Debra Gaskill's Blog

The cashier's first words to me today were, "2022 was a horrible year. I'm glad it's over." When I pulled into my neighborhood after leaving the store, I saw a friend and rolled down my car window. Before I could ask how he was, he volunteered, "Aren't you glad 2022 is over?" I asked, "Was it really that bad of a year?" He replied, "No, not really..." I had to wonder why he said it. Same with the cashier. Why release negative words if they aren't even true? Habit? Part of the culture? Influenced by other negative people?

Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words" (AMP). Check it out in the NLT: "The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."

That verse doesn't really require a lot of explanation; it's pretty clear: Saying negative words has a price tag attached to it. When we realize--like stop and actually think about the fact that our words cause life or death to come into our lives--well, it's pretty sobering. It's the second lesson on the power of words I've learned in less than a week...

What about words that may not be negative--they may even be true, but they are words that shouldn't be spoken. Here's what I mean by that. A few days ago, I was headed to a meeting and I knew a certain topic was bound to be discussed at some point by those present. It was a little controversial and I didn't want to say anything I shouldn't. I just wanted to remain neutral.

On the way there I prayed, "Holy Spirit, please set a guard over my mouth." That famous Scripture from Psalm 141:3 has probably saved all of us from saying the wrong things at one time or another when we've prayed it. But the Lord gave me an interesting answer to my request: "Because you routinely control what comes out of your mouth, this is not difficult for Me to accomplish. But when someone's mouth is undisciplined, it's not quite that simple to get them to cooperate."

Have I ever overriden the prompting of the Holy Spirit and said something negative or wrong? Of course. Have I ever had to go back and apologize, explain myself, ask forgiveness? Oh yeah. But after enough of those fiascoes, you start watching what you say. You learn to think before you speak. You remember how painful it was for you and others in the past and exercise more discipline.

When the time came for the "touchy situation" to be discussed, and I was asked for my opinion, I took a deep breath, spoke very slowly, and chose my words carefully. Then, when I was certain I had added no fuel to any fire, but sprinkled some redemption and offered what I thought was a good solution before the group, I shut my mouth and kept it shut.

Everyone else in the room did the same. We all agreed to remain neutral--which was the right response to this problem. And just like that, it was over.

When it comes to words, less is more. Positive wins over negative. Redemption outshines rants.

Once words are out, you can't get them back. Don't let your words destroy your life, your health, or your year.

2023 is going to be a great year!

Maybe it was the pandemic or the 2020 election, but remember not all that long ago when the "internet prophets" rose up and had...pretty much daily words "from the Lord"? Don't worry. I'm not getting political--wouldn't even think of going there. But I am going to get Scriptural--like in the Bible.

I remember that night of November 3, 2020 well. I had a bucket load of snacks and was prepared to watch the election results. But as the hours ticked by and the counting appeared to be reduced to a snail's pace, I went to bed knowing full well that nothing would be decided that night. But I had no idea just how many nights would come and go before the results were final.

During the weeks while we waited, the voices began to speak--some even given high-level platforms from which to do it. It's important to remember that not one or two but MANY churchy, propheticy voices said that Donald Trump would be re-elected and serve a second term. Even after the results were official and that did not pan out, there were "words" that said something would happen--next week or on July 4th, or some other upcoming date--in which Trump would magically fly into the White House and Biden would simultaneously fly out.

Later, some of those voices admitted that they had not heard from God but rather liked the high-level, viral attention their messages received (much more than their Sunday morning services) and so they spoke what "upped" their likes and views. But it wasn't God's view and He didn't like it.

Some repented. And that's good. Some didn't. Not so good. But the point is...we are now at this juncture once again. I'm not here to debate with anyone what happened under which administration. We all have eyes and ears and bank accounts that we watch increase or decrease. Enough said. But what I am here to say is that those weeks back in the fall of 2020, where we watited it out, were stressful. Not so much to see who would win, but rather to make sense of all the prophecies that proved incorrect.

The world looked at us, the charasmatic church--yeah, the one's prophesying--and thought we were nuts. Other countries did the same. I mean, how can you have a multitude of voices saying a certain thing is going to happen, entire broadcasts devoted to it daily, and it doesn't happen. Like not even a little. It goes completely in a different direction.

