Don't Let Your Past Keep You from Jesus: Lessons from Zacchaeus (Luke 19)

A Lesson from Zacchaeus

   A few days ago, I was reading Luke 19:1–10, the story of Zacchaeus, and one lesson stood out to me. (Luke 19:5)

Zacchaeus knew his limitation. He was a short man, and because of the crowd, he could not see Jesus (Luke 19:3). He could have stood there feeling sorry for himself. He could have allowed his height to become an excuse. He could have worried about what people would think if they saw a grown man climbing a tree.

Just imagine the looks and whispers: "Look at that short man on the tree!"

But Zacchaeus refused to let his limitation define him. His desire to see Jesus was greater than his fear of people's opinions. So, by faith, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree (Luke 19:4).

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." — James 4:8

When Jesus reached that very spot, He looked up, saw Zacchaeus, and called him by name. What a beautiful reminder that when we take even one step of faith toward Jesus, He responds with grace.

A Conversation That Broke My Heart 

   Years back I had a conversation with a young man. He told me that while he was in secondary school, he frequently had visions that later came to pass. He was known among his classmates for his spiritual sensitivity and the gift of prophecy. (1 Corinthians 12:4)

   He also shared something remarkable. His mother once told him that when she gave birth to him, she had a dream in which a group of children came to her and said, "Give us our king." Though surprised, she handed them the baby, and they carried him while shouting and celebrating him as their king.

   He seemed like a young man with great potential and a promising future.

When Wrong Choices Change Everything

Sadly, everything changed.

   A friend persuaded him to transfer to another school, promising him excitement and a better experience. Instead, he was introduced to destructive lifestyles—womanizing, cultism, and other sinful habits. Over time, the visions stopped. The words of knowledge disappeared. His walk with God faded.

   As we talked, I gently encouraged him to return to Jesus. But he insisted that his friend had destroyed his destiny and that his life could never be the same.

My heart was burdened.

Your Past Does Not Have the Final Say. Yes, people can influence us negatively.

But no one is beyond God's power to restore. While others may influence your decisions, you are responsible for your response today. Your past may explain where you are, but it does not have to determine where you will end.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." — Romans 8:28

As long as there is genuine repentance and a willing heart, God is able to redeem what seems lost.

Zacchaeus Chose Repentance

   Zacchaeus also had a messy past. He was a dishonest tax collector who had cheated many people (Luke 19:8). Yet the moment Jesus entered his life, everything changed. He repented, promised to repay those he had cheated, and generously gave to the poor. His encounter with Jesus transformed both his heart and his actions.

"And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." Then Jesus declared:"This day is salvation come to this house." — Luke 19:8- 9

Jesus Is Still in the Business of Restoration

The same Jesus is still changing lives today.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17

You may feel that you have gone too far. You may think your mistakes have ruined God's plan for you. But God specializes in restoring broken people.

"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten." — Joel 2:25

   He can turn your limitations into testimonies, your pain into purpose, and your ugly past into a story of His grace.

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." — Psalm 103:12

Your Next Step

Do not remain trapped by regret.

   Like Zacchaeus, take the step that brings you closer to Jesus. Ignore the voices of shame. Lay down every excuse. Trust Him again. Walk with Him in obedience.

   You may be surprised by what God is ready to do in your life once you allow Him in.

Reflection

What are you doing today?

   Are you still sitting in the pain of your past, blaming people for where you are?

Or are you choosing to walk with God in faith and obedience, trusting Him to restore what seems lost? The decision is yours.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I surrender my past, my failures, and every limitation to You. Give me the courage to seek You above my fears and regrets. Restore what has been lost, transform my heart, and help me walk in obedience every day. Let my life become a testimony of Your redeeming grace. Amen.

From Doubt to Purpose: My Healing Journey with God

 

   I doubted my abilities. I doubted my decisions. I doubted whether I could ever do anything truly good.

Whenever people complimented me, I saw it as an exaggeration. I believed they were just trying to be nice.

But on the other hand, I found it easy to invest in people. I poured into others, encouraged them, gave what I could, stood up for friends and even strangers. 

Looking back now, I realize I was responding from wounds I didn't even know I had.

  Growing up, I carried a lot of trauma responses with little or no complaints. 

Deep down, I never really believed I was useful or capable of doing something meaningful, and those experiences followed me into adulthood.

