Did I Ask For This?
by Hannah Keeley
We all want the huge successes…but when God starts promoting us, we never anticipate the challenges that come along with it. As Joyce Meyer puts it, “new level, new devil.”
My son, Kyler, wanted nothing more than to play lead guitar for the praise band at our church. He’s been playing the guitar for years and had longed for this covetous position. He prayed for it, he worked for it, then came the day of auditions…and he made it! Kyler became lead guitar for the praise band. He was seeing his prayers answered!
Then came the REAL work!…
I thought about this last Sunday when I heard him hit the showers, while everyone else in the house lay in their beds snoozing away. Playing lead guitar means you get up earlier than anyone else on Sunday mornings and get to church to practice with the band. It means you spend the evenings playing guitar and practicing new techniques. You get there early. You stay late. You do the heavy lifting so others can enjoy the worship experience. He gets tired, but he keeps on keeping on. I’m sure sometimes, especially on those early mornings, he asks himself, “Did I ask for THIS?”
The answer, “Yes, he did!”
So many of us want to be promoted. We want the huge successes, but don’t realize that when God promotes us, He also challenges us. Don’t begrudge the hard work and the new levels of adversity. The devil is not going to roll out the red carpet for you. If you want to reach your promised land, you’d better expect to go through a little wilderness on the way there.
Blessing is a burden. That’s one thing that most people don’t understand. They want the blessing, but they don’t want to build up the muscles to carry the weight that comes along with it. James 4:2 tells us, “You have not because you ask not.” But, understand that when you ask…you may get more than you bargained for.
Don’t pull away from the new challenges. Get excited because it means you’re gaining new ground! Claim your promise! For example, let’s talk about money. Many people ask for God to supply them with more money. But understand that first He must build your skills to handle prosperity. If you pray for financial prosperity and tithe regularly, don’t be surprised when you come across new money challenges. God is growing you to handle the money that’s on its way. You can rise to the challenge and grow your skills; or you can call it “quits” and cut off the blessing.
God knows what He’s doing. Trust His ways and He will surely supply out of His abundance. God wants to bless you. When you come across those new challenges and unforeseen difficulties, get excited! You’re on your way! Most people shirk back. BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE READING THIS RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE PROVING THAT YOU ARE NOT MOST PEOPLE!
You are that small percentage of people who are willing to do what it takes to create the life they want to live. I’m so proud of you! Do you know people in your life who need to hear this message? Anyone who is facing new challenges in their lives? Print this out and pass it around. Or share it on Facebook. You may be the one who needs encouragement today; or you may be the one who God is using to encourage others. Either way, TAKE ACTION!
I love you and I want you to be blessed like CRAZY!
~ Hannah
Hannah Keeley was once in overwhelmed mom living in a cluttered house, deep in debt, out of shape, and barely hanging on. But one day, after finding herself sobbing uncontrollably into a pile of clean laundry, she realized God has bigger and better plans for her (just like He does for each one of His children). Beginning that day, she began making changes in her life that took her from overwhelmed to overjoyed. Today, she’s helping moms do the same. Hannah, her husband, Blair, and their seven children live in Richmond, Virginia, and are having the time of their lives!
