IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY (PART II)
ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER
One of the things I love doing is staying inside, or indoors. I usually have to force myself to go out. I hate going shopping, unless I absolutely have to. I even have to force myself to go to church. As much as I love going to church - I would rather stay home, read my Bible, and pray! But, I can't! I have to get out no matter how hard it is. I have to put one foot in front of the other, and go! I definitely have to go to church. Once I get to church, I say to myself, "I made it - I'm here! God always blesses me too! Can you imagine having trouble going to church when you know how present the Lord is in church, how much God enjoys fellowship with His children, and how much God enjoys watching His children worshiping in the presence, and glory of God? Who wants to miss that? I don't! (Hebrew 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.)
A CONVERSATION WITH GOD
One time God told me - well He always tells me - This is how our conversation went - "Tricia! You have to get out today." - "But I don't want to go out today Lord! Can't I just stay home, read my Bible, and pray or write?" - "No - Tricia! You have to go out today." Well, you can't argue with God! Why even try! So, I finely get to the front door. God says to me - "Tricia what are you wearing?" I look down at myself, and I'm still in my PJ's. God says to me, "Tricia, go wash you hair and fix it - go put your make-up on, and put some nice clothes on." I say - "But Lord! That's going to take two hours! He says " That's okay Tricia! I have time!" So, of course I obey God, and of course I had a good time.
YOU HAVE TO
We all have our moments when we cry or have our private little meltdowns. You have to - I recommend it! You have to get all those ugly little hormones, chemicals, endorphins, out of your body. Or, the brains function of dealing with (monoamines such as serotonin and norepinephrine.) Boy! That's a mouth full!
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Well! One day I was having one of those moments. I was at a point in my life where I was doing some serious self evaluation about some things in my life that I wasn't happy about, and trying to change them to make myself happier. I thought I was doing everything right. I was reading my Bible, praying, exercising, and losing weight. I was even writing again. I even started back working on my book "FINDING YOUR WAY HOME IS VICTORY!" I thought I was making great strides in my life, and I was excited about new things God was doing in me. I knew I had a long way to go. But, I also knew I was on the right track.
GOD PLEASE!
I was in my room. All I could do was cry, and curled myself up in a ball! I was so tired of this! I wanted it to just go away! I started praying. I said "GOD! PLEASE! I don't want this any more! Please tell me what to do to make this go away! I'm doing everything I know to do Lord! What else can I do?" God said to me, "Tricia! Pray - It's not you! It's someone else that needs praying for! Pray for them, and don't stop until it subsides." One thing God has taught me through this experience is feeling other people's pain even though I'm feeling pain. Knowing that God can use me as a mediator for when someone else is experiencing the same pain I'm feeling brings me healing, victory, and joy. I did exactly what God told me to do, and the agony did subside. Then later, God, and I had a long conversation about what He told me, and why. (James 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.)
GOD'S SOLUTION
I never thought I could experience such joy at the same time I'm experiencing such agony. There is joy, strength, healing, power, and victory. All the things you think aren't there at such a time when you need it is inside you. Find out in Part III how God takes me through the darkest of times to joy everlasting, and victory. Being able to see your self as a person that decides that you will only settle for victory in your life is something, and it is what God see's in you. It is also how it is in God's kingdom! Isn't that what you want? To be able to know you can fight your battles, and feel God fighting your battles with you - knowing how victorious you really are? Read Part III where I share exactly what I do with God every time, and how overcome the dark times.
