It’s Monday! A new week and the same routine. There is new responsibilities, new issues, new problems and same bills! Same money in the bank that was there the last time you looked and the same food in the refrigerator. Same kids with the same set of problems! I could write and tell you that in Ecclesiastes 3:1, it says “to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”  That no matter what you’re facing, it won’t last, but don’t you know that?  I could tell you that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning,” Psalm 30:5, but isn’t this already known?  I could tell you that this is just a storm and like all storms, they eventually end. That there is no situation too big for God, no mountain or stumbling block that he won’t give you strength to climb over.  But, if you’re a Christian or you’ve had/have a praying grandmother, like me, then you know all of this.

There will be circumstances that you face that seem like they are too big for you to handle.  There will always be more bills than money, some dark clouds looming overhead, sleepless nights, tears to be shed, going left when you should go right, being talked about & lied on, being overlooked for a job that should have been yours, being misused by so-called friends, hated on by family who is supposed to love you & sickness in your body.  These are just some of the things that have been promised.  The bible says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble,” (Job 14:1)

But we have been equipped with all that we need to handle trouble on this side.   God said he’d be our refuge in the time of trouble  (Psalm 9:9).  He said when we walk in darkness; he’d be our light & our salvation (Psalm 27:1).  He said when mom & dad forsake you; he’d pick you up (Psalm 27:10).  When you feel like your enemies outweigh your friends, he said “I’ll make your enemies your footstool” Acts 2:35.   He said when facing trouble, “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5)

Take joy in knowing that no matter what you face on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday; God is able to bring you through it.  These may just be mere words to read, but if you ask God in FAITH, he’ll show you the sun even when its raining.  He’ll show you the good even when you think it’s all bad.  He’ll send you food when you’re hungry.  He’ll send a blessing your way at the very moment you need it.  Stop being too proud to ask for help even if you simply need prayer.  Prayer can bring you out & remove a lot of things faster than friends. 

Talk to God today because he’d love to hear from you. 

Just because no one says you’re pretty does that mean you’re not? Just because no one says you look nice does it mean you don’t? Just because no one says you’re talented does it mean you’re not? Stop waiting on FOLK to assess your value. Don’t you look in the mirror for yourself? Don’t you trust in the gifts God has given? If no one ever says/show they love you, God does! Isn’t that enough? Value yourself!

In the bible, Proverbs 31: 10-31 speaks about the value, worth & characteristics of a wife; but not just a wife but a woman.  Verse 10 states; Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies (some interpretations say diamonds).  However, this is simply saying your worth is priceless.  Why do you give it away so cheap or sometimes for free?  Don’t you value yourself? 

You, yes you, find a man (because you can’t wait for God to send him) that treats you any kind of way.  He treats his friends better than the one that he has married, he doesn’t answer when you call and can’t be depended on if you needed him.  Yet verse 11 says, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” This means he trust her with his whole heart, he will never spitefully do her wrong, and because of this she will do good by him all her life.  Isn’t this the way things should be between a husband/wife; boyfriend/girlfriend?

A real woman, one who values her worth, puts God first, takes care of her husband, children and house.  She is quick to stand by her man even if the decision he made falls through, she is there being his only support.  She stays up late washing & ironing, preparing lunches, getting the kids backpacks together, thinking about breakfast for the next morning, what bills have to be paid on Friday, how much money she will have left for groceries and the deadline she has at work.   For Proverbs 14:1 states; “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

Build up what is yours!  Stop allowing mess to rule your house! Stop gossiping, lying, backbiting, judging & criticizing others.   You wonder why your marriage is shaky it’s because of the “friends” you’ve shared all your secrets with.  You’re so busy telling them everything that you don’t even realize they are praying for what you’ve got.  By the time you realize it, it’s too late.  Be slow to talk but quick to listen, (James 1:19), cause the signs are there.  Can’t anybody tell you how to run your house but YOU! Even those that have been through something similar to your situation, they haven’t been through yours.  You are worthy of all God has promised, but first you have to believe in you.  Start with you and the rest will follow. 

Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, I thank you today for all that you’ve done.  I know that you have made me in your image, so I am asking you now to forgive me for not valuing my self-worth.  God I know that you’ve equipped me with the things that I need to endure the hardships of this world and today I choose ME!  God bless my home, keep my mind, & search my heart & if there is anything there that should not be, please take it away.  I am worthy God because you made me.  I will put my trust in you.  God, guide my footsteps so that I may walk in your way.  Guide my tongue so that I may talk like you.  Guide my heart so that I may love like you.  I am worthy God! Amen

When a potter is making pottery, he or she uses clay on a wheel that is shaped into all different types of designs, shapes and sizes.  Most times, not even a skilled potter can get it right the first time, so when they make a mistake they take the SAME clay, start over and reshape.  After, sometimes, numerous tries the final peace of pottery is then created.  It is then placed into a high-temperature, heating source that seals the clay into its shape & gives it it’s strength, thus creating the masterpiece that has been created by the Potter’s hand.

Isn’t God that way?  He is the potter isn’t he?  He has sculpted you into the masterpiece that you are.  Sometimes, it takes numerous tries to get you right but he said, that’s ok for even the righteous man fall 7 times and be raised (Proverbs 24:16).  He even puts you in high temperature situations (storms, trials, tribulations, and heartache, and grief, struggles) in order to seal you and make you strong enough to endure.  He has made your skin tough enough to handle being lied on, talked about, name being drug through the mud, folk wishing bad on your life & even speaking death in certain situations.  He made you with tough skin so when folk try to walk all over you; you’d be able to take it without wavering.  He made you tough so that your skin could handle the tears that will be shed and the scars that you’ll get from being stabbed in the back.  He made your shoulders strong in order to carry the weight of the world on them without falling over.  He made your legs and arms strong in order to carry those that may need your help.  He made your feet strong to stand in the face of adversity & still march on.  He even made your knees strong enough to endure a satisfying prayer life,  for the times you’ll need them.

So why are you trying to conform to the world that is against you? For the bible states in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Think for yourself! Be yourself! For God, the potter, has made YOU in HIS image (Genesis 1:27). 

POTTER – Pressing Out Things That Evil Reared! Let go of those things holding you back.  Let go & let God!