What is Your Sweet Spot?
“I would appreciate any positive prayers or scripture verses you could send my way.” Those were the words that I saw on a friend’s Facebook post yesterday. This sweet gal has had some very rough times, so I was quick to give her a couple of my favorite scriptures and a prayer, but when I read this scripture later, I went back and got behind my imaginary pulpit again. This time I typed these words to encourage her, and I figure, just maybe, there are others that need to hear these words, so go ahead and call them your own, too!
Psalm 31:24 says “Be strong, and let your heart TAKE courage; all you who wait for the Lord.” It doesn’t say have courage, it says take courage – like “Take your medicine!” In this case – take Christ! Keep on keeping company with Christ and ask Him to TAKE your fears and to embolden your courage. Ahh! Keeping company with Christ. That is the “sweet spot”. I also call it “My Peace Zone” (see my website: MyPeaceZone.com ). It may rather be a season than a spot, but it’s holding the hand of the Hope-Giver and Peace-Provider, knowing that God never wastes “spots” or “seasons”.
Life is unpredictable. One day we can be firing on all cylinders — enthusiastic, energetic, hope-filled and everything’s going our way! Give it another day or two, and we’ve bottomed out, weary from the stress, lack-luster in our faith and our engine has stalled completely. But hold on! On those days, we quickly run to that SWEET SPOT of “being strong and TAKING courage — holding on tightly to the Sweet Spot-Maker.
The “sweet spot” is often the middle spot – between the good times rolling and waiting while the storms pass over. The eye of the storm – so to speak. I’ve found that spot is hanging out with Jesus. When I’m traveling on long open roads (which I do often), I look forward to the next Rest Area where I can hit the restrooms, stretch my legs, and even, if need be, sit in my car and shut my eyes for a few minutes. It’s amazing how rejuvenated I can feel after – after the sweet spot – the rest stop! And in this middle place of working through something in our lives — in the space between moving courageously and waiting for something to change— we can lose our gumption to function. Hope gets buried beneath 50 layers of defeated thinking, and we’re sure we’re making all the wrong moves. But, DON’T lose hope. You could be on the brink of a miracle.
I don’t know the details of your circumstances or situation, but if you are calling on God for help this day….please hear this. Keep on keepin’ on. You’ve got this! TAKE courage, dear ones: the fight is not over. You have not lost. You’ve made it to the Sweet Spot, where the waters are about to part. Stand firm in the Sweet Spot and in the Peace Zone and TAKE courage!