Category: Inspiration
A little more than a month ago, a movie hit the big screen that attracted millions of people to the theatre. Prior to its official release it’s arrival was highly anticipated particularly by women. During the film’s first opening weekend it pulled impressive sales at the box office grossing nearly $30 Million Dollars!
The hype, reviews and acclaim were many as social media went wild on just how good the movie was. As I planned a “Girl’s Day” out with a really good friend of mine, naturally we felt it only made sense to see what all the hype was about! Sadly to say, we both walked away from the experience extremely bewildered.
I found the movie to be a bit repulsive, tacky and tasteless. Both my good friend and I were incredibly boggled by our reactions and why we were not just as giddy over the content as most.
Don’t get me wrong, I did laugh a time or two but it got far fetched at some points and I personally was turned off by at least half of the script. Personally, I certainly would not voluntarily watch it again.
Thereafter, several woman in my life asked if I had seen it. When I shared my view points of the film, I was looked upon as snooty, odd, crazy, and/or too deep.
After a slight confrontation over the matter with some other women just this past weekend, I further analyzed my viewpoints. Why did these women, (including some of the men that overheard the conversation) take offense simply over my personal opinion?
I clearly heard the spirit of The Lord whisper the only answer that makes complete sense, “The reason you did not like the movie is because of ME that’s working in YOU!”
Over the past 4 years my spiritual life and maturity has been a priority. I had to make it that way in order to fight to save my life. Along the journey and in this fight, I’m changing. I absolutely haven’t arrived but change is certainly obvious.
Things I use to do, I just don’t want to do anymore.
Places I use to go are no longer an option for me.
People I use to hang out with don’t fit in my circle any longer and we’ve drifted.
Things I use to hear that never bothered me before now grieve my spirit and I’m just not entertained by it anymore!
Evolving in Christ is inevitable when you are a Christian that refuses to compromise your position in Him for the sake of others.
You’ll begin to see things differently, go against the grain and become remote in your perspective. You may also become viewed as hypothetical especially if your changing is fresh in the eyes of those who knew you when….
When we desire to fit in more with people than we want to stand out in Christ, that’s called COMPROMISE! This blocks blessings, growth and potential. I don’t want this to be an option for me. I want ALL God has and deliberately work on fixing those areas in my life that I truly can control including what gets in my spirit through what I watch and what I hear.
We should always be working on our conduct in Christ being distinct. How else will those who don’t know Him get to know Him? We must represent and not become relaxed by having a greater regard for the world than our Savior.
If we as Believers find comfort without conviction with things that the world accepts, finds entertaining and approves of, we may have begun to plateau in our walk. Be separate from them is what God has called us to do!
Again, I am very much still a work in progress in the things of God. I try not to judge the actions of others while staying open to correction when I am out of line in my Christian journey. But I am grateful and recognize the changes that are coming over me that draws me deeper in Him still. This is my stance unapologetically.
In your walk with Christ what’s one big change you’ve noticed that you know you’re not going back to?
Have you endured ridicule over your strides to be more like Your Savior?
How do you handle the conflict with the world and other believers?
There was a lengthy period in my life when I felt like the poster child of being socially awkward! This is more true as a youth and into my young adult years. I simply hated it!!! I had no clue why and it really bothered me especially when I began to discover that in order to experience success in areas such as business and friendships, one must have some basic fundamental people skills.
I spent most of those years in a shell and excessively introverted. Coming out was about the scariest thing I ever had to face! All eyes on me I never wanted even for a few seconds.
In Christ, I discovered that my awkwardness was due to issues I had with trust, self esteem, lack of experience with people outside of my community and fear! Awkwardness for me wasn’t natural but learned behaviors due to adverse life experiences. I allowed what I was exposed to to shape me and it was indeed crippling!
I don’t like being defeated by my fears so I at least had the courage to face them even though I trembled! Today I am much better in social settings although at times I do still feel like the odd one but I’m ok with knowing I am a little different. (Maybe that or hitting the age “who cares what people think” 40!)
Conquering awkwardness starts with getting over you and embracing your uniqueness.
Stop worrying about what the majority thinks of you when the only opinion that matters is the one that created you!
If you are socially odd you may agree with the statement that people don’t know what to think of you!
You find it hard to fit in and want to so desperately at times. It takes much mental effort to remain in a social setting without wanting to run for isolated cover.
