For Such a Time as This, I Don't Have to be Strong

God knows and prepared me, in advance, to do His good works, to show His love, to offer His praises in the midst of this storm. I don't always feel well equipped to handle these new challenges. There are days when I wonder if we will ever "know" the answers for which the doctors are so diligently seeking. Then, I realize, it doesn't matter if we ever find the answers. What matters is that God knows what I am facing. He is walking this journey with me. And, He has prepared me for such a time as this.

God knew there would be days when I would be frustrated, overwhelmed, unable to endure. Yet, it is on these days when His love speaks to me. It reminds me that His love for me provides the strength I need to keep persevering because when I am at my weakest, He is at His strongest. I don't have to be strong. I merely have to trust in Him and in His love for me. It is also on these difficult days that His love for me wraps around me and clothes me in His indescribable peace. When I say, "Lord, I can't go on," He whispers. "I will carry you until you can continue on this journey. Rest in me. Trust in my love for you." He is my refuge when life gets too difficult. On these days, I envision sitting at His feet, in total awe of His presence, soaking in the amazing love and incredible peace He exudes over me.

Yes, even as much as I am a train wreck physically, God reminds me that I am His handiwork: wonderfully made. He also reminds me that He has prepared me for such a time as this and will be with me always. Do you know that God has also prepared you for such a time as this? He will be with you each step of your journey. No matter what you might be facing: divorce, depression, financial difficulties, health issues, heartache, or loss God will be your strength and your refuge. When life is too difficult to endure, find rest in His love for you. Still not certain you can persevere? Look at the Bible and see how He used ordinary people with messy lives to shine His love and truth. Look at how He continually takes something bad and turns it into something good. He is doing that through each one of us. We may not be able to see His hand at work at this exact moment in time but if we continue to trust in His heart which is filled to overflowing with love for us, then we will one day be restored.

With God as my guide, I will not be shaken! He will be my strength through which all things are possible! May all glory, honor, and praise be God's for He alone is worthy!

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

'Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:5-8

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Strong Enough, by Matthew West, clearly reiterates how it is His strength that gets me through the difficult days.

"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
 



My Hope Is In You by Aaron Shust





10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman

Overcomer

These song lyrics from Mandisa keep running through my had tonight. Perhaps it is because I know just how true they are. When I am down, He lifts me up again. His strength keeps me persevering. His love never fails. His grace makes my brokenness something beautiful. He allows me to push beyond my own limits and comfort zones. His death on the cross overcame everything (John 16:33). His act of love for me (and for you) ensures that Hi grace will allow me (as well as you) to also overcome everything this world may throw our way. Hold onto that hope that is only found in the love of our Savior! I know I'm holding on tight to Him every moment!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Overcomer by Mandisa​
Whatever it is you may be going through
I know He's not gonna let it get the best of you

You're an overcomer
Stay in the fight ‘til the final round
You're not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it's hopeless
That's when He reminds You
That you're an overcomer
You're an overcomer

Everybody's been down
Hit the bottom, hit the ground
Ooh, you're not alone
Just take a breath, don't forget
Hang on to His promises
He wants You to know

The same Man, the Great I am
The one who overcame death
He's living inside of You
So just hold tight, fix your eyes
On the one who holds your life
There's nothing He can't do
He's telling you

Advent

Today marks the beginning of advent. Advent is defined as: the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. For Christians, we celebrate the arrival of God coming to Earth in the form of His one and only son, Jesus. This was, and still is, a significant event. He came to save each one of us. “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He longs to have a close, personal relationship with His children. Jesus is our hope and our promise of the good things God has waiting for us in eternity. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) What will you do as you prepare for the advent season? Will you put Christ at the forefront as you prepare not only your homes for Christmas but also your hearts?

Contentment

It took me years to come to a place in my life where I am content. As Paul says in Philippians 4:11, I learned to "be content whatever the circumstances." What is the secret to finding contentment? First, we must become confident in who we are: Children of the One, True King. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12 While I wish I could say this confidence always existed, it too took years to cultivate. I had to clear away all of the debris the world left heaped upon me. I had to learn that it isn't my outward appearance that makes me beautiful or worthwhile. Rather, it is my heart, God's word hiding there, and His love shining brightly from my heart that make me beautiful. When I learned to see myself through His eyes rather than the world's standards, I was able to not only be content in being His child but I could also share His love with others. Then, I had to learn to "rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances" as 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us to do. When I am faced with a very bad pain day, I give God thanks and rejoice in the blessings He has given me. When I sing praises to Him, I am saying "[His] grace [and love] is sufficient for [me], for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When I am at my weakest, His strength, mercy, and love come shining brightly through me and bring Him all the glory, honor, and praise. When He is glorified, I am content. That is what life has taught me thus far.

Don't Let the Enemy Win

If I allowed the enemy to win, I would focus 

on the way all of this 

rain and the way in which it, 

along with the change of seasons, is 

wreaking havoc on my body 

because of my autoimmune 

diseases. However, life has taught me that 

choosing to praise God 

for the rain, which our world 

needs to help grow the beautiful flowers and 

our bodies need to 

survive, as well as praise Him 

for the beautiful fall colors and cooler 

temperatures that the change 

of season brings will yield

me His wondrous peace. He is with me every 

moment of every day. 

He meets my needs rather 

than my wants. Because of Him, I can 

persevere and continue to 

fight the good fight. Because of 

His grace and His peace, I am learning true 

contentment, which 

comes from trusting in Him, 

resting in His love, cherishing His mercy. 

Thank you, Father God, 

for these autoimmune 

diseases that humble me and keep me 

seeking You. Continue to 

use them to bring You glory and 

honor. Amen! 

What Inspires You?

We were in the audience at a Matthew West concert when they started the plea for sponsors to support children through Compassion International. My heart has always been tugged every time I see those sweet faces. It was my precious son who inspired my mom and I to reach out and take the step of faith to support a child. My mind wanted to rationalize that money was tight. Yet, God has faithfully provided. What makes this so special is that our sponsored child shares a birthday with my son, lives in Brazil where dear friends have served as missionaries, and has the same interests as my own sweet boy. We are blessed to be able to be a part of Compassion International and it all transpired because of the tender heart and fervent love of a precious boy.

You can also know the joy of sponsoring a child and help inspire them through your giving.