When life goes at a fast pace, many are so busy that they don’t notice how it is physically affecting them. I would say that fits me. Let’s go back to the summer. Being offered a job that I needed to accept quickly, finding a place to live even quicker, packing and giving away a lot of stuff, hopping on planes while the weather in different cities wreaked havoc which changed landing schedules, then waiting for the movers to come with my things was just a lot. But I got through it, the movers eventually came. But then I was getting up early in the morning to unpack and arrange my new place, break down the empty boxes and take them to the bin, go to work and finish training, try to get used to the job’s new system and office, driving around to get a feel of my new city, and on and on…

Then I got fired.

What happened afterwards really, really surprised me. Just as moving happened quickly, so did what I am about to describe to you.

I wrote in a recent post that as I listened to my manager, I could not stop smiling. Peace flooded my soul. I felt like I was walking on air as I walked to my car. In part, I believe that for the past month at least I was worrying about what the final decision would be, and when I got it, I felt relieved. Finally, the conclusion was received. Now I could continue with life, not feeling like it was on hold.

I was not aware of how stressed I had become. As I thought about things, I had noticed I kept going to the bathroom… a lot, which concerned me. I couldn’t shut my mind off to get some rest at night. I went to bed with swollen ankles and woke up with swollen ankles. Because of the stress, I believe my body was full of stress-related substances like cortisol and maybe other steroids my body created as it was in stress-response mode. At the time I was not aware of that, but that could have been what was happening, especially when I felt an immediate change after I received the news. And what I can’t get over is how fast the change occurred. I am so grateful for the change! Something else is happening as well.

I can’t get over the fact that I have continued peace. I kept making affirmations to God that I trusted Him to work it all out, no matter what happened, that He would provide. And He did. For example, I got my funds days early. I was surprised when the first one appeared in my bank account. I was like, “okay.” Then later that day, my last paycheck appeared, I was like “oh my!” Then when another pocket of change was deposited that I thought would not come until the following week, I just had to give forth a praise of thanksgiving (I mean after all, it is Thanksgiving month!) It was something that happened so quickly. Finance concerns are being met; my bank account is phat!!

Writing this to encourage you to trust God. Put all your concerns in His hands, and rely on Him, not picking it back up to handle yourself. And here is something else to consider:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Be strengthenized…