I have narrowed down my most intense struggles to one thing, that there is nothing in this world that troubles me as much as my own thoughts and actions. More specifically, between what I think I should be and have, and what God has given me in perspective and purpose. Sometimes it is difficult to understand why God allows or doesn’t allow certain things to happen, especially at critical moments of our lives. Questions arise as to why He brings people into or out of our lives at specific times, or changes our direction of life in a moment. I have wrestled with these thoughts many times in my Christian walk. In recent weeks I have been caught off guard and had a loss of focus on things that needed to be accomplished right in front of me. My life has come to the point that I just can’t seem to get anything done that I feel is important for one reason or another. I wonder, “What did I do that was so wrong this time? How do I stop the enemy attacks that at times are debilitating? How can I bring glory to God in my failures?” There are moments when discouragement whispers that my efforts are wasted and that I have somehow missed God’s will entirely. Yet deep within I know that God is not the author of confusion, fear, or condemnation and that He is Sovereign. The longer I walk with Christ, the more I realize that many of my greatest battles are fought in the unseen places of the heart and mind. What appears to be a setback may in fact be the very means by which God is teaching me dependence upon Him and Him alone. His purposes are often unfolding beneath the surface long before I am able to recognize them. Looking back, I can see that some of the seasons I would never choose for myself have become the seasons that produced the greatest spiritual growth. I often pray over what is written in *Proverbs 21:30 There is no [human] wisdom or understanding Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.* If our hope is to be transformed into the image of Christ, we must accept the challenges as well as the blessings. I believe that God always has our best interest at heart and if we seek Him as the Bible says, walk by faith as we are guided by the Holy Spirit, we will receive the clarity that we desire in due time, either in this life or the one to come. Everyone wants a mountain top experience, not understanding that fruit is grown in the valley. Christian character is developed through the trials and tribulations that we endure. It is during the trials of our lives that God does His greatest work, I know He has in me. God doesn’t always let us in on what He’s doing as He’s doing it. Clarity is more about the awareness of God’s presence in the process and being open to the outcome so that He is glorified and not us. I am more confident today, of this one thing, more than any other, that the end of the matter is simple. If the Lord Jesus were to appear to me and was willing to answer every question that I had, the why’s and the why nots of my entire life, when He was finished, after all the answers were given, I believe that all I would be able to do is say “Thank You for all that I have been through by Your hand.” God is writing my story, I need to stop trying to steal His pen all the time to write it my own way. My heart is that anyone who finds themselves in a similar season would be encouraged to trust God even when the path ahead is unclear. May we all learn to surrender our expectations, embrace His process, and remain faithful in the work He has placed before us each day. If we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, we can rest in the assurance that every chapter of our story is being written with purpose, wisdom, and eternal significance. My prayer: Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to trust You when our minds are filled with questions and our hearts grow weary from the struggles we do not understand. Teach us to surrender our plans, desires, and expectations into Your loving hands, believing that Your wisdom far exceeds our own and that Your purposes are always good. Strengthen us to persevere through every trial with faith, keeping our eyes fixed upon Christ and our confidence anchored in Your unfailing promises. May our lives bring You glory in both the valleys and the mountaintops, and may we passionately desire Your will for our lives above all else until the day we stand before You and fully understand the beauty of Your perfect plan. In Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen. Please continue to pray for my family and I, we really need it in this season.

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.