 I had unknowingly believed people's words more than God's Word. 

Yet the Bible says, "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14), and "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works" (Ephesians 2:10). 

It took me years to begin believing what God had already said about me.

I kept investing in people, giving, and showing up for them, but many times I didn't get the same in return—or maybe not as much as I wished.

 I doubted almost every step I took, probably because of the negative words and energy I had received over the years. 

I longed for a simple thumbs-up from certain people, but it never came.

If you know me, you'll notice that I talk a lot about people. Oh yes, I am truly a lady of people.

   Last year, I attended an online program called Esther Academy with the theme "Roar," organized by Miss Juliet Abimiku Daniels.

To be honest, I didn't concentrate much during the classes, but something else caught my attention—the books, the videos, the reflection moments, and the assignments.

 They started touching places in my heart that I had ignored for years.

For the first time, they awakened the little girl in me.

The little girl who had been looking for answers.

The little girl who wanted to express herself without being judged.

The little girl who wanted to be loved without always trying to earn it.

The little girl who simply wanted to be surprised with love, gifts, and kindness.

Every day throughout that month, I took a few minutes to reflect on my past, my present, and my future. And most times, tears rolled down my face.

   I stayed in my room writing in my journal, talking to my heart, speaking to the Holy Spirit, or typing into my phone notes.

It wasn't because I didn't have friends or family.

It was because I had so much to say, but I felt like I had no audience that would truly understand me.

At the same time, I had just graduated. No job. No clear direction.

And sometimes I felt like nobody would understand what was going on inside me without thinking I was overreacting.

   People around me probably thought I had become lazy or strange because I wasn't naturally a quiet or stay-at-home person.

But in that quiet corner of my room, I found healing. Looking back, I can confidently say that "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3). 

  That room became my place of healing, where God gently started putting the broken pieces of my heart back together.

I felt like a little child who had cried for so long and suddenly ran into the arms of a loving parent.

   Little by little, I started taking one step at a time. The first step was changing my words.

I began rejecting every negative word that had followed me for years because I realized that healing begins with renewing the mind.

 Romans 12:2 reminds us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."

Instead of saying, "I'm useless," I began saying, "I am useful."

 Instead of, "I'm dull," I said, "I am smart."

Instead of, "I'm a fool," I declared,

 "I am a woman of wisdom."

   It was surprising how I could still remember almost every painful word that had been spoken over me as a child and during my secondary school days.

One memory never left me.

When we had just entered college 1, we were singing in class during break time when one of my classmates jokingly said, "Chisom, you should never go near a microphone in your life."

Everyone laughed. To them, it was just a joke but to me, it became a belief.

Years later, whenever I was asked to sing, I quietly turned it down. Not because I couldn't try.

But because that one sentence kept ringing in my head. "Don't go near a microphone." I didn't want to embarrass myself.

   As I continued healing, I realized that healing wasn't only about forgetting the past.

It was also about choosing what would shape my future.

   So the second thing I did was choose what I wanted and what the Holy Spirit was leading me to do—not what people expected from me.

I realized I had taken many wrong paths simply because I wanted to please people. But Galatians 1:10 reminded me that if my goal is to please people above God, I cannot faithfully serve Christ. 

Now, I choose purpose over popularity.

   Something beautiful also happened during that season.

Even while I was carrying so much pain and so many unspoken words, I somehow knew I wasn't the only one hurting.

There were people out there who were also broken, waiting, sick, discouraged, or silently fighting battles.

So during my prayer time, I intentionally spent a few minutes praying for them.

I prayed that healing would knock on their doors.

I prayed they would have the strength to keep trusting God.

I wasn't always consistent. But I was intentional.

   Later, I understood why God was doing this. 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 says that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others with the comfort we have received from Him. 

My pain was becoming someone else's encouragement.

Then I started asking myself an important question, What do I really enjoy?

I remembered the little girl who loved reading.

The little girl who loved telling stories.

The little girl who paid attention to every detail.

I also remembered how much I loved talking with people and encouraging them.

Life had buried those gifts for a while. But they were still there.

   That was when I felt the burden to speak to people who were hurting and walking through waiting seasons. 

I may not know everything.

But as God comforts me, I want to extend that same comfort to others through writing.

So I reached out to a friend who helped me create a blog.

