It's funny to me, but during the last week God has been leading me to some of the archived motivations. It's funny to me because he is using words I wrote to minister to others to now minister to me.

            I was spending quiet time with God and praying that I would walk through this season with my faith intact and in a way that is pleasing to God. As that thought went through my mind He reminded me of a motivation I once wrote called 'Rough Seas' and I want to share a little of it with you.

            Someone once asked me a question that really caused me to think and stop and talk to God for the correct answer.   A friend said 'Kim, can I ask you something?' I knew from her tone that it was serious; I said 'of course.' She said 'how did you make it through that horrible season you went through financially a few years ago?' I answered 'some days by the skin of my teeth.' I continued 'there were days I didn't feel like getting out of bed but on that day Judy Jacobs would call and encourage me and I will continue on.'

            As I said, it caused me to really think and search my heart. It was indeed a horrible time and the people who were supposed to be in it with me all turned tail and ran, leaving me to muddle through. I am not angry at all about that - frankly I learned so much during that season - about God and about myself and of course about those particular people.

            I asked God to show me exactly what it was that helped me get through and come out with my faith intact. The first thing He reminded me of was that I continued to tithe and give. Regardless of my situation, I was faithful to tithe and tithe off the FIRST, in doing that God protected the rest. I was also faithful to give offerings on a continual basis. If you ever expect to come out of a financial attack you will have to be faithful to tithe and give as God shows us in His word.

            He also reminded me of times when others would find me alone in my home worshipping God. They would be very confused, knowing what I was walking through, they would say 'how can you worship God when it is obvious that He did not come through for you.'

            God reminded me that during that time I did not blame Him or question Him. When it first began I purposed in my heart that I would not question God and I didn't, instead I continued to worship God as if every prayer had been answered. What I was walking through had nothing to do with God and who He is. He is God in the good times and He is God in the bad times...He is my Lord at all times or He isn't my Lord at all.

            I never complained or said 'why is this happening to me?' I did not talk negatively about anyone involved. I kept my heart right before God through it all. I had made up my mind that I would walk through this time pleasing God and would do my best to please Him to the very end. I am not saying I was perfect, of course I wasn't and some days I wanted to sit down and cry...some days I did...but I never walked away from God or His word during that time. If you continue to worship God through hard times, it will keep your heart soft and pliable and the enemy won't be able to get into your thoughts.

            My friend said 'you went through it and didn't seem crushed but I saw this other person go through the same thing and it crushed her.' I don't know the difference, I know that God was just as much there for the other person as He was for me, or at least He wanted to be. The only thing I know is that I clung to God and His word.

            I forced myself to read the word and continue to listen to anointed teaching. I encouraged myself in the Lord almost daily and little by little it got easier. I chose to call God faithful in the worst of times and now that truth is firmly planted in my heart - my God is faithful at all times.

            I realized in reading this motivation that God was showing me, reminding me of how I got through a rough season before and that I could get through this rough season again in the same ways.

            As far as the finances of this season are concerned, I simply need to keep giving and tithing and God will provide. As for the peace of mind, I need to continue to spend quiet time with God in praise and worship. I need to continue to listen to anointed teaching and make sure I am saturated in the word of God. Finally, I need to watch what comes out of my mouth at all times. I need to make sure my words line up with God's word and what I want to see in my life.

            When I was a baby Christian I used to think that God would deliver me out of everything. That he would literally pick me up and shield me; much the way I do my grandbabies.

            However, as a mature Christian I have learned that he doesn't always deliver me out of stuff, sometimes he allows me to walk through it. As a mature Christian I have walked through more than I have been delivered from, that is for certain, however, I have never, never walked through it alone. He has never left my side, He is always with me.

            I have learned that immaturity will cause me to cry out 'why me God?' While faith in God and maturing in His ways will cause me to say 'I don't understand, but I trust you completely.'

            I have also learned the truth of the scripture that says He will harden us to difficulties. I have lived that in my life. I am a lot stronger than I used to be. It is not in the good times that I grow the most spiritually, it is in the hard times. The times I have to cling to God with every fiber of my being, in those times I grow the most.

            I don't know what you are facing today, it may be something very difficult. But this I do know, God is with you. He is closer than you can imagine. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will walk through it with you. He will be the fourth man in the fire. He will be the one that shuts the mouth of the lion. And He will be the one that ultimately delivers you and gives you victory. He is that One.

            I truly don't know what people do without God. I am so very thankful that I will never have to know...aren't you?