Tag: trust

Priorities

Priorities

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 2 Comments

““You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of My house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.” – Haggai‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As twenty-somethings, we’re often told that this is the prime of our lives. Many remind us that we have all the time, opportunity, and optimism in the world to  pursue our dream lives. Heeding this encouragement, many of us decide to do just that. We go and travel the world. We go and start the business. We go and get the degrees. We go after it all! Have you ever wondered, however, if all that hustling was actually beneficial for you? Have you ever considered that our pursuit for “best” could actually be damaging, especially if not properly directed? According to this verse in Haggai, I’d venture to say that our pursuits may have some critical flaws.

For context, this verse shows God speaking to the Israelites (His chosen people) through a prophet named Haggai. These Israelites were banished from their homeland for many years due to their grave disobedience to God. When God eventually delivered them from the Babylonians (the people who took them captive) and returned them to their homeland, He gave them an assignment. He commanded that they rebuild His temple (His house of worship), which was destroyed during their capture. By the time Haggai shares this prophecy, it had already been 16 years since they returned and the temple was still not complete! Instead of following God’s command, they decided to focus on prospering themselves: building houses, spending money, and harvesting their crops. Simply, they were trying to live their best lives. In all they did however, nothing stood. God refused to let them prosper.

God’s rebuke of them, in this verse, was not evil or mean in intent, as we often conclude when God seems to go against what we want. God’s word was in love and in deep desire for the Israelites to get their priorities straight. This verse serves as a prompting to check where our priorities lie also. How can we expect God to bless our works and plans when we put Him on the back burner? How can we expect to prosper in things God’s hand was never in to begin with? While we might have a nice run for a little while, inevitably, as many of us can attest to, there often becomes a point when we realize we can’t sustain on our own. We get burnt out. We get frustrated. Plans fall through. People become flaky. It becomes too much! If you’re looking for the solution to this problem, the answer, thankfully, is quite simple. Like the Israelites, God is calling us to focus on Him and start doing, first, what He said to do.

“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” – Proverbs‬ ‭16:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You may feel stuck after hearing that. If you’re anything like me, you’re reading this thinking “Well what did God even tell me to do?!”. While you currently may not have a specific revelation about your calling, thankfully, the core of God’s will (listed below) is the same for everyone. Start to prioritize and pursue these things in all that you do.

1. Have gratitude in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
2. Go after holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
3. Seek and show wisdom (Ephesians 5:17)
4. Be just, give mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8)

Know that no matter what you do, it must be with God’s glory in mind. God can’t accept your works, no matter how awesome they are, if your heart, your character, and your motives aren’t of Him (Haggai 2:14). In all that you put your hands to: that degree, that business, or whatever else you desire, seek to do His will in all of it. As you continue to please Him in all you do, He will begin to lead you in the way that you should go. God will prosper those whose hearts and personal wills are submitted to Him.

“From this day on I will bless you.” – Haggai 2:19 NIV

This was God’s promise to the Israelites after they humbled themselves and reprioritized building God’s house. Thankfully, that promise still holds true for us today. Go forth and prosper, not by your own power and might but by God’s spirit at work in and through you (Zechariah 4:6). Trust Him to know what’s best for you.

First things first, twentysomethings. ❤️

Don’t Mind the Wind

Don’t Mind the Wind

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 2 Comments

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to You on the water.”

“Come,” He said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:25-31

My favorite person in the Bible is Peter. I’ve always identified with his zeal for Christ coupled with his overwhelmingly flawed humanity. The way in which Jesus so deeply loved him, despite his mistakes, always gave me hope. Currently, God has been pushing me to truly conquer fear with faith. He has put me in situations that require my yes even when it’s terrifyingly scary to do so. In the middle of one of these fear provoking situations, God drew me to this particular passage about my favorite guy, Peter. When I usually read about Peter, I read the words with a smile, understanding his flaws and extending my sympathy towards him. As I read this passage however, I immediately felt sad and convicted. It was something about Peter starting to sink that really messed me up. 

What’s particularly convicting about this passage is that prior to this moment, Jesus had just finished performing the miracle of feeding thousands with only two fish and five loaves of bread. Peter saw and was an active participant in this miracle. Despite that, in this new situation at the lake, the evidence of Jesus’ power meant nothing.  Why on earth did wind frighten Peter when God clearly called him forward? Wasn’t it obvious that Jesus would make sure the wind and waves didn’t hurt Peter? Ready to call Peter out for his foolish doubt, I realized that I am no different than him.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” – Isaiah 26:3

As I reread the passage, I began to focus on the moment where Peter looked away from Jesus and focused on the wind. It was when he changed his focus that he ultimately began to sink. Aren’t we the same? Don’t the winds of life change our focus too? The wind, though different for all of us, tends to be centered around those “what if” taunts. For Peter, the presence of the wind reminded him of his humanity and  made him question if he could actually stay afloat. For us, the wind may be negative self-talk, life experiences that tell us we can’t succeed, or even the devil whispering lies in our ears that seem too true to negate. The presence of the loud and threatening wind makes us look inward and focus on our inabilities. Keeping our focus on God, however, reminds us that we aren’t doing life alone. In every way that we are inadequate or unsure, God is there with strength, boldness, confidence, purpose, and peace.