I started writing. I also started sharing my writings on Facebook.

Was I consistent?  No.

Sometimes I got tired.

Sometimes I became overwhelmed.

Sometimes I made excuses.

Sometimes I disappeared. 

But life kept moving.

Time kept ticking.

Instead of giving up completely, I kept coming back.

   The fourth step I took was enrolling in a three-month tech training on video editing and web design. It was fun.

It reminded me that I could still learn.

It reminded me that I could still grow.

Today, I may not be where I want to be. But I am no longer where I used to be.

I may not understand everything. I may not have all the answers.

But I will keep taking one step at a time because I know that -

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

I trust that "The steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord" (Psalm 37:23), 

and I choose to "Trust in the Lord with all my heart... and He shall direct my paths" (Proverbs 3:5–6).

   If you've been following my journey, you may remember my testimony, "God Doesn't Always Stop the Fire: Finding God's Presence in the Midst of Pain."

 In that post, I shared how losing my mother shook my faith and how God met me in one of the darkest seasons of my life.

This testimony is a continuation of that journey.

It is the story of what happened after the fire—how God slowly healed my heart, renewed my mind, helped me rediscover my purpose, and reminded me that my story wasn't over.

If you haven't read it yet, I encourage you to start there before continuing this journey with me.

   Meanwhile before you blame someone for not showing up for you, remember that everyone is carrying something.

If someone comes to your mind, pray for them. Give them a call. Or perhaps visit them if you can.

And if you have someone who keeps showing up for you—a friend, a sibling, or your partner—please appreciate them.

Don't take them for granted.

Their strength doesn't mean they don't have battles too.

   Finally, if you are carrying pain, dealing with past trauma, or walking through a waiting season, this is not the end of your story.

God is with you. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). "Fear not, for I am with you... I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you" (Isaiah 41:10).

Embrace healing. Don't allow your past to keep you stuck.

You can try again. You can start again.

You can build from where you are, no matter your age.

Abraham did not step into God's promise at a young age, yet Romans 4:20–21 tells us that he grew strong in faith, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.

You may not understand everything right now. But take the next step.

Don't wait for the perfect moment.

Start from where you are.

Are you encouraged? Please share to encourage others 

God is not finished with your story.

It is well.

#abbasdelight

#modelofChrist

#christianladyvibe

Joy Is a Fetcher: The Atmosphere That Attracts Miracles

  I once listened to a popular man of God share a remarkable testimony. He was invited to pray for a woman who was battling a severe case of cancer, Her condition had deteriorated greatly, and the atmosphere in the house reflected it. Everywhere was gloomy, silent, and weighed down by despair. Fear had settled into the hearts of everyone around her.

 The minister prayed earnestly for the woman, but as he left, he called her daughter aside and said something unexpected. He told her that although he had prayed, he knew in his heart that the prayer would not produce the desired result because the atmosphere was saturated with hopelessness. There was no joy, no expectation, and no faith-filled environment for the miracle they were seeking.

He instructed the daughter to intentionally change the atmosphere. She obeyed. They began to fill the room with messages that inspired faith. Scriptures were read aloud daily. Worship songs played continually. Conversations shifted from fear to hope. Instead of dwelling on the sickness, they focused on God's promises. They deliberately created an atmosphere of joy.

Then something remarkable happened. The same body that had been resisting treatment began to respond. Strength gradually returned. Hope was restored. What seemed impossible began to change, and over time the woman recovered in a way that astonished everyone around her.

    This story reminds us of a powerful truth: joy is a fetcher. Joy attracts the presence of God, strengthens faith, and positions the heart to receive what God has already made available.

If you are struggling to find joy because of a recent disappointment, you may find encouragement in our article on dealing with emotional pain God's way.

The Bible repeatedly connects joy with health, strength, and life.

Proverbs 15:13 (NLT) says, "A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit."

A joyful heart does not deny reality; it simply refuses to surrender to it. It chooses to trust God in the middle of difficult circumstances.

Proverbs 17:22 (AMP) says, "A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."

Notice that Scripture calls a cheerful heart "good medicine." While medicine works on the body, joy works on the spirit, and often the condition of the spirit affects the condition of the body.

Proverbs 15:15 (GNB) says, "The life of the poor is a constant struggle, but happy people always enjoy life."

