When U Pray

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭23:19‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/num.23.19.erv

We have to stop thinking God is like all the people who hurt us. We have to stop thinking he is caught up in things of the world. We need to get to know who God is for us.

Jehovah Jirah, he is our provider

Jehovah Rapha, he is our healer

Jehovah Shalom, he is our peace

God is not your molestor

God is not your abuser

God is not your accuser

God is not your enemy

God said he would never leave you nor forsake you and that is why you did not die when you were molested and abused, it is why you are still here despite the lies and confusion the enemy attacked you with.

We often listen to people who have no hope who believe that if there was a God we wouldn’t suffer. No where did I see that we wouldn’t suffer but he said we wouldn’t suffer alone. God allows free will to all, their free will may cause us harm but, My God

Is with me even till the end of the earth.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/jer.29.11.erv

“I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/rom.15.13.erv

“So these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:13‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/1co.13.13.erv

“My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be. Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-6‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/jas.1.2-6.erv

2017 is the year of love! It’s the year of believing love is enough, it’s the year of knowing that Love does vanquish hate.

“Do everything in love.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:14‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/1co.16.14.erv

Love has been discussed, explained and defended since the beginning of time. What does it mean to you? Have you ever sat down and thought about the way you love? What you need from love? Have you ever asked yourself If you understand love? Me too!

I was evaluating love, really thinking about how often I say “I love you”. It’s a lot, I say it to family, friends and a few co-workers, but does it really mean love, like real love? I think it does, there is romantic love, familia love and friendship, all are different types of love and come with a variety of expectations.

Love has a responsibility to be blameless and enduring. Once you have created a bond of love you are responsible for it. It can’t be dependent on how the other person treats you. Love stands alone, it cannot be not tied to expectations or requirements. If I tell you I love you, I do. If you don’t love me back, that is your right but it won’t change my love for you. Love has to be set free from other people’s expectations.

“Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:7‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/1co.13.7.erv

Be responsible for your love, give it freely and expect nothing in return.

“Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:6‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/1co.13.6.erv

If you choose the path of love, remember love is its own reward.

““If you love only those who love you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners love those who love them!”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:32‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/luk.6.32.erv

I choose love!

I have seen several posts on Facebook asking nonbelievers why they are so angry at believers? The comments were staggering and sometimes eerily accurate. Many people questioned the inconsistencies found in the bible🙋🏽‍♀️ I have too. Whenever I see inconsistency I attribute it to interpretation and move on because one of the biggest tenements of Faith is believing what you can’t see. “Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

http://bible.com/1/mat.9.29.kjv

But one of the biggest reasons people turned from God is people. The hipocracy found in people who claim to love God. The unforgiveness, constant judgement and lack of love between supposed Christians and toward people they consider unsaved. I challenge each of us today to accept one another as is. I challenge all of us to realize we are more alike than we are different and if we show love and compassion to one another we can create a world of peace.

I choose to love God but that does not prevent you from believing what you do. I won’t assume you’re wrong if you don’t assume I am. One thing I know for sure, it is impossible for al of us to be right. But we could all be wrong.

Today, I choose love!

I have seen several posts on Facebook asking nonbelievers why they are so angry at believers? The comments were staggering and sometimes eerily accurate. Many people questioned the inconsistencies found in the bible🙋🏽‍♀️ I have too. Whenever I see inconsistency I attribute it to interpretation and move on because one of the biggest tenements of Faith is believing what you can’t see. “Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

http://bible.com/1/mat.9.29.kjv

But one of the biggest reasons people turned from God is people. The hipocracy found in people who claim to love God. The unforgiveness, constant judgement and lack of love between supposed Christians and toward people they consider unsaved confuse people, and me.

God said we will all answer for our sins, there will be judgement but he didn’t ask us to judge his people, he asked us to love them. That’s it, that’s the task. There is no debate

““I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭13:34‬ ‭ERV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/406/jhn.13.34.ERV

“My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭ERV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/406/1jn.3.18.ERV

Man, look at where you where last year this time… guess what? You made it.