Breaking the Cycle:
1. Do a self assessment- are you off because of a mental health issue?
2. Identify a circle you want to be in and show up.
3. Identify one person and mingle.
4. Stay as long as you can without falling apart.
5. Repeat until it feels natural!
People WILL get use to you, and God always sends someone to embrace you. You will miss this blessing if your exit is premature. You may not connect with anyone the first time around but keep showing up! No matter how hard or uncomfortable it feels, challenge yourself to break through this barrier in your life.
If you’ve done your self assessment and don’t have the mental problems I mention above, then you may be fine just the way you are! Switch to doing an assessment of those you are trying to fit in with. Are you REALLY suppose to be with that crowd?
A fact about Social Awkwardness:
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), nearly 15 million people in the U.S. suffer from some form of social anxiety disorder. That’s a lot of people! The one you are looking at wondering if they think you’re odd could very well be looking back at you with the same question running through their own minds!
You are fearfully and wonderfully made says the Word Of God who does not lie!
Step into your position of being all that God called you to be! Get out there in all you awesomeness and make the sentiment of awkwardness a thing of the past! You can and Must do this!
Happy Friday RealBoldTruth Readers!
Pray you all are blessed and ready for a wonderful weekend!
Wanted to stop by and share my latest article on the Dreamer’s Blog located on the K.I.S.H. Magazine website!
It’s entitled “No Way But Up!”
I felt the spirit of the Lord leading me to encourage those who are in the trenches of bringing that dream to pass that God put in them but have hit major road blocks.
It’s tempting to get frustrated, throw in the towel and become resentful of the obstacle!
But God!
It’s ok to address our adverse emotions but in a healthy way for when we hit the ground there is truly No Way But Up!
http://kish-magazine.com/no-way-but-up/
God’s still faithful!
Check out the other inspirational articles in this incredible motivational magazine as well.
You can pre-order you next copy which features Pastors Toure Roberts and Sarah Jakes-Roberts. Don’t miss out, printed copies DO sell out fast!
Pre-order at http://www.kish-magazine.com
Like a great deal of my fellow Americans, my heart simply aches over the recent events that have taken place in Charlottesville VA. It’s a national disgrace and I’m struggling to see a United front in and for “We The People”. Leadership has also delivered a stance a day or two late leaving me wondering if the good for us all is truly a non-biased priority.
My personal experience and view points regarding the topic of racism runs painfully deep. I was once grossly affected by the matter especially as a youth.
Like yesterday I can clearly recall walking to elementary school with my cousins and needing to run through several blocks to safety or risk getting jagged edged rocks slammed in the back of my head. I eventually mastered dodging the blows but only after being wounded on multiple occasions. This was a daily sprint and no way around the confrontation generated simply because of the color of my skin.
In middle school, a boy spat in my face and called me an ugly nigger. I tried to chase him down in flip flops but never caught up to him. I was left feeling like dirt on the ground as his warm thick saliva oozed over my eye and down my cheek. To this day, I believe spitting on another human beings is one of the worst forms of insult imaginable.
Not long after that another approached me and asked me to perform a disgraceful sexual act on him. I remember feeling so frightened for it took him repeating it several times before I understood what he was asking. He was seriously vulgar and I was just about 9 years old.
Several more instances happened thereafter which I won’t disclose but I remember developing the learned behavior of prejudice by the time I was in high school. All of my insults came from caucasian males and I grew a racist distaste over the very site of them. I put them all in the same category and couldn’t fathom any good at all. As an extended result, I didn’t socialize, befriend or seek to get to know anyone that didn’t look like me. I made the assumption that any race outside of my own automatically hates me and I them.
By the time I was approaching 20, a life changing event occurred that melted away a very deep form of racist hate that had been growing in my heart for years. I had rededicated my life to Christ after hitting some tough places and moved to a neighborhood where most residents did not match my skin complexion. I was overwhelmed by how I was embraced but still had guards up looking for hidden agendas. The acceptance just couldn’t be true as I considered my previous encounters.
Not long after that I befriended a beautiful Korean girl who had a Jewish boyfriend with the biggest heart I’d ever met. Truly the sweetest in my life up to that point. I genuinely grew to love them both and was blessed for these friendships.
I made a point thereafter to not classify everyone simply because of the ignorance of a few. God healed my heart of the deepest form of hate and I purposely sought out opportunities to get to know all kinds of people who were also willing to get to know me.
