Are you hanging on to a man/woman that God has said to let go of?

Let's  be real for a moment:

Ouch. Whew. Yeah, this one kinda hits you in the gut. I'm sooooo very guilty of this, of running behind a man who shows interest in me, only to hear God say "No, Janelle. Not him." "But God!" I say. "What do you mean? I mean, he likes me. he's nice..." 

"But is he saved though? Even if he's saved, are you in a position to have a man in your life, Janelle? No, you're not."

Le sigh. You're right again, God. Ugh.

How many times have I met a guy, gave him my number, maybe even went out with him, only to have the Holy Spirit tug on my heart and tell me not to go out with him again, AND not to have him call me or text me again??? And I have to end up deleting his number cuz I might remember it??? Too many times. So I literally have to send him a text or call him and tell him we need to cut it off right then and there.

Ugh.

It hurts so bad, y'all. I know yall feel me, too. But I know in my heart I want to please my Lord more than I want the admiration of a man that God has not ordained to be in my life. Listen y'all: Just because an attractive person of the opposite sex comes into your life, is fine, saved, and doing well for him/herself, doesn't mean he or she is SUPPOSED to be in your life at that time. Maybe that person is a distraction. He "urshers" every 2nd and 4th Sunday, he dresses nice and smells good...AND (here's the kicker): He prays over his food! We ladies love a man that prays over his food! My Lord! But. He's STILL a distraction. When you get a chance, go to Youtube and type in "Redefined TV," and watch the video "Who sent you?" Maaannnnnn, listen. The husband/wife couple who created this video have several other videos that I haven't watched, but "Who sent you?" has an excellent, off-the-chain message that reminds us to be careful of who we allow into our lives.

Sometimes that man/woman who sashays into our lives isn't saved at all. Le sigh. Again. But he/she finds YOU attractive, they like your style, your vibe. You both can talk for hours upon hours. You're grinning, they're grinning...geesh. It's like y'all were meant to be together. You can already see that you both will make some pretty children, Men, you see how awesome of a supporter, wife and mother she'll be, and women, his last name fits perfectly with your first name. It has such a nice ring to it. 

But you KNOW he's not saved, that it'll never work. He doesn't go to church, doesn't care to start going. Ladies, y'all know how we do: But God, if You will let THIS one stick around, so I can minister to him, lead him to YOU, and then maybe...

God be like: Uh-uh. Nope. Not happening. God is so frustrating sometimes, ain't He? He just comes in and jacks up all our lil plans. Cue in good ol' Prov. 3:5-6: 

(5) Trust in the Lord with AAAAALLLLL your heart, and lean not to you OWN understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. (emphasis mine).

When you have to make that decision to cut ol' boy or ol' girl off, know that it's for your good. And if you don't, God does know how to send a lil fire behind you to help you get right. Prov. 3:11-12 says: My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, (12) because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (See Revelation 3:19 and Hebrews 12:6-11 also). That rebuke from God isn't a mean, harsh thing that God gets pleasure out of doing. Sometimes we have to visit the School of Hard Knocks again and again (and again), til we get the thing right. Our Father loves us so! Mario sang: You should let me love you/let me be the one to/give you everything you want and need/Baby good love and protection/make me your selection/Show you the way that love's supposed to be. Well, replace Mario with God. Let God love you, give you everything you need (what you want isn't what's best for you.) That man/woman ain't what's best right now. Trust in His plan. Let Him love you.

This has been a real moment with Janelle.