Donald Trump has declared his intention to run in 2024. The world is watching. Other denominations are watching. Foreign countries are watching. Within the mouth of a true, prophetic voice is residential creditiblity. What does that mean? That means we speak what God speaks only. We pray for impeccable timing and the ability to deliver the word with pinpoint accuracy. We do not give words that will attract deep-pocketed donors to our ministries, or whip those who are like-minded into a spiritual frenzy. That kind of foolishness has absolutely nothing to do with hearing from Heaven.

Joel prophesied that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit. It was confirmed in Acts. One of the five-fold ministries is that of a prophet, and one of the gifts of the Spirit is prophecy. Speaking under divine influence is a real thing--a Bible thing. And listen, none of us is perfect. But until one's mouth can be tempered enough, and the spirit governed enough to speak only what God speaks, it's best to just shut up. And if the voices start talking of their own accord once again, I endorse your decision to change the channel.

Recently I had a few things slip into my life that were unpleasant. And, to be honest, I knew how they got through the cracks. I had not been quite as fervent, tenacious, intense and watchful, as I typically am. Why? Busyness, distractions and unexpected things pulled at my time leaving me a bit depleted. I felt like instead of sitting in a firm upright chair, I had started to enjoy the ease of a recliner. My life felt watered down--not as effective as I knew it could be.

What kind of unpleasant things crept in? An ache or pain here, and a loss of productivity there. Until one night...I was awakened at 2:30 a.m. with the same nausea of a motion sickness-prone person would experience on a high-velocity amusement park ride. I prayed, practiced deep breathing, pushed play on my nearby healing Scriptures recording and fell back asleep.

When I woke up the next morning I opened my Bible and felt drawn to Deuteronomy 28. Verse 1 exploded like fireworks! “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth." Deut 28:1 NKJV (emphasis added)

In the margin, in my own handwriting, it said: The Word is commandment oriented. Immediately I knew what the problem was. Between nursing my sick cat back to health, redoing my office space and a myriad of other lesser things, I had begun to look at the Word as more of a suggestion. I could hear myself internalizing, Well, I only got to read two of the three chapters in my read through the Bible plan today because I was giving the cat her medication and hanging curtains in my office. I didn't witness to the sad-looking lady in the grocery store because I've got to get home for my Amazon delivery...blah, blah, blah. Pathetic.

I was reminded of something I once heard that was riveting: A general puts God first and revolves their life around Him. Ouch. I felt like Gomer Pyle at that moment.

But there it was! Now I know you never do things like this, but in my busy, distracted state the past three weeks, I had approached the Word as though it was a suggestion and not a command. Notice the above verse says that certain things, good things, great things, will come to pass IF we diligently obey His voice and carefully observe His Word. It doesn't mention a free-pass or a fast-pass because you let your own to-do list get out of control.

The responsibility was right back on my shoulders where it belonged. And as unpopular as it has become to say that we have a responsibility to do certain things, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it anyway. If things are not stellar in our lives, if distressing, ouchy, perilous things are slipping through the cracks, it is OUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure that we are obeying what God has commanded and not treating His Word like a bunch of self-help suggestions.

IF you do "this," GOD will do "that". If you put His Word first. If you obey what you hear and read, if you break free from the icy tentacles of suggestion complacency and fully obey what He has said, THEN he will overload your life--shower you--with wonderful things. Then you will truly "be watered" instead of being "watered down". There's a big difference! One is life sustaining. The other is life draining.

And this is not a gigantic burden we have to bear. This is a small adjustment we make down on the inside from a position of maturity and wanting to please God. Simple. Done. Then we act on it and base our decisions on it.

The mentality of much of the world doesn't like to be commanded. I can hear the "whines" now: "I don't want anyone telling me what to do. I don't like being bossed around. I'm my own boss." But if some mothers had not commanded their kids not to run in the street after a ball, those kids might not be around. A suggestion doesn't necessarily have the same life-saving ability.

God commands us to obey because He wants to bless. He doesn't want our lives to be watered down, at half speed or running on fumes. His commands are good, and glorious, and we will be overloaded with rich rewards IF we obey His commands. After all, He IS the Boss.

And I will make them and the places round about My hill a blessing, and I will cause the showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing [of good insured by God’s favor]. Ezekiel 34:26 AMPC

Related Post: Mornings Matter https://www.debragaskill.org/post/mornings-matter

I love getting up early. It's the part of the day that I have the most control over. The phone hasn't started ringing and no text notifications are going off. It's just me, my breakfast and my morning devotional time. Breakfast is simple--a piece of whole grain toast with a slight dab of preserves and a spoonful of raw honey. It's wonderful, except for one thing: the plates.