Today my heart is completely open and longs for diversity in my relationships. I no longer find contentment in surrounding myself with only African Americans. In fact I prefer to worship with a congregation with a healthy mix of all kinds of people. My current church fulfills that beyond description and I have sisterly/brotherly like bonds that far exceed color lines. Our bond is spiritual by the DNA we share through the sacrifice of our common father, Jesus Christ.
It’s a beautiful experience and I would have it no other way. Adding God’s revelation to my adolescent ignorance as I matured showed me the true definition of love. Had I remained stuck on my initial experiences I would have missed out on rapport with some wonderful people. That would have been my loss for certain if I had chosen to remain oblivious.
I pray for our country and won’t give up hope that we can put our racial differences aside, bond together as humans and demonstrate respect instead of hate. Globally, those with a racists agenda are truly the minority and can remain as such if the majority commit to condemn their behavior as completely unacceptable!
This may not come to pass in my life time but at least I’m living proof that with God’s love, even a powerful stance of racial animosity can be healed and conquered in Him. I’m living proof, He’s able.
I have a sister in Christ who does not believe in the term “Haters”. I so respect this woman of God on so many levels but I completely disagree with her view concerning this specific class of people. They REALLY do exist! In fact, I use to be one of her’s as a babe in Christ! I was filled to the max with insecurities, low self image, and not understanding my position in God. Wow! Can’t believe I publicly confessed that and it actually feels REALLY good! RealBoldTruth!
Since I’ve been there, operating as a hater, I know them when I see them!!
By The Way, for those who don’t know the term or its meaning, here are a few:
A Hater is:
A person who simply cannot be happy about another’s success.
An overly opinionated person always pointing out what they feel is a flaw in another.
A negative or critical person.
Haters are typically filled with jealousy and envy. They spend way too much time consumed about what God put in others that they fail to appreciate, discover and embrace what He actually put in them! What a waste! The root of the emotion is not caused by the person they are hating on, but rather some deep, unresolved issue that “The Hater” themselves harbor. They are good at self deflection. They aim to distract others away from their own deeply sown issues by constantly exposing even the smallest in others. This is what I call “Hateration” at its finest!
A Hater finds it hard to be happy about another’s success, sudden good fortune or positive turn in life events. They even hate on things they have no knowledge on and often conjure up their own conclusions. Envy races through their veins like blood. You can see it on their faces and feel it in their demeanor.
I take a weekly exercise class that I have been committed to for the past 3 months. It’s completely invigorating and alters my mood in such a reinforcing way. This class has become my much needed “Me Time” and I simply look forward to it and have a ball mastering the dance routines.
I have at least one Hater in that class. I see her every week and no matter how consistently I speak, her body language, looks and few comments makes it clear that she has a problem with me. As I have perfected the dance moves over time, I’ve started putting my own little signature on them and heard her make a remark as I tailored the dance making it my own. I simply ignored it because I knew where it was coming from.
Little does she know that I’m at least a decade older than her and I’m ecstatic that I can still walk let alone dance, twist and keep up with the class being diagnosed with a chronic medical illness that tries to threaten all of this daily. I participate with the energy of a 25 year old and know that it is Christ that sustains me!
My Hater doesn’t know that and fills in the blanks as she struggles to keep up consistent energy from beginning to end. She would by now if she would take her eyes off of others and concentrate on her own efforts. For if she only knew the battle I fight she would possibly turn into being a cheerleader instead of a Hater. Possibly….
So how do you handle “Haters”? Regrettably we must, especially if we can’t avoid having contact with them. We face them with nothing else but the love of the Lord of course! Regardless of how they perceive you, showing kindness, giving soft encouraging words and simply giving them the complete opposite of the energy they give you is the best ammunition you can fire back!
I know for sure that doing this consistently is extremely trying. Unfortunately your “Haters” can sometimes be people very close to you including family members, co-workers and neighbors. This is indeed painful to watch someone who should automatically have your best interest at hand and want to see you do well secretly or openly sabotage you! Yet and still, the formula of handling them is indeed the same.
Love, compassion, sympathy and empathy can soften a sour heart; if it’s willing. What ever the outcome, we should never compromise our character in Christ by coming down on the level of the “Hater”. Remember, they are suffering from a serious deficiency called healthy self regard and it can be very sad. Show them the Love of Christ by encouraging them to take a look within to find their own unduplicated value and beauty. If they are unwilling to take on a different perspective, then releasing them in prayer is all that’s left to do. Being delivered from a “Hating” mentality is an individual choice but it’s doable. Again, I’ve been there!
