Contractions

For those of you whom this is for, the meaning of this statement will make sense to you:

“Your capacity is not shrinking… its contracting.”

contract |kənˈtrakt| verb: to draw together or into smaller compass; draw the parts of together: such as to contract a muscle. To become shorter or tighter in order to effect movement of a part of the body.

Capacity is an interesting thing. Throughout our lives, as we continue to learn and grow and challenge ourselves, stretching beyond the limits of what’s comfortable, we will find our capacity begins to increase. As we grow, we can do more. We can carry more. We’re entrusted with more. We can bear up under the weight of heavier loads. In fact, one of the simplest ways we can measure our growth is to look back and realize that what once seemed difficult a week, a month, or even a year ago or doesn’t seem that difficult anymore.

But as I was praying this afternoon, I felt led to pray for a group of people who have been somewhat frustrated in this area of capacity. Namely, those of you who have felt like your capacity is shrinking. Like it’s drying up, or decaying, even. When you look back, it seems your better days are behind you. And you’re restless because you know there’s more in you. You’ve seen yourself do more and you’ve even gotten glimpses as to what is yet to be.

This is when I felt heaven prompt me to tell you, “Your capacity is not shrinking, it’s contracting.” And then, for some reason, I began to squeeze my hand into a ball and then spring my fingers out over and over. Almost like a prophetic act over your lives. Contracting. Releasing. Contracting. Releasing. Contracting. Releasing. Our heart does it naturally anywhere from 60 to 80 times a minute without us even noticing. And right now, that is exactly what is taking place with you.

God’s not through yet. Your best days are NOT behind you. There’s so much more yet to be done. And just like Psalm 121:8 says, “The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” (can you hear the contracting movement in that verse?)

I leave you with this one last thought. As I was quickly reading on muscle movement, this sentence stuck out to me: “Muscle contractions can be described based on two variables: force and length.”  And this is what I heard after reading that:

The strength and longevity of what you are called to do lies in how well you lean in to this season of contracting.

In other words, don’t leave any place for doubt. Don’t let your identity be shaken. Don’t start second guessing who you are and what you were made to do. Stand firm (1 Corinthians 16:13). Be very careful with how you speak to yourself and about yourself. GROUND YOURSELF in the Word of God. Don’t let the language of your prayers start taking on a pity-party kind of posture. Wait on the Lord with all diligence. I love how the Amplified Bible shares Psalm 27:14, “Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.”

All throughout the Bible, whenever we see waiting on God, it’s associated with a time to strengthen ourselves. Isaiah 40:31 is a great example of this: “But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power….” 

Don’t come into agreement with anything that makes you feel weak. If you start having a low moment or a low day, fight it with prayer – speaking prophetically over your own life and don’t stop until you can get to the point where you “smile at your future” (see Prov 31:25).

Oh! And one last thing….if the contractions begin to intensify, know that that can mean only one thing: You’re getting closer to delivery. And one day, you won’t even remember the anguish of these labor pains you feel now for the joy that is yet before you. I pray this blesses you and may He greatly be glorified in and through you.

-Linda Gail

He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3

Though its root may grow old in the earth,
And its stump may die in the ground,
Yet at the scent of water it will bud
And bring forth branches like a plant.
Job 14:8-9