You see, my modest breakfast fits perfectly on one of the small mismatched plates I had collected over many years. It was kind of "a thing" for me to pick up interesting dessert-sized plates on vacation or trips I had taken. Sure, I've lost some to cracks or accidentally dropping them, but of the plates that survived I realized that each had been acquired during a bit of a rough patch in life. If the plates could talk, they would speak of a difficult situation, unhealthy relationship or less-than-stellar event during which they came into my possession.

At first I tried to ignore it, but day after day, I woud reach for a dainty plate and feel a bit of a memory thorn prick that upset my otherwise delightful morning routine. After a few weeks of this I had an internal conversation with myself: "Why are you holding onto these plates that remind you of unplesantries? Why are you allowing them to spoil this special time of day? You need to toss the plates."

I bagged them up and set them on the counter. To make sure I wouldn't have "throw away remorse" I left them there for 24 hours, then I bid them adieu. That day I went shopping for plates, but instead found the most beautiful little shallow bowls. They were perfect--bright colors, interesting design. I love my new bowls. And my morning routine...no stress, no sting. It's a beautiful thing--ALL of it.

Isaiah 43:19 says, Behold, I am doing a new thing! We all need a new thing at different times in life. Sometimes God initiates new things and I thank Him for that! But He also gives us the ability to initiate new things in our lives. Is there something that is irritating you? Causing you stress? Keeping you awake at night? Is it within your ability to be "out with the old and in with something new"? If so, what's stopping you? Stop procrastinating and go for it.

Yes, sometimes we need God to remove the source of our stress because it is not within our grasp to do it. But sometimes, removing the stress is as easy as tossing some plates.

Related Posts:

https://www.debragaskill.org/post/mornings-matter

It was an important picture. After all, it was going on the cover of my first book. So the top I chose to wear had to represent me as an author. I had learned from French Chic Expert, Marie-Anne Lecoeur, that French women--who's fashion I greatly admire--keep it simple with a touch of something unique. I opted for a navy and white striped Breton top with little ruffles at the shoulder. I thought it would get Marie-Anne's stamp of approval. I texted my neighbor who was shopping with me and asked her to come to the fitting room for a second opinion. As soon as she saw it she exclaimed, "It looks French!" It was as good as paid for and in the bag.

But before leaving the fitting room, we struck up a conversation with the attendant, Leticia, that turned quite emotional. We started discussing the upcoming photo session and when she inquired about the book title, she realized I was a Christian--Leticia's face beamed. "We don't get too many Christians in this store," she said. "You both are a breath of fresh air!" We talked about where we attend church and shared a few moments of exuberance over what seemed to be a serendipitous moment.

She kept asking about the book and said she couldn't wait to read it. At her request, I repeated my name and the book title several times as she was obviously attempting to store it in her memory. She became emotional and her eyes filled with tears. At that point, I told her I would like to bless her with a copy as soon as it was published. She couldn't thank me enough, said how much she looked forward to it and was sure she would love it. As we parted ways, Leticia said we had made her day.

A few weeks later I returned with the book in hand but always seemed to show up on her day off. The third time was the charm and knowing I was headed to that particular store, I made sure the book was in my car just in case. Coincidentally the same neighbor was with me. I made a bee-line for the fitting room as she shopped within earshot.

Excited to see Leticia I was grinning ear to ear as I said, "Hi, Leticia!" She corrected me for accenting the wrong syllable in her name. Ok, no problem--didn't steal my excitement. I asked if she remembered me and she answered immediately, "You're the woman with the book." But there was no excitement and no gleam in her eye. Leticia was cold and indifferent. I told her that I hadn't forgotten about her and had the book in my car for her, she was not at all impressed. Whatever spark we originally had, was now extinguished. Receiving a free book from me was nowhere on her radar and she made it clear.

I walked away feeling somewhat wounded, not so much that she didn't want the book but just the way she treated me. My neighbor asked me gingerly if I thought the conversation was "weird". She said, "That is not the same woman we talked to three weeks ago."

I started to turn my thoughts Godward and I immediately heard these words inside of me, shake the dust off your feet. Any sting that was trying to penetrate my heart was instantly gone. I mean instantly. As though a skilled surgeon cut it out of me. I knew at that moment there would be no giving her a book, no going back to apologize that there would be no book. Nothing. I was told to shake the dust off my feet.

