Heart of an Overcomer: April 2017

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

When things don't make sense, when our lives seem full of questions and our hearts are puzzle pieces : let go.

When the road is barely visible, when fog wraps us in the unknown and we are stumbling and trying to find answers : let God work.

Letting go means we accept the fact that we are not in control. That whatever lays ahead is in the Almighty's hands. When we can accept this then we can truly let go. (Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7)

When we realize that each breath is loaned us, that what our next breath holds is not ours to know, that God has an infinite plan for that next minute, hour, day - only then we can truly let God work.

How often we fall into discouragement and uncertainty - even anxiety- when we try to control our situations and future. We try to hold on to our frailty and instead we should be reaching out for the immortal hand which has been offered.

When we have let go and let God, we will be really living. It's a daily struggle. A daily dying to our heart desires. A daily surrender to Gods design for our life, love, and how we use each and every life-giving breath we are leased.

The offering of our hearts and concerns to our Saviour will be our very freedom from them. Then, God's love will surround us, fill us, and overflow our hearts. His mercy will be evident everywhere we go. His miracles will be looked for, pondered over, and treasured.

We will lose our me-centred attitude and will gain empathy for those around us. And then we will really see God working.

We will be a vessel which God can work in and through.

And what about our future? Well, it will be right where it belongs. Not in our weak hands, but in God hands.

And then the future is very bright indeed!

Prayer:

Dear God, I surrender. Wholly and completely. Your love is so beautiful and your plan for life is perfectly designed. Work today in me. Shine your love in me today. Help me to be confident in uncertainty knowing that you hold my life in Your hands.

Radiate your goodness outward from my life. May I be a bright star of hope in someone's dark sky. I rest in You, your peace is mine, my heart is Yours.

Amen.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. {Philippians 4:6-7}

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Each breath that I take, may it be a blessing.

Life: God's Gift

I was reminded of just how fragile and precious life is the other day.

Each breath we take, each heartbeat that beats is a precious gift, a beautiful reminder. A reminder that we are not in control. It is a blessing of God.

So what will I do with this breath that I have been given?

I was reminded of the fragility of life just recently and my heart was touched knowing that I could bring hope to another human being with a very simple gesture. You will never know what a card, smile, or simple word of encouragement will do until you’ve tried.

If we would love more, hate less, bless more, take less - our lives would be so much more full and satisfied.

The love and be loved.

To bless and be blessed.

This is what fills up our cups and overflows them. God blesses us in our lives so greatly. Our paths will definitely not be smooth the whole way, but look around. Has HE given you breath? Has HE given you a warm place to live? Family & friends that love you?

And most of all, HIS love. Hasn’t Jesus given you this as well? Didn’t He give you life over death, freedom over bondage?

In Christ we find our love, our life, our hope - why not share that with someone else?

As we touch another’s heart we not only change their lives but we ourselves are blessed.

Our lives are like wisps of smoke that come and go ever so quickly. How will you make the most of what God has given you?

How will you tell someone today, “You life is precious. Don’t give up”?

Truly, our life is a beautiful gift. What will you do with this gift?

Life: Our Mission:

Do you ever wonder as the days blend into months, the months to years, just what your mission is?

What the epiphany of life is? Why you are here?

Deep down, God has planted in each of our hearts a desire. To be something. To accomplish. To succeed.

To run the race.

As a Christian we realize our destiny. But the rain and the storms dim our eyes. Our hearts become weak. We’re not sure if we’re ever going to make it. We feel torn down, broken.

But that flame is there, flickering still. Deep in your soul, you know that you were made to run the race - the race of light over darkness, freedom over bondage. And as we go through life, we plant seeds of kindness, courage, and hope in others’ hearts.

Don’t give up. The prize is ahead, waiting just around the corner for you. This is not the end. That flame in your heart was given to you to be a shining light, so that you can fulfill your life mission: to bless, serve, and minister to others.

Courage will come in the darkest nights. You were made for this day. You were made for each day that is given you. Each breath is a gift.

