Lamentations 3:26 - Active Hope While Waiting
Step 1: Pray. Select.
Today, as I began my prayer time, the Holy Spirit needed to take me back to basics. I had so many rushing thoughts swirling in my mind that it was hard to narrow down my topic. I stepped outside in nature and sat for a moment until a few words came to mind. Slow and steady in the LORD was the most prominent.
I researched scriptures focusing on the theme and came across Lamentations 3:26. This is where I began my journey today, friends.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
Lamentations 3:26 - It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, it is good, hope and wait quietly.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
As I close my eyes to wait quietly, without warning, the Holy Spirit quickly thrusts me into a vision of what it looks like to see all the thoughts circling within my mind. As the thoughts continue to grow and accumulate, a small tornado forms from my brain, climbing out of my head, rising higher and higher above my head.
The Holy Spirit draws my attention closer to the eye of the tornado. As I focus on the eye, I wonder how and why the eye of the tornado appears to jump and move so quickly.
I look up what causes the eye to appear this way or give it this visual effect, as if the tornado is jumping, and discover it is not jumping at all. But as the storm moves, the tornado is pulled, giving the illusion it is jumping, when it is actually moving with the storm. The eye is being dragged from place to place with no solid foundation to stand on.
The Holy Spirit tells me to return to the daily bread God has in store—not my will, but Thy will be done. I need to remain anchored to the Lord, not anchored to the storm that life throws at me, where I can be thrashed around and tossed to and fro. The Holy Spirit tells me that keeping active hope is the key to staying aligned and not swept away. If you have active hope, it doesn't matter what the day will bring. What the Lord brings, you know, will be better.
I have a question for the Holy Spirit regarding the beautiful vision he has shown me, so I move to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, there are so many opportunities or events that happen in a day. How do I know what is the Lord's will and not my own?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
“You are in a reactive mindset instead of a strategic mindset. If you entertain everything along your path, notice I say your path, that does not mean it is along the Lord's path. Do not give power to things the Lord does not qualify as kingdom-minded or worthy. Remind yourself to order your steps, for the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way Psalm 37:23. If you rush, you will be distracted by time. If you don't finish the race before you, you will go down many roads with no end. The only thing eternal in this world is Christ Jesus. Seize your thoughts attempting to carry you away from the Father's perfect will. James 1:14-15, But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. From everything around the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you through your son Jesus.
Thank you for seeing me through any storm and calming my thoughts, knowing I can anchor myself to the rock, Christ Jesus. Thank you for reminding me that the path is yours, not mine. Thank you for your word in the Bible and for always giving me your truth over any lies of the enemy.
I glorify you and lift you above any and all my thoughts, or any thought that tries to exalt itself against you. Let me only look to the things that please you and stay on top of the daily bread you assign me, which is my portion.
In Jesus Christ's holy name, I seal this prayer with the blood of Jesus - Amen.
If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear how God works in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, nothing replaces the plans of the Lord. If the Lord has placed something in your heart, see it through. Focus on working in excellence and purity. Allow Him to turn your dark skies into light.
It may appear like the eye of the tornado is touching stable ground, but remember, visual perception is misleading. Follow your Lord Christ Jesus. He will never drag you out of the will of the Father. Let the storm pass by, and stay in the shelter of the Most High.
2 Corinthians 9.8: And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
God bless you. See you soon!