Matthew 10:14 says it this way in the Message Bible, “When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting. If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don’t welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way." I knocked, I greeted, she did not welcome me, so God was telling me to quietly withdraw. I left that store and never thought of it again, except to use it as a life lesson to share with you. And file away as I will most likely need it again someday!

The NKJV says whoever will not "receive you nor hear your words", shake the dust from your feet. If someone doesn't receive you--if they don't offer hospitality, extend their hand, or greet you favorably--they are certainly not going to listen to what you have to say. When someone doesn't receive you, they are rejecting you. Jesus, Himself, is the one who said to shake the dust off your feet. In Jesus' day, it meant, cease the fellowship. Today we would most likely say, "I wash my hands of it." It signifies abandoning the situation.

I've said it before and it bears repeating. Don't stay where you are tolerated, go where you are celebrated. And if someone does not want to receive you, invite you, call you, text you, tag you...shake the dust, baby, shake the dust. Get that arrow out of your heart.

Related Posts:

Christian Schizophrenia https://www.debragaskill.org/post/chr...

The Second Guessing Syndrome https://www.debragaskill.org/post/the...

There is enough unsolicited bad news flying at us every day without "our friends" using us as their garbage dump. Now I'm not talking about the person who has just received bad news and really needs to hear you sing, "You've got a friend in me." What I'm talking about is people who consistently dump--with vivid details--often making our shoulders buckle under the pressure.

We are allowed to hold up a hand and say, "Not right now, please" in the same way we would stop a muddy pig from running through our front door after we just paid Molly Maid. But what if the person really needs to vent? Likewise, what if you really need to protect your mental health at that moment? Let me explain.

Have you ever read a social media post that starts out something like this… “To the person who just stole my purse in the Kroger parking lot.” Or “To the person who just cut me off on I-4 and almost made me wreck my car.” First of all, let’s get real. The person who stole your purse or cut you off in traffic is never going to see your post. But here is who does see our posts: our social media family, friends and followers. People who have decided they want to be linked to us.

Many of them may already be having a bad day or just received some less-than-stellar news. They may be trying to dig themselves out of a pit at that moment–something in their life may have just gone from bad to worse–and they are working overtime to stay positive. When they read a trauma rant, they may have just listened to a faith-building message and are starting to see some light at the end of their tunnel.

Then just as the sun begins to shine a little and they hear the chirp of birds again, their eyes fall on words that cause them to lose their footing and descend a few notches. Without buying a ticket, they have been plopped into a seat on someone else’s trauma roller coaster and dragged along for the ride.

Trauma Dumping Causes Anxiety in the Hearer

After a trauma dump, the one who did the dumping may feel better–cathartic, even–but to the one on the receiving end, studies show that the person now feels “horrible”. After learning of someone else’s trauma, when you weren’t prepared to hear it, common reactions are: anxiety, stress, feeling helpless and even depressed.

The purse snatcher or the reckless driver is out there going on with life. The trauma dumper feels better with the emotional release. But the innocent “dumpee” bears the brunt of the unfortunate situation. And this is supposed to be a friend! Just think, most people have hundreds, if not thousands, of people this influences all at once.

Traumatic experiences are disturbing and distressing. I’m not arguing that. What I am suggesting is be cognizant of who should hear about it and when. Instead of vomiting trauma on thousands of unsuspecting, unprepared people at once, find one or two trusted people that would be a safe, confidential place to discuss what you’ve gone through. But first, ask them if they have time, brain power and emotional reserve to handle it.

It's Not A Sign Of Weakness To Get Help

In some cases, if the trauma is extreme or long-standing, it may necessitate professional help. Getting professional help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength to reach out to someone trained in this area and say, “Hey, I need a hand here. I need someone to throw me a rope.”

Plus, somebody may read your traumatic event and it could be a horrible trigger for them and now they have to relive what they went through, even though they may be well down the healing road. If their purse was once stolen, imagine the panic it could cause to their psyche.

Share Lovely, Honorable Things

Philippians 4:8 in The Passion Translation starts out by addressing “brothers and sisters”--those you know, those in your life, those you have a relationship with. Here is the advice it gives: And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Whatever our thoughts are fixated on, that is what we talk about. That is what we share. This is the guideline we have been assigned–things that are right, lovely and admirable.

