Whatever the pain, the cry is the same!!

Make it stop! Those are the words of most any child that gets hurt and it continues to be the cry, though often inwardly, of adults.  Pain is universal.  Everyone has experienced it in some way or another.  There are different types of pain and different levels. 

Types: There is the pain when a loved one passes away.  There is the mental and physical pain of abuse.  There is the pain involved in a break up.  There is the pain experienced when you stump your toe.  There is the pain experienced when you hurt someone else.  There is the endless chronic pain that some suffer with each day due to an illness or disease.  Whatever the type of pain, the cry is the same. “Make it stop!”

Levels: When visiting a doctor for treatment, usually the first thing they ask is if you are in pain.  If so, what level between 1 and 10 with 10 being excruciating.  They use these numbers as a gauge to try and identify with what you are experiencing.  Most of us have different thresholds or tolerances for pain. One person’s 3 may be another person’s 10.  It is all up to the individual.  We should be careful not to tell someone that what they are experiencing is not that bad based on our experiences.  We are to be supporters and comforters if we are well enough in our own right to assist.

Relief: What do you do when you are in pain? There are options! As a child we may have run to our mothers for help.  When your heart is broken from a relationship, do you run to another?  Think again.  There is medication for the pain.  Physical remedies can be found over the counter and are sometimes prescribed.  There are counselors for the mental pain.  Most importantly there is a MIGHTY counselor that handles ALL of the pain.  HE is the Doctor.  HE is the counselor.  HE is the answer.  The bible is full of reminders of God’s healing power and His everlasting love. 

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

1 Cor 13: 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Rev 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

If you are hurting due to circumstances or condition, don’t give up.  Be reminded of the answer.  Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”. 

 

Just Because You Can't See it Doesn't Meant It's Not There!

Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. You don't see the wind yet recognize its presence as the trees sway. You don't see the Holy Spirit but you recognize Him in your heart. You don't see God but you see Him in others & witness His wondrous works.

The answer you are seeking is there. It's being worked out. It will be revealed to you when you are ready to receive it. Continue to seek & trust God for it. It's on the way. In the meanwhile, stay in His will and allow Him to lead the way.

Jeremiah 29:11 - 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Let's Do The Math

Deep down we know what our wants needs & desires are. We know how we want to be treated and loved. In my opinion we mess up when we bury those innate desires and settle for something else. We try and bend to fit the mode of what is being offered instead of waiting for what God will provide. The word says if we delight in Him then He will give us the desires of our heart. We get inpatient and think it's not coming or this relationship is close enough so I'll take this. God does not want us to settle. He wants what is best for us.   In another vein, If you are in a relationship and you KNOW without a doubt that you are not being treated the way you should be, why are you still in it? I'm not speaking on marriage. That is a totally different level of commitment.  I'm talking about any other non binding relationship be it a job, a friendship or a coupleship (smile). Are you waiting for something better to come along?  If so, you may be missing what God has for you because you are not in position to receive it. You are bound, tied up and wrapped up in the wrong place and and space. You need to be available to receive your blessing.   Do the math! None of us are average. None of is are less than. We are greater! The word says, greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world 1 John 4:4.  That means the God in us is great. Tell yourself each day that you are great. Even when you are sad, upset, confused, befuddled or disgruntled - you are Great!  You deserve to be happy, fulfilled and satisfied, & living abundantly. I ask that you pray & seek Gods will in your life.  I pray that you be blessed beyond measure as you live in the greatness that is you in Jesus name.  Amen 

Falling does not mean Failure

It's not IF you lose your footing, but when. We all do it at varying degrees eventually. Some fall harder than others; therefore everyone doesn't recover the same. Just as with any injury, our bodies heal differently. It takes some longer than others. Some have to crawl before standing. It is not our place to judge the why. It's our job to help each other up. More importantly, it's what you do after the fall that matters most.

