Tag: hopeless

Soulful Sunday – Alive in A Dead Place

This time last year, I was loosing my grip on a job that I initially thought was a tremendous blessing. Within 6 months of accepting the position, I had to make a painful choice to resign for the sake of my health. The entire process was painful and a new experience for me. It was also incredibly offensive and I was left devastated. I thought I lost it all.

Within 30 days of resigning, God opened a door to new employment satisfy my provisional needs. Now nearly 11 months in, I’ve discovered that I am in the midst of dry land; a dead place. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful without question! But I am also extremely progressive minded, seek and pursue higher opportunities and am wired to reach for more. I never find comfort with glass ceilings and mediocre states. The ability to advance, learn and grow are simply not present. I’m content with the way things are for the moment but when I consider and plan my future, I know this can’t be it…

I also have recognized that I truly am in the right type of job for what God has me currently doing outside of work. I have unlimited flexibility to function in my creative space and have accomplished much in this time! Yes, I’m grateful!

Subsequently, I have noticed that my co-workers often come to me for encouragement and I gladly give it! I have led at least one to The Lord, have prayed for and with several, and have offered advice to another who was going through a very difficult family time. I tried to take matters further by seeking ways to start a prayer group and have submitted encouraging articles to be featured on the company’s intranet website. (Free from too many Godly specifics of course!) Both requests have been rejected or have fallen on death ears so far…
I am at peace never-the-less while I wait for the next move of God and I’ll continue to seek ways to serve as a light in the middle of heavy darkness.

You know you are in a dead place if first you recognize that life is missing! Your uniqueness stands out when you see those around you settle and grow content in status quo. The same old same sickens you, makes you uncomfortable and you feel a strong urge to go against the grain. 

But what do you do when you just can’t get out? That job, that business, that relationship, that Ministry, or that issue you have identified as a lingering problem? God is silent and not allowing change when you pray for it or try to force it. Stop fighting for it’s just not time!

You have a choice to become a complaining wanderer, join the deadness of others by just existing or Take a stand and LIVE!

Choose with me this day to live in that dead place for God has plans! 

He ordered in His Word to Live and Not Die!

He will make a way of escape in due season!

He is a man that cannot lie and will never leave nor forsake!

If you are with me and are unable to leave your current situation, seek peace without compromising or conforming. Finding the balance is indeed tricky but will take spiritual, calculated and committed moves. Talk to the Lord about what your’s should be. If you look deeper, past your understanding, there is purpose in the dry and dead land and it’s all working for your good!

Until Next Time, Happy Sunday!

Soulful Sunday – MOVE!

Making Oppression Vanish Eternally!

I have battled with depression for more than half of my life. Over the past several years, I can confidently share that I have the condition under control. I’ve been more consistently optimistic than downcast and I absolutely give all the credit to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I finally know who I am in Him and that He has called me for such a time as this!

The state of depression, however does not go away for those who suffer. I believe this to be true for most mental health disorders. The condition(s) must be managed daily or being sucked back into that deep, dark, isolated mindset of hopelessness is inevitable. 

For some, management may be defined by being under a doctor’s care with prescription medication. I’ve been there and it wasn’t the formula that worked to fix my pretty little head! Counseling, addressing the root of my sorrow and monitoring my thoughts through the Word of God has proven more effective than anything else for me personally. It work consistently; if I work it!

I distinctly recall one day waking up angry enough to MOVE! I no longer wanted to live my life as some weak believer being an ineffective witness to the power that lies in the sacrifice of Christ. I was certainly sane enough to make the shift on my own and so desperately needing to try something different.

Certainly my existence is no error despite the circumstances of my past!
I began to ask; What if I dared to truly believe that I am of importance and have something great to contribute to this world and the lives of others!

What’s the worst that can happen if I MOVE!
Beyond the thoughts that naturally play in my mind…

Beyond the facts and events of times in my life that I could not control…

Beyond mistakes I have made and some repeatedly….

Beyond the negative critics that judge and look down on me…

Beyond those that have tried to minimize my voice and presence by stepping and looking over me…

What’s the worst that can happen if I MOVE!

Well truth be told, the worst is now that I have embraced the boldness to MOVE, I’ve faced finding myself in unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory! I’ve been stretched, challenged and forced to deal with the pain of my past that I’ve buried kicking and screaming still very much alive! I’ve had to go through the turmoil of reprogramming my own sense of logic and replace all with the mind of Christ. 

The process has been long and excruciating but has set me on a path that I had no idea was close to being mine. It’s called Destiny! I’m walking in blind child-like faith but can’t turn around for there is nothing behind me that I wish to ever return to. I must continue to MOVE!

Are you stuck in a vicious cycle of mental torture which cripples you from living a productive life and moving forward? Have you buried things that you really need to address and kill first in order to embrace the life that you so well deserve?

You do have the power to change your circumstances but you have to MOVE! It will be the fight of your life, won’t be easy and certainly won’t happen overnight! If you purpose to discover the formula that works for you and keep at it daily, I promise that you will one day look in the mirror and actually love the one staring back at you! Ask yourself if you dare to finally take back your spirit, soul, and mind, what’s the worst that can happen?

Until next time, happy Sunday!