A More Excellent Way

So, should our trauma be bottled up? No. A steam kettle will eventually blow. But trauma should be shared in the right environment at the right time, with the hearer’s permission.

When I go to an amusement park, I stay away from the roller coasters. Being whipped into a frenzy at high speeds can cause injury. If someone were to forcefully strap me into one and push the start button, I would be extremely upset. The same is true with emotional roller coasters. No one should be strapped in and dragged along without their permission.

But things that are honorable, lovely and admirable–the Word of God gives us the green light to share any time and with everyone.

Related Post, Block The Toxic: https://www.debragaskill.org/post/block-the-toxic

Many years ago, after transferring my grocery bags into the trunk of my car I noticed the trash I had left in the cart. Deep down inside of me I heard these words, "Clean up your mess." I picked up my trash and put it in a bag to dispose of when I got home.

Joyce Meyer taught me years prior to always put my shopping cart in the corral, even if it is pouring down rain, so that was not an issue. But as I headed for the cart corral I noticed another cart abandoned in the middle of the lot. I grabbed that one also and secured them both in the corral.

When I turned to walk back to my car that same inner voice came again, "What do you see?" I saw ORDER. My little section of the parking lot was orderly. At that moment I had an epiphany–a little order leads to a lot of order, but a little disorder can eventually lead to a lot of disorder. Let me explain.

If you continually walk past a piece of lint in your carpet, eventually there will be 30 pieces of lint in your carpet. A friend of mine wanted to stop over one evening and she had never been to my home. I was mortified because I was smack dab in the middle of a master bath and bedroom remodel. Everything from both of those rooms was in the living room. It didn’t have any order to it at all! But within two weeks it was all back where it belonged.

Shortly after that I was invited to her home. Every square inch was out of order. You couldn’t eat at the dinner table because it was stacked with papers. There was no room to sit on the couch because of the multitude of cat toys. There was clutter everywhere. I had this thought, this didn’t happen overnight. It started as a little disorder and led to a lot of disorder.

Disorder can happen in every arena of life. The average dress size for women in the United States used to be 12. As of 2021 is now between 16-18. When we don’t pay attention to the first 10 pounds of weight gain, it becomes 50 pounds. When we don’t pick up the lint or clean out the grocery cart, it bleeds to every area of life.

Order works the same way. If your car is a mess, start with that. Go to the car wash, wipe down the interior, vacuum the carpet and hang an air freshener from the rear view mirror. When you step back and admire your spiffed up ride, I am willing to bet it will prompt you to go home and clean out your closet.

A little order leads to a lot of order. But a little disorder leads to a lot of disorder.

Shortly after this "life lesson" I found myself teaching at a retreat in The Netherlands to a room full of women in church leadership positions. Guess what my topic was?

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little thing is dishonest and unjust also in much. Luke 16:10

Sometimes we become angry, upset, frustrated with a lack of movement or progression in our lives. I wonder how many times it can be traced back to grocery carts and lint in the carpet.

I read a true story today about a woman who went to a foreign country for the first time. She loved the hotel pool and garden, but the moment she stepped out onto the street she was overwhelmed with the many rickshaw vendors crying out for her attention. She quickly retreated inside the safety of the garden and stayed there for two days.

On the third day she ventured out to a guided tour. On the last day of her trip she decided to try the street again, hired a rickshaw driver and had the time of her life.

I wonder how often we have opportunities to venture out into the big, giant world God created, but we stay safely tucked inside the familiar.

When one of my sons was away at college he started dating a young woman and told me she was like a "cupcake without the sprinkles". She lived in the next dorm, went to school all summer like he did, but he said they had little in common. It was a relationship of convenience.

After high school graduation, most of my friends went to the same university I did--the one in town. But one brave girl went away to college. Then moved overseas for a job. I always secretly envied her for breaking out of what was "right in front of her".

About this time you see the point I'm trying to make. If you are living with a comfortable straight jacket on, you are either inspired or mad that your complacency is being challenged. Good! That means I got you thinking, or praying, or BOTH!

If life was a cupcake, wouldn't you want one with sprinkles? Call to action: what is it that you KNOW you should do, but you've been too comfortable to do it?

I don’t know why, at times, I’ve allowed a toxic person to remain in my life, and at the same time thought God would actually bring healthy people into my circle. That’s just not how things work. God does not operate with “mixtures”.