  Joy is not the absence of problems; it is the presence of hope. It is the confidence that God is still at work even when circumstances suggest otherwise.

Many people are waiting for a breakthrough before they rejoice. Yet often God invites us to rejoice before the breakthrough appears. Joy is an act of faith. It declares that God's Word is greater than what our eyes can see.

If your environment has become saturated with fear, disappointment, anxiety, or discouragement, perhaps it is time to intentionally change the atmosphere. Fill your heart with God's Word. Listen to faith-building messages. Worship even when you do not feel like it. Surround yourself with reminders of God's goodness.

  Before you continue reading, take a few minutes to watch this teaching on the power of joy. It explains why joy is more than an emotion. it is a spiritual force that strengthens faith, changes atmospheres, and positions believers to draw from God's salvation.

  This teaching complements the truths discussed in this article. As Isaiah 12:3 says, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Understanding the role of joy can help you walk in greater faith, strength, and spiritual vitality.

  Whatever atmosphere dominates your life will eventually influence your thoughts, and your thoughts will influence your expectations.

  Never underestimate the power of joy. It strengthens the weary, revives hope, fuels faith, and creates room for God's intervention.

  Sometimes, what your miracle is waiting for is not another complaint, another worry, or another fearful conversations ,it is waiting for joy.

For the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Don't Make Peace With What Is Fighting Your Purpose

  

   I was having a discussion with someone who told me that he has a hot temper, and when he gets angry, nothing and nobody can calm him down. He said he has done many unthoughtful things in moments of anger. He went further to say that everybody in his family knows him for that.

And he is a Christian, Spirit-filled.

I have also known him to show signs of this anger here and there. Even in situations that are not necessary or worth the anger, he still pours out rage. And this keeps affecting his relationship with people.

What struck me most was not even the anger itself, but how comfortable he had become with it. It had become part of his identity. He spoke about it as though it was something that could not be changed, something everyone had simply accepted about him.

    This story shows how many people or believers out there think that anger, lack of joy in the form of mood swings, bitterness, unforgiveness, and lust are just their weaknesses and part of who they are. They have become so familiar with these things that they no longer see them as enemies. They have made peace with them and fail to see the danger and what those things are costing them.

Some have accepted anger as their personality. Some have accepted sadness and hopelessness as normal. Some have accepted lust as a battle they can never overcome. Others have accepted fear, insecurity, jealousy, or pride as permanent companions.

   Meanwhile, these things keep limiting them. They damage relationships, hinder growth, rob them of peace, and keep them from fully expressing the life that God has called them to live.

Then you wonder why you keep finding yourself stagnant or struggling to leave certain seasons of life, yet you remain stuck in them year after year.

Forgetting that in fulfilling purpose, the thing the devil attacks is usually the thing that gets the job done. If it is your love, he attacks your heart. If it is your joy, he attacks your mind. If it is your purity, he attacks your desires. If it is your confidence, he attacks your identity.

His goal is simple: stop the work before it begins.

    The devil understands that a believer walking in freedom is dangerous. A believer who has conquered anger can help others overcome anger. A believer who has found freedom from lust can help others find freedom too. A believer full of joy can bring hope to discouraged people.

So he will first try to make you a victim of the very thing you are supposed to conquer.

He will try to make you a servant to what should have been your slave. He will keep you bound by the very thing God intends for you to overcome and help others overcome.

    Maybe you keep battling unnecessary anger. Maybe you struggle with a lack of joy. Maybe you constantly fight thoughts of impurity. Maybe fear has become your daily companion.

Do not normalize it.

Do not celebrate it.

Do not excuse it.

And do not settle with it.

What you tolerate today may become the chain that limits your effectiveness tomorrow.

    This is why it is a battle of faith to insist on the truth of God's Word until it is formed in you. Not until you merely hear it. Not until you merely quote it. But until it becomes your reality.

The fact that something has been with you for years does not mean it belongs to you.

The fact that your family is known for it does not mean it is your inheritance.

The fact that people have accepted it about you does not mean God has accepted it for you.

    There is a difference between acknowledging a weakness and agreeing with it. The moment you begin to agree with what God wants to change, you stop pursuing transformation.

    So, say no to being at peace with threats that will eventually kill the work of God in your life.

Refuse to be at peace with excesses that should be cut off.

