Connecting for Clarity

The Trip from Turbulence to Peace

A few short months ago, I felt like a very important aspect of my life was in serious turbulence. It was like I was in some deep mud, and kept getting thrown big bags of sand to carry...things just felt heavier and heavier. I was at a point where I was like "Ok God what exactly am I supposed to to do?" I literally did not know how to properly respond to the challenge. I knew, however, that the answer I needed was guidance to show me how to respond to walk in my highest good, which is where I knew God desired me to be.

I remember one day at church, the preacher wanted to pray for people who wanted deliverance to serve God fully with their talents and I promptly went up to the altar because in my spirit I felt like I needed that. A lady held me and prayed such a powerful and beautiful prayer over my life and I felt such joy and peace. I was so happy walking back to my seat it felt like I was walking on air, and my face was lit up with a huge smile.

I heard a voice in my mind quietly say, "You can rejoice now, the battle is over."

In the natural, the real circumstances I was dealing with had not begun to change AT ALL! Truthfully I didn't even see how they were going to change. I was drawing a full blank when it came to finding a solution. Yet, that word of reassurance had me feeling really peaceful. Then a thought said, but that sounds like something that's from the Bible, go check that out. So, I went on Google and I searched for something like "battle is over/ already won bible" and sure enough, I discovered 2 Chronicles 20 vs 15: 25.

I was really surprised because I had never really come across this passage before, and it spoke directly to me. It was about King Jehosophat and he was told by God that he and his army did not have to worry or fight because the Lord would take care of the imminent battle. A battle where with all the logical reasoning they had, they could not see how it would be possible for them to win. (Say Amen if you can relate!!!)

"I was drawing a full blank when it came to finding a solution. Yet, that word of reassurance had me feeling really peaceful. "

Take Up Your Position

Something interesting jumped out at me though as I read, because in verse 17 they were told to "take up their positions." That stood out to me, since it was actually clear instructions on the required action they needed to take in that moment. This seemed to be the answer to my question, a pivotal question we all sometimes have..."What do I need to do to fix this?"

Being human, we want to DO something, we want to know that it's our actions that are creating results. It's hard not to want to fix your problems yourself and try to figure it all out (and preferably on your own, if you're anything like me.)

So using good old Google again, I looked up the spiritual meaning of "Take your position..." and found a web article** by Joyce Meyer which said it's about "taking a position of praise."

In the moment, that made perfect sense to me. That interpretation validated my inner guidance. I can remember clear as day standing in my kitchen one day and saying to myself, "Man what am I really supposed to do right now?" In my spirit, a voice said "Your job in this is to rip out a whole lot of praise and thanks to God. That's it." So said, so done.

Nurturing Your Connection

When I look back at it now, I can see where it was because I was nurturing my connection to God, that gave me the space to hear and the willingness to obey what I heard. I was actively asking God for direction and still tried to keep an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Not easy at all, by the way!

To get an even more powerful answer, beyond "escape - this - problem -mode" I had to reframe my guiding question to "What is the path of my highest good and highest purpose?" I tried to keep a deep and vulnerable connection to my Creator to seek out His will and guidance first, DESPITE it all (because "it all" was very much still there in reality...).

However I reasoned that His will and purpose for me must be and always is the best possible path.

"I reasoned that His will and purpose for me must be and always is the best possible path."

Staying connected gave me the clarity and wisdom I needed to navigate and thrive in a difficult season. So now, for me, maintaining that sense of connection to God is non-negotiable. I don't see a better direction to take than to make sure I am aware of and nurture that connection.

Here are some helpful ways I like maintain and strengthen my awareness of that connection which never ceases:

• Prayer, reading and listening to the word

• Quiet meditation

• Breathwork

• Living in a consistent state of appreciation

• Praising God randomly and whenever and wherever :)

• Being in nature

Thrive Throughout Your Experiences

I believe, in order to be in a difficult season and truly thrive through the experience and after it passes, it's really powerful to spend the time to nourish your connection to God. Maintaining that connectedness then opens you up to receiving the insights you need to guide you through life, in sometimes completely unexpected ways. When you receive the direction, or the intuitive nudge, or the 'feeling' to do something that deep down 'sits right' with you, you'll be more inclined to obey. When you start from a place of pure love and connection to God, then you will also trust that He is ordering your steps, for His highest and ultimately yours.

It's a powerful state of being to trust that you are seeking God first, and He actually wants the best and highest for you. Therefore He will direct you in the most optimal way possible, and give you desires to that end also. I think it's just something inside that will affirm if a desire is truly from God. Your job in all this is to trust, praise, obey and serve Him.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to share. Be blessed,

Catique.

** This is the link to the article I had found :

(https://joycemeyer.org/everydayanswers/ea-teachings/Take-Your-Position)