“Hating” Is an adverse emotion from the spirit of the enemy and must be combatted with the spirit of the Lord.
By the way, if this post offends you or stirs up an inkling of raw feelings, then it’s possible that you just might be a “Hater”.
My son has been extremely blessed! He was awarded a scholarship to attend an extremely prestigious private school in Wilmington, DE. Although only facing 1st grade this September, he is destined to get the type of education I didn’t even think existed when I was a kid.
I’m so very proud to expose him to such a diverse environment. He is a minority in culture amongst his peers but is completely oblivious to this fact right now which I completely love. When I was growing up, my community and surroundings all looked exactly alike. I just never knew any different…..
This past weekend, I took my son to a birthday party of one of his classmates. He was thrilled to go and although not knowing what to expect, I took him. I knew immediately that the parents of his little friend were in a completely different economic class than us. As I traveled to their home for the festivities, I passed handsome lawns with grand houses sitting on acres of land that looked like something on a canvas master painting. I drove winding trails laced with the largest beautiful oak trees I’ve ever seen. Simply breathtaking!
For some reason I caught a lump in my throat as I approached their extra-long private driveway. The home was enormous and the backyard so large that my son referred to it as a park!
I don’t belong here! We’re my initial thoughts. I wanted to retreat so badly but the look of excitement on my son’s face when he saw the massive bounce house set up I couldn’t deny. I knew I had to press through and put on a serious facade.
Will I fit in?
Will I even know what to say?
Will they welcome me?
These were some of the questions running through my mind and beyond as I took my son’s tiny hand and advanced up the cobblestone driveway of this mansion style home. (At least it felt like one to me!)
As I suspected, my son just fell in immediately with the fun. Me on the other hand remained feeling completely out of place! Not because I didn’t try and I never showed how uncomfortable I was on the outside! I greeted everyone and was forced to take a seat at a table where no one was only because all the seats at the first table were all taken! No one invited me over or attempted to make room for me so I just sat alone for a bit watching the children play and took in the scenery.
The host finally came out and I politely introduced myself. She smiled kindly and began piling all the food on the table I was at and walked away. The others continued to chat amongst themselves and sipped wine. I was never offered a glass (Not that I wanted one) but the lack of effort of making me feel welcomed as a guest was grossly missing. I wanted to leave so bad!!!
My thoughts started to ramble and I became upset with myself that I just wrote a blog called “First Class” about being a daughter of a King and not being phased by the elite people in the front of the plane. Days later, I am at their house sitting at their table and feeling like a serious peasant vs. a princess!
After some time, a few newly arrived guests began to make conversation with me. I ultimately survived the ordeal!
I had to repent that night because as I was left to my own thoughts at my table of one, I wondered why more believers are not privileged to live as eloquently on this earth when our Father owns it all! REALBOLDTRUTH, it came to my mind!
This held especially true as I drove up to my very tiny house that I’ve been praying over for the past 5 years to be restored! It needs major work and I flashed back to a memory I had upon inspection prior to closing. The inspector looked down on me like I wouldn’t be able to do it and that people like him love taking on projects like the one I was getting ready to purchase. For he was not shy about sharing how he had the money to do so! I looked back and thought BUT GOD! Completely in Faith, I went forward. Five years later not one project is done and I have no clue when it will be…. Still; BUT GOD!
Nevertheless, what a lesson I was exposed to. I feel in my spirit that God purposely put me in that position so that I can get use to it! The favor on my life is getting ready to open doors that will allow for the same, similar or better lifestyles! He has showed me my expected end! The only difference is that I won’t be able to give anyone credit but my ABBA Father for getting me there! I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Have you ever been in a situation like this that made you uncomfortable?
How did God minister to you in it?
As a believer, did you need to adjust your faith and remind yourself, BUT GOD?
Heavenly Father, I thank you for being my source, my provider, my ever present help and for supplying all of my needs! You are all I require and I pray that you are pleased with the way I manage the resources you put in my hands. I repent for comparing my lifestyle to another and am grateful for every blessing! I don’t rob you of tithes or offerings and still believe you for my own personal defined overflow! I may have been viewed as a Peasant this day but a Princess I still am and my Palace is still to come!
In Jesus Name! Amen!
Being an accountable woman of excellence is extremely difficult at times. The daily demands expected of those she is responsible for can sometimes take an adverse toll mentally, physically and spiritually. This is even more true as she begins to age.