I’m not saying it was easy but your still here and that my friends is a good thing. No matter what your facing right now, remember God is bigger than that thing. It’s not always easy to trust him but if you can just have faith even the tiniest bit, it’s enough. Let your faith overcome your fear, let your faith destroy strongholds, let your faith pave the way for better days.

I know people are always saying trust God, have Faith, Cast your cares on the Lord, and they make it sound easy. You are often left feeling like the wrong kind of Christian because it’s just not that easy. But I’m here to tell you, it wasn’t easy for them either, they had to learn it the hard way, when they turned left and right they had turmoil so they looked up. When they needed someone to have their back, no one was around so they had to stand with their back to the wall and pray to the angels. I’m saying all this to say, you’ll get it, it will become easier because better days are coming.

“But you, Lord, protect me. You bring me honor; you give me hope. I will pray to the Lord, and he will answer me from his holy mountain. Selah”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭3:3-4‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/psa.3.3-4.erv

Awww, shift,

move or cause to move from one place to another, especially over a small distance.

Hmmm as I have meditated on this deep in my heart I wonder if I am willing to shift? I know that there is a need for all of us to keep shifting so that we do not become stale and or unstable

But do we? I looked over my life and asked myself if I had done all that I could? All that I should? All that I am capable of?

Are you willing to shift? You know, let go of something that is holding you down. Are you ready to give up someone who you know is not good for you? Are you ready to walk away from that job that keeps you sad and depressed? Are you willing to put aside your pride and apologize to those you have hurt, intentionally and unintentionally? Are you ready to shift into the next phase of your life.

God is calling you to the next chapter of your life. You don’t have to die to have peace, joy and self fulfillment.

Shift, it’s time to go live your dream life. Go back to school, if that’s your dream. Shift, you want to start a business? Go, do it. Shift, you want to write a book, start writing. Shift, you want a deeper relationship with God, bend the knee. Shift, you want out of a bad relationship, leave, even if you have to go with just the clothes on your back, shift.

It’s time, life is for the living.

“But let those who trust in you be happy forever. Protect and strengthen those who love your name. Lord, when you bless good people, you surround them with your love, like a large shield that protects them.”

‭“Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you. This is what we pray: that God will make you completely sure of what he wants by giving you all the wisdom and spiritual understanding you need; that this will help you live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases him in every way; that your life will produce good works of every kind and that you will grow in your knowledge of God;”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:9-10‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/col.1.9-10.erv

“Listen to your teacher and learn all you can.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23:12‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/pro.23.12.erv

Dear Heavenly Father,

I offer this prayer to the men and women who will help shape the minds of our children. I pray that you will bless them indeed, that you will give them supernatural patience, joy, peace and kindness. I pray that every school will be a safe harbor for the children, there will be no bullying, no sexual abuse, physical abuse or mental abuse. I pray that the angels will light the path to the school house and guard it so our children are not detoured, delayed or trafficked.

“Every morning, Lord, I lay my gifts before you and look to you for help. And every morning you hear my prayers.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/psa.5.3.erv

Lord I pray that these teachers will be supplied with the proper tools to teach, to nurture and to develop the minds of the future. You know the plans you have for these children God, let your will be done in these classrooms. Let every person they encounter in these schools speak life, and not death to our children. I pray that no time will spent chasing unruly children, that as they enter the school grounds your peace and your grace should be made tangible and effective over their behavior. I pray that the classroom will be peaceful and no child shall be left behind.

“Lord, hear my prayer. Listen to my cry for mercy.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭86:6‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/psa.86.6.erv

“The Lord is the source of wisdom; knowledge and understanding come from his mouth. He gives good advice to honest people and shields those who do what is right.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2:6-7‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/pro.2.6-7.erv

“You have never asked for anything in this way before. But ask in my name, and you will receive. And you will have the fullest joy possible.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/jhn.16.24.erv

I come asking this prayer in full faith knowing that it will be so. I ask that if you read this prayer, you will agree with me because we know where two or more agree on anything in this earth, it will also be in heaven.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Are you happy with your current life? Your marriage, your job, kids, friendships and affiliations? Are you content and believe you’re meeting your full potential?

