Speak to your problems

When you feel sad or broken in spirit there’s something very important that you can do. Whatever problems or challenges you may be suffering, you can change your circumstances by doing a few simple things. I’ve been trying this for a few days and it’s been working wonders.

The first thing we do when we have a problem is focus on it. And this is our mistake, especially when all we do is go around complaining and acting like a victim. We need to take our problems directly to god instead. He should be our main focus. It’s hard to find god in the dark and sometimes we don’t recognize him in all our pain. But he is there, always. We only need to walk by faith not by feelings or sight.

Besides having faith and focusing on god. We need to renew our mind. Think and pray. Ask god for new ideas. Pray for god to see you through and to help you learn something from what you are going through.

My first response in the darkness is to run. I want to get rid of whatever adversary I’m facing. See I fear it, I fear the discomfort of it and I just want life to go back to ” normal”. But that’s the wrong attitude especially when I look back at all the hard times in my life and see all the blessings god brought out of them.

Those were times of great distress for me yet I survived and not only did god see me through them but my life was richer and better. For example, I was in love with and married my high school sweetheart. I was so in love with him and thought I’d die without him. But eventually we got a divorce and it shattered me for a long time. I was mad at god and the world. Yet little by little I’d pray and seek god. Although it took years to heal god finally restored my life. First, he helped me realize that the only man who can make me happy and give me my hearts desire is Jesus. I can do all things through him.

Then he blessed me with a wonderful career. I was never a single mom living on welfare or needing public assistance, not that it’s wrong to go through something like that. I’m writing this to say that I didn’t go through that because seeking god delivers us and blesses us beyond our wildest dreams.

Finally, god gave me a terrific husband. I remember taking walks with my son and we’d look up to heaven and ask Jesus to give J a good dad. O how that used to bring me to tears. The longing for love and security can be so painful and strong sometimes.

God didn’t send my husband right away thou. It took a few years. Sometimes I thought god didn’t care but I was wrong. I just wanted god to work on my time table but he never does you know. I’m glad he doesn’t because this is how we give him the glory.

See its easy to ask and get an answer right away. This will only make us run to god when we need things. This is wrong. God desires for us to have a relationship with him. He wants us to speak to him and share our thoughts. He also wants to share his thoughts with us.

God makes us wait on him. During the waiting periods there’s healing taking place, tests that are to be passed, lessons to be learned and opportunity to know the creator on a deeper level so that we may know that it was him alone who solved our problem and got us through our trial.

I know my husband is a gift from god. I know it by the way he loves me. I know it by the way he treats me. I know it by his character. I learned a lot from my previous marriage. I especially discovered the kind of husband I want. The only other person who knew the type of husband I wanted was Jesus and he sent him to me. God used my divorce to make me wiser and more appreciative of my husband. I learned not to take things for granted.

By far I’m not married to the perfect man nor am I the perfect wife. We have challenges like everyone else. But god steps in and builds a solid foundation where you know you are blessed no matter what because this is from him and he loves you. The trials he gives us are to build us and get us closer to him.

God will never give up on you so please don’t give up on him. He will help you. Only believe.
The next time you have a problem do the following:
1. Get on your knees as soon as you have a problem. Don’t make god the last resort. Before you complain, before you go to others for advice and before you panic, run to Jesus. Tell him all about it.

2. Start focusing on god and speak to your problem out loud. Read the bible so you can attack your problem with scriptures. Say things like: let nothing bother you. Let nothing disturb you. Everything passes away except god, he alone is sufficient (yes! This problem will pass). Or say, be anxious for nothing. Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

3. If you are still having problems ask a church member to pray with you and for you.

4. Seek god. Go to church, worship, read the bible or watch biblical tv channels.

5. Speak blessings over your life. If the problem is with another person then pray for them and don’t bad mouth them. Pray for god to save them, bless them, help them, and to give them a good life. Even if you don’t mean it, praying for them will help you. So do it now.

God bless you and protect you always.

