Tag Archive | pain

Tear Down the Walls

Jul26

Saved by GraceWhen you make a mistake, do you find yourself mulling it over and over in your mind?  As you continue to think about it, you start to feel sick in your stomach, your body starts to ache, and you just can’t seem to think about anything else.  It continues to fester until you find it affecting your mood and no one wants to be around you because you snap at them.  And then, you find yourself in a funk that you can’t seem to get out of.

Truth be told, we all find ourselves in situations like these.  Maybe you did something that hurt someone or you were mistreated by someone you trusted.  There are many reasons why we can feel guilt, anger, bitterness, and frustration.  Our walls come in many different shapes and sizes.  And, what makes it worse is that it seems to be easier than letting go.  It is almost like we would rather hold onto the feelings of pain and sorrow because then we can feel justified. You know the old saying, “an eye for an eye”.  It is like we hold onto the guilt to justify our pain or we hold onto the anger because it somehow gets back at the person who hurt us.

We are all far from perfect and we are bound to make mistakes.  However, we don’t have to feel guilty, angry, or bitter towards ourselves or anyone else.  If we ever want to experience a breakthrough, we must tear down the walls in our thinking.

Wrong thoughts lead to wrong actions…

RIGHT THOUGHTS lead to RIGHT ACTIONS. (Eph. 4:22-24)

See, the devil’s plan is to hold you in the guilt, anger, and frustration.  He knows that if he can keep you thinking on the pain, you can’t let go of it.  Therefore, you find yourself deeper and deeper in the pit; feeling desperate and overwhelmed.  The perfect breeding ground for Satan and his cronies.

However, God wants you free from all of it.  And better yet, He wants to help.  So, why don’t you start getting your Work in Progressthoughts lined up with God’s word.  If you feel anger boiling up inside, ask God to replace it with His peace.  If a thought comes into your mind telling you that God can’t love you because you messed up too badly, tell Satan to take a flying leap because there is nothing you can do to take God’s love away from you.  Not now or ever!

Just remember, be gentle with yourself and others.  We are all “works in progress” and it is a step-by-step journey that we embark upon. No matter what mistakes you’ve made, God loves you this very moment and is willing to help you.  He will free you from the past and make your future far better than you can imagine!  So DREAM BIG because He has some AMAZING THINGS PLANNED FOR YOU!

The Healing Power

Jul19

Cast Your CareThis past week, I found myself surrounded in doctors when my mom was rushed to the hospital.  We had no idea what was happening and soon found out that it was very serious.  As more and more tests were taken, fear tried to persuade me that she wasn’t going to make it.  I had a choice to make; either give into the fear or start pleading the blood.

In order for me to take control of the feelings pressuring me to make the wrong choices, I sent a Prayer Call to all of our family and friends on Facebook.  I needed help and in a BIG WAY!  As soon as I hit the enter button, I immediately felt the weight of the world lift off my shoulders.

Right before mom went into surgery, we prayed to the Great Physician; knowing that God is our healer and protector in all situations.  The surgery went well, however, mom had an adverse reaction to the anesthesia.  She found herself unable to breathe and shivering non-stop.  This was not a normal reaction and we came very close to losing her.  Now, during this time, I could have panicked.  I could have given up.  Heck, I could have even started yelling at God.  But, something very different happened instead.

While I’m watching the hospital staff do everything they could to save mom, I found myself speaking in tongues.  I just opened my mouth and uttered whatever it was the Holy Spirit knew I needed.  The more I spoke, the worse mom got.  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks…THE DEVIL IS A LIAR, don’t believe what you see.

Fervently, I kept praying in tongues asking the Holy Spirit to take over the situation because I had no clue what was going on, nor what mom needed.  All of a sudden, mom was breathing and calming down.  It was like the angels surrounded her in God’s amazing healing power.  Within 24 hours, she did a miraculous 360 degree turnaround.  It was one of the most amazing things I have ever encountered.

1 Corinthians 14:2 “For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit.”

Full armor of GodMiracles do still happen!  And I’m here today to tell you that no matter what you encounter and no matter what you see, God is still in the miracle business.  He is still intervening in ways we can’t comprehend.

So, the next time you find yourself under fire and nothing appears to be going right, speak in tongues and watch God’s healing power come to life in your situation.  For He truly is a Loving, Protecting, and Caring Father!

Mess to Message

May24

Tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma.  Pure devastation for miles to see. People’s lives in utter chaos and disarray.  Heart-breaking and gut-wrenching photos and video, streaming live throughout the world. Reporters losing their emotional battle while attempting to bring us the horrific story.  Instantly, lives were changed and we all felt the impact.

