I lost my job in June 2013. This was one of those major moments in your life when learning who you really are is a very (VERY) painful process. It felt a lot like the potter and the clay. I often found myself begging God, Please stop, I can't take anymore. They say God doesn't give you more than you can handle, but in my case I think he was really pushing me. I needed to decide was I going to stay true to my values and my faith, or was I going to conform to the ways of the world.
As I approached the demise of my career, I found myself seeking God in a way I had never done so before. Two days prior to my termination, I sat at my son's baseball game and felt an overwhelming direction to read the book of Isaiah.
I dusted off my Bible and began to consume God's word. I found hope, instruction, and encouragement. I knew I was facing a battle I was about to lose, but I also found the reassurance and confirmation that I was following God's will. My test was clear. Was I going to follow God or was I going to save myself and my job? If I'm being completely honest this was the hardest decision, but I didn't realize the battle was going to turn into a full out war within myself the months following.
Three months later, I was on the phone with my mom telling here I was about to have a full out throw-down with God. I knew I would lose, but we needed to have it out. How could this happen? How could it be that I was following Him, but now I found myself bitter, angry, and feeling forsaken? My mom invited me to read one chapter of the Bible with her daily. Just one, and then we would text back and forth any questions, thoughts, or ideas left on our heart and minds from that chapter. I accepted the invitation, while thinking What else am I going to do.
I never read the Bible before. I occasionally referenced it for all those motivational verses your hear or read, but I never read it for the purpose of spending time with God. I never actually read it. Now, I read one chapter daily. I pick a book and read it one chapter at a time until I finish that book. What I've come to understand is that the Bible is God's instruction, love, support, and encouragement written to us. I kind of feel like it's my owner's manual to life. I never felt like I heard God in my life before. Through spending time with Him, in His Word, everyday, I am now have an active relationship with my Father. It is the coolest thing...EVER!
Through reading the Bible I've learned more about God's grace and love for me. I've come to know Jesus. I've learned that God's used the Holy Spirit to teach me throughout life. I learned my 'gut feelings' were actually God speaking to me through His Holy Spirit. I hear Him because I've started to listen. I hear Him because I consume His words...everyday.
I don't go anywhere without my Bible. It's always in my bag. I travel with it and take it to work. You never know when you're going to need it. It's my owners manual, and you don't leave your owner's manual for the car in the house do you? My Bible is my encouragement. It's my discipline, understanding, and hope. It's oxygen for my soul.
If you have a Bible, please post a picture of it on The Encouraged Believer status for this blogpost. If you don't have a Bible and would like one, please personal message me at the Encouraged Believer on facebook or email me directly at angeline.piskorski@gmail.com, and I will happily send one to you.
Stay encouraged and God Bless,
Angie
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