His Grace is Enough

God! Thank you!!!
I really didn’t want to take my ma to work n all night I was thinking of saying no to taking her. I even felt anxious in the morning. Then I asked the holy spirit to come and guide me. I asked u to not let me sin or yell. Father it was such a nice ride! I told her I was sad n I didn’t lose my temper listening to her advice. She even prayed for me. Then, n this the awesome part, she hugged n kissed me as she got out of the car! Wow I longed for that from her for so long. Thank you god! Thank u!!!
Next as I drove home, I felt sad n anxious again. So I started singing n praising u. Lord I screamed n cried Jesus several times. This gave me more panic n headaches but only for a few seconds. Then ur peace took over. O how refreshing that was. U r the calm in my storm.
I finally made it home in some what of a better mood until I read a text from my sister. She wanted me to go be w the kids instead of dropping them off to me. Well I snapped in my head. How dare she make such a request? Then I realized my emotions were too much for her  silly text. I asked god to calm me n not get panicky. I finally wrote back no. Thank u that I didn’t go crazy on her like I sometimes do, especially lately.
So the kids came. Before they came thou, I was anxious about their presence. Would I snap n be mean like I was w my mom over the silliest thing? Would I have to call my sister because I could not handle her child? No lord, no I wouldn’t. I actually saw them for who they are. My family. I looked at them w love. When I held my niece she felt light n I felt joy n love. That was all u father. Ur spirit filled me. Idk how it happened. But love took over!
It’s because of love that we had a great morning. It’s because of love I took my niece to trader joes n kept picturing how similar it would be to do the shopping w my own daughter. Thank u for using her to give me hope n to train me to be a good mom. Thank u for making her presence in my life draw me to want kids.
Ps : thank u that I haven’t lost my patience while writing this w two kids jumping, playing, n banging into me n around me.

Finding God in the dark

Where’s God in your darkest hour? Where is he when you need a friend or when you need to understand why your life is going the way it is? Where is he when you are lonely and you feel that no one cares or understands?

Here’s where God has been fitting in my life at this dark time:
1. He’s in the Bible. Even when I get upset reading about his peace and love because my emotions and mind are steering me in the opposite direction, I still pick it up because it’s life’s most important manual.

2. He’s in spiritual books that speak to my heart and directs it in the right path according to his will.

3. He loves me through my husband who cares so much about me. He’s the most loving and understanding man I know. He has sacrificed so much for me and he continuous to love and forgive me. He’s my Jesus!

4. He’s with me in the moment. I get in trouble when I recall the past with its failures and loses. I get anxious when I think of the future and visualize the worst. But when I breath and concentrate on the moment, then I can handle it better, especially when I seek him.

5. He’s with me when I pray. I started getting anxious this morning so I prayed. I prayed for grace and strength to handle the next five minutes of my life. I prayed to surrender to his will. And it worked. But sure enough, just a little while later, I became anxious about waking children up, having an attitude, not being able to handle food shopping and losing control. So I prayed. One task at a time. I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me and to help me. I asked him to handle what I can’t do or control. I even cried out Jesus’ name while driving.

Looking back at my day I can say that it was a little easier every time I sought the Lord. So instead of giving up when life is hard, Trust him for the moment. Give him all your cares and concerns. Please seek him and never give up!

He answers

Church was absolutely delightful. I received so much needed encouragement. The words of a song popped out at me: I call. You answered and you came and rescued me and I want to be where you are.
The lord knows I keep calling for him to help me. I’m so glad he answers and rescues me. God is faithful he will see me and you through the toughest times of our lives. Only believe and never give up!

Have Your Way

Dear god,
Thank you for your word. Father thanks for helping me read the bible. Please make it a priority to read it with my family. I pray that they may know and trust you lord.
Lord I’m starting to appreciate it when things don’t go my way. Im learning to ask for your advice on every matter. You sure are teaching me that your ways are better then mine and you are allowing me to be patient. It’s ok if I don’t get what I want. It’s ok to adjust plans and roll with the punches.
Lord this is your day so have your way in me and through me. Help me to give you my plans. You are the boss. Watch over me. Lead me to victory in Jesus.

A healthy mind

Someone once said you can’t be physically healthy until you become spiritually healthy……

Today’s topic focuses on our mind. The mind is so powerful that if we don’t learn to discipline it and yield it to God continuously, we will lead a life of disappointments.

For the past few years, I’ve been trying to eat better and do yoga. I became sick and tired of being sick and tired. I spent money on supplements and other health items to get a sense of well being.