It was 2 a.m., and I don’t even remember getting out of bed and walking into the bathroom. But what I do remember is once I was in the bathroom, my eyes fixated on a white vintage-style shelving unit in the corner that contained my many Bath & Body Works products. The shelf was moving. Fluttering. Up the wall. Just like it had wings.

I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus again. It was still fluttering. In total freak-out mode, I went back to bed and laid down. My body was trembling so violently it caused the headboard to vibrate against the wall. My thoughts were all over the road as I tried to recall where my important documents were. In case I did not see morning, I didn’t want anyone to have to search for “the next steps”.

Shaking uncontrollably, I had a thought: “God, I will teach your Word.” 95% of the shaking stopped instantly. I repeated the words--out loud this time. Perfect calm came over me and I fell asleep until 7 a.m.

At that time I phoned my doctor’s office and, for some strange reason, a person in the billing department had come in an hour early and answered the phone. I was told to be at the office within an hour.

My doctor told me I had a classic textbook panic attack. I wouldn’t have known; I’d never had one before. But what I did know and what did happen before was that my doctor and I had discussed, on more than one occasion, someone in my life who was causing me great distress. That person was the reason behind several trips to the doctor for health issues, and was at the root of the middle of the night drama.

Dr. Bower looked at me sternly but kindly and said, “It’s them or it’s your health.” Not only was my physical health in jeopardy, but so was my God-given assignment. The 2 a.m. decision to “teach God’s Word” was not new: I had done it for decades. But it had been on hold because I was allowing someone to siphon my spiritual, emotional and physical health.

That day I wrote to the person, letting them know that the relationship was over. I blocked them on my phone and social media. It’s been years and I’ve never looked back. Every picture, every gift, every email--gone, erased.

It took a while, but as I cleared the clutter and regained my course, people started being added to my life that, quite honestly, I stand amazed at. People that are generals--5-star, top shelf champions.

You may think, but Debra, how can you call someone toxic? We aren’t supposed to judge. You’re right, but I’m not talking about judging anyone, I’m talking about reading labels. If someone lies to you once, twice, three times...guess what? They’ve labeled themself. They are a liar. If you have a love interest and they cheat, sneak around, call and text members of the opposite sex and hide their phone so you don’t find out--read the label. They are a cheat.

I feel like someone reading this needs to clear the clutter. If you have someone in your circle and their label stinks, it’s time to take out the garbage before you take on the smell.

People choose to be the way they are. They choose to lie. They choose to cheat. They choose to deceive. It’s the toxic person in your life or it’s your health. If you are going to hold on to the toxicity, your assignment will remain on hold or continue to be watered down.

If I were to ask you if you have a toxic person in your life, you would not answer, “Maybe”. When you have one, you know it. You know exactly who it is too.

Erase the photos, write the letter, block the phone number and take a little time to heal. Another year is wrapping up. It’s a perfect time to be “out with the old and in with the new”. Clear out your heart and head space and make room for the better and best that God wants to bring your way. You will truly be able to say, “La vie est belle”. Life is beautiful.

Stepping out. Taking a risk. Making a bold move. It all seems so exciting at the time. Until you throw your leg over the side of the boat and realize you aren't walking on water. Then it gets pretty dicey.

I knew someone who was handed a potentially life changing gift--a six-figure inheritance. Because they had an idea for their own business and hated their job, they "kinda, sorta, hoped" it was God's way of showing them to resign and launch their own thing. It was a hop, skip and a jump right over the side of the boat into deep dark water and they sank like a cement block. Eighteen months later--money gone and lots of trauma.

In the "World of Faith" it is important to guard against living in cities like Presumption, Feelings, Foolishness, Wrong Timing and Wishful Thinking.

Almost twenty years ago I came across a neighborhood that I felt God was giving the green light to move to. I was so enamored with it, I didn't stop to ask, "WHEN?" At that time, I couldn't swing it financially, but I would see the name of the community a couple of times a day, so I figured it had to be God, right?

At the ladies' prayer meeting I belonged to I even mentioned it the following week. One dear sister came to me and said, "Don't limit God. Stay open to His leading. Don't lock yourself into one house or one place." If I'm being totally honest, I didn't want to hear that. The next Sunday during praise and worship in church, I heard this word in my spirit, "Anthem." I also heard the instruction to drive behind the grocery store I shopped at.

