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Have you ever noticed that when you need to grow in a certain area of your life, God allows plenty of opportunities to wrestle through toward growth? :)
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A couple weeks ago, I was attempting to fly back from Orlando, FL with my daughter and daughter-in-law, but quickly realized that my expectations of my trip would not be met. Instead, I had two days of practice in what the Bible expresses as "patient endurance".
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We get so frustrated when our expectations don't match our reality, don't we? Or maybe you don't, because you have the gift of patience. :) But for me, and many others, it is downright hard to feel a lack of control over a situation and to be caught between where you are and where you want to be. Flying the friendly skies doesn't always feel friendly.
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In those moments, it can be a test to treat others with the respect and kindness they deserve. It is easy to let our irritability leak out onto others. Being physically, mentally, and emotionally tired opens up space for our flesh to act out in unsavory ways. Sometimes it is so hard to live worthy of Christ, and we have to go to war with our flesh.
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My fighting looked like repeatedly stopping myself from reacting to the first impulse in my mind. I held the bridge of my nose and took a breath to remember the person on the phone was a person I was to love. This, my friends, is spiritual wrestling. It is the practice of disciplining our lives to live in the truth we believe. We don't always get it right and then we realign and seek forgiveness. But, God is a rewarder of those who seek Him, and He is pleased when we choose wisely (Heb. 11:6).
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This story is an example of the greater story for those in relationship with God through faith in Christ. We are always growing and becoming more like Him. Inner frustration often comes when we forget that we are in a place between two gardens. We were made for Eden and will be perfected in Heaven. As believers, we are walking home, through a place we will never belong as new creations in a broken world. We long for more, because there is more! Weariness, doubt, and bitter hearts can grow where our earthly expectations of Christian living don't match up to our heavenly vision. So, we will wrestle. We are in process, and if we can understand that, we can learn to wait and rest even as we struggle. None of us are perfect, so at some point we all will wrestle in the flesh and with the spiritual forces at odds with God. This battle is normal for all of us as humans. Yet, His grace is sufficient in all of our weakness. I'm so thankful for that!
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Do you know what comes when we choose to wrestle toward humble obedience?
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We find rest in Jesus. We find blessing.
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Even in my frustration with airline delays and a back that was strained from sitting in an airport chair for 12 hours, God provided and blessed us. From a nice hotel with a bed that didn't hurt my back, a pilot that paid for our meal, and three available seats on the only flight to Springfield the following day, God blessed beyond what we deserved. And I have no idea of what that delay could have protected us from. But, it taught me to trust. It taught me to wrestle my impatience and practice the truth of the passage I am memorizing this month...to not just say we love people, but to show it with action.
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As we mature, many of these things become easier, thankfully. We won't constantly struggle with the same things, because God desires for us to find victory over sin. But He invites us to acknowledge those real moments of refining when it's easier to react poorly than to wrestle honestly. This is the transforming way of Jesus, and it leads to true freedom and abundant living as we surrender our will for His.
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What are you wrestling with before the Lord and seeking victory over in your life? Are you actively seeking to put it to death? Christ gives us everything we need to succeed, so fight, run, and contend for the faith. How long do we fight? We fight until.
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Until our faith is made sight and victory is ours forever.
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I'll be praying for each of you this month. Let me know if I can pray specifically for any battles you are facing. It would be my honor.
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Encouraging you to persevere,
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In case you missed it, here are some links to my latest posts!
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Favorite Things This Month:
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Encouraging Read:
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From The Daily Grace Co., this Bible study of the book of James on the steadfast life is broken into small, manageable lessons that help you draw the truths out of the text. I am doing this alongside a few women, and it has led to some incredible conversation thus far!
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For more book suggestions, visit my book list at terriprahl.com.
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New Music:
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My husband has been playing this constantly, and there are a few songs that are really ministering to me these days. What a beautiful thing to be able to find healing through praising Jesus and singing a new song!
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Life, Repurposed Project!
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If you are local, I have books for sale for $10. I can ship if you want to pay for postage. Either way, reply to this email, and I will see that you get one. I would love to share my story with you all!
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Another giveaway coming soon on my Instagram account...a book, stickers, notebooks, bookmark, and a few surprises will be in the bundle. Follow me on Instagram for a chance to see the post and win!
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July's summer pursuit will be on humility! Memory verse card and ideas coming to your inbox on Thursday, July 1st.
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Summer Recipe
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Subscriber Spotlight!
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Meet my friends, Matt and Tabby Smith, who are about to begin traveling to raise funds to serve as missionaries in Germany. Jason and I had the privilege of sitting down with them to hear about their plans and their heart for this ministry. I see two people who have a deep love for Christ and for the lost, and it is a privilege to know and support them in their next adventure.
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I can't wait to hear how God is going to use this young couple. Please pray with me for them as they begin this new chapter in their lives. Satan would love nothing more than to use this time of transition and travel to cause friction in their marriage and put anxiety in their hearts. Join me in asking God for His protection and blessing on their lives. And if you would like to offer financial support, that would help them get to the field quicker. It takes the whole body of Christ working together to reach the world. Would you consider partnering with them? Here is their information:
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Tabby Smith: tabitha.smith@gemission.org
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matthew.smith@gemission.org
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If you would like to be featured in anM upcoming newsletter, contact me at terriprahl@gmail.com!
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Moments of Grace:
- A relaxing day in Cocoa Beach, FL. And no sunburns! :)
- New writing opportunities and friends.
- Partnering with people called to missions.
- A family friend coming to Christ!
- A 75 degree day after being in the high 90's. I enjoyed a long walk!
- You! I appreciate you all so much and hope this ministry blesses you.
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My niece, Brooke Cox, is a talented artist. She does amazing portrait drawings. You can send her an image/photo and she will sketch it (for a reasonable fee :)) Click the image to check it out!
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Links to other writers and articles worth sharing!
- Any Karen Kingsbury fans out there! This is an amazing interview done by Rachael Adams on her The Love Offering Podcast. Karen's testimony is beautiful!
- In keeping with last month's them on love, Sarah Westfall writes beautifully about the "All-ness of Love".
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Encouraging Good Work in the World:
- Our local Pregnancy Care Center is a worthy place to invest to impact lives in our community that will affect generations to come. Support life! Click the link to find out how you can get involved in some way.
- Knowing that children all over this world are trapped and abused in sex trafficking sickens me and moves me to compassion - to pray and to find ways to help. Consider donating to the Destiny Rescue Ministry as they seek to rescue children from the sex slave industry. Let's be moved with compassion through donating! A part of the proceeds from every copy of Life, Repurposed goes to this ministry.
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If you missed any previous newsletters and want to check them out, you can go to the member archive and view past issues. The archive also holds the Psalm 119 study, Marriage study, 5 Principles for Spiritual Growth printable, and Hebrews 10 lesson. If you find anything here that you think would encourage someone else, please consider sharing and inviting them to subscribe. If you read an article on the blog you want to share, just click the social media icons on the right hand corner! This is a great way to support me and hopefully help others!
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A final note of encouragement:
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"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31
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2021 may have many unknowns, but knowing God is with us gives us the strength to have hope for the future. His plans are good, and we can trust Him with our future.
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If you need prayer, please send me a message, and I will be more than happy to intercede on your behalf.
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