We are called to be a light. We are called to be positive. We are called to have hope. We are called to stand strong in the face of fear. For us to have these qualities, we must believe in the foundation and covering of God in our lives. We have to choose, no matter how scared or even stupid we may feel, to believe that the character of God is true. It is faith that moves God (Hebrews 11:6). It is faith that helps us fight against the constant attacks on our lives (Ephesians 6:16). It is faith that renews our strength when life seems overwhelming (Isaiah 40:31). All Peter needed to do was keep his eyes on Jesus. Jesus was a solid and steady foundation amid the tumultuous winds and waves. 

The most beautiful part of this passage is how Jesus responded to Peter. Despite Peter’s actions, Jesus still, immediately, reached out His hand to save Peter from drowning. Jesus called Peter out on his doubt but still held onto him with love. Thank God for all the times He still held onto us, doubt and all. I pray that the next time we are faced with winds that threaten to steal our peace, we won’t need to be rescued from the water. I pray that we will continue to walk forward, trusting that if God says come, we don’t need to worry about anything else. 

Eyes up, twentysomethings ❤️

Success Through the Storm

Success Through the Storm

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

BE GRATEFUL.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

“Say thank you” is a phrase we’ve heard since childhood. Though gratitude should be ingrained in our psyche and apart of everything we do, oftentimes, it is the first thing that jumps ship during a trial. The storms of life can often produce stress and strain so intense that we’re too preoccupied with staying afloat to even consider our blessings. No matter the severity of the storm, it has the potential to throw us completely off track, if we allow it to overtake us. How then do we stay strong and keep focused? How do we cope when we’re fed up, stressed out, and worn down? I challenge you to look up long enough to say thank you to the One keeping you above water. Your gut reaction may be to roll your eyes or sigh in frustration. You may question if you’re even above water or rather drowning deeper into despair. Looking up, however, quickly determines your placement. Coming to Him with thanksgiving, even over the many small blessings we take for granted, reinforces the truth that you really aren’t alone. Your gratitude points to God’s hand in your life, especially when it feels like everything is falling apart. God promised that He wouldn’t leave or forsake you.* When you begin to tell Him thank you, you realize that the promise is true. You may be fighting for your life, peace, and purpose, but you definitely aren’t fighting by yourself. Spend some time saying thank You and allow yourself to be comforted by His presence.

STAY FAITHFUL.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12

Faithfulness, mastered beautifully by Christ, is often a struggle for many of us. Jesus remained faithful to the will for His life, even in the midst of persecution, rejection, and death. How can we emulate Jesus in this way? The answer is in our tenacity. During the most difficult parts of your storm, it is easy to succumb to the hopelessness of it. You may push away from the persecution and dissatisfaction in hopes of finding peace elsewhere. What if the breakthrough, however, is in planting your feet into the ground and holding on for dear life? God rewards those who hold on. Staying planted, even when difficult, is what builds the determination and focus necessary in preparing you for what God has next. Faithfulness not only prepares, it refines. Character is refined in faithfulness because there is no choice but to cling to God when everything in you wants to run. The clinging produces dependence. Dependence produces expectation. Expectation produces strength. Strength produces greater faith. No longer is it you fighting to stay alive but rather God working, through you, to put the storm under your feet. It all starts with simply sticking with God, no matter what y’all go through together. The reward is coming. Keep those heels dug in.

YOU’RE OKAY.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? – Luke 12:22-26

Believing you’re okay, even when life tells you different, has been the hardest truth to grasp, personally. It sounds cute, simplistic, carefree, and even kind. I’ve found, however, that this truth is extremely deep. So deep, in fact, that it can only be accepted as fact once you’ve harnessed the power of gratitude and faithfulness. Life’s storms have a way of making you feel like it’s the end of the world. No matter how many trials God has brought you through, each new one still feels like a major crisis (at least for me!). You feel like you can’t do this anymore. You want to quit. You want to cry. You’re tired and restless. You’re confused and misunderstood. Everything is in shambles yet God continues to whisper “you’re okay”. How is it even possible to believe Him? Jesus made it plain and simple when He told us not to worry about our life. You’re okay because God calls you valuable. If you are valuable to Him, He promises to meet every need. Your value is shown in your gratitude, reminding you that God has never left your side. Your value is shown in your faithfulness, seeing God’s sustaining power hold you steady even during the heavy winds. If God says everything is fine, trust that simplicity. He’s handling the hard stuff. All you need to do is hold onto His hand and His word. You’re okay.