I ended 2016 weary and drained in every way. I’m a full time employee, mother, wife, aspiring author and a servant in multiple ministries. Like many women, my schedule is completely full and I rarely take time to slow down to pay attention to my own needs.
One evening after a frustrating day of work, I came home with a million things to do. My son needed homework completed, dinner needed to be prepared and so much more. I stopped to pick up groceries and when I walked in the kitchen it was filthy from dinner the night before. My husband was where I typically find him, lounging by the television with his feet up and remote control nearby. My son was now hounding me for a snack and I hadn’t even taken my coat off or set the groceries down!
As you can imagine, my internal instincts were near explosive for I had not been getting enough sleep. My son suffers from chronic eczema and often wakes in the middle of the night. Sometimes up to 2-3 times. My husband has also developed a snore over the past two years that I find extremely hard to sleep through.
As I gave into my son’s demands for a treat, I began to clean the kitchen. Slamming dishes in the washer and aggressively wiping down counter surfaces. All the while having many thoughts of regret in all the titles that I have. I was feeling like a slave and it seemed that my family was completely blind that I was struggling with my stamina. Not to mention, I already battle daily to fight away the fatigue symptoms that naturally come along with Multiple Sclerosis. I hated everyone for not being concerned about my well being. I had no idea how much longer I could go on doing nearly 15 hours of work off of 4-5 hours of broken sleep every night for months! I felt like I was dying!
As my husband walked into the kitchen making light conversation, he felt the tension I was giving off. When he asked what was wrong, I flew off the handle! Yelling, screaming and ending my rant with these words, “HELP ME!!!!”
He was of course offended with my approach and brushed my tirade off as if it meant nothing and I was just being a typical nagging woman. My short fuse disturbed our son and I just wanted so badly to pack up and run away!
As I dragged my weary body out of bed the next morning, while my family was still sleeping, I went downstairs to pray. I don’t remember weeping that hard in a long time. I cried out to the Lord about all the demands on my life, my lack of strength, not having a solid or dependable support system, and my concerns for my declining health. God, Please HELP ME!! Just like with my husband, these words were the closing ask in my ranted prayer.
Not long thereafter, the spirit of wisdom took the place of my many ill feelings. God began to show me practical areas that I needed to make a priority in order to stay well. First was my diet. I felt run down due to not giving my temple the necessary nutrients that it requires. I changed that quick with juicing! Within a few weeks, my energy has been through the roof!
I sought wholistic treatments for my son’s condition. I stumbled across the National Eczema Association that had a list of approved products that I had not tried and his doctors had not recommended. Within weeks of using a natural combination, his skin is near 100% healed! He’s been sleeping through the night for the first time in nearly a year!
My husband suggested that we exercise together. We’re taking a weekly spin class and it’s both challenging and really fun! The necessary movement is burning calories, reducing inflammation and relieving a great deal of stress. The time has also ministered to our marriage as we commit to putting nothing before this bonding time together.
He’s sharing a little bit more in household duties and we started off the New Year with a 31 day prayer, one for the other. God has shown Himself faithful in it all! (Still praying for the snoring deliverance though!)
When you feel like you are at a breaking point, stop to recognize the attack is coming from the adversary and ask your Heavenly Father for help. He is the only one who can provide the relief that we need in order to set our crooked, beaten and worn paths completely straight.
This post concludes my testimony of my darkest secret; my deepest pain. Click here for Part I
http://therealliferealtalk.com/2016/10/19/sins-of-a-female-saint-part-1
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I didn’t think I deserved it. After what I did the first time around certainly I will never be worthy again.
As a believer, I failed miserably! Not keeping promises I made to myself, my 1st spouse and most of all to God. I’ll live the rest of my days and find a way to accept the errors of my ways, conceal my deepest secret and try to get back to being a good Christian; someway and somehow….
But as days turned into weeks, months into years, I battled with chronic depression and insurmountable soul crushing guilt. Like Adam and Eve in the garden after their disobedience, so did I try to hide from God.
Yes I came back to Him and repented for how I contributed to the breakdown in my 1st marriage, but there was so much more spiritually to deal with and I didn’t know how to start. So instead, I suppressed and buried that stinkin thing alive still screaming to breath and heal under mounds of emotional debris. That’s where it shall remain and no one will ever know how much I hurt. It will have to die eventually….
