Friday Fight 61 - Leading While Losing

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF61.

Have you ever wondered why a door has opened or closed to friendships, opportunity or even perceived failure? We all go through shifts in our lives where the people we are close to end up traveling in another direction. We may not know if this is the intention of God or some unknown hurt. So, how do we continue on God’s journey?

Leading While Losing:

For this lesson, please imagine yourself on a train stopping along a route. Each platform represents a particular place in our lives as God leads us and others to new journeys of fulfilling His calling.

Imagine stepping onto a train after having been surrounded by family and close friends. God shifts things but we are intentionally walking in His plan and purpose. Arriving at our next platform we realize the shift has removed familiarity and nostalgia settles into our minds. Do not give into nostalgia.

As we approach a second platform, confusion sets in because people or opportunities have transferred to other destinations. As we move forward on this journey, we declare that we will never get back what we once had. We can affirm this all we want, but the reality is God shifts according to His purpose. We do not replace the past, we make room in our hearts for new beginnings. Through God's healing, He may reconcile past hurts on future platforms. Do not be intimidated by chaos.

The third platform brings a perspective shift of unexpected anger as we revert to pain endured from the past. Looking at this stop with a lens of anger; we decide to shut down new opportunities to love and grow to prevent future hurts. Do not carry bitterness.

As the train continues, our minds are captured by competing losses. We feel trapped by past decisions and consumed by failure. We move forward knowing our life will be filled with new platforms of God adventures. Remember that failure is not final.

Traveling in God’s direction means allowing Him to shift things in our lives to recognize those we are leading to Him. It may be a person next to us or a group waiting on the next platform. It may feel like we are losing while leading but God’s word and His will for our lives is the final destination. So keep praying, trusting, growing and allowing God to lead your journey.

Psalm 119:105

Pastor Shannon

Photo Credit: Abigail Tarburton