THE DESIRES OF THE HEART
|
Posted By: Ann Mack on March 09, 2018 But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him. ~HEBREWS 11:6, Amplified March 7, 2018 As little children, we, intently, watch the people, places and things around us while yearning to be and imitate what we see! As we get older to know right from wrong, some of us put plans in place to help us succeed at obtaining what we want while choosing various paths. Many of us never quite anticipate being greeted by obstacles or road blocks along the way as some of us stray far from God and others draw nearer. Each person's journey is different! Some are born with silver spoons to know no obstacles and some are born to suffer with each step we take. However, according to the WORD OF GOD, pain and suffering has its unique place and purpose. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison(1Peter 3:18-19). Therefore, as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too (2 Corinthians 1:5). The late Elisabeth Elliot through her sermons and teachings described it best and said, “God often teaches us the deepest lessons through our deepest suffering.” And the GOD OF ALL GRACE, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (1 PETER 5:10, NIV) in Him. When we slow down to yield or surrender to our calling in honor of Christ in allowing God to prune us, shape us and mature us, a bond takes place. By developing a deeper walk and relationship with God, trust builds up on both sides. As we learn to trust God through our trials and tribulations, we come to a greater understanding of who God is to include a greater assurance of His love for us and His sovereignty as the Head and Creator of us ALL. And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose(Romans 8:28, Amplified). WE OVERCOME BY OUR TESTIMONY The Bible is very clear, but not many of us review the word of God as TRUTH to believe it and commit to it. Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. ~ John 10:6-10, Message. For the most part, a number of us have been taught to review the word of God as any other book or form of literary work in which we give no credence to until we are forced by a life altering spiritual experience to change our mindset! Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, do you now believe? Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, and favored by God] are they who did not see [Me] and yet believed [in Me].” ~ John 20:29, Amplified Seeking the American Dream like so many others, I was determined to put forth the effort to better myself at all cost. I kept applying for promotions through what I considered to be better positions only to be given excuses as to why I didn’t qualify. And yet, I was expected to train others to perform in the same position I was told I didn’t deserve because I didn’t qualify to occupy it myself. So, based on what I was told I was lacking, although I trained others, I would still attempt to obtain the experience, knowledge, specialized training or education for an opportunity towards the next position for a promotion. Upon experiencing this same scenario over and over again, I was beginning to lose hope; but, I refused to give up no matter how great the pain. Greatly disappointed, but holding on, I would pray to God and ask Him to shield my heart by not allowing it to harden or me to grow bitter. I asked Him to give me the strength to endure and to be a much better person than those I was encountering. Attempting to move forward, I made a conscious decision to go back to school to get my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. But, even after getting that degree, those in managerial leadership positions within my places of employment still refused to recognize my accomplishments while attempting to force me into roles they felt I was best suited to occupy – on the basis of who I was and what I represented! Unless you experience some of the same or similar for yourself, I’m sure it’s hard for you to even imagine what I described as happening today. But, it does … more often than you think! Overlooked time and time again; and, pushed in a corner while limitations mounted, I was, now, beginning to allow it to affect me and struggling to attempt to prove my value and worth to man to no avail! As my pain grew, I started to doubt God’s existence and I found it harder and harder to believe that a God who loved me unconditionally would allow people to bring so much strife against me – just because they could! Questioning God, almost daily, I found myself challenging Him and growing closer to Him at the same time. Reading His word, I would give it back to Him! God, you said I have not because I ask not. You said to ask and it shall be given to me. Seek and I shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened. Well, I’m asking. I’m seeking and I’m knocking. We were developing a relationship and my FAITH was growing stronger. God was opening my eyes as His word began to take root and come alive in me. I was learning to hold-on to His every word and see it performing in my life. God and I were becoming inseparable!!! As I believed, I felt myself growing taller and becoming more confident; but, not quite completely without fear and God was talking to me about that as well. He reminded me of 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us a SPIRIT of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. He told me, if I abide in Him, He would abide in me. He even told me not worry about being promoted by man. He was positioning me, but first I needed to TRUST Him. I needed to walk in my authority and take ownership! For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. ~ Psalms 33:4-5, NIV My love and commitment to and for God is real! HE never ceases to amaze me and HE continues to make me aware of HIS sovereignty and presence in my life. First, there was a knock and I answered HIS call. Then there was training and a push to the front line. At times, I questioned my assignment; but, still I forged ahead with reluctance and wanting nothing more than to remain in HIS PERFECT WILL. Many times, I even doubted my confidence to fulfill HIS every command; but, HE prevailed to reveal HIS confidence in me. On the third day of the first month of the year, March, as referenced by the sacred biblical calendar, which is also the birth month and head position of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God blessed me to receive an honorary doctorate in Divinity along with naming me as an Ambassador to United Nations and gifting me the Chaplaincy as His Kingdom representative. When God honors you and gives you the desires of your heart in accordance to His will, He does it big! When man pushes you in a corner and attempts to make you invisible, God pushes you out front to remind you that last will be first and the first will be last as He makes you visible. When man condemns you, God redeems you. When man devalues you, God values you and gives you a purpose. When man attempts to belittle you, God renames you by making your name great! PSALM 75:6-7, King James 6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. THE DESIRES OF THE HEART WRITTEN BY: DR. ANN GWEN MACK 7 March 2018 If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Ann Mack
Management Analyst, US Department of Energy University of the District of Columbia class of 2002 Member Since May 2008 |
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
Who’s cafeteria has the best H2oHow many times do I simply request agua from the Cafe
My beverage of choice in college had to be fruitopiA
Water from the fountain YES
Shower water NO
Figi Water https://share.google/t2Hrz1rpg9 ...more
How May I Help You NC • 49 Views • February 1st, 2026 |
 |
S.P.I.T. Spoken Poets InTellectualizing™ Honoring Nikki! -Call for Submissions-S.P.I.T. Spoken Poets InTellectualizing™ Honoring Nikki!
-Call for Submissions-
Gumbo for the Soul Publications is in the process of developing our first “strictly poetry” publication by the vision ...more
Beverly Johnson • 44 Views • February 1st, 2026 |
 |
JCSU Unique Courses “ LACTATION CONSULTANT TRAINING PROGRAM (CERTIFICATE)”The LCTP is a comprehensive, CAAHEP accredited Pathway 2 training program administered through the College of Business and Professional Studies Health and Human Performance Department at Johnson C. Sm ...more
How May I Help You NC • 65 Views • January 29th, 2026 |
 |
Nation’s Oldest HBCU Football Rivalry Returns in 2026 with 102nd Turkey Day ClassicThe nation’s oldest HBCU football rivalry will return to the field in November 2026 as Alabama State University and Tuskegee University face off in the 102nd Turkey Day Classic. The historic Thanksgiv ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 179 Views • January 28th, 2026 |
 |
🔋🪫🔋🪫🔋🔋🔋Gifts to recharge my BatteryREADY TO EXPERIENCE A MAYWEATHER WORKOUT? TRY IT FOR FREE
Some time is all that’s needed to get on the MAYWEATHER Fitness Treadmill
Have fun meet new friends get close to perfection https://may ...more
How May I Help You NC • 88 Views • January 27th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,795,161 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 118,090 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 74,403 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 61,379 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