    This is also a call not to allow the devil to keep you stranded on one path. Discover the areas where you need help and allow the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to breathe upon them.

Bring those areas before God honestly. Stop defending them. Stop hiding them. Stop giving them new names to make them look acceptable.

Do not hold on to them as though they are a lottery you won. This is the devil using them to keep you stagnant.

   And remember, peace is not always enough reason to know that you are on the right path of destiny. Sometimes growth requires confrontation. Sometimes freedom requires warfare. Sometimes purpose requires you to fight against habits, mindsets, and strongholds that have become comfortable.

My dear, Do not allow the devil to shut you down.

Refuse to be discouraged.

Refuse to be distracted.

Refuse to be engaged with the devil's lies.

Do not stop trying.

Do not stop believing.

Do not stop growing.

Strength is administered to conquer them.

Grace is available.

The Holy Spirit is willing to help.

  So, tell us there something you are willing to change and allow Holyspirt to help you let go?

Please comment and share to help someone.

The Death of Stephen Birthed Paul: Why God Sometimes Says Let Go

       The death of Stephen birthed Paul. Something needs to die in you for something much greater to be birthed through you. Jesus had to die for our salvation and redemption to be made free for us (John 12:24, Romans 5:8-10).

      Stephen was a Steward in the early days church and a true preacher of the gospel of Christ(Acts 6:1-6), he was stone for preaching Christ but after his death, Saul — who later became Paul and was one of the chief people behind Stephen’s death — encountered Christ, and his ministry began. He went from nation to nation preaching the same Gospel of Christ which he once fought against (Acts 8:1, Acts 9:1-22).

      He was beaten, stripped, hungry, stoned, imprisoned, and afflicted for this Gospel far more than Stephen suffered (2 Corinthians 11:23-27), yet he passed through them all with unfailing faith, without wavering, until he fulfilled his course (2 Timothy 4:7)

    What is that thing you are holding dearly, and God is saying, “Let it go”?

It seems so important. You cannot imagine your life without that thing or that person, yet God is asking, “Can you let go now?”

     Maybe the pain is too much that you cannot see yourself forgiving this person or relating with him/her . Are you still bleeding based on past events and memories? God is knocking in your heart with only one question can you let go?

There Are Reasons Why God Is Saying Let Go

1. God Has Something Greater Prepared for You “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” — Jeremiah 29:11

   God is not asking you to let go because He is wicked or because He no longer cares about you. He is asking because He has greater things prepared for you — things bigger than what you are currently holding onto.

   There is no way you can lay hold of what God has prepared for you while still tightly holding onto the past or pain. Sometimes letting go is for your own growth, healing, and betterment. 

2. It Is for His Glory

   While Stephen was being stoned, he looked up into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56).

The people were already angry at him while he preached the Gospel, and he knew the consequence could be death, but that did not stop him. Because of his faith and boldness in God, he continued preaching.

When he told them what he saw, the multitude rushed at him and stoned him to death. Yet with great faith he committed his spirit into the hands of God and prayed: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”  Acts 7:60

Immediately after, he gave up the ghost.

   After Stephen’s death, persecution increased and the believers were scattered abroad, going everywhere preaching the Gospel (Acts 8:1-4). The Gospel spread heavily because one man laid down his life for Christ.

Sometimes God is saying let go so that His glory can be revealed through your obedience.

3. Sometimes God Is Saying Let Go for the Sake of Assignment

    Maybe that thing you are holding onto was never written in your divine script.

Just like Saul in Acts 9:1-9, he collected letters from the high priest to go to Damascus and punish the disciples. Filled with passion and zeal for what he believed was right, he encountered Christ on the way.

Right there, he let go of that corrupt passion, his love for persecuting believers, and his identity as a Pharisee in order to follow Christ (Acts 9:18-20).

All that while, he was working passionately in ignorance.

After encountering Christ, he left everything, got baptized, and within days began boldly preaching the same Gospel he once persecuted people for believing. The people were amazed.

You do not know what you are capable of until you are willing to let go and realign yourself with God’s divine assignment for your life.

Some people are passionately pursuing what God never assigned to them.

4. God May Be Saying Let Go Because He Is No Longer in That Place

    God works in seasons and dispensations. Sometimes God says let go because His present move no longer fits into the place, mindset, or thing you are still holding onto. He is calling you higher.

