Respond Well
- Dejáh Gilliam
- May 22
- 3 min read
Yesterday was one of those days where I’m like “Lord, ion wanna do this nomore.” Like, how did I even get to this point? I’m at the point where I feel like I’m standing in the middle of the ocean trying to keep swimming, but don’t know which direction to swim in. I look around at my life and EVERYTHING is different. Today is one of those days where I spent time crying before the Lord out of frustration because I’m no longer at a point where I have control. Slowly but surely I have surrendered all control over to God and I can’t say this is my favorite part.
When I initially gave God my “yes,” I did not expect so much in my life to shift so quickly. In the past 3 1/2 years, as I’ve repeatedly given God a fresh “yes,” I say it confidently and each time is without regret. However, I can’t escape the process that comes with each one and that is where it gets real. The constant refining, purifying, and purging. The part where He goes in like a surgeon and operates on open wounds. It's for our good, but it DOES NOT feel good 😣.
No matter how much society tries to convince us, there is no surface level Christianity. You’re either in or you’re out and when you’re in… I mean REALLY IN, God begins to do a work that we could’ve never expected to take place.
Yesterday was one of those days where I had to stand on “what God starts, He completes.” It’s a day where I had to sit in the secret place with my Bible open and worship. No praying, no running my mouth, just worship and the Word of God. It’s a day where my heart was screaming “THIS IS HARD!!!” and I wanted to crash out.
I share this with you because right now is one of those times where I would prefer to separate myself and “crawl back into my cave” until I feel better. By better I mean encouraged, strengthened, and when I have “more control” over the season I’m in. It’s a time where “I gotta figure this out” typically kicks in and I lock in. (That’s why y’all don’t hear from me for weeks or months and then I pop back up 🤣) But this time, I’m not going to do that. I’m going to keep showing up. I’m going to show up in my secret place. I’m going to show up in prayer. I’m going to show up TO THE FIGHT (because warfare don’t stop just because we need a break) and I’m not going to retreat.
As you read this, you may find that this is applicable to you. Do you wanna just throw the towel in? If so, I encourage you to cling to Jesus ♥️ It’s your response that matters. When you’re frustrated, discouraged, and ready to give up, what is your response?
I want to remind you (& myself) of some things:
There is no elevator through the refining process, we must take the stairs. The stairs burn, they take longer, and they require effort. Know that God's Grace will sustain you.
📖 2 Corinthians 12:9
Our response matters more than our emotions. Are you dwelling in your emotions or taking them before God to receive a fresh exchange of love, encouragement, hope, faith, and sometimes correction? 📖 Matthew 11:28
God does not begin what He will not finish. If God is revealing a thing to you and taking you through the not so fun process, YOU GOTTA KNOW that He will bring you through WHOLE & HEALED! Stay submitted to His will. 📖 Jeremiah 29:11
📖 Philippians 1:6
God is our Father above all else. He’s not looking to strip the old for fun, but for our ultimate benefit. 📖 Isaiah 64:8
God prepares us with the tools we need to get through each season. Don’t allow your emotions to back you into a corner of defeat. Baby, GET IN THAT BIBLE and start using them weapons.
📖 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We have a helper. The Holy Spirit is here ready to help us as we surrender over our way and ask for His help. He will let us know what to do next and how it needs to be done. Remember, God’s ways are not our ways so it might not look like what you expected☝🏽 📖 John 14:26
📖 1 Corinthians 2:10
We have the VICTORY🙌🏽 Jesus already set us up for success so why would we fold in the midst of adversity?! You are
SAVED, NOT SOFT!
📖 Hebrews 4:16
Comments