Can’t see the forest for the fire?

“But the Godly will flourish like Palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Labanon.” (Psalms 92:12, LAP)

Have you ever been at the point where it seemed like the world was on your shoulders? Where your chest is tight from anticipation and your mind is crowded from thoughts? No matter how hard you try to focus and activate your faith you just can’t see the forest from all the fires in front of you.

Well, I reached that point last week. It seemed like all of a sudden I felt the overwhelming pressures of the challenges around me. As the president of H.O.P.E, Inc., not only was it my financial responsibility to provide for my family; but it is now also my responsibility to provide for five other families depending on the financial help of H.O.P.E, Inc. to survive. Then, there is the weight of ministry, were the constant need to be in position was hovering over me like a cloud, and the responsibility of covering others in the mist of my own storm wore heavy upon me like a pile of wet towels.  And I can’t forget my duties as a wife & mother, caring for my husband as he battles cancer, being a rock for him during treatments while feeling neglected myself, and being that nurturer for my sons who look forward to mommy’s affirmation every day when I needed my spirit affirmed in the plans and purpose of God.

It had appeared that everyone around me was prospering, but I was standing still. I could not see the forest for all of the fires around me.   

But I learned something long ago as a child, I learned to pray and take my burdens to Jesus. When I was in sixth grade it was this girl that was a fair weather friend. She would choose which day of the week she wanted to be my friend (for no apparent reason at all), but me being a gullible, kind-hearted little girl wanting to please everyone; I would go home take out my pink children’s bible, that my grandmother gave me, and cry out to God. I would pray every night that she would be my “friend” again until she made up with me. God was teaching me then to P.U.S.H (pray until something happens).

“For just as sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort flows.” (2 Corinthians 1:5, LAP)

I’ve had many things spoken over my life and my purpose, but because of all the obstacles, setbacks, and tribulations my vision has been clouded many days and again…

I could not see the forest for the fire.  

Some of the fires I caused myself for getting in God’s way, and some of the fires God allowed; strengthening me to be who I am today. They were roaring & waging fires that I had to deal with in my life. When I started this blog post, I quoted Psalms 92:12.  Why? Because I read in the Life Application Bible that Palm trees are known for their long life and cedars of Lebanon grew to be 120 feet tall and 30 feet round…meaning they were “upright, strong, and unmoved!”

As believers if we are to “flourish like Palm trees and grow strong like cedars of Labanon,” we have to place our faith strongly in God, for He alone gives strength and vitality! God, Himself, is “robed in majesty and armed with strength.” (Psalms 93:1, LAP)

If God is for you, who can be against you? And if God is with you, who can stand against you! You are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus!

So, if you are blinded by disappointment and you can’t seem to see the forest for the fires in your life activate your faith and place your faith in what you know God to be capable of doing! His word says, He will not disappoint you and you will not be put to shame.

See beyond the flames because they who are in Christ Jesus will “flourish in the courts of our God!” (Psalms 92:13, LAP)