But 8 years later, it’s still screaming. In fact, sounds louder than ever before. Im now scrambling for more creative ways to stifle the noise. But the difficulty is even more complex. I initiated the divorce for matters were truly irreconcilable. Thereafter, my love, affection and adoration for the one I fell for has gotten deeper and now I carry his child. After 22 years of being barren, I conceived with the man I committed adultery with.
I know him more intimately than I ever knew my ex-husband. The good, the bad and the very ugly! We didn’t come into each other’s lives unscathed of life’s scars. We both were extremely broken as individuals; struggling both mentally and spiritually. Yet we clung to one another in the best friendship I have ever experienced. Our souls over the years are bonded and completely tied together.
After a year of staying away from my love, he returned and asked for my hand. How dare I try this again and try to make it holy especially considering the way we started….
The attraction is just as magnetic as day one nearly 9 years prior. The adoration so much deeper and a beautiful child born between us. How could this natural messy situation ever be made right?
This feels hypocritical beyond description! Would God bless us, can I really be happy, and what consequences will we face individually and collectively?
Despite all these natural questions, we stepped out on faith after 10 months of Godly counsel and married.
Two years later, it has not been without challenges. On top of the normal circumstances that most married couples face, without spoken words we still look at each other and silently wonder, “Will you do the same to me?”
Despite our flaws, we hold on to our family, our faith and our God who healed what we thought was unhealable.
We are both being set free and elevating in ministry. Turning what the enemy intended for evil into good. I’ve grown so much spiritually. More concrete in faith, knowledge and the power of God than I ever was a decade ago. The test and trial was excessively painful and I lost a lot. But he restoreth my soul and Great is thy faithfulness!!
Finally I can breath! Without guilt, condemnation and shame. My fervent prayer is that someone facing similar circumstances be encouraged by my journey and make some healthy decisions. My Realboldtruth is indeed my testimony!
Troubles are certain in this life. No one is exempt. Every human life will experience his or her share. There is no escape and the bible is clear on this certainty.
Someone’s situation may appear better than yours at a given time but don’t be fooled! Those you look upon with a level of envy are just in a different position than you are.
There are stages indeed to the storms of life. Understanding where you are personally is critical in the fight for survival and your testimony on how you made it through.
There are 4 Storm Positions that we all face at each distinct trial in our lives.
The Arising -is position #1. We are starting to see the system develop. Some stiff winds are blowing, our blue skies are casting over with dark clouds. But a ribbon of sunshine is still visible. We begin feeling the first few drops of precipitation. We may still be able to offer a half smile, a hallelujah, some genuine praise and calling the devil a liar as we begin to pray and seek direction.
The Eye – We are now smack dead in the middle at this 2nd Position. The totality of this beasty gale has completely exposed itself. The break of day is far beyond our sight. It’s gravely eerie and blinding with darkness. We are now being tossed, sometimes violently by the hale, winds, rain and earth shattering lightening. We can’t see a way out and God appears Job-like silent! This is the tornado, hurricane and tsunami effect of your dellima at its peak! The enemy is busy on your psyche and your faith may become vulnerable if not shaken.
The Dawning – we are still very much in the storm at this 3rd position but a break has come. The sun is peaking through just a bit and clouds are beginning to roll away. You are beginning to see, hear and experience God in the midst. He is beginning to restore and deliver you. The question is, have you arrived at this point with gratitude or operating in offense of what you had to endure?
The Calm – Finally It’s over! Position # 4 presents a plethora of opportunities. Reminders of what we survived are still quite evident. As we clean up the debris of downed wires, broken branches, loosened shingles and shattered glass of our souls, we can reflect on the lessons and begin to heal. Some unfortunately remain stuck on the details and “whys” robbing themselves of fully embracing this position by keep looking backwards.
If you are grateful for how God bought you through, it’s my personal opinion that our most effective testimony may be somewhere between The Dawning and A little ways into The Calm. It’s Fresh, Raw, soul stirring and its totality has been experienced. Any further out may lose its effectiveness for unfortunately, another system is always on the horizon. BUT GOD!
So when you step on the other side of the clearing, seek ways to share your story and don’t wait too long. The enemy lurks continuously and tries to make us forget how God kept us. Especially if our next Storm is greater than the last.
Christ is our shelter, fortress, shield and the ultimate protector.
So weather up with the Word of God and wise counsel if you are still hurting from your experiences. Help someone else who is going through. We are not Storm Survivors for any other reason but for His Glory.