Many Christians make the mistake of clinging tightly to what God Himself has already left behind. They refuse growth, revelation, and movement.

That is why maintaining a daily relationship with God is important — so you can know what God is saying now, not just what He said yesterday.

The Israelites wanted to return to Egypt because slavery with garlic and food seemed better than trusting God in the wilderness (Numbers 11:4-6). But God was saying:

  “Leave Egypt and go to the land I promised your fathers.”

That was His current move.

Imagine Abraham killing Isaac because he heard God say, “Sacrifice him,” but was no longer spiritually aligned enough to hear when God said “Lay not thine hand upon the lad.” — Genesis 22:12

God had already provided a ram for sacrifice.

If you stop listening halfway, you may destroy what God never intended you to lose permanently.

It is dangerous to move with old instructions when God has already spoken again.

God also said to Samuel “How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?” — 1 Samuel 16:1

Samuel was still mourning over Saul, but God had already moved on and chosen David.

It is a dangerous thing to hold onto what God has departed from.

5. God May Be Saying Let Go Because of Distractions

    Sometimes the thing you are holding onto is slowly replacing God in your heart.

God can see when a thing, person, ambition, or desire is distracting you and weakening your intimacy with Him. So He demands that you let go in order to gain your full attention again.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3

“For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.” — Exodus 20:5

God treasures relationship with you deeply. He does not want anything taking His place in your heart.

 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” — Romans 8:35

Money should not. Relationships should not. Success should not. Ambition should not.

But many believers already know the answer to what is quietly taking their hearts away from God.

What is that thing you are holding onto so tightly that if God touches it, your heart shakes?

The Benefits of Letting Go When God Says You Should

1. It Keeps You in Right Standing with God

    You are no longer guessing whether God is with you or not, because when God speaks and you obey, you walk in alignment with Him.

2. It Brings You Into Total Trust in God

   If He says let go, then He is already prepared to lead you forward. Letting go teaches daily dependence and trust in divine leading (Proverbs 3:5-6).

3. It Opens You Up to God’s Blessings and Favor

   Obedience to God's word and leading attracts divine favor.

 “To obey is better than sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 15:22

4. It Brings You Into the Realm of God’s Glory and Help

     Paul let go of his old life and embraced Christ. Though he was considered the least among the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9-10), he labored greatly and God confirmed His word through signs and wonders.

Letting go opens a man up to dimensions of God’s glory he would never have entered otherwise.

5. It Brings Intimacy and Alignment With God

    You stop living on past encounters and past instructions because your heart stays connected to God daily. You become sensitive to His present burden and what the Spirit is saying per season.

     Finally brethren, it is a great honor to walk rightly with God, but you must be willing to die to anything, anywhere, or anyone God is demanding from you. It is sacrifice. And sometimes it is not easy.

But it takes a heart that truly desires the will of God to obey Him completely.

So my dear, what is that one thing the Holy Spirit has been whispering to you about?

I know it is hard, but remember: the death of that thing may birth a greater move of God in your life.

What are you waiting for?

Run to your Maker and surrender in love, because nothing should take you out of the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).

WAIT IN PEACE– Trusting God During Seasons of Waiting

There was this season when I was waiting on God for an answer. I waited patiently for the result, but at some point, I became anxious, doubting the possibility of the answer ever coming through.

One morning, toward the ending part of my quiet time with God, I brought out my note where I had jotted down the prophecies and promises of God concerning that particular issue I was trusting Him for. I read through the little note and was drawn back to when God spoke those words to me. 

Funny enough, when He spoke them, that season had not even surfaced yet. Meaning that God’s word came ahead of time, even before the tough season appeared.

This shows a Father who cares so much about us that even before the difficult season comes, He has already given us His promises to perfect all things. It is a word to fall back on whenever fear and tiredness set in. I can always hold on to the word and be strengthened. 

This reminded me that God had already gone ahead of me, and his word came ahead of the season, reminding me that He already sees the future before we ever arrive there. just like I shared in As for Me: When God Has Already Decided Your Future.

Back to my story, that morning I opened the notebook and located where I jotted down the word of God, but there was still fear and doubt about the possibility of it coming through. Looking at my present situation, it did not seem like there was any light or answer around the corner.

I sat there in tears with only one question in my heart: Could this be possible? Should I really wait or give up on the answer?

