Category: Devotions

The Law of Undulation

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven."  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Hey there!!!  I suggest that you read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.  Rise and fall, sunrise and sunset, undulation is described as the movement in waves.  A book I read called "The Screwtape Letters" in which a demon was instructing his nephew on how to torture the human he was responsible for, described this law as when we as humans have peaks in our faith where we feel that God is right there by our sides.  We feel like we have a direct line of communication to Him and that everything is peaches and cream.  Our valleys include where God seems distant from us, where we have sinned and turned away from His presence, and we feel lost and alone.  The goals of the enemy during the valley experiences and the trough of the waves is to tempt us and lead us away from God.  How he does this is by anticipating our reluctance to listen to God when we are suffering or being tested.  We are more inclined to react to whatever our flesh wants in times of strife rather than yielding to whatever it is God is asking or expecting of us.

What I've learned is that God is always there, regardless of the situation.  There will be highs and lows–that is life as our day to day experiences vary like the weather.  Just like seasons change, so do we and how we deal with things in our life.  Sometimes we think that we have experienced enough that we are able to endure on our own, and in actuality we ignore God and His presence in our lives.  Sometimes we get caught up in the world and we sin–as is our natural inclination, and we separate ourselves from God.  Sometimes God gives us a little space to see if we will be loyal and stay faithful that regardless of the test, He is always there for us and will lead us through the situation.  Don't give up the faith or the focus because God is faithful.  Sometimes you have to remove all of the distractions so that you can hear from Him in the midst of tribulation because every additional noise there is impacts your ability to hear God's voice to lead you through the difficult times.  Sometimes it is okay to do a particular thing, but ask yourself, is it really helping you get through your test? Is it what God wants you to do, right now?

"For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man's trouble is heavy upon him."  Ecclesiastes 8:6 NASB

Diarrhea of the Mouth

"Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."  Proverbs 10:19 NLT

When I was a little girl, I talked a lot and very fast (at least that's what I was told, not sure how true it is).  I found it very hard to listen to other people intently and retain what they were saying at times.  However surprisingly I was able to pay attention in class and get very good grades.  I heard this "ailment" I had be referred to as diarrhea of the mouth.  A person with diarrhea of the mouth just talks and talks and talks about any and everything.  (Of course this did not fully apply to me because I talk, but not about everything.)  I frequently told other people growing up that they talked too much.

Now as an adult, I realize that there are things that I told that I should not have told.  You cannot tell people everything.  You cannot tell all the bad in your life, nor can you tell all of the good and blessings you have received.  Lets face it, there are two very true things in the world: misery loves company and there are some bitter and hateful people in the world.  So if you tell a miserable person all of your bad, they will say any and everything to make you stay in your pity party.  If you tell even the most happy person about your good, there is a chance a slight tinge of jealousy may strike them to say something negative about you.  Even if you are just a motor mouth that likes to gossip–well that's the sin right there.

I had to learn to be quiet and that not everyone has my best interest at heart.  Some of the people I have confided in have hurt me beyond belief and it has always been some variation of the truth.  It caused me to learn about people and to simply keep my mouth shut.  I've learned that you have to be mindful and inclined to follow your spirit of discernment as to who, what, and when you should share with people.  I have since learned to actually focus and listen…or to pour my heart out to my journal and God.

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19