In Spite of....

I'd like to take a moment and discuss praising God and wearing a smile in spite of the negative circumstances and fiery trials. This particular post was inspired by an awesome sermon that I heard at church this past Sunday. It touched me deep within my soul because it was so on time for me. The pastor always seems to preach on just what I need to hear. I truly believe that our steps are ordered and God works through everyone that crosses our paths...even our enemies. You may give me the *side eye* and say "What in the world are you talking about? Yeah right! That situation or those folks couldn't have possibly been for my good!!" I'm here to tell you that, all things work together for the good of those who serve the lord. That's word y'all. Its all a process. Its all a test. What type of test you may ask? The answer to that is, a test of your character, endurance, and faith! We all have hardships and difficulties. We all fall and get up. Know that you're either GOING INTO a storm, INSIDE a storm, or COMING OUT of a storm. God's grace is always sufficient to pull us through. Please don't elude yourself to believe that a person of status or with a large bank account are the exception to the storms and trials of life. Everyone goes through. No amount of money can bypass the trials of life. God doesn't give us burdens to induce us into a state of defeat and sin. It is used to promote strength. You learn to climb the mountain in your life to build up strength to climb the next mountain. Sometimes God doesn't move the mountain at all because the whole purpose wasn't for the mountain to be moved but for you to be moved. I've always wondered why some of my own personal mountains always seemed to be there no matter how hard I prayed but it came to me that it was me who needed to change. Alot of times we go through things to strengthen the weak points in our lives. Sometimes God won't move the "walls" in our lives but rather than moving the "wall", God will decorate it. This means that the very thing that was used to destroy us or portray as weak and faulty, will be used to promote and build us up! Please know that faith brings us close to God and it is the very thing that we're all saved by so it makes sense that when we go through different things, that's what's tried, FAITH. Have you ever noticed that when you're at your weakest moment, the attack becomes WORSE? I mean every enemy,negative circumstance, etc...will try to come against you. This is because the goal of the enemy is to wipe out your faith and bring about hopelessness. Wiping out your faith moves you AWAY from God's will for your life. The further away from the will that you are, the easier it is for you to become illusioned and confused about who you are in Christ. I'm here to say that trouble doesn't last always. Rejoice when negativity hits you at every angle. This simply means you're on the right team and you're being prepared for something so great. These are not "cliche" cheerleader mantras that I speak. It's something that I've experienced first hand. It's one thing to read about a certain thing but a whole different vibe comes into play when you've actually walked the walk. When you find yourself having more "demands" than "supplies", he's simply teaching you how to do more with less. In these economic times, I know that this is the story of many different individuals. Hold fast because he won't leave us. He'll always make a way. I'm learning that true character and learning doesn't come from the "fruit" aka harvest but instead comes from the "roots". This means that we are developed when struggling at the "bottom" and during the "climb". How will I know how to run a business where there are difficult personalities if I've never worked with difficult personalities? How will I know how to do two or three people's jobs as an owner of my business if I've never performed the mundane tasks of moving boxes,cleaning desks, stuffing envelopes, filing paperwork and answering phones? How will I know how to lead if I've never followed? I will have the experience of knowing what it's like to be in certain positions and recognizing the traits of different scenarios because I've walked that walk. Please don't limit what I'm telling you to the "career field". Apply it towards all aspects. I've also been tested in the area of the different individuals in my life and the role that they play. I'm sure some of you have heard the video by T.D. Jakes where he speaks on Confidants, Constituents, & Comrades. If not, here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG498iLSVT4