And your life is unique. Only YOU can accomplish the mission you were given. Each of us were gifted with talents that we can use to God’s glory.

Will we let discouragement take us captive or take hold of Faith and let God free our hearts?

Don’t lose hope, focus on the mission at hand.

How can I BLESS Someone TODAY?

How can I REACH OUT to someone TODAY?

How can I bring HOPE to someone today?

We were all were made with a desire, a yearning to accomplish something great. And this is our ultimate mission. To become light-seekers and reflect that light of Jesus Christ to the world.

We may not find ourselves in influential positions, meeting world-changers, and making life-changing decisions. But who says that smile you just gave that sad elderly man did not bring hope back into his life? Have you ever wondered what just one kind word, smile, or simple gesture can do to the receiver’s life?

The power of our actions are unprecedented. The reach of just one smile could light up the whole town.

By blessing others, we are blessed. By loving others, we feel loved. By touching another’s hearts we light up ourselves.

So, next time you are discouraged, find someone to bless or even pray for that day. See if it doesn’t change your heart!

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"Lord, take my utterly broken, helpless, and hopeless soul and give me beauty for my ashes. I don’t know your plan, but I want to trust. Help me to trust. As I raise my face to you while on my knees, I have nothing left. I am empty. Anguish and fear remain. So Lord, I bring my broken hallelujah to you. Heal me."

If I could sum up the feelings that swirled through my soul, heart, and mind during that difficult time, that prayer was mine.

Joy was gone. The carefree childhood was wiped away and in its place was fear, darkness, and pain.

I could hardly bare to go about my day and each one was a struggle. I did not know God’s plan but I knew He knew what He was doing it. I just couldn’t tell where the darkness ended and the light began.

I feel that my story can be a testimony of hope. A story of God’s faithfulness. I’ve seen the pain that mental illness causes and yet I have seen the joy in bringing it to my Saviour and watching him heal the pain, feelings of failure, and discouragement.

If you would have met me as a child, you would have seen a joyful, bubbly, carefree girl. Ready to be in centre-stage every moment of every day. Ready to tackle anything with a willingness and enthusiasm.

Fast forward to my teen years: a high achiever, involved in every kind of community project and endeavor. Joyful. Carefree.

Raised in a home that strived to honor God as a family, I was passionate about my faith. I was encouraged in finding answers on my own, learning my faith for myself, and not just talking the talk but walking the walk.

True, I was confident, sure, and solid. Or so I thought. Everything seemed perfect. What could go wrong?

The Lord knew that something loomed on the horizon. He knew the story of every one of my tears and what I would go through, although I was oblivious to it all. And when it came, my world seemed to come crashing down.

The silent illness. Yes, it is sometimes not talked about. Sometimes shadowed in mystery and the unknown.

Mental Illness is something that no one fully understands until they’ve gone through its turns and twists and come out on the other side.

Confusion. That was what I felt at first. Simple tasks that I could do before I could not do now.

I felt on fire and chilled all at the same time. A deep sadness and weight seemed settled on my soul and I could not shake it. It seemed to pull me down and take away every ounce of strength I had. The tears flowed - for days.

The bright, happy young woman was gone and instead, there was a broken soul reaching out for help.

My parents and friends lifted me in prayer and Christian professionals came to my aid.

I was facing a struggle. I could not see the light, but yet, I knew it must be there.

Groping for hope, for meaning, and for peace, I did not know what to do.

In that darkness, a ray of hope came. A verse came to my mind. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

I had been in bed when the two-foot poster at the foot of my bed spoke to me. It depicted a girl planting a small plant, and with it was the verse.

I repeated this passage over and over again to myself. It was my lifeline. I did not know what the future held. But if I had faith that God had a plan for my life, even if I could not see it now, then I had true faith. Though I did not understand His plan at this point, I knew He was infinite and His plan was higher than me.

That’s when I realized something. My life, everything I was holding onto before, my confidence - all of it - was held by the infinite God and He was the great healer of my soul! It was nothing to hold onto this. Because I was not in control. He was. And He loved me in spite of my inability to do anything on my own.