That afternoon I ventured behind the store--oh so briefly--and convinced myself nothing was there for me to see. I'm a natural-born explorer. Had I even driven one more block I would have seen a neighborhood called, "Anthem".

But I didn't want to see it. My mind was made up. I already thought I had heard from God and I didn't want any interference on my radar.

I threw my leg over the side of the boat and offered to rent a house in the neighborhood that I was sure God first showed me. The offer was rejected and the disappointment was intense. A few weeks later I saw an ad for another house...in Anthem. The deal was clinched in thirty minutes.

Six years later I didn't rent a house in the first location, the door swung open for me to buy it. At the time, it was a depressed housing market. But before the ink was dry on the contract the market bounced back and skyrocketed. It has been my home for almost ten years now. God meant for me to live there, but just not yet. There were things that needed to happen. There was a right time to do it. He was adjusting, shifting, making things advantageous for me--and it took time.

We can wrangle, twist and manipulate Scripture to say almost anything we want to hear. That is why when we believe God is leading us in big, life-altering, directional decisions--stuff involving lots of time, money, energy, emotion--we ought not "feel" rushed. God doesn't push. He leads.

I'm a morning person. So I don't even make big decisions after 2 p.m. I'm not at my best by then. By that time of the day I've probably expended lots of creative energy and I'd prefer to save the big stuff for first thing the next morning.

If I feel pressured into doing something or giving an answer--then the answer is "no". It will stay, no, until I've had time to pray, think and make my pro/con list if necessary. Don't laugh! I was once interviewed for a job by the owner of a company--an extremely hyper individual. I was offered the job immediately, but my peace gauges were spinning. So I made a pro/con list while I waited to see how God was going to lead me.

At that moment, the con's greatly outweighed the pro's. I turned it down. Many months later I sensed the leading to see if the job was still on the table. It was. THEN, I felt the green light from God and with that came the ability to handle the things that would go along with it.

Are you feeling pressured to make a decision? That can happen when life seems stagnant. We can experience that heebie-jeebie, I've got to do something feeling. It can make us hear things God isn't saying, it can cause us to flip our Bible open and randomly let our eyes fall on a verse and think that is the answer.

Here is what I've experienced: if God is calling me to step out of the boat, He will provide the plank for me to walk on. Sometimes people step out and then their basic needs are not even met. When we do not have basic needs taken care of--we cannot be creative, maintain a healthy self-esteem, or even feel safe. God does not call people to let go of the rope they are holding onto and not make the next rope available.

Many years ago I knew a single mom who was the associate pastor of a small church that could not pay her. She felt it was the right set-up because she could bring her young daughter to work with her and not have to pay childcare. She sincerely believed it was a God-thing. But her only income was a meager child support check once a month.

Her and her daughter suffered greatly--inadequate housing, unhealthy eating habits, unreliable car. The people in the church donated clothing to them. I personally witnessed her throw her briefcase across the church sanctuary one day out of frustration. All along she thought God was leading her to live this way. She was absolutely miserable!

Finally when her daughter started school, the extra expense was too much and she was forced to get a job. It changed her life. She was still able to fulfill her assignment at the church just fine, and their entire lifestyle improved.

I just wonder how many times we want things to be a certain way, in a certain time frame, with a certain group of people, so we talk ourselves into it. Then we attach God to our plan as nonchalantly as we would tag a friend in a Facebook post, thinking that validates our decision.

This has been on my heart for days. Just prior to writing this blog I opened a devotional by Joyce Meyer, "New Day, New You." Here is an excerpt from today's message:

"When we want something very strongly, we can easily convince ourselves that it is God's will for us to have it."

Is there something in your life today that you REALLY, REALLY WANT? Have you convinced yourself that God wants you to have it? Or have you convinced yourself that God wants you to have it NOW? The devotional went on to say that she has things she has been waiting for, for 15 years. Remember my house story? It took six years to get to my "promised land".

If you are living a life that is sub-par. Basic necessities unmet. Security threatened. Fearful. Making knee-jerk decisions.Take some time to worship God and offer Him control of your life once again. Ask Him to lead you out of whatever unpleasant waters you may have jumped into. He extended His hand to Peter and He will do the same for you!

Proverbs 14:27 TPT says, To worship God in wonder and awe opens a fountain of life within you, empowering you to escape death’s domain.

©Debra Gaskill 2021