being a Christian. It’s about going the extra mile. It’s about letting go and letting God. So be the woman that He has called you to be in this situation.
Also, choose to respond properly when insulted. Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-12, “People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do, you will be happy. Rejoice and be glad, because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven.” Sis, heaven is coming! And we won’t have to deal with this there. Thank God!
However, as long as we’re here, we have to choose to keep loving difficult people and those who mistreat us. Here’s an extra biblical nugget for the journey found in Romans 12:17-18, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
Lastly, if you get a free minute, watch this life-changing video from Allen Parr from The Beat. This short message is on “How to Respond When People Mistreat You.” Whew! Needed this one recently. Soooooo good! And I have to admit, I had to say "Ouch!" a few times! But this is where growth happens. ;-)
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
QUESTION: Are you being mistreated right now? How have you been handling it? Need prayer? If so, you can email me directly @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.comand we can stand together in prayer.
Booking for 2019!
*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2019, Click here!
Order your copy of IDENTIFIED from Amazon TODAY!
*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!
This article first appeared on www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org.
Are you waiting on God to move in your life on something? If so, what is it? Are you waiting for that new job, to buy or build that new home? Maybe you're waiting for your children to act right or do well or waiting for your marriage to change for the better?
How about waiting on the right godly husband? Furthermore, are you waiting on everything to come together for that new vision, ministry or business? The truth is, most of us are waiting on something. And sometimes it can be hard. But even though it can be hard, I believe that's when we have to come to grips with the biblical reality that nothing is too hard for God.
He is faithful and He is at work.
So let Him work, sis. Let Him prepare His best for you and those you love. Let Him work out your life's circumstances. He’s a pretty Big God.
And trust me. I know when we don’t see things moving right away or the way that we'd like, we can sometimes feel like we're just wasting our time. Maybe even thinking, "Nothing is working. It’s just not happening for me." However, I’ve learned over the years to continue to trust God - even when I feel or begin thinking that way. It's like I have to take a new grip and take Him at His written word. That's when I have to believe that my waiting is not wasted. He's just working things out to match His perfect plan.
With that being said, I want to encourage you to continue praying while you wait. Don't get bitter while you wait. Grow personally while you wait. Train while you wait. Let God mature you and others around you while you wait. Prepare yourself while you wait. Love others while you wait. Most importantly, believe God no matter how long you have to wait.
I don’t know your situation or what you’re waiting on or for, sis. But I do know that I’ve been there before - many times. I’ve wanted to build that new home, move to another city, marry the right godly guy, change jobs, and wait for God to move with my children on some things. So I totally understand what it feels like to wait. But I’ll tell you this, my sister. They ALL happened, but in God’s perfect timing and according to His plan and will – not my own.
My waiting wasn’t wasted.
My prayers were answered…God’s way. BUT let me share something else with you. I don’t always get what I want. Trust me on that! So I'm not the spoiled child or Daddy's favorite (remember He has no favorites). ;-)
Factually, I’ve prayed for many things and for many situations in my lifetime, and God didn’t answer right when I wanted Him to or how I wanted Him to…but He still answered. He just answered in His own way. Sometimes it was no or we'll see. Just like our parents did with most of us or we do to our own children. And guess what, sis? It still worked out fine in the end.
I believe we have to get to a point that if God doesn’t answer the way we want Him to, it’s okay. If things don't go as we planned, it's okay, too. If we have to wait longer than we want to, it's okay. And granted, being okay doesn't typically make things easy. It just makes things more digestible.
With that being said, I want to share with you a few Scriptures that I’d like you to hold onto while you wait on God…
Psalm 9:10, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.”
Psalm 84:11-12, “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.”
1 Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58, “So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless.”
James 1:12, “Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Micah 7:7, “But I will watch for the Lord; I will wait confidently for God, who will save me. My God will hear me.”
Psalm 130:5-6, “I wait eagerly for the Lord’s help, and in his word I trust. I wait for the Lord more eagerly than sentries wait for the dawn.”
