Week 40 - #Prepare “Relent”

“Our Resolve to Dissolve"

Malachi 3:6: “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."

Philippians 4:11: “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”

I have to admit to my faithful readers, I am not only struggling in my writing this week, I am struggling with this idea of preparing to relent as well.

Can you believe this is week 40 of 2021?

Although we've had 39 weeks of preparation, I apparently am finding relenting is not my forte?

Reading through the many definitions of what it means to “relent,” my favorite one I found is to “dissolve.”

OK so let’s count the many ways that I need to practice my “dissolving" skills enabling my relenting.

Or maybe we just tackle one for now?

How about fear? Let’s consider the ways to dissolve those things causing fear.

I heard the famous motivational speaker Zig Ziglar once say that fear actually stands for “false evidence appearing real.” I love this (of course because it is an acronym) but more importantly because it’s so true.

So if true, why do we allow it to often hold us hostage?

Maybe it’s because it’s the way that we view things allowing our current circumstances to cloud our perspectives?

Dale Carnegie was once quoted as saying “two men looked out from prison bars, one saw the mud, the other saw the stars.”

So is it possible to be content and relent in all circumstances? Even in the midst of our fears? Paul shared in Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”

So perhaps, part of our preparation this week, points towards our first learning to be content, while gaining personal peace, allowing us to “dissolve” and relent to our fears? And by this relenting we eliminate its power over us.

DADs…I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that our God, the great choreographer of all things, inspired the writing and exhortation of "do not be afraid,” to be written 365 times in the Bible. A timely reminder for each of us every single day of the year!

So what is it that you need to relent today?

What needs dissolved in your world?

I end this week with this scripture found in Malachi 3:6: “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."

The enemy of relent is to be consumed. To be consumed by fear or boundless other external events or circumstances blocking our preparedness in this endeavor.

Let us acknowledge Gods never changing and steadfast love for us. A love so strong pulling us to Him, allowing us to dissolve and relent all fears standing in our way.

To God be the glory!

DADs “get in the game”…

Today is game day…and so is every day…

God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepare to“Relent.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to“Renew."

Note: *For this new year of 2021, the combination of my age (understanding my own fragile mortality), this current and ongoing global pandemic, and most recently the personal loss I’ve experienced of one of my students, has amplified the need to land on one word...#Prepare.

In this "pursuit to prepare" I am determined to dedicate the 52 weeks of 2021 blogging every Week about one aspect of preparation God lays on my heart.

As mentioned in week 1, the word “prepare” means “to establish, fix, or apply.” It conveys the idea of deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time.