“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.”
Joel 2:25-27 KJV
What does it mean to “never be ashamed”?
I’ve been pondering this statement for the last few days and asking God if this has to do with my circumstances or my heart?
I have deeply felt the pain of being ashamed or burdened by my circumstances. I’ve been ashamed or weighed down by disappointment. I’ve felt ashamed or disheartened by negative words or unmet expectations.
I believe it is clear what God is NOT talking about. He is not saying “You will never be disappointed”, “You will never have anything negative happen”, or “You will never have anyone speak against you”.
I believe He is drawing me towards himself and saying that if I surrender, refocus and return to Him daily, He will change my train of thought. When I give him my heart, my desires, my fears, He starts to change my perspective.
His spirit gives me patience. I am not as easily offended by the words of others. His spirit gives me peace. My ideas of success and joy are changed. Instead of seeing passing grades, outward appearances, dinner served on time, or a clean house as success, I start seeing through a different lense. I start seeing success in unexpected places. God is teaching me that “successes” have nothing to do with anything I have done. God has been opening my eyes to HIS success.
HIS Success is a teenage son who wants a back rub every night because it makes him feel safe. HIS Success is a daughter that I find reading her Bible alone in her room because she felt God tugging at her heart on a hard emotional day. HIS Success is a dog pile wrestling match in the living room with a husband who is always willing to say “yes” to God despite uncertainty and exhaustion.
My Lord says “Pull your eyes away from your idea of success and watch ME. Stop agonizing over your circumstances and watch as I fight this FOR you. Let go and let Me fill your crowded spaces with My spirit’s love, joy, peace and patience. Let My Spirit’s kindness and goodness wash over you. Be overwhelmed with renewed faith, gentleness, and self control that only I can give. You need Me. Don’t be ashamed. Let Me satisfy you. Let Me deal wondrously with you.”
I have no need to be ashamed of difficult circumstances when I am loved and led by a God like this! My God may not supernaturally change my circumstances on my timeline but He can supernaturally and daily change my heart and perspective.
A Loss For Words 