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
I pray that these verses comfort and encourage you while you wait, my sister. Rest in God’s peace. Rest in knowing that He has heard your prayer and your heart’s cry. Rest in knowing that He knows that waiting is not easy. But trust in the fact that while you wait, He is working out every detail. Nothing is being wasted, because He's got a plan for it all. Trust Him.
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
QUESTION: Are you waiting on God for something, sis? If so, what is it? Need prayer? Feel free to email me directly @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you!
Booking for 2019!
*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2019, Click here!
Order your copy of IDENTIFIED from Amazon TODAY!
*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!
Feature Image Credit: ©Unsplash/jenna-anderson
www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
"You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb."
~Psalm 139:15
If you are a mother who is trying to raise her kids in the right way, then it is not by chance that you are reading this post at this very moment. God knows that your heart’s desire is to raise them up in the admonition of Him, to train them up in the way that they should go, and most importantly to be a follower of Jesus Christ. By far, it’s not easy in the times that we’re living in. No doubt, it’s getting harder and harder to raise godly children in an ungodly culture.
Honestly, the hard reality is that there is in fact, so much vying and pulling for our children’s attention. With all of the gadgets, technology, social media apps (and the new ones that are forthcoming), YouTube videos, innuendos on television for sexual immorality, and worldly influences all around them, it is INDEED a fight to protect our kids from Satan’s schemes and strategies. I would venture to say that he has gotten even craftier in this generation.
Yet, I don’t know about you, but I’m willing to fight for my kids. And I’m not talking about carnally with my mouth and hands, but spiritually. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:4, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” Amen! I believe with God, this battle can be won, especially when we fight right and continually.
Personally and currently, I have a 20 year old son (in college), a 14 year old daughter who is in her first year of high school, and a 12 year old son who is nearing his teenage years (Lord, help us big time with our youngest!). He’s just a strong-willed one, and of course my hubby and I love him dearly. But if any of you reading this has a strong-willed child, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Which makes it even harder to raise them up in this ungodly culture.
So, what do we do, sis?
We pray for one another. We fight on our knees. We pray for our children fervently and we take time to pray with them (whether they are younger or older). We pay attention to what’s happening in our households and their lives (especially with their phones, tablets, computers, televisions, and friendships). We trust God, even when they make foolish decisions or mistakes. And we don’t give up, no matter what we see or experience.
Proverbs 31:27-28 says that the virtuous woman, “…carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her…” – so let’s follow this biblical example, sister.
Reason being is because the culture that we’re living in, it’s time that we, as mothers step up our game against the enemy and his tactics against our children. It’s time that we rise up to fight for the sake of our children’s lives and well-being, but also help them realize that God has a purpose for their lives and at the end of the day, eternity with Him is the ultimate end-goal. That’s why we fight, sis. And two ways are through unwavering hope and prayers.
So, whether your kid or kids are younger or older, don’t stop praying for them. Whether they are good or wayward, don’t stop praying for them. Whether they are respectful or disrespectful, don’t stop praying for them. Whether they’re obedient or disobedient, don’t stop praying for them. Whether they are with you or away from home, don’t stop praying for them. You are their praying mother.
You were created and called to be their nurturer, caregiver, teacher, and warrior in prayer. So, no matter what it looks like at home or in their lives, don’t ever give up on your child, sis. There is always hope, even as we raise them in an ungodly culture.
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
*Book Recommendations for you as a mother are, "The Power of a Praying Mother" and "The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children" - both books are from Stormie Omartian. And "Fervent" by Priscilla Shirer. Grab these helpful resources, TODAY!
QUESTION: Are you a mother, sis? Are you trying to raise your kid or kids in the ways of the Lord, but find it difficult in today's culture? If so, need prayer? Feel free to email me directly @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you!
Booking for 2019!
*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2019, Click here!
Order your copy of IDENTIFIED from Amazon TODAY!
*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!