But right there, while my heart was battling with those questions and anxiety, came a soft response from the Holy Spirit:

“WAIT IN PEACE.”

It was just a phrase, but it meant a lot to me because right there I regained my strength and peace, not just to keep trusting God, but also to trust Him in peace during the season of waiting.

“WAIT IN PEACE” does not just mean to wait and keep trusting God, but it emphasizes doing all of that in peace and not in anxiety, doubt, or fear, but backing it up with faith.

Peace is evidence that you trust God completely to weather every storm. It reveals the level of our faith and belief in God and His word.

When you are WAITING IN PEACE, you do not just wait, you work. The work in there is to be ready to talk back to that voice whispering fear and doubt, reminding it that God is more than able to do all things you could ever think or ask according to Ephesians 3:20:

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

Speak until the voice is silenced. Speak until you believe it and your conscience becomes aware of it. Speak until the answer shows up. Do not stop speaking.

So instead of worrying or doubting God or yourself, make it a choice to WAIT IN PEACE.

Generate an atmosphere of peace around you and not fear. Pray and ask God for inner peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding, according to Philippians 4:7:

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The kind of peace Hannah had after her prayers at Shiloh, followed by the priest’s decree. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 1:18 “So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad."

The kind of peace David and his men had when God told him to pursue the Amalekites after they attacked them and carried away their wives and children. Even without knowing the direction of the enemy, they trusted God to make a way, and He did. At last, they returned home with their wives and children. As written in 1 Samuel 30:8:

“And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”

This shows that after that season of peace came the expected result.

My dear, can you WAIT IN PEACE and allow God to work out your testimony?

Are you encouraged?

Please comment and share to encourage someone.

When God Slows You Down: Understanding Divine Roadblocks as Mercy in Disguise

 

Have you ever felt delayed in life while everyone else seems to be moving ahead?

You pray. You plan. You prepare. Yet somehow, just when you try to speed forward, something slows you down again. 

An opportunity closes, plan fails, door shuts and delay appears. Meanwhile, others seem to be accelerating effortlessly.

In those moments, it is easy to question yourself, Am I on the wrong path? Has God forgotten me? Why is my journey so slow ?

 

But what if your delay is not denial? What if your roadblock is not rejection? What if the very thing frustrating you is actually protecting you?

Sometimes, God slows you down because He is saving your life, your destiny, and your purpose. And what feels like an obstacle… is actually mercy.

The Story of the Speed Bumps

In my hometown, reckless driving from motorcycles and cars caused frequent and painful accidents. 

Lives were being lost and families were grieving. The roads that were meant for movement became channels of tragedy.

The community progressive union decided something had to change.

They constructed speed bumps on the roads. Not just one. Not just two. Many of them — very close to each other. So close that as soon as you try to speed up, you immediately meet another bump.

At first, it feels frustrating.

When sitting inside a tricycle or driving a car, climbing those bumps one after another is uncomfortable. It slows the journey. It feels time-consuming. You can’t drive at full speed even if you want to. But here is the truth.

Those bumps are not there to punish drivers, They are not there to waste time, They are there to save lives, The discomfort is intentional, The delay is protective and the interruption is mercy. 

that is how God sometimes works in our lives.

Divine Roadblocks: When God Interrupts Your Speed

In life, not every open door is from God and not every opportunity is aligned with your destiny. Not every smooth path leads to your purpose. Sometimes, God allows roadblocks.

You try to accelerate your career — something slows you down.

You try to force a relationship — it collapses.

You try to rush into a decision — confusion arises.

And you begin to wonder if you are wasting time. But what if God sees an accident ahead that you cannot see?

What if that relationship would have destroyed your peace?

What if that business deal would have damaged your integrity?

What if that opportunity would have pulled you out of His will?

Just like the speed bumps on the road, divine roadblocks are placed to prevent future crashes.

From your human perspective, it looks like limitation but from heaven’s perspective, it is preservation.

Why Do Others Seem to Have a Smooth Road?

One of the hardest parts of experiencing delays is comparison, that season when you look around you it seems others are moving quickly, Their careers are advancing, Their relationships are progressing, Their platforms are growing, Their road looks clear and smooth. Meanwhile, you feel restricted.

But here is something powerful to remember:

You do not know the full map of someone else’s journey.

Some roads are smooth because they are short-term routes.