Yet I still sensed something was wrong. Even on days I felt physically well, I would still feel drained and weak.

Then the lord lead me to this truth: you can’t get physically healthy until you get spiritually healthy. This is so true and vital because our thoughts have such an impact on our lives.

I tend to be a very negative person, especially when I allow my mind to wander off. But here are something’s that have worked to help me stay spiritually connected to God:
1. I pray the moment I open my eyes. I spend a few minutes thanking god for the many blessings in my life. Then I give him my concerns. I try to leave every burden at the cross and let him deal with it. I also invite him as my partner for the day.

2. I talk with god through out the day. I share problems, I pray to be Jesus to someone, I ask for forgiveness etc.

3. I find some time during the day to read my bible or spiritual books. I like to meditate on scriptures or ideas.

4. I try to be like Jesus with everyone I meet and in every challenge. ( this is tough at first and I still fail at it because no one can be like Jesus 100% of the time). But this is the least I could do for a god who gave up his life for me.

5. I try to focus on god instead of my problems. Focusing on my problems brings about fear, doubt and frustration. Focusing on god brings about hope, peace and a sense of victory.

So, if we keep our minds spiritually healthy, the rest of our body will follow and one day we will have a healthy mind and body.

Discouragement

Dear good,
I find myself getting more and more frustrated as I read the bible. It speaks of love and peace. It says that you want us to be gentle, humble and kind to others. What’s driving me crazy is that I feel the total opposite of this. I can’t seem to shake it off. Everything bothers me. Even reading the bible is beginning to upset me. I don’t know how to be blessed with your peace and love. I don’t know how to walk in it and I hear myself saying I don’t want to be kind, patient and humble like the lord at times. There are some days where I don’t want to act the way I should.
What’s wrong with me God? Why am I changing for the worst? I’m becoming so bitter and nasty. I’m losing my faith as well as my hope. I don’t want to be like this, yet here I am.
What should I do about it? What do you want me to do? I’m very sad god. It seems like I live to have a miserable life. I’m just waiting for everything to go wrong. I don’t want to anymore. I’m sad. I don’t find my joy in the lord. I don’t know what “Christ in me” is all about anymore. Show me how to hold on. Make me a stronger Christian.

Sharing our feelings in prayer

The following is an illustration of how real, loving and close god really is to meeting all our needs. Regardless if our problems are too big or not, god loves to walk us through things.

Dear God,
I was hesitant about going food shopping with my mom because I usually have an attitude and act mean towards her, I remember feeling frustrated while driving to pick her up. then I prayed. Lord I asked you to be my eyes, mouth and hands. I asked you to make me like you and to help me not sin.
It’s amazing what you did for me. I had such a longing to be with her and to help her. I was so patient. That was not me but all you. You did it lord. Thank you. Wow Jesus it’s like you showed me that being like you means longing and seeking after people. I can’t even imagine how your love for us is like!

Thank you God

Dear God,
Thank you for all you do each and everyday in my life. Thank you for this morning: I was able to get up, shower, and make lunch within a decient amount of time. Thank you for my sons awesome stories. They are really interesting. Thank you for making me a mom. Thank you for watching a message about not giving up on marriage or people. Thank you for watching over my wonderful husband. Please help him get well soon. Thank you for hot water in the shower and delicious lunches. Thank you for worship songs that help get me through the day. Thank you for forgiving me my sins. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Thank you for much better health. Thank you for helping me not eat chocolate yesterday.

Prayer really does work. Thank you for teaching me a lesson about forgiveness and the right and wrong way to act through that lady at Target who wanted the same parking space as me.Thank you for my mom. Thank you for allowing me the chance to help her with her things.
Thank you that you will open doors for her and that she will live to see many miracles. Thank you for watching over her and keeping her healthy and safe. Thank you for seeing her through. Thank you for watching over her and meeting her needs and thank you because you will meet her unmet needs and all her prayers will be answered soon. Thank you for my car and its reliability. Thank you for patience and peace. Thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you for my sister and niece. Thank you for watching over them and keeping them safe. Thank you for protecting them and helping them. I know you will never leave them or forsake them. Thank you for my brother. Thank you that he is going to school and his future will be bright. Thank you that he will be a terrific dad soon.