“Then Joshua spoke to the Lord on the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, be silent and stand still at Gibeon, and you, moon, in the Valley of Ajalon!” Joshua 10:12

How large should we ask? How can we believe that God will provide where there is lack? What about in the heat of battle? Will God heal when there is sickness or dare we believe that God will save a lost soul? Miracles surround us. Countless, immeasurable. They permeate the fabric of our lives and go so unnoticed that we fail to ask our Daddy, our Father for His involvement in our circumstances. The ones He knew about before our birth, before our parent’s birth, even as far back as the beginning of time itself.

“And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation took vengeance upon their enemies. Is not this written in the Book of Jasher? So, the sun stood still in the midst of the heavens and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.”  Joshua 10:13

I’m not sure about you, but this passage makes me feel courageous. As though I can ask Father God for the big requests that have found their way onto my life path. What grabs my notice? So many situations and concerns. Yet, I do not expect for God to always say yes. I do not always expect a speedy reply from His throne, though I hope for certain outcomes. Sometimes those wait forever for the answer questions that we ask, produce a purer faith. We can turn and look behind us and recognize many of the people and happenings which aided the answer to our prayers—because of His sure timing and loving attention. The intricacy of the detail and intimacy involved to bring forth the answer were as though it were a dream or a song. A song of praise to the LOVER OF OUR SOULS.

Dream big writer, write strong the prose that matter—that can be a part of the answer to another traveler’s prayers.

How can we turn negativity to further our purpose?
Communication or influence from a naysayer, can it be all bad? Whether we are related or working with someone at a job or volunteer location, focused and determined criticism toward us is usually unsettling. Negativity against our values, abilities, and our dreams is cutting and even mind-numbing. Does that mean—nothing can rescue us—when naysayer(s) speak criticism to purposely direct what we can and cannot accomplish? What if their attitude and comments cause us to question our worth? Are they truly correct in their judgments?

Good questions.
I would have to say that not everything about a naysayer is negative for us. That critical eye not only discourages and is oppressive, but there may be some truth to what is said. But don’t listen to the point of where someone else’s words hinder developing that special gift or excellent desire held inside your heart. Measure their words against what is known about the particular craft, or dream. Yes, become so knowledgeable and skilled in that said desire that gratitude for the prompting from that naysayer replaces all bitterness, anger, and insecurity.

BEGIN by making a list of ways to strengthen your presentation or accomplishment—if there is something mentioned in the criticism that is worthy of notice. (Sometimes naysayers’ offerings are so far from the truth that there is nothing to redeem from the time spent under their influence.) But, then again, we may have a niggling sense that we should begin or end differently. Maybe we needed to become more professional with our advertisement or writing presentations. We need not wallow in self-pity. Make the truth and skill of your dream arise to new heights.

THINK on the positive, building, and excellent notions that will increase skill, productivity, and benefits of the dream. Our thoughts are powerful, which places us in the position of being our best friend or worse enemy. There are studies about our brain and the influence of negativity—especially what we allow ourselves to ponder. Pushing forward and advancing toward silver lining thinking and increasing the benefits of our positive influence for others actually creates physically changes our brain. Look to Caroline Leaf’s book Switch On Your Brain The Key to PEAK HAPPINESS, THINKING AND HEALTH.

REMEMBER those who have gone before. For example, I’ve been reading ‘Tis Herself AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY by Maureen O’Hara with John Nicoletti. Maureen O’Hara allowed a painful situation with two negative teachers to motivate this internal—not spoken out loud—goal at a very young age, “I’m going to become the most famous actress in the world and one day you both are going to boast to everyone you know that I was in your class.” Major General, Lew Wallace’s Ben Hur: A Tale of Christ 1880, which was appreciated by President Grant and considered the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century for its popularity, was born from criticism. Lew Wallace, unable to defend his belief in Christ to a well-known atheist motivated him to study deeply and immerse himself in historical truth, so that he could write Ben Hur as a witness.

CHALLENGE Yes, I challenge you and myself to push toward our own purpose and possibly our own ‘Ben Hur’ blessing to the world. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Hang in there and prosper your spirit by encouraging and developing that special gift you have to share. It is worth the work – believe it!