Undercurrent of Grace

 

The Lord continually amazes me. Lately my life has been marked with deep pain and frustration – which I’ll share more about in a future post – yet God never fails to give me strength and grace to endure. God is good even when life feels terrible!

The message theme for this past Sunday evening at Simonka Place was frustration. The Lord has impeccable timing! I love how He gently teaches me so that, sometimes sooner than later, I will write down and pass along what I’ve learned. Sharing my experiences and encouraging others makes the trying times a little less so. Yet again, the Lord inspired me with another faith-affirming new poem to share:

“Undercurrent of Grace”

When frustration and pain weigh me down,
riles me up or causes me to frown,
I turn to You, Jesus, You lift me up,
You lighten my heart and refill my cup.
Caught in the swift undertow of my fear,
I just call out Your name and You draw near.
In short-sighted times when things fall apart,
I trust that You forever hold my heart.
Through every hardship, as I humbly seek Your face,
You carry me with an undercurrent of grace.
In the darkest moments when many fail,
You call me Your champion, and help me prevail.
Swept into new depths of hope and love,
eyes off of myself and reset up above.
Strengthened to faithfully follow Your lead,
for it’s all You ask; You’re all that I need.
Sure of what I hope for, my confidence in You;
Turning all things for good is what You do!
Lord, Your perfect love rewrites my story
so it shines the light of hope, for Your glory.
I trust You, Jesus, I lean into Your embrace,
content to be carried by Your transforming grace.

4-22-18
©Ladeena Ashley

Sources of Inspiration

Earlier on Sunday, during the morning sermon, the idea that most resonated with me was that God calls me His champion. That when troubles come into our lives, He has confidence that we can fight the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 6:12) and overcome by His power. As the phrase goes, if He brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it! He believes in us more than we believe in ourselves. As His beloved children, when we remain committed to His ways, we are carried by a grace that transforms our fear into faith and turns us from worriers into warriors!

Sunday school class also dovetailed neatly into this concept of overcoming. The only way to not only survive but thrive during hardships is to keep our eyes focused on Him instead of all that’s wrong in this world. That in particular, we could all watch a little less news and media in general, which seems increasingly negative and sensationalized, and spend more time reflecting on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8-9). Not that we poke our heads in the sand, but that we adjust our internal lens to view life from a godly perspective, instead of being emotionally tossed to and fro by every shocking headline or story. “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (Matthew 24:6) Instead of getting yanked into the undertow of fear, live your life in gentle surrender to the undercurrent of grace.

Some moments are more frustrating than others, but all the Lord asks is that we do our best to faithfully follow His lead. He will do the rest. Hold onto His promises, trust in His plan for you, then get in there and fight like the champion you are!

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
2018 All Rights Reserved (Blog content and photos)

Resolute To Overcome!

 

Often God uses ordinary things to encourage and inspire us. Years ago, I experienced a seemingly insignificant moment that has stuck with me ever since.

One morning, as I was driving over a bridge and past the docks in a Seattle area inlet, one of the large boats caught my eye. It was of average color, and no more amply endowed with equipment as the other fishing and crabbing vessels nearby. What drew my attention was its name, cleanly and boldly displayed in a strong Times New Roman or similar typeface on one end of the ship: RESOLUTE.

The ship’s moniker could have been chosen to make clear the stalwart determination of the captain and the tenacity of the crew in overcoming squalls and angry waves to fill the holding tanks, surviving season after season of sleep deprivation and aching muscles. Providing food for the masses while making enough profit so that the sacrifices are worth it. Or perhaps the name was a reminder of victory over a personal challenge, and to sail onward in hope and strength through whatever comes, knowing after making it through that, they can survive just about anything.

What It Means To Me
Resolute to me is simply another way of saying that one is committed, sure, purposeful, steady, persistent, immovable, “all-in”, faithful, often with a steely determination, and usually related to a belief or decision. Holding on and not wavering from one’s prescribed path. Never giving up.

To say someone is resolute carries with it a deep element of courage and strength. At its best, being resolute means holding true to my belief or decision, remaining undeterred even in the face of great obstacles. At its worst, it is stubborn and unyielding. Knowing when and if to quit trying, pursuing, and so forth isn’t always easy. Also, unfortunately, we can be resolute for the wrong reason, or hurt others by not speaking the truth in love.

Being resolute looks different for everyone, and varies according to circumstances. It can be quietly steadfast, stoic, even gritting our teeth against unimaginable pain. In competition, it is bursting with excitement, every muscle poised to carry out the strategy, determined to conquer or win. It can be light and hopeful, reaching for goals such as New Year’s resolutions with a positive outlook, committed to bettering our lives.

Side Note
The word “resolute” isn’t used as often as its cousins “resolution” and “resolve”; it seems to have fallen out of favor, especially in this growing age of moral relativism. Making decisions and sticking to them is dangerous at times. Not everyone will like what we do. But that’s another post!

Happily Resolute
For me, I am happily resolute, though the waters have not always been as calm as those in the picture above. Yet it is for that very reason, having survived several of life’s storms and coming out stronger, that I can’t help but thank the Lord for His transforming grace, love, and mercy in my life. God’s faithfulness helps me remain resolute as I look to the future with much peace and hope, joyfully trusting Him to continue leading. That is the feeling that “hooked me” when I first spied that ship, and what still steers my course today. Here’s a poem I wrote about being resolute:

“Resolute”

Such uncertain future,
but sure of His deep love.
Peace lifts my tired soul
as I fully gaze above.
When flood waters rise
I’m tempted to shrink back,
but I trust in His provision
for the things that we lack.
Recalling past blessings
in the face of great need;
The belief that survives
is the one that I feed.
I look forward in faith,
clinging to the hope I find
midst the fierce storm
and the battle in my mind.
Through prayer and Word
God’s strength will sustain
to weather life’s torrents,
resolute through the rain.

3-11-12
©Ladeena Ashley

Over the years since that first sighting in Washington, whenever crossing that bridge I would scan the docks for that boat, and smile. Though no longer residing in that part of the Pacific Northwest, whenever I catch a glimpse of a boat, the memory and the encouragement remain.

May this post encourage you to be more resolute in trusting the Lord through life’s storms. He may not rescue you from them, but He has promised to always be with you through them. The struggles may last longer than our own strength can get us past, and we may stumble, but as long as we keep getting back up, keep trying, and claiming God’s promises, we can overcome the impossible.

Faith Notes
Speaking of overcoming, check out this awesome song:
Overcomer – by Mandisa
(Note: Link will open in new window.)

God’s Word On Resolute

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“…In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Be strong and courageous! Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9
Run so as to win the race! 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Inwardly we are being renewed day by day! 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58
We will reap a harvest if we don’t give up! Galatians 6:9

©Ladeena Ashley
2017 All Rights Reserved (blog content and photos)