It's been a while!

Wow! I have not written in a long time!!! So….I have a lot to say….bear with me :)

When the Lord teaches me something, I have learned to hold tightly to it because it works! And it only works HIS way! Lately, I have felt the presence of the Lord in ways I haven’t in a long time. I should tell you, though, that it hasn’t always been easy. For instance, my mind is such a warzone. I know the Lord can heal ALL my fears, and ALL my worries, but for some reason they still pop up. I’m not even sure I fully believed that He could heal me in such a way that I don’t have to struggle AT ALL, but He healed David of all his fears, so why couldn’t He heal me too? He can! And all throughout His word He explains the importance of training our minds and fighting with the weapons He has equipped us with. The fact that these weapons are so readily available, leaves me with no excuse for not using them. Then again, this battle that we all fight is the Lord’s too. He wants to fight for us. Isn’t that just amazing? The battle has already been won, and I am finally learning to cling to that promise! I am not defeated. You are not defeated. No matter what our past experiences have been, He is doing a NEW thing. He renews our mind, transforms our thoughts, and restores our spirit daily….this is what He wants to do! We just have to let Him and GIVE it over to Him. I don’t know about you, but my mind can come up with some crazy situations that are ridiculous and so bizarre! Sometimes, it even occurs during my sleep, which results in some very negative dreams. Praise the Lord that I know Him a little better than to believe that these things mean something. Honestly, I believe dreams stem from either a traumatic experience or a past hurtful situation. I don’t believe my dreams are from the Lord. I think the enemy will try every method of attack possible, which includes sleep. Does this mean that we have to believe it? Heck no. I believe that I am walking in the will of Him who made me, and my confidence lies in Him and His Word that has guided me here. Not in a dream I may have or an attack on my mind that I may fight. And honestly, I have found encouragement amidst the battle. For it is when we are walking along the path that could most glorify the Lord, that satan realizes he better up his “game.” So throughout this process of refinement, I have learned to commit myself 100% to the Lord, my relationships, and any other thing that I attempt. For when we commit, we find that freedom that we so long for and that He so graciously gives and wants us to have! There is nothing like it! The peace that flows and surrounds me when I recognize this and do it fully, is incomparable to any other form of rest. When I look back at the “red sea” He parted while I was in Uganda and to all the other blessings He has brought into my life, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. Trials are temporary…..His Word tells us this. Don’t give up, and don’t jump ship just because it may be tough. This is exactly where He wants you, and once we endure and come out on the other side, His blessings are measureless! Ahh…I cannot wait! Our thinking has got to change…..we must see ourselves as He sees us. I am blessed to have someone in my life that truly illustrates the Lord’s love towards me. He would love for me to see myself as he sees me, and if that is the case, then how much MORE would the Lord love for us to see ourselves as He sees us!? Let me tell you, SO MUCH MORE! So let us draw near with confidence to the throne of Grace and realize how precious we are to our wonderful Maker. Our Healer. Our Peace. Our designer…He knit together every part of us! I am realizing the importance of speaking truth, even in matters that seem hopeless or that continue to be an issue. Speak truth! Over yourself and over any situation you are in. Speak thankfulness….in all things offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. And speak TRUST. Trust in Him will put all things in perspective.

I trust You, Lord. I surrender my life to You. You are always present, holding me by the hand. May I ever be more aware of this. Thank you for refining us, even if it is through fire sometimes. We can only expect great things from You!!! Amen.