Be grateful. Stay faithful. You’re okay.

This has been my anchor for months now, as God has held me through many of life’s storms and transitions. I pray that you will take some time to meditate on these words and find your strength to keep fighting. God’s got it. God understands. God is taking care of you. Don’t let your hope go. The storms can’t defeat you.

Keep holding on, twentysomethings!

 

* Deuteronomy 31:6

 

You Scared or Nah?

You Scared or Nah?

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 4 Comments

Fear is one of the primary emotions that us twenty-somethings feel, at one time or another. We may be afraid to start a career (or switch careers). We may be afraid to step into adulthood, leaving our parents/support systems behind. We may even be afraid to put ourselves first, going against the requests and requirements of others. No matter the situation, operating in fear is immobilizing at worst and a short-lived thrill at best. It is no surprise then that God urges us, constantly, not to operate in fear. The problem is, unfortunately, we tend not to listen.

Fear has been a mainstay in my life since the beginning. As someone who would often be labeled as a shy perfectionist, I constantly over analyzed everything and never spoke up for fear of rejection or disapproval. While God has challenged me, in the past few months, to see fear and move pass it, I can see it manifesting once again as I enter a transitional period in my life. During this period so far, I have seen many constant and secure people, opportunities, and beliefs change and evolve. Though these changes are good, the fear of the unknown or the “how to” is often paralyzing. As I’ve prayed about it, God has begun to open my eyes regarding this fear. I hope that as you read on, you can see yourself in me and use the revelation I have found to guide you into greater strength and renewed courage.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:31-33

This is one of my favorite scriptures for various reasons. When I think about having fear as a result of being uncertain, this scripture succinctly explains how foolish that fear is. Jesus, immediately, equates asking questions about your basic necessities with being a pagan or an unbeliever. If you’re honest, initially, Jesus sounds dramatic. We are humans with needs. Of course we would be concerned about our next meal or the clothes we need. Maybe, more personally, it could be questions about how you should approach your boss about an injustice or how you can start the business without any money and/or investors. You may have questions about where you’re getting your money from to pay your tuition for the next semester. You may even ask how you will be able to help others with your limited resources. No matter the question that comes to mind, it is real and valid. Even still, Jesus let’s us know that these questions show unbelief.

The purpose of His statement was to put forth a challenge for us to consider. If we claim we are believers, what exactly are we believing for? Who exactly are we believing in? Jesus goes on to tell us that we need not worry because the heavenly Father already knows that we need these things. Do you trust that God knows what you need and will provide for you? If you did, what would be your reasoning for fear? Wouldn’t you feel confident, knowing that God already handled it?

Jesus ends by urging us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all those things we need will be added to us. This is critical to the Christian faith, as a whole, but more intimately, for our level of peace in times of fear, difficulty, or transition. To seek His kingdom and righteousness is to seek Him. It is us desiring to know His word, to know His promises, and to test Him in the things He has said. It is submitting our will to His and allowing Him to have reign over our lives, from decisions to actions. It is desiring and making actionable steps, with His help, to grow our faith, to carry His character, and to be a light and example to others. God isn’t a genie. He doesn’t just do at our command. On the contrary, He is moved to act by our faith. He is moved by our love for Him. If we love Him, we seek Him. If we seek Him, we love Him even more. The more we love, the more we trust. The more we trust, the more that fear dissipates. God has us. Period. He will always take care of His children.

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.” – 1 Chronicles 28:20

Fear also, often, resembles feelings of inadequacy. We are often scared to try or scared of change because we believe we can’t do it. Not only did Paul say that we could do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13), but King David reminded his son Solomon, in this scripture, that God won’t leave Solomon by himself to complete the work set before him. Not only would God not leave him (forsake), God would also not fail him. David, in essence, reminds Solomon that God is constant, steady, and dependable. God won’t suddenly change His mind and no longer support us. We can trust in Him because He promised (and He doesn’t lie) that He’d stay right with us. This brings comfort because it brings forth confidence. Because we’re not alone and because we’re supported for the long run, we can step forward with assurance and take the leaps of faith God has called us to take.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains -where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip– He who watches over you will not slumber.” – Psalm 121: 1-3

I wrote this as encouragement to continue on in the pursuit of your dreams and passions. As life changes and things become uncertain, stand on this solid foundation. God knows exactly what you need. God provides. God doesn’t fail. God doesn’t forsake. God helps. God sees you. God understands. God will be with you wherever you go. I pray that you all sit in those truths and begin to believe them. I challenge you to repeat them in times of fear. I urge you to seek Him and grow your faith in Him. Ask Him. Challenge Him. Let Him know that you’re down for the ride.

Fear not for the Lord is with you*, twentysomethings.

*Isaiah 41:10