Remember this when you feel stalled by Joy Lenton

Are you feeling stalled, prevented from progressing as you want to? Me too.

We're full of hope and expectation, pressing ahead with our projects, when it feels like we hit a brick wall.

Something slams into our days, rendering us helpless, too tired to carry on as before.

We become the sparrow fallen to ground, empty jar needing to be filled, lost coin waiting to be found.

We thought it was almost reaping time but now we sit in bleak and barren furrows.

Circumstances make us crumble into the dust and ashes we came from.

Being laid low, set aside for a while, feels painful, humbling, frustrating. Everything within us longs to move on.

I've become accustomed to the fluctuating symptoms of M.E, the way it can drain and deplete so inconveniently. 

And the hardest thing to have to lay aside is connection, being a part of life when you're too weary to participate. 

That, and the work in progress, of course. Who wants to stop when words and ideas are flowing? Not me.

At times like this we can forget Whose hands our life and times are in.

So I've sat still for a season, alternately resisted and relaxed into rest. Most of all, I've sought after God because He is the Peace I crave, and He makes me whole again. 

As I browsed through my prayer journal to remind myself how God has strengthened me in the past, I found some words to share which I hope will encourage you too.

'Prayer Whisper:Your story matters'

“You have a message to share. You have a story to tell. Surrender the outcome to Me. 

All I ask of you is that you are willing to write as I guide, speak as I direct, and listen continually for My promptings.

Sometimes words will flow and be written down; other times you wait in faith and trust, with expectancy, and I will provide as you take the first step.

Surrender your tools to Me. Your pen, paper, keyboard, phone or voice. In My hands they will accomplish far more than you can imagine.

If words stall and you feel blocked from speaking, do not allow fear to paralyse you further. Continue to believe that I will provide.

There will be seasons of bounty and seasons of fallow. Believe I am in both. 

Your heart may need surgery.

Your attitude and thoughts may need correction. It is necessary to purify and make you fit for purpose.

Then you will come forth as gold and shine with My radiance and glory. I will renew and restore what is broken and lost.

You still see holes. I see more areas where My grace can filter through.

Trust the work I am doing in you. Broken, weak and wounded people surrendered to Me are the most beautiful vessels to reflect My Light to others”

May I pray for you?

Eternal Father,

I pray for those who may be in a season of being stalled, a period of challenge and change, requiring direction from you.

Be the peace they need, the calm in every storm, the shelter and safe place we can all come to when life overwhelms us.

Ease the discouragement and frustration of being set aside for a while, and bring forth the fruit of their labours at just the right time for it to impact the lives of others.

Thank you that you are the Author of life, Source of inspiration and giver of all good gifts. Help us to use them wisely to your praise and glory.

Amen

Joy is a grateful grace dweller who finds community among the weak and the broken, the edge-dwellers and truth-tellers.

She enjoys having fellowship with poets, writers, mystics and contemplatives as she seeks after God's heart.

You can find her raking for beauty out of ashes at poetryjoy.com and wordsofjoy.me where she writes to encourage others on their journey of life and faith.

She would love to connect with you on her blogs, or on Twitter, Facebook or Google +