Sometimes we put people in the wrong category. God is definitely revealing that to me. At one point in my life, I would've been devastated at mixing up a confidant and comrade but at this point, I've learned that I've been strengthened in that area. I know for a fact that once you pray and focus on what God is trying to do in your life, he reveals the motives of the people around you. People that we meet on our journey, are put there to play their role for a particular need that we have and they either become part of the background or just out of the picture all together. I'm learning to accept the exits and distancing of the different individuals in my life because the purpose has been met and if they're meant to be here, then this is where they'll be. I've learned not to take it personal or even confront anything that may have been deceiving or hurtful because I know that everything happens for a reason. I've learned to actually be grateful because while the betrayal or lies may hurt, they don't hurt the destiny and calling that God has over my life. I trust him to remove and replace the right individuals at the right time for my rightful purpose. I mentioned earlier that God often uses our enemies to mold us and strengthen us. I've learned that sometimes, God will use people that mean to hurt you, to help you. They don't even realize that they've helped you. They also can reveal others with the same intention as well to give you the push that you need into your destiny. It's up to us to trust what he's shown us and accept it. The lesson is to be able to smile, give God praises, and help others even when you know they don't like you. The lesson for me is to learn to be able to stand by myself. Learn how to STAND with your shoulders back and head held high even when you've cried all night. Learn how to wipe the tears away and inspire anyhow. Be able to smile and inspire even when folks are rolling their eyes and sending out their negative spirit just hoping you'll choke on your words! There's a story in the Bible where Paul was bitten by a snake and the snake not only bit him but it didn't let go. It just hung from his arm. During that moment he was preaching to a crowd and they witnessed the snake biting him and not only biting but sinking it's teeth in and hanging on. Some people in the crowd were wondering how long it would take for him to die from the poison being injected in his veins so they kept watching. They didn't watch and inquire because of concern. They did so just to see how long he could stand and if he would die. This story symbolizes the trials and hurts that some of us face in life with others witnessing. Sometimes God allows us to go through hurtful and personal circumstances in front of our peers,enemies,associates, etc...because he wants to show others how he'll bring us out. There are/will be some people in our lives that will fake concern only to gain a better personal understanding on how long it'll take before you die or fall spiritually. They are the type to discuss with others how long they think you have before you fall. Beware of people that go back and forth between being "concerned" about you and being concerned about the "snakes" in your life. People like this are really gathering for their own personal gain. God allows this because he knows that these type of people won't be convinced by the words out of your mouth on the goodness of God so they have to see what you've been through compared to where you are today. They will then wonder, "How did she/he go through that for so long? How did he/she stand so long and not fall?" They will KNOW that the power of God is real in our lives because even though our strength dwindles, HIS strength never fails. Never let people label you or put you in a box because they don't understand you. Oftentimes, people are intimidated by the spiritual seed  placed within each of us because they aren't aware of their own seed. They often try to KILL yours thinking it will somehow promote theirs when in reality we should nourish and help each other flourish therefore leading to the discovery of what we each have on the inside of us. Oftentimes, people do this because they're scared that if you get to an elevated point, you'll do what they'd actually do given the same position. What they fail to realize is that, your heart isn't like their heart if you're truly striving to be Christ-like. You'd actually bless them if given the very opportunity they're trying to keep you from. Perception of one's self is very important and contributes greatly to the life that we lead. Perception is part of the thought process. Out of the abundance of our thoughts, the creative process begins. Remember that if the enemy can destroy your thought process, he can destroy your creative process. This is why you have to learn how to be able to walk around with NOTHING but have BIG thoughts. I may not have a dime to my name but I'm rich. I may not have a man but my husband is a great man after God's own heart. They may talk about me like a dog and say I'm a fraud but I'm God's beloved and am making a positive influence within billions of people's lives everyday! Learn to call those things that be not as though they were. I'm not perfect but I'm not who I was so when people come against you making a mockery of who you are and what you stand for, tell them you are the beloved of God, You are the head and not the tail, You are Victorious and not the Victim. You are these things because God has said so. God said it and it was. Haters, Debaters, and Perpetrators will try to deny it but deep in their hearts, they know the truth when they hear and see it. I pray peace and love into your sphere and please learn to appreciate the joys & applause as well as the "boos". Everyone won't applaud you so learn to accept that because it really does prepare you for where God is taking you! Thanks for listening and don't just LISTEN,but, ABSORB & APPLY it daily.


Peace,  Love, & Blessings,


Nata Bee

copyright © 2011 Renate' Bender