Transition....Oh it hurts!

I am reading book titled "Possessing your Inheritance". In the chapter I read this evening, it talked about Transition times in our life. The author described transition to labor and delivery of a child. And oh how I remember that! There is a stage during the birthing process that is the most intense and painful....generally, its around dialation of 6-10. It was about this time with my third that I remember thinking...."I cant do this" and "I am never doing this again". But the one thing that kept me going was the hope of the child that would be the reward, so endurance set in.

It is often described that during this "transition phase" of birthing, a woman feels exhausted emotional, vulnerable, overwhelmed and at "the end of the rope". In addition, there is frustration, feelings of discouragement, irritability and restlessness. Many lose it during this time, and that's exactly where I am this evening.

I never anticipated that we would be waiting 3 weeks for a birth certificate. Bella will be 6 months old in 10 days....and by the miracle of God, she still could be. However, the average time from BC to Pick Up trip is 4 weeks. Transition......

A play ground for Satan, and sadly, one I have given in to at moments. It's a perfect time for the enemy to "hit God's people with great force because he knows its a time when we feel weak and vulnerable. However, its but a moment....and most importantly, its only a feeling and a lie.

According to the author, there are 3 important facts regarding Transition:

1. There is an ending! God does not leave us and He will not leave us any longer than necessary. This is temporary. God has "bountiful seasons ahead for those who will seek Him. "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for which the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus". Phil 3:13,14 A new season is just ahead!

2. Confusion is Normal! Our carnal mind is trying to work against God. (Rom 8:7). Our minds "are in opposition of God's mind". We then begin to wonder if God is really there. The question "why" comes in to play and we begin to meditate on the lies of the enemy rather than on the promises of God. Regardless of how we feel, what are emotions are doing or the anxiety we may be experiencing, we can and must remain in peace...knowing that God knows where He wants to lead us. Confusion is normal, but we must work past it....God's promises, not the enemy's lies.

3. There is a NEW Beginning! Oh can I have an AMEN to that one. It's that time when grace sets in and restoration and refreshment begins. Hope is the light, its time to PUSH!

PUSH!!! That moment when the tranisition is over and the Doctor is yelling push, and with all that you are, you let go of every fear, worry, anxiousness and discomfort because the urge to push becomes stronger than the urge of discomfort. And then, woosh! In a split second, its over, and the child you labored for and anticipated for is laid on your chest. Perfection! And its in that very moment, God erases the pain. This is the part that amazes me to this day, God erases the pain.

I remember that labor was difficult, but I could never explain to anyone what it physically felt like. It's gone, the memory of the pain is gone. And I know that this pain of longing to be reunited with our daughter will be a erased from my memory. Now that is a miracle.

Again, sharing my heart here, because although my ultimate goal is lto ive my life for the Lord, I still struggle and have down days, because I'm human. Yet His "mercy's are new every morning". So I will go to bed tonight with His Word on my heart, in my mind and OUT of my mouth. And the morning brings hope and a promise from my heavenly Father....that all is well.