An excerpt from  “Can God Really Speak Through a Pelican?”  Chapter 8 “Pelican Brief”   ( Available on Amazon as an e-book by Rebekah)

More words from my journal:  Lord, I hurt.  I hear you speaking to me, however, my mind returns to the words, the accusations, the broken relationships, the misunderstandings— and I hurt.  Once again, my eyes have been filled with tears.  I’m assuming I need more time to grieve over the losses of the past couple of years.  Tears often bring healing.

Tim just read to me out of Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning.  Listen to what he said:  “It is no coincidence that the title of the latest book by Michael Ford on the life and ministry of Henri Nouwen is “Wounded Prophet.”  We are each and every one of us insignificant people whom God has called and graced to use in a significant way.  In His eyes, the high-profile ministries are no more significant than those that draw little or no attention and publicity.  On the last day, Jesus will look us over not for medals, diplomas, or honors, but for scars.”  Wow, that is powerful!

The following week God began to speak to me through Joyce Meyer in one of her daily televised messages.  Listen to her words:  “Discover how to turn pain into victory.  You will have a time of hurt in your life where you wait on God to be your vindicator; it’s what you do in your waiting that determines your outcome.  We need to spend a lot more time worshipping God instead of worrying.  As we worship God, the enemy is defeated.  The battle is not yours but God’s.”  

She took us to II Chronicles 20 and talked about Jehoshaphat’s battle.  Verse 17 (emphasis mine) says, “You shall not fight in this battle; take your positions, STAND STILL and see the deliverance of the Lord, who is with you.”  Joyce emphasized that the Bible tells us to fight the good fight of faith, but that sometimes our fight will be to fight not to fight.  Especially if you have been mistreated or judged, a temptation to “set them straight” can be strong.  Sometimes we have to say,” Be still my soul and rest in God” when our emotions start “climbing the Richter scale”. “Take your position and stand still”.   

Verse 18 reads, “Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and all fell down before the Lord worshipping him.”  His position is now a position of worship.  The highest place to be is at His feet.  The low place is a high place when we worship, and it is a place of victory.  We need to learn how to fight our battles at His feet— through worship and praise and a heart thankful for what He is doing in our lives right now.  He’s working on the problem while we are worshipping.   

Verse 22 says, “And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the men …who had come against Judah and they were self-slaughtered.”  Praise confused the devil.   

You are going to have a time of hurts when you will wait on God to vindicate you— and it’s what you do while you’re waiting that  will determine the outcome.  Fall at His feet and worship Him.  Believe God is working in your circumstance right now.” Joyce Meyer