Yet, in their darkest hour, the citizens of Moore showed amazing courage, strength, hope, love, and compassion. With every dramatic scene; another story of heroism emerged. Neighbors, strangers, and first-responders, frantically searching for anyone that might be held prisoner under the rubble. Hoping and praying that one more person would be pulled from the rubble alive.

None of the people interviewed were looking for fame.  None of them realized how much their simple words could impact us deeply.  Two such stories captured the very essence of heroism, hope, and encouragement.  Let’s hear it from their perspectives.

Boy saved in OKThere was a man who raced to the school.  He explained that as they were moving rubble to search for survivors, they came across a teacher who had flung herself onto the children.  She did everything in her power to shield her most precious possessions.

With tears streaming down his face, the man’s statement said it all…“Way to go teach.”

Countless stories of how teachers kept calm, had the children praying loudly, and how they used their own bodies as shields have come to light.  Their selfless acts saved many lives and testifies to the true meaning of “No one has greater love than to lay down his own life for another.” (John 15:13)

Hour by hour, interviews captured the true sense of the community who was grateful to God for being alive.  One such interview was with an Woman finds Jesus Picolder gentleman.  His high-spirited attitude along with his profound words were breath-taking.

Standing in front of a massive heap of debris that used to be his home; he proudly stated to the world…”I knew my maker and I had hope in Him.  God protected my wife and I. Over the course of the years, we accumulated a lot of stuff. We are alive and everything else can be rebuilt. We get to start over.”

Like so many others, these heroes showed true courage, hope and faith while facing the horrifying losses. We should honor them all and allow their amazing testaments seep deep within our beings.

Life is the most precious commodity and everything else can be rebuilt.  So today, no matter what you face, allow your light to shine brightly upon others .  Because in the midst of all your chaos, “The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble.” (Nahum 1:7)

Pray for Oklahoma

Many wonderful organizations are already on site in Oklahoma and are listed below.   If you would like to donate, just click on the link for direct access to their secured website.  No matter how big or small, every bit helps when placed in the hand of the Lord.

Helping Oklahoma and Other Areas

Struggles

Sep21

Have you ever found yourself facing many struggles all at once?  Has every door shut in your face and you just couldn’t understand why?  Do you ever feel like you are walking in God’s chosen path and everything seems to go wrong?

During those difficult times, I’m always reminded of two Biblical stories that really help put things back into perspective.

The Book of Job

Job was a man of God and very blessed.  He had a loving family, a home and many possessions.  However, Job had a great fear.  He feared for his sons and their sins against God.  This fear festered and was his ultimate demise.  It allowed Satan access into his life.  Job ended up losing everything; His livestock was stolen and destroyed, his servants and children were tragically killed, and everything was taken from him in a blink of an eye.  His closest friends came and tried to analyze why all of this happened and kept asking Job what he had done wrong.  Even, Job’s wife asked him to curse God and die.  Talk about pain and suffering.  Poor Job was all alone during his most trying times.

Yet, Job’s reaction to it all was to get on his knees and worship God.  When all was said and done, Job stood his ground and God rewarded him greatly.

JOSEPH

Then, you have Joseph.  From a very young age, God had a real purpose for Joseph.  But Joseph’s brothers were jealous and hated him.  They wanted to be superior and in good favor of their father.  So, what did they do?  They sold Joseph into slavery and told their father that Joseph was killed.  Just imagine how Joseph must have felt through all that betrayal.  You know he must have asked, why?

Nonetheless, Joseph excelled during his hardships.  He was even thrown into jail for something he didn’t do.  But, even in jail, he excelled.  By Joseph keeping his eyes on God, Joseph became one of the greatest men alive.  He was placed in a very high position where God’s favor shined through him for all to see. (Genesis 37-50)

These amazing stories are a great testament of God’s ultimate best! They had to STAND STRONG and dig their heels in deeper; totally relying on the Lord, and God rewarded them for it.

I will be the first to tell you, it is sometimes easier said then done.  As I was being attacked from every angle possible and attempting to dig in deeper; things were spiraling out of control.  I knew I needed to call in reinforcements.  My PRAYER WARRIORS came to the rescue.  I desperately needed them to pray with me and since the Bible says, “when two or more agree, it will be done”(Matthew 18:19); I knew everything would be alright.

We may not always understand God’s plan during the whole transitional period of difficulties.  But one thing is for certain…in His perfect timing, all will be revealed.  So, DON’T GIVE UP!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MY PERSONAL PRAYER WARRIORS

Bobby, Denise, and Grams…From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for your love, support and prayers when I needed them the most.  You are all amazing and are very special people who I’m blessed to have in my life.  May God prosper each of you beyond your wildest imagination, for your futures are BRIGHT!

If you need a prayer warrior, send me an email.  I will be happy to pray in agreement with you so God’s incredible plan for you shines through.  God Bless!