Today, my heart is going out to all of those who have experienced heart ache and hardship, disappointment and utter embarrassment from a dysfunctional or broken relationship. As I share my story; my life. As I make myself as transparent as possible to others, they are letting down their guards and become comfortable with sharing their story with me! I am ever so grateful and honored that my story is helping others release. It's one thing to talk to your friends or family about your problems or about how wrong you were done or what you experienced in your relationship, but to open up to a complete stranger because you felt a connection is absolutely amazing! It helps you release the issue in a completely different and liberating way. It is always encouraging to know that you are not the only one who is going through or has gone through such devastating events. It's not a matter of misery loving company but rather misery being understood and empathized with. People who haven't been through it cannot really connect like a person who has. I am elated that I can be that person! I send my sincerest gratitude out to all of you who have shared your story with me, be it privately or publicly.
Now, I want to share what has been in my heart. When we go through these devastating times it can be very hard. We cry, we scream, we feel like we are at our very worst. We want anything to relieve the pain. We feel as though our life is over! How can I go on from here? This was the very worst thing that could have ever happened to me! Why me? I can't take it! Honestly, I have said all of these things. I have felt the exact way that I just described and I am sure many of my hurt sisters and brothers have felt the same. Truth is, your life (my life) is over...as you knew it! Don't look at is at a bad thing because it's not the end!
Although it may feel like the end, I want to share something with you. Isaiah 43 reads, Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I do a new thing; now it shall spring forth... I will even make a way in the wilderness , and rivers in the desert. (Paraphrased a bit).
You know, one day, I woke up and realized what the word "past" meant. I realized that it means anything that is not happening in the present. Everything that happened 30 seconds ago is over and in the past. I cannot get it back, I cannot go back and change it. It's gone. It's over. Forget about it!! What is the point in mulling it over again when the moment is gone?? Once I came to that realization, things began to get a lot easier. I was able to look forward more than backwards. As I mentioned before, it's all a process.
In regards to what was said in Isaiah, it is clear evidence that it is not the end! God said forget about what happened in the past! He said don't even think about how it used to be! You know why? Because He is doing a new thing...IN YOU!!! He is working some things out for you! For me too! All we have to do is continue to look ahead to Him. Making a decision to turn your back and walk away from something that does not glorify God is not a feat taken lightly by the Lord. You will be blessed for your obedience and God will restore to you 100 fold all that the enemy thought he stole!
That scripture says, NOW it shall spring forth! If anybody is getting excited about that, it's me! He didn't say in a little while, he didn't say 5 years from now, 10 years from now. HE SAID NOW! It is not the end! God is doing a brand, spanking, new thing! I know it can feel like you are just left alone and desolate in hard times but He said He will make a way in the wilderness! He will make a way in your lonely times, during your times when you feel like no one really understands. God is there and He is preparing a way for you. He will make a river in your desert! He will send you a refreshing when you feel all dried up and weak! (I am about to shout myself in my room because that just blessed me!)
Praise Your Holy Name Oh God! Thank You for ministering to me in the midst of my ministering to others! I am so undeserving! Thank you for my refreshing!!
I just had to take a moment and worship the Lord for His divine word and illumination! I just wanted to remind you or maybe even tell you for the first time...IT IS NOT THE END! God is doing a NEW thing! Leave the stuff that happened 30 seconds ago or as far as 30 years ago where it is, IN THE PAST. Think on it no more but instead, get excited for the new thing that is springing forth! You're walking forward, right into your destiny!
GREATER IS COMING!
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Transformers
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
As we know, with new beginnings comes the chance to make a new name for yourself. A chance to start over with a clean slate. A chance to reinvent yourself! When you think of reinvention, you think of transformation. You know those plans everyone makes on December 31st of every year for the following year? A resolution or should I say a Re- Solution? A plan to start over and transform themselves to be different in some way, shape or form from the previous year.
Transform means to change in form, appearance or structure; metamorphose. Transformation begins from the inside. It begins with the mind. Once you begin thinking differently, you to see things differently. Once you see things differently, you begin to respond or behave differently. Once you begin to behave differently, you are seen by others differently. It is a domino effect.
With all that has occurred I my life within the pass few months, I find myself at a stage of transformation. I have been asking God to renew my mind when it comes to certain things in my life. It's a process in itself but I can recognize the process. For instance, a lot of us women deal with the issue of wanting to lose weight. By changing my mind about the issue, rather than trying to lose weight for an event or by a certain time, I have begun to notice a change in myself. I have made the decision to be healthy, as healthy as I can be. This is also a process. You take it one step at a time. I have begun to think about the things that I eat that contribute to the way I look and feel. I have begun to think about my future and how much more of a happy life I will have for myself and for my own future family by making healthier choices and being active. My focus is on something greater than just seeing the numbers on the scale go down or fitting into some new skinny jeans. God has opened my eyes to the bigger picture of it all.