Some fast lanes lead to sudden ends.

Some easy paths carry hidden dangers.

God designs your journey uniquely. He knows your assignment. He knows your calling. He knows what you carry.

And sometimes, because of the weight of your destiny, He cannot allow you to move at the same speed as others.

So, my dear being slowness does not mean you have failed, the delay does not mean denial, and roadblocks do not mean abandonment. They often mean divine protection.

God’s Mercy Will Not Let You Self-Destruct

We often pray for speed, success, and open doors. But we rarely pray, “Lord, block what is not for me.” Yet one of the greatest expressions of God’s love is unanswered prayers and closed doors.

There are things you asked for that would have harmed you.

There are places you wanted to go that would have derailed you.

There are people you wanted to keep that would have wounded you deeply.

God’s mercy would not allow it.

Sometimes His love says “No.”

Sometimes His protection says “Wait.”

Sometimes His wisdom says “Slow down.”

Just like those speed bumps prevent fatal accidents, divine interruptions prevent destiny crashes.

You may not understand it now, But one day, you will look back and say,

“Thank You, Lord, for not letting me run ahead.”

What Should You Do When Facing Roadblocks?

When life feels delayed, your response determines your growth.

Here are three powerful actions to take:

1. Hold Firmly to God’s Word

Jesus said in Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”  If God has spoken over your life, His word will stand,Circumstances may have shift, People may leave and Timelines may change. But His promises remain unshaken.

Cling to His Word more than you cling to your schedule.

And sometimes, when life becomes confusing and silent, we begin to wonder whether God is still speaking concerning our situation. 

If you have ever struggled to discern His voice during difficult seasons, read this powerful message on What God may be saying concerning your situation 

If He said you will arrive, you will arrive — even if the journey includes bumps.

2. Pray in the Spirit

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:26-27 that the Spirit helps our weaknesses and intercedes according to the will of God.

 When you pray in the Spirit, you are aligning with divine strategy. You may not understand the delay or not see the bigger picture. But the Holy Spirit sees beyond the roadblock.

Prayer shifts your focus from frustration to trust. So, Instead of complaining about the bumps, you begin to see them as divine signals guiding you safely forward.

3. Stop Comparing Your Journey

Comparison magnifies frustration.

When you constantly measure your speed against others, you miss the beauty of your unique path.

Your road is customized.

Your timing is intentional.

Your preparation is specific.

God is not in a hurry because He is building something sustainable in you.

Sometimes He slows you down to build character.

Sometimes He slows you down to refine your motives.

Sometimes He slows you down to prepare you for something bigger than you imagined.

The Blessing of Arriving Whole

What is the benefit of speed if you arrive broken?

What is the gain of quick success if it costs your peace?

What is the value of fast progress if it destroys your purpose?

God is more interested in your wholeness than your haste.

He would rather you arrive later and complete than earlier and damaged.

Those speed bumps on the road may add minutes to the journey — but they prevent funerals likewise your life delays may add months or years — but they prevent destiny collapse.

And when you finally arrive at your God-ordained destination, safe and whole, you will realize the bumps were blessings.

A Powerful Invitation To Trust the Process

Maybe right now you feel stuck or your plans are not moving as fast as you hoped.

Maybe you are tired of “almost” and “not yet.” But hear this clearly. God has not abandoned you.

If He slowed you down, it is because something ahead required caution.

If He blocked a door, it is because something better is being prepared.

If He delayed you, it is because your destiny demands preparation.

Do not despise the bumps.

Do not curse the delays.

Do not envy smooth roads.

Instead, lift your eyes and say; 

“Lord, if this is Your mercy, I trust You.”

Altar Call: Surrender Your Speed to God

If you have been fighting God’s timing…

If you have been frustrated with delays…

If you have been questioning His plan…

Today is the day to surrender your speed.

Say this prayer:

“Father, I release my timeline into Your hands. Forgive me for every time I complained about the bumps in my journey. If You are slowing me down to protect me, I accept Your mercy. Align my heart with Your will. Teach me to trust Your Word more than my impatience. Lead me safely into my destiny. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Let God be your traffic controller, His Word be your GPS and His Spirit guide your pace.

Because when He leads you, you will not crash.

You will not miss your purpose.

You will arrive — preserved, prepared, and victorious.

And one day, you will thank Him for every roadblock that saved your life.