Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

Okay, typically when someone says “no filter” about me, it’s for the exact reason implied. It’s good and bad, but it makes me see that sometimes filters, or lenses, are important. The “filter” we use to disseminate information for ourselves directly correlates with how we experience life, and how we perceive the more negative repercussions. And, I think the inverse is true in that it increases gratitude once we reach the other side of a situation. It’s promised; this too shall pass.

The image I’m sharing is something I drew up probably 18 months ago during one of my morning prayer times. While artistically I appear to be a high-functioning three-year-old, it’s what my soul needed to quantify some of the challenges and discouragement I was and continue to experience in my work and personal life. I’m sure I’d been praying over specific deals and mourning the loss of others at the time, and He reminded me that apart from Him I can do nothing, that He’s a Good Father, and He knows AND has already provided for needs. Further, He’s the God of immeasurably more than we could ask, think, hope or imagine (Eph 3:20) and desires to share His goodness with us. The now-tattered image (hopefully) depicts a triangle, but note it’s sides. When I look to The Father with trust, knowing He knows even better than I what I need, my contentment and joy stay intact. I seek His will, expect His best for me, and trust that if a deal is lost, that’s okay. He’s got something better.

So guys. It’s been rough, like really rough. I spent the entire week striving for a sale that became increasingly unlikely. Paired with fatigue and overload, everything was a big deal, like everything. There were tears. There are still tears. BUT GOD. As I raged and unbridled my tongue, ever so gently I was reminded that I may have been residing on triangle two the last while, and I needed to once again check myself, and ensure my “God Filter” was re-aligned. I came to miraculously immediate agreement with myself that I hadn’t been filtering appropriately, and that as I saw a potentially negative email hit my box, it was going to be okay, He was in control. I didn’t have to be.

The email was just as negative as I’d originally feared. We should NOT have won this deal. BUT GOD. I rolled with it. I confirmed the outcome and contacted my customer. Now, several hours and many words later…the PO is not dead…and it’s $80K higher than it was supposed to be in it’s unlikely state this morning.

He’s waiting for us to hand it over, truly. And sometimes we do, “lose the deal”. Things don’t turn out the way we hope or expect. But, without fail, and even in this most immediate instance and God-response…He always has something better. Always.

What are you struggling with? Is it you struggling or are you letting Him fight your battles for you? Might you benefit from a similar shift in mindset? I know I have, and this evening after a very long, trying day, it makes all the difference.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10