That is just area in which I am being transformed. God is working so much in my mind and heart, reshaping me spiritually as well. This is the most important transformation of all. Every new level requires a new amount of strength, grace and wisdom. The enemy's attack gets greater and greater the closer you are to fulfilling the purpose God created you for. Transformation is never ending! It can also be very uncomfortable.
When you are transforming, your are changing the way you used to do things. You are thinking differently and working differently. Sometimes you have to force yourself not to go back to doing things the way you did them before or else your transformation will be stunted. Transformation can be painful at times, you might want to give up. Just as if you were trying to transform your physique. You have to do things differently and on purpose to get different results. Better results. And you know when you get the best results? When you have someone who has been there, made the transformation before you or has wisdom to guide you along in your process. We all need guidance. With that being said, the first step in the transformation process should be humility.
1 Peter 5:6 reads Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. When we are humble to God, were are moldable. He can begin to work on the inside of us to transform us into what He has called us to be and to take us to where He has destined for us to go. We have to be willing to start the process by humbling ourselves to Him first and foremost, secondly to a wise and experienced guide that will also help us along in our journey, whether that be a Pastor, a spiritual counselor, etc.
So that is where I am. I am in my transformation stage. I have gone through my troubled time and now God is beginning to refine me into beautiful gold. It's a process. Is that where you are in your journey right now? Have you begun the transformation process? Have you humbled yourself yet? It's good to stop, be quiet and still, and figure out where you are in your journey. It makes things a lot clearer and you will be much happier once you are aware of where you are and you accept where you are at this time. I know for a fact it can be easier said than done to accept it but you have to know, you are in a process! You are transforming! Look forward to your metamorphoses!
GREATER IS COMING!!!!
As we know, with new beginnings comes the chance to make a new name for yourself. A chance to start over with a clean slate. A chance to reinvent yourself! When you think of reinvention, you think of transformation. You know those plans everyone makes on December 31st of every year for the following year? A resolution or should I say a Re- Solution? A plan to start over and transform themselves to be different in some way, shape or form from the previous year.
Transform means to change in form, appearance or structure; metamorphose. Transformation begins from the inside. It begins with the mind. Once you begin thinking differently, you to see things differently. Once you see things differently, you begin to respond or behave differently. Once you begin to behave differently, you are seen by others differently. It is a domino effect.
With all that has occurred I my life within the pass few months, I find myself at a stage of transformation. I have been asking God to renew my mind when it comes to certain things in my life. It's a process in itself but I can recognize the process. For instance, a lot of us women deal with the issue of wanting to lose weight. By changing my mind about the issue, rather than trying to lose weight for an event or by a certain time, I have begun to notice a change in myself. I have made the decision to be healthy, as healthy as I can be. This is also a process. You take it one step at a time. I have begun to think about the things that I eat that contribute to the way I look and feel. I have begun to think about my future and how much more of a happy life I will have for myself and for my own future family by making healthier choices and being active. My focus is on something greater than just seeing the numbers on the scale go down or fitting into some new skinny jeans. God has opened my eyes to the bigger picture of it all.
That is just area in which I am being transformed. God is working so much in my mind and heart, reshaping me spiritually as well. This is the most important transformation of all. Every new level requires a new amount of strength, grace and wisdom. The enemy's attack gets greater and greater the closer you are to fulfilling the purpose God created you for. Transformation is never ending! It can also be very uncomfortable.
When you are transforming, your are changing the way you used to do things. You are thinking differently and working differently. Sometimes you have to force yourself not to go back to doing things the way you did them before or else your transformation will be stunted. Transformation can be painful at times, you might want to give up. Just as if you were trying to transform your physique. You have to do things differently and on purpose to get different results. Better results. And you know when you get the best results? When you have someone who has been there, made the transformation before you or has wisdom to guide you along in your process. We all need guidance. With that being said, the first step in the transformation process should be humility.
1 Peter 5:6 reads Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. When we are humble to God, were are moldable. He can begin to work on the inside of us to transform us into what He has called us to be and to take us to where He has destined for us to go. We have to be willing to start the process by humbling ourselves to Him first and foremost, secondly to a wise and experienced guide that will also help us along in our journey, whether that be a Pastor, a spiritual counselor, etc.
So that is where I am. I am in my transformation stage. I have gone through my troubled time and now God is beginning to refine me into beautiful gold. It's a process. Is that where you are in your journey right now? Have you begun the transformation process? Have you humbled yourself yet? It's good to stop, be quiet and still, and figure out where you are in your journey. It makes things a lot clearer and you will be much happier once you are aware of where you are and you accept where you are at this time. I know for a fact it can be easier said than done to accept it but you have to know, you are in a process! You are transforming! Look forward to your metamorphoses!
GREATER IS COMING!!!!
Sunday, November 17, 2013
New Season, New Day, New Beginning
Here I am once again,
I have decided to make more of a purposeful effort to write everyday. God continues to work in my life and all glory belongs to Him for how far I have come. I would just like to share where I am at this point.
As you all know, a chapter of my life has ended and I have begun to open up a brand new chapter, with brand new feelings and brand new experiences. I recognize that God has brought me into a new season, a new day, a brand new beginning.
