Originally posted 2016-04-07 14:43:44.
Hi!
When you come out of challenging situations, what is the aftermath? Do the experiences that frustrate and hurt you leave you with an overwhelming “Why?” What about when someone tries to cause you harm; physically, emotionally, financially or spiritually? How do those situations resonate in your mind? Do they leave a distaste in your mouth? Do you mull over ways to retaliate? Do you just drop the thought of the experiences and move on? Or, maybe your propensity to analyze everything causes you to reflect on the lessons learned?
Have you ever stopped to think, “I am so glad that’s over? I am so glad that I no longer have to deal with that situation?” The outcome might not be the way you wanted it. The results might be different from what you anticipated, but aren’t you glad? Aren’t you glad that you’re not walking in fear anymore? Aren’t you glad the crazy anticipation of the worst no longer plagues your mind? Aren’t you glad, that tumultuous faith stretching situation pushed you to cast your cares on The Lord? 
I don’t know about you, but I am so glad that I no longer allow the thoughts that used to hold me hostage to a negative outlook on life keep me bound. What about you? Even though life isn’t perfect, and you’re still waiting on God for some major things, is gladness in your view?
Think about it…..
Perhaps you were in a new promising personal or business relationship, and God allowed the exposure of a set-up, before you were in too deep? Perhaps you were days away from signing a contract on what looked like a lucrative venture, and you discovered it was bogus? Perhaps the dark side of your beau came out while you were dating, to prevent you from disaster? Perhaps that person you were going into business with showed their ugly side; their jealousy towards you, and you dissolved the business relationship in its’ infant stages? You could be angry; but aren’t you glad?
On the flip side…..
Single ladies, perhaps that babies’ daddy (or potential hubby) that you broke up with, because he was taking too long to get it together, is now a tremendous success? He’s now doing something worthwhile; running a business, helping his community and enjoying his life. Aren’t you glad for him? Aren’t you glad The Lord helped him to find peace and happiness with his life?
My sister, aren’t you glad the man you left years ago; who called you on every birthday and holiday ever since the breakup, didn’t call you this year? Aren’t you glad that he finally let go and so have you? It was more than a week after your birthday when you realized that he hadn’t called; or he hadn’t called in over six months. Aren’t you glad? You thought he couldn’t let go; but you were holding on to the joy of his wanting you. But, my sister, aren’t you glad you can now move into the place where God wants you to move? Aren’t you glad that your heart is free to go ahead and receive what (or who) the Lord has for you? Are you shouting, “I is free now Kizzie!”
My single brothers, perhaps you dealt your player, player card one time too many and the love bug bit you. That young lady you played; but fell in love with, grew tired of your shenanigans, and said, “I’m done,” for the last time. Though you experienced pain; aren’t you glad you realized the need to quit playing and grow up? Your shattered, yet repairable heart now journeys on a path of allowing God to fix you and fill the empty places. Your recent blunder has you looking at needs for improvement in every aspect of your life. Think about it. Your hurt helps. You now focus on becoming your greatest you! Can’t you see it? You better go!
A different outlook…..
The other day, as I wrote this post, I thought of my precious daughter Tamika. I’ve cried practically every other day this year; yet some of my tears were tears of joy. I thought, “I’m so glad that I’m no longer frustrated with God about His allowing my daughter to die; even though she now lives with Him. But my sadness is simply that I miss her so much. I miss her laugh, her cough, her fussing, her words of encouragement. I miss her calling me and saying, “Mama why didn’t you call me yesterday?” But I’m so glad that she is no longer in pain. 
Her suffering is over. She’s not worried about my health, her brothers, her husband or her son. She hasn’t missed anything. She’s with The Lord now. It’s us who miss her experiencing things with us.”
….Later, that same morning, my cousin Valaria from New York called and told me that her mom; my Aunt Rosetta had passed away that morning. I felt a stab in my heart, cried and talked briefly with Valaria. She so sweetly asked me if I was okay and shared her peace with her mom not being in any more pain. We said, “See you soon,” and hung up. The flood of losing Tamika, my own parents, my brothers Bobby and Marvin, Tee Steak, Mary Ann, Rip, Papa Wakefield, Mama and Papa Shelley, Ma Beckon, Minerva, Larry, Rosetta, Mr. and Mrs. Watson, June, and every loved one, overwhelmed me. Rosetta’s children, Pat, Valaria, Dwayne and Cortez came to my heart, and I cried. Her sisters, grands, and great grands came to my heart, and I cried. I cried for our entire family. I put this post down. But now, two days later, The Lord spoke to me this morning and said, “Rochelle, aren’t you glad?”
There are so many more reasons to say, “I’m so glad.” Think about it….
- You may have allowed other’s dislike of you to keep you wondering why. But now you’re glad that it really doesn’t matter; because that’s their problem. So now you pray for them. Aren’t you glad that The Lord has allowed their dislike to fuel your intercession and prayer life?
- People can no longer say things to you that drag you down a road of frustration all day. You’ve learned how to cast those defeating thoughts from your mind, in the name of Jesus. Aren’t you glad that you stopped people from controlling you; because you know who you are in God?
- You no longer repeat and rehearse conversations that you had with people. You’re confident in what The Spirit of The Lord tells you to speak; and you have stopped doubting your relationship with God. Aren’t you glad that your security is in God?
- You may have faced ridicule from people when you didn’t have the finances to pay for a bill, assessment or required donation. Perhaps one of the reasons why God allowed your medical situation that caused you to come off your job, was to work pride out of you. Your condition rendered you diagnosed as disabled in the eyes of the medical doctor. Your inability to return to work put you in a place of being criticized because of your financial status. Aren’t you glad, your total dependence upon God causes people’s idiotic put downs to roll off of your back like water on a freshly waxed car. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t view you as man does?
- That situation that you’ve avoided and dreaded is near. Though you have regrets, apprehensions and butterflies in your belly; the thought of this finally being over brings an element of joy. True freedom is near. Aren’t you glad to trust God to work it all out for good and that you will soon enjoy your bright future?
- You may have thought, said or did some things that are not pleasing to God. But your heart of repentance helps you to realize that you really want to please God. So you pray for God to help you to say, “No” to your flesh? Aren’t you glad that God gives new mercies every morning?
- Isaiah 61:1-3 says, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” (KJV)
My friends, thank you for joining me today. I’ll leave you with the question and you fill in the blanks. Think about experiences in your life. Where can you say to yourself: “Aren’t you glad _______________?” Let me know your thoughts on this topic. I’d love to hear from you. We’ll talk soon.
Blessings!
Rochelle