What is happy? The dictionary defines it as a feeling of contentment and pleasure and another definition is fortunate and convenient..ooh that’s interesting for sure. Is your life convenient? Hmmm I didn’t see that one when I started down this path.

Well back to my original question, are you happy or happy enough?

Have you decided to settle for what you have because fear is keeping you from what you want? Have you settled for a boyfriend when a husband is what you want? Have you settled for lust when love is what you crave? Have you settled for an apartment because you are afraid to want a house? Have you decided a dog or cat was what you could have when you really wanted children? Have you accepted your life because you are terrified to want something more?

Don’t be afraid my friend to go for what you need. I realize that when moving forward you are going to leave some things or people behind but that’s ok. Don’t let fear of failure create a barrier for you, make it your mantra. I will not fail, I can do this, God is in me, I cannot fail.

So if you were thinking of starting a business, do it. Ask for help, reach out, research and do it. You cannot fail you just may win different. If you were planning to get your GED but pride is stopping you, get over yourself and go do it, call the high school and ask. You don’t have to tell anyone, just go do it, for yourself. If you want to go back to college, cal them, speak to a counselor and financial aid, it may be easier than you thought. If you know you’re having mental issues but keep hiding it from your loved ones, stop, tell them what is going on and seek help. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. If you need to lose weight, stop putting yourself down, step down off the couch and go outside or to a gym and start walking, eat a little less each time and do it. You cannot fail, GOD IS IN YOU!

Don’t settle for happy enough, be happy for real. You were created to be happy

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

http://bible.com/1/jhn.15.11.kjv

“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭144:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

http://bible.com/1/psa.144.15.kjv

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

http://bible.com/114/rom.8.28.nkjv

This scripture has been on my mind and heart for the last two weeks. As we are faced with challenges, disappointments, death, destruction and terror it’s hard to believe. When things happen that are unexpected and oftentimes contrary to what God means to us we forget this scripture.

When I think of ALL I get all choked up. It means that when your life went off your plan it was still in Gods plan. It means when you were abandoned by someone you expected to be there, as painful as it was, God had already provided for you in that situation. When you were abused, or were the abuser, God had made provision in that situation. I am not implying that he wanted you hurt, he does not need to damage you to bless you, but whatever the situation is, your All is covered.

Your all and my all may look different. But know that it is All covered.

Now rest assured that the Lord who began a good work in you will continue it until the end. Remember that you were created in his likeness and his image and so you are equipped to deal with whatever you are faced with.

“I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/php.4.6.erv

You know as soon as you confess a word to someone it appears you are tested to see if it’s what you really stand for. A young man was being baptized a few Sunday’s ago and I was giving him a pep talk. I was encouraging him to trust God, no matter how crazy things get. I was fired up and filled with hope. I reminded him that getting baptized put a target on his back and the enemy would be coming for him harder than ever. I was fired up, I kept saying “Make the decision easy for yourself, keep asking yourself, Do I trust God and his word or don’t I?”

Real simple right?

That was my word for him and every since that day the enemy has been attacking my finances. Each day new trouble, new costs, higher credit card balances (i was debt free a year ago) emergency cash needing to be spent., medical bills so high I’m in tears, car repair expenses so high it’s like, never mind leave it broke. I’ve been broke as hell 🤦🏽‍♀️ I mean pinching pennies and feeling dejected, rejected and broken. I keep saying , what in the world is going on? My bills haven’t changed much and neither has my income, why is it not enough right now? Then I remembered, I was just encouraging someone to trust God no matter what it looks like.

So, I went to see what God had to say about this:

“Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“God, examine me and know my mind. Test me and know all my worries.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:23‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“Worry takes away your joy, but a kind word makes you happy.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12:25‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:27‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭55:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭ERV‬‬

And that about sums it up!

Ahhhhh, so are you waiting too? Waiting on the promises that God gave you? Waiting on the peace, the joy, the abundant life? Waiting on the husband, the wife, the children, the Job, or the big one,waiting on The healing?

