Chosen Grace

Hey, y’all! It has taken me nearly a month to get this first post of 2022 out to you all-but I believe that was truly in God’s design. Let me tell you why.

The very start of 2022 was hard for me and my family. On New Years Day, my mother went to the doctor because she had not been feeling her best. A few hours after she went to the doctor, she called and told me that she had COVID.

Now, I did not let it show then, but I was petrified. However, I kept my cool. A few days had passed and my siblings and I got tested. Both my brother and I tested negative, but our baby sister tested positive.

That scared me. I mean, we were only a few days into 2022 and this was what we were facing? I could not understand why this “new” year was feeling old and worn out already.

When we came home, I went by myself to process my feelings. As
I talked them out to God, I heard Him ask “Malaysia, do you trust me?” I paused there, because up until that point- I did not think of it as an exercise in trust. And yet, it was. After hearing God ask me that, I decided the best thing I could do was submit.

And once I did, God gave me peace. Each day, as I took care of my mom and sister, got easier and easier because God was with me. And while that is a testimony in itself, God also revealed to me that this was a slingshot season.

A slingshot season is a time of life where it feels like God is pulling you back, instead of allowing you to go forward. This isn’t because of anything you did- it just happens unexpectantly. It feels like all the odds are stacked up against you.

Does this sound familiar? If it does- you, my friend, are in a slingshot season.

And as the Lord really began to speak to me about this, He reminded me of the story of Joseph.

You see, Joseph is a major figure in the book of Genesis. In fact, there are 10 chapters dedicated to him! So this brother must be important.

Joseph was the son of Jacob. While Jacob had 11 sons, Jacob was his favorite. He even made Joseph a coat of many colors (Genesis 37:3). Upon seeing this, Joseph’s brothers grew jealous and sold him into slavery in Egypt.

Yet even in this, Joseph still had God’s favor over his life.

“The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a very successful man,”

Genesis 39:2a ESV

And while Joseph was favored by God, he still had hardships during his time in Egypt. It seemed as though Joseph’s slingshot season kept extending and he kept being pulled back into despair.

And maybe you reading this have felt that way. Maybe you feel that you can’t win for losing. It may seem that you are alone and no one cares. Even so, God revealed to me through Joseph’s example, that surviving the slingshot season IS possible through two main things: obedience and worship.

You see, throughout his enslavement in Egypt, Joseph was obedient to God. Even when his circumstances told him not to. When Potiphar’s wife threw herself at him, he still decided to honor God (Genesis 39:1-9)

This teaches us that even when the going gets tough- we must choose to honor God. After all, obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22). This may be tough- because it doesn’t feel natural. However- that’s where worship comes in.

You see, Joseph worshiped God each step of the way during his time in Egypt. Even when he was promoted, he affirmed God even in the presence of the Pharoh (Genesis 41:16).

This reminded me of another biblical character who worshiped God despite his situations telling him not to:

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”

job 13:15, KJV

Like Joseph, Job chose to trust and honor God even when he couldn’t see good in his situation. Job had lost everything from his health to his family, and yet he still decided to worship God.

We should do this as well. Worshipping God during hard times is not easy, trust me I know. But sometimes worship may look like you crying and pouring out your feelings to God. Or it may look like you listening to your favorite gospel song. Whatever you have to do to worship and trust God- do that.

And while this may seem crazy to praise God when things aren’t going good, it’s actually biblical. Remember, God inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3, KJV).

To be honest with you all, this whole month of January has been challenging for me. Even though it’s my birthday month, things have been tough for me.

And yet while it has been challenging, God has not failed me one time during this slingshot season. I praise Him for that.

Now- I don’t always think of this season as good. Most days, I don’t want to do it. But when I get to feeling like everything is in flux, God gently reminds me that he will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish me (1 Peter 5:10).

And it’s the same for you! When it seems like you’re being pulled back, just remember that all slingshots have to be released.

I’ll say that again: all slingshots that have been pulled back must be released.

This means that this slingshot season really isn’t setting you back. Nope. God is getting ready to launch you into destiny. He’s about to propel you forward. And you’ll go farther than you’ve ever been before.

He did it for Joseph: promoting him from the pit to the palace.

He did it for Job: restoring him with more than what he lost (Job 24:10-17).

And if those testimonies don’t encourage you, I don’t know what will.

As I conclude this post, I encourage you to embrace your slingshot season. There is no doubting that it is hard. But God has not- and can not– forget you. God is for you. He will always be. Don’t forget that.

With love and a new embracing of the slingshot season,

Malaysia

P.S: My mom and sister are doing well. But please stay safe during this pandemic! COVID is real. Take care of yourself and others!