HAPPY HOUR: Fridays AT 5:00 P.M.—Kick back after a hard week’s work and enjoy the intoxicating goodness of true love and wisdom without putting a dent in your wallet. It’s like free fast food for your soul. ~Enjoy!
I went through a season of personal transition that rocked my world and took years of prayer for breakthrough from a lie that wielded its power over me. God knew I had spent years praying about the problem and studying what His word had to say about it, but I still didn’t know what to do to get rid of the feeling. You see, I felt like a disappointment to God even though I knew He loved me and adored me.
There are certain people in our lives who naturally carry the power to touch our souls and when they damage our inner being it takes supernatural power to recover. So, God was sweet to take my natural and add His super to supernaturally heal my inner most being.
I’m currently going through an in-depth Bible study on the book of Esther, and over the weekend I was reminded of my posture in being a woman like Esther who enlisted the help of others for overcoming obstacles that led to breakthrough, answers, freedom…life. Once I let my request be known to others who were willing to pray for me; the lie began to be dismantled within minutes and I was completely and permanently free of it within hours.
I wasn’t shocked; nope, but I was excited! I love when God works in my life to show me He’s like no other. I adore Jesus for showing up and showing off with overwhelming, lavish love, tenderness, and complete healing. I’m grateful that the Holy Spirit comforted me through the process. It’s just like Him!
I knew the ‘problem’ was a lie. I knew the truth in my heart and mind, but couldn’t shake the ‘feeling’. Now that I’m on the other side and have freedom over it I can testify, as I can over other life problems, traumas, divorce, death, severed relationships, difficult neighbors, auto-immune diseases …that God uses these places of transition to strengthen my heart, soul, mind and strength in who I truly trust in and what I really believe. Here’s more beauty in the process: in the middle of agonizing brokenness is where God allows us to experience some of our greatest nearness to Him.
My problem reminded me of what the Israelites were to specifically do in the midst of not knowing what to do.
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV). The word deliverance in this verse is translated as victory.
Even though God is never specifically mentioned in the book of Esther His heart and deliverance are beautifully etched in the fabric of the story.
And then there’s these scriptures:
“After having done all; stand.” Ephesians 6:13(NIV).
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
Now I can get back in the place of rest. Ahh…rest. It feels good!
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
When our wounds are exposed to His wounds; our wounds are healed!
How about you? Do you need a breakthrough in some area of your life? Do you need messy wounds washed clean and the devil’s dirty lies wounded; evaporated? Perhaps like me, you need to enlist people to pray for you
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18 (NIV).
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18: 19-20 (NIV).
Cheers! To truth…and to healing!
Lyrics:
You see a girl whose not enough
When you look in the mirror
Some nights all you wanna do is hide
‘Cause every time you look inside
You’re face to face with failure
Not because of what you’ve done, no
Even when your heart has run the other way
Nothing’s gonna change His love
And you are wanted
Not because you are perfect
I know that you don’t think you’re worth that kind of grace
But look into His face you’ll know
That you are loved…Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
That’ll make you feel less alone
But nothing ever saves you
Well He knew before you ever took a breath
There’d be days when you’d forget
How beautiful He made you
Not because of what you’ve done, no
Even when your heart has run the other way
Nothing’s gonna change His love
And you are wanted
Not because you are perfect
I know that you don’t think you’re worth that kind of grace
But look into His face you’ll know…That Jesus
He chose you, He sees you
He knows you, o-o-oh oh
You are covered, forever, beloved, a daughterAnd you are loved
Not because of what you’ve done
Even when your heart has run the other way
Nothing’s gonna change His love
And you are wanted
Not because you are perfect
I know that you don’t think you’re worth that kind of grace
But look into His face you’ll know
That you are lovedLook into His face, you’ll see it there
Look into His face, you’ll know, oh-oh-oh
That you are loved, oh-oh-oh
That you are loved, oh-oh-oh
Look into His face, you’ll see it there
You are loved…
Carolyn, I just stumbled across your blog post on the sad events that unraveled in Independence, KS.
I’m not going to say anything more here other than to say I found your analysis of the situation bold, true, and heartbreaking. I surmised many of the circumstances you alluded to in your blog post. God bless you. I mean that.
I am your former cousin-by-marriage. I serve in ministry and knew you personally many, many years ago. I am so broken-hearted for you and believe you are honoring God by your message(s) here in this blog. I would love to visit with you by email if you are willing. I pray that continues to build peace in your life.