Don’t give up now, you have waited impatiently this long, just hold on a little longer. I have a few scriptures that can help you when it seems to be too much.

“These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours. This hope is like an anchor for us. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe. It goes behind the curtain.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6:18-19

Another one

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭ERV‬‬

One more

“God is strong and can keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy.”

‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:24‬ ‭ERV‬‬

So don’t give up. Don’t lose hope, our time is not like God’s time and it may seem too long for us but it is exactly the right time for God. He is working things out for your good, healing those spots inside where you have been hurt, mending broken relationships, removing bad relationships making them uncomfortable. He is preparing YOU for what he has prepared for YOU. Trust The Process! Know that even in your impatience he loves you and believes in you, even while you are learning to trust him, he loves you. I know the devil is busy and sends you all kinds of doubts and excuses as to why God is not going to do what he said, but know this, your finances are blessed and this mess won’t last forever, nothing good lasts forever and nothing bad does either. Yes, your children will be ok, keep praying for them and wait on the salvation of the Lord. Yes, your marriage CAN be healed, your hurts CAN be forgiven and forgotten, not by your power but trust in God and see. Yes, your home can be a blessed place, keep believing and you will see.

In the meantime,

“I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/rom.15.13.erv

““I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!””

‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/jhn.16.33.erv

Man, it seems like when things are going bad, it lasts forever. It appears that nothing can go your way and everything you touch crumbles. I sit here and think, what did I do? Where did I make a bad choice that led me to this place? I’m looking at things and knowing in my spirit that all my bills are about the same, my money is about the same but it’s not enough to get the job done. I look at people who I feel make less or do less and they are making it, they are happy and well put together. Life seems to be going fine for everyone else yet I am drowning in debt, drowning in my spirit. What is going on?

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like you were dealt a bad hand, or believed that life has been too hard on you? Have you ever felt like you keep picking the wrong door? Like life’s a game and you are losing?

Stop 🛑 right now and bow your head. Yup it’s easy, bow your head, breathe in slow and let it out slow. You got it, do that a few more times. Ok now that you have some air in your lungs and oxygen to your brain I’ll tell you a secret. EVERYBODY has trials and tribulations.

What seems small to you could be a mountain for someone else. What seems possible for you is impossible for someone else. What you are going through others would love the opportunity to change problems with you. It’s a natural fact that our problems always seem bigger than us. But I have good news.

Nothing is impossible with GOD!

I’m not kidding. Why do you think so many people believe in Jesus? It’s not because we are brainwashed or lazy, it’s because we have learned to trust him. You know how we learned? We trusted him and he proved what he said. He did what he said he would do. We trusted his word and the word became real in our lives.

“But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“God says, “Stop fighting and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations; I am the one who controls the world.””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:10‬ ‭ERV‬‬

““Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Now, I say this, trouble comes but it won’t last always. Trust the process, there are no accidents in the kingdom, all things work together for your good. Take a look back over your life and tell me how you made it over! Yup, he helped you then, he has you know.

As I sit here looking across my property I have a feeling of love, comfort and peace. It’s something about being at home that provides me with inner comfort. Thinking of home reminds me of the Stephanie Mills song,

When I think of home, I think of a place

Where’s there’s love overflowing

I wish I was home, I wish I was back there

With the things I’ve been knowing..

As I go about my life working, traveling, playing, shopping and just enjoying myself I wander far and away from home. I enjoy long trips, short trips, day trips and just being out amongst the people. I am a true extrovert, I am energized by other people and events, I love it. I love watching people in their many forms. I love seeing how God takes two people, mixes them up and creates another. It’s amazing seeing a child with his moms hands or feet, his dads mouth or nose and grandma’s legs. It’s amazing to me the shades that people come in from stark white to rich dark brown that glistens to black. It’s glorious to see the manifestation of people’s ideas about their hair, from bald to locks down the back and every style in between. Dreadlocks, curls, straight hair, half shaved heads and piercings. I’m always a little surprised when I see how people create and recreate themselves. People move me.