Only when I was in my darkest hour (at the time) did I find a love, far deeper, far greater than I could imagine. More Bible verses of promise would flash to my mind and I would repeat them. They kept me going, got me through that dark tunnel of the unknown.

If you ever experience this deep, dark place when all hope seems lost and you feel forsaken, know that

Jesus is very faithful. There IS HOPE in the darkness.

He will never leave nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5b), He will cause your sorrow to be turned to joy (John 16:20), and even if you don’t understand God has a plan for your life like no other - He will not disappoint.

For me, I found that through this experience, I learned that I cannot do anything on my own and my life is not mine - it is Christ’s.

What I do is not me doing it, but Christ doing it through me. His love must shine forth. His goodness must be shown. His holiness must be mirrored.

What can I say about trials? Is it not through hard times that we learn the best lessons of our lives? Are they not refining our character for good, just like gold is refined many times to become pure and reflect the light? They may be hard to bear, but we know that God gives us all the strength to

overcome (2 Corinthians 12:9) My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

In my story, my family and I were able to show something of God’s love to the many doctors and councellors that I saw during this time. They saw a family that wanted to serve God, parents that loved their children, and God’s hand working in their lives.

My utter weakness turned out to be the time God could work the most - give me the strength to overcome, and show HIS LOVE.

It truly was a blessing in disguise which I never would have seen then. For, I would not be where I am, doing what I’m doing today if it were not for this hard time in my life. It changed the direction in my life, and I’m grateful for this.

It gave me an empathy for others, that wasn’t quite there the same way before.

Through my experience, I pray that I will have the opportunity to breathe into someone else’s hopelessness the love and wonderful faithfulness of Christ.

The hope that no matter what we go through here on earth, no matter what we don’t understand, no matter how helpless we feel at times, God’s love is always there and He uses these circumstances for our GOOD! Even if we never understand the good on this earth.

If you are going through something similar, find comfort in the fact that as you go through the steps you need to get well, God is by your side.

His love is engulfing you, and he wraps His infinite wings of grace about you.

Have hope, you are never alone and God will never forsake you. You can be sure. Very sure of that.

Because through our broken hallelujahs our greatest triumphs are made!

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Often we expect the sound of a loud roaring ocean, a swirling whirlwind, or fire and brimstone kind of answer from the Lord when we open our hearts to "listen". What we don't expect is a still, small voice whispering into our souls "I am here, child. Wait and watch me work. I love you. Just be quiet and let my peace surround you in this moment."

God delights when we come to Him. The words of a devotional I read last evening spoke to my heart - the message was profound. God can do ANYTHING for us but he first waits for us to come to HIM with our requests. He wants us to place our weak, fragile dreams in His hands and by placing them there we let Him work.
God loves to work when the human hand reaches for The divine. When weak humanity grasps the hand of divinity, the impossible will become reality.

But, there will be times when we must wait in the silence and hear the whisper of God's spirit. That's when powerful character is built. When our answers are not visible but God's presence is felt. We trust implicitly on the words we read in the Word and rest in the knowledge that Our divine King knows best. That we be fulfilled and happy is His greatest desire. But Our God knows what gives us true fulfillment and happiness. That fulfillment comes from waiting and listening to His still small voice. Sitting at His feet in humility and searching the Word to know His plan for your life.

Many today believe that God will work in grand and marvelous ways constantly on your behalf. This is true, God does work powerfully for us. But it is a misconception to believe that this is the way to know God is working - by signs and miracles.

Many times we will not see His hand. The clouds may hide the sun. The rain may seem to pour from the heavens, but God will be working still. The peace that He will give through the turmoil will be a miracle. The grace He gives to you to get through each day will be your sign that He is still there, guiding and directing.

We are warned that many miracles will take place, but will be from the enemy of our souls. That signs and wonders will be displayed, to deceive the very chosen ones. We must test the spirits, weigh them by the scriptures, and be satisfied with the answers God gives be it in magnificent ways or quiet, reassuring ones.

