Fasting and Prayer

3-29-24 I'm revisiting this post, because this month I hit a wall in my fasting and prayer habit, a hard wall. 

My flesh hates to be told to be in control. It causes all kinds of havoc or tries with these kinds of thoughts. "I can't do it" "I don't want to" "Nobody cares anyway" and the barrage will go on until I tell my flesh to be still. A day of fasting and prayer will make a difference, the bible tells me so. Joel 2:12, Mat 6:16-18, Isaiah 58:1-14. It will make a difference for me personally and for the situation.

A day of fasting and praying

One day is a struggle (Yes Rosie! let your flesh feel the restriction)
One day, can it make a difference? (Amen! One day can make a difference)
I hear the cackling laughter because I dare to believe (Go ahead and laugh, go ahead and mock. One day and then another and another, I will believe the Ressurected God; Jesus)

One day, he'll have a change of heart (Thats right! Jesus said bring him to me and I'm doing that with prayer and fasting)
One day I'll break bread with him ( I choose to believe Gods promise of redemption)

One day of no eating (I will live)
One day of praying outside of the box (I will focus on that which I am praying for)
I hear the accuser as I run from the food and down to my knees (My flesh is dramatic and the accuser a liar, I'll keep on praying)

One day he'll get back on track (He whom I'm praying for will repent, I choose to believe and press in)
One day he'll see the change and be glad (when the prodigal comes to himself, he too will rejoice)

One day of saying no to my flesh (A good solid no is what the pride of my flesh hates but needs)
One day of reining in my thoughts (I am the manager of my mind and will throw out foolishness and selfishness)
I hear the promise of strength while I plow through the day (I empty myself of me and gain the strength of God)

Little by little I will drive them out from before thee
Until thou be increased and inherit the land.

The Control Stick

                                                                Control Freak!!

Have you heard it said of you or someone else "she's so controlling" which is usually meant in a negative way.

Are you? Do you have to have your 'power to influence' in EVERY situation you see, feel or hope for.

Doesn't everyone have this 'drive' at different levels? and at different times in their lives.

When some people push things along and use their power to influence, have their say it can all work out great!  James 1:5       

W aits for the right time

 I nspects all sides of the situation

 S peaks with a right tone

 D oesn't respond or move in emotion

 O verlooks offenses

 M oves beyond personal gain

However when Control Freaks who bully, harass and manipulate their strengths and get things done their way, even if it's right for the moment; usually nobody's happy! "There is a way that seems right to a man but the end thereof are the ways of death"

                                                        Pushover!

How about the opposite comment of "I wish they would just be more assertive" is that said of you?

Have you let opportunities pass you up or avoided confrontation? Then looked back and mourned your losses or blamed someone else or the situation for your lack of motivation. What steers this person? 2Tim. 1:7

Fails to believe that God is able

Expects that someone else will respond to the need

Always makes excuses

Retreats at every sign of giants

Some people have to take initiative to take control while others have to be restrained to back off! 

In the beginning God did give Adam control and he does expect us to have dominion but exercising control takes "self control" and to be able to do that, God has to be given ability to put his hand over your hand on the control stick and doing that takes faith, the beginning of all wisdom.....which usually keeps things under control.....

Criticism

          You shouldn't do it that way!

Criticism produces some negative feelings for sure. Oh me, oh my!
When someone points out a flaw, oh me, oh my!
When you who are pointed to do not realize your thing's not perfect! oh me, oh my!
So what do we do with the negative feelings?
Can they be used to produce a better result?
Did the someone point and walk away? or
Did the someone stay, willing to wade through the mire of reconstruction?

 Even with what some would call constructive criticism you'll see oozing out of a heart some bitter and angry reactions.  Other words for criticism would be:
Admonish, correct, rebuke or perhaps re-direct.  I think most of us have experienced criticism on the side of the kid, student, employee,or spouse.  If you're a parent, employer, teacher, or spouse you'll see a need to voice your criticism eventually.

When the Criticism grenade is launched.... step back, take a deep breath, relax your muscles and access the criticism so that you can then proceed with caution.  This kind of self controlled reaction will save a good relationship or create a better one and hopefully make the thing an improved model. 
Thus you will have come out of the criticized state a stronger person.