Once you've fallen, realize that you are not alone and ask for assistance if needed. You might be thinking that it's too hard. Whenever I fall, I think about Jesus carrying the cross. He was weighed down by the cross beam, stumbled and Simon of Cyrene helped Him by carrying the cross.  Jesus saved us from ourselves by getting up and going to the cross AND by getting up on that third day. Nothing could keep Him down. He didn't have to but He chose to. We have freewill/choices too. We have to choose to get up after we fall.

As you reflect on 2011, maybe there were some things that you wish you'd have done differently. Maybe there were some choices that you made that caused you to fall. Falling does not mean failure. It means forgiving yourself and others and Pushing Forward.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Masking the Hurt

Why do people hurt each other? Why would they choose to hold malice in their hearts or grudges?

Many times, anger is a mask for hurt.  Rather than admitting that someone has hurt them, they lash out in anger.  Thus begins a vicious cycle of anger, decisions to not forgive and eventually the loss of a relationship.

Who gets the glory in this madness? The enemy! He is more than happy to cause mayhem and crush the love that people have for each other. He knows that God is love therefore he hates love. He would rather see friendships, relationships, and family ties broken over misunderstandings. He would NEVER want anyone to remove the masks, admit the hurt and push forward.  

1 John 4:7 says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God…” I beg you today. Reach out to those that you have severed ties with. If there is any love for them in your heart, know that it is worth mending the broken pieces.  Not only is tomorrow not promised, but neither is our next breath. Holding onto to the anger, pain and hurt isn’t worth it. As folk say.. let go and let God!

"Do not allow bitterness to block the beauty of joy in your heart!" #gigisms

Keeping you lifted

We travel across bridges, often without ever thinking about how much weight it can hold or how it is holding us up. 

We just know that it is built to sustain us.

A bridge is held up by bridge piers. It is the main support and superstructure on which the bridge rests upon. It is usually constructed of masonry, steel or concrete and is founded on firm ground.  It reminds me of the palm of a hand. Not just any hand, but God’s hand.

Just like that bridge pier, our God is keeping us lifted. While we scurry about life, He is holding us in the palm of His hand, supporting us. He is our strong tower. He is our rock. In the time of a storm, He is our protector. He is our shelter.  He is stronger than any man made material and He has no limits. “God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).”  He is sovereign and offers salvation to us all. 

He loves us all, for He is love.

Thank you Lord for keeping us lifted. Thank you for being there for me when I am not there for myself. Thank you for everyone reading this today. May they be forever protected by your grace and mercy and filled with your everlasting love. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

“On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”-singing 

STOP being STUCK. Don't let your past erase your present!

Whoa! Stop it! Stop reliving the past. Trying to figure out the “what if’s”, the “should’ves” and the “if only’s.” It’s not going to change anything. There is no need to second guess it. “IT”—whatever IT is, happened. Today is the time to pry yourself out of that mire and muck and push forward. I know you are saying, “How? You don’t know what I’ve been through! ” Of course I don’t know your situation but I DO know that it isn’t healthy to be fixated on things of the past while your present passes you by. STOP being STUCK!
Don’t get me wrong. I am an advocate for therapy and I believe that some issues need to be worked through. All of us go through things, but some are more horrific than others. Some things are petty and can simply be put to rest. Some are lessons to be learned. Nevertheless action must be taken. Action is progression and thus moving forward.

Imagine putting your arm over the back of the chair, looking over your shoulder and backing up your car. Now imagine being stuck like that. Eternally looking backwards!. Everything else in your life is in front of you and you cannot turn around. You have backed into a wall and can only look back. How much would you miss that is going on around you and in front of you????? That is what you miss by being stuck. You miss your present and you block the blessings of your future.

I beseech you today to let it go, seek help or something. The important thing is that you move forward. When you feel yourself looking back or getting stuck, shake it off and pray! The life you save may be your own! STOP being STUCK!

The righteous will move onward and forward, and those with pure hearts will become stronger and stronger Job 17:9 (NL)