There is a lot on my mind at this time. I have found myself in a search mode once again. A place I have not been in since I was about 22 years old. I am realizing that the old has passed away and everything really has become new. It is almost as if I am starting all over from the beginning and I have been given a second chance to do things better than before. Now this is a great thing! Who doesn't want a second chance? My God is the God of second chance.
Well why aren't I absolutely ecstatic about this brand new blank page??? Why do I feel like it will take me forever to get where I want to be now? Before, I felt as though I was getting closer to the things I wanted such as being a wife, being a mother, having my own family, being the ultimate adult. Now it's like I have to start all over from scratch! How long will it take? I understand patience is virtue but just how long will I have to wait? How much work needs to be completed in me at this time? I see what I want and I am ready to be there now. I am not getting any younger. I feel like I am running out of time! My peers around me have been moving forward in their lives, getting married and starting their own families and I am being left behind. I feel like I have to play catch up!
Yes, I know everyone is in different seasons at different times. This season, I'm sure is a season where God wants to use me completely for His glory. I understand that. I have been catapulted to new levels in my worship and my gift is making way for me. But if I take the time to be honest, I long for these other things. Is that so bad? I am human.
As I sit here, thinking about all that I long for, how far away it seems to me. I open my bible and the verse that is revealed to me is, 1 Corinthians 2:9 which reads: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. I love Him! That means me! If you love Him, that means you!! Sometimes, we get so caught up in our own thoughts, and the enemy can run with those thoughts and we start to believe our own thoughts and forget that God has the final say so. Isaiah 55:8 reads: For My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My thoughts than your thoughts. And you know what he said about His thoughts in Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Now if that isn't good news, I don't know what is!! This post goes to show that the best way to put to rest your own, carnal thoughts and fears is to open up your bible and read the words of the Lord to bring you comfort and to calm all of the fears that the enemy has been trying to run rapid with. I know we all make plans for our lives. I for sure did and they did not work out the way I wanted them. I was supposed to have been married for 5 years by now and have at least 2 children according to my plan. But guess what?! God's plans are the best plans. We don't know them and that is the hard part of it all, but the best thing for me or anyone else can do is TRUST Him.
So there, this post just ministered to me if it didn't minister to anyone else. Greater is coming! It gets here and then God has more!!!! Hold on with me! We get a brand new chance, let's be grateful for it together!!!!
I have decided to make more of a purposeful effort to write everyday. God continues to work in my life and all glory belongs to Him for how far I have come. I would just like to share where I am at this point.
As you all know, a chapter of my life has ended and I have begun to open up a brand new chapter, with brand new feelings and brand new experiences. I recognize that God has brought me into a new season, a new day, a brand new beginning.
There is a lot on my mind at this time. I have found myself in a search mode once again. A place I have not been in since I was about 22 years old. I am realizing that the old has passed away and everything really has become new. It is almost as if I am starting all over from the beginning and I have been given a second chance to do things better than before. Now this is a great thing! Who doesn't want a second chance? My God is the God of second chance.
Well why aren't I absolutely ecstatic about this brand new blank page??? Why do I feel like it will take me forever to get where I want to be now? Before, I felt as though I was getting closer to the things I wanted such as being a wife, being a mother, having my own family, being the ultimate adult. Now it's like I have to start all over from scratch! How long will it take? I understand patience is virtue but just how long will I have to wait? How much work needs to be completed in me at this time? I see what I want and I am ready to be there now. I am not getting any younger. I feel like I am running out of time! My peers around me have been moving forward in their lives, getting married and starting their own families and I am being left behind. I feel like I have to play catch up!
Yes, I know everyone is in different seasons at different times. This season, I'm sure is a season where God wants to use me completely for His glory. I understand that. I have been catapulted to new levels in my worship and my gift is making way for me. But if I take the time to be honest, I long for these other things. Is that so bad? I am human.
As I sit here, thinking about all that I long for, how far away it seems to me. I open my bible and the verse that is revealed to me is, 1 Corinthians 2:9 which reads: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. I love Him! That means me! If you love Him, that means you!! Sometimes, we get so caught up in our own thoughts, and the enemy can run with those thoughts and we start to believe our own thoughts and forget that God has the final say so. Isaiah 55:8 reads: For My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My thoughts than your thoughts. And you know what he said about His thoughts in Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Now if that isn't good news, I don't know what is!! This post goes to show that the best way to put to rest your own, carnal thoughts and fears is to open up your bible and read the words of the Lord to bring you comfort and to calm all of the fears that the enemy has been trying to run rapid with. I know we all make plans for our lives. I for sure did and they did not work out the way I wanted them. I was supposed to have been married for 5 years by now and have at least 2 children according to my plan. But guess what?! God's plans are the best plans. We don't know them and that is the hard part of it all, but the best thing for me or anyone else can do is TRUST Him.
So there, this post just ministered to me if it didn't minister to anyone else. Greater is coming! It gets here and then God has more!!!! Hold on with me! We get a brand new chance, let's be grateful for it together!!!!
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