I say all that to say let’s celebrate each other and our differences, we may make different choices on how to wear our hair, how to dress or where to put a comma, but in the end, we are more alike than different. Let’s rejoice in our uniqueness and appreciate ourselves so we can appreciate what we see in each other.

Allow God to heal that place in you that holds those ugly words. You know the ones, “you will never be anything more because of your momma”, you are dumb”, “you are stupid”, “you are too fat”, “you are ugly”, “ you are too thin”, “you are or you are. Or something”.. those are just words so let me give you some more.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

You are Gods treasure

You are enough

You are beautiful

God created you, you cannot fail

Believe what you want but I encourage you to believe something beautiful.

Then go home, get revived, rejuvenated and restored.

“A wise woman makes her home what it should be, but the home of a foolish woman is destroyed by her own actions.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:1‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/pro.14.1.erv

Today is the day we celebrate my birth. It’s normally a day filled with selfish behavior, or really spoiled brat baby behavior, but it’s ok. Really it is, who could do this better than me, yeah no one. Lol 😂

I was looking back at my year and thinking, a lot has happened in the last 365 days. I’ve grown in the Lord, I’ve struggled with When U Pray and what it needs to looks like moving forward. I’ve watched my marriage grow and become more fulfilling. I’ve seen my 12 year old granddaughter struggle through school and friendship decisions, various life lessons and just being 12. I’ve seen my 4 year old granddaughter come into her personality and her love for life and everything in it. I’ve watched my daughter continue her struggle with anxiety and depression, watched her show up for panel discussions and blog posts while she was yet in the midst of a panic attack, I’ve been amazed at her capacity to just keep going.

Lord Knows it has not been easy this year. I was thinking In spite of all that I’ve been through I have had some adventures. I spent a week in Palm Springs with the amazing Water Walking Women. I took a two week vacation and went to Rome, Malta and Greece. I got to see the Sistine Chapel, yes little ole me, al I could do was cry and Thank God. I stood on the pages of history in the Roman Colliseum, panicked atop a mountain in Santorini Greece and shopped like a boss in Mykonos Greece, stood outside the atheneum in Greece. I buried my maternal grandfather, my stepfather, my Aunt Kat, one of my best friends, a youndlady I went to church with who was so dope, and my Father. Death has been a constant visitor this last year. I was getting ready to feel sorry for myself until I remembered the many bonds of friendship that were formed and made stronger this year and the healing with family members. There is just too much to be grateful for.

I decided to have joy instead of pain, peace instead of turmoil and love instead of hate. No, my year wasn’t perfect but it was amazing.. looking forward to another year of awesomeness.

“I am telling you this, but not because I need something. I have learned to be satisfied with what I have and with whatever happens. I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:11-13‬ ‭ERV‬‬

http://bible.com/406/php.4.11-13.erv

You ever have a time in your life when you don’t feel like YOU?

I had surgery a few months ago because I was tired of being in pain, not sleeping and being frustrated. I chose surgery because it was a permanent solution and I had tried all of the temporary solutions. They tell you the recovery period and you understand it on some level but I’m not sure They can make could you understand the true healing process.

I’m tired of not feeling like myself, it’s like my body has become a traitor. The aging process takes a toll on the mind and the body; I never imagined a life full of pain. Between menopause, allergies, migraines and a torn rotator cuff I’ve gotten lost.

I understand how people become addicted to pain killers and how they become depressed. This is not the way I planned to spend my spring and summer but it’s the cards I’ve been dealt. Thank God for people who let you rant and rave and vent because without it, I’d be lost.

When I find myself at my lowest, my most vulnerable, I hear a little voice telling me that this is just a test, reminding me that I am not alone, reminding me that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. Then the voice gets louder and louder and and says You can do all things through Christ, yes even this. Then I am reminded in 2nd Corinthians that I can take pleasure in my infirmities because when I am weak, he is strong. Then that voice gets louder and louder and reminds me that in Isaiah 40:29 God gives power to the faint and provides them strength.

Then my heart stills, the voices in my head quiets and my soul is at peace.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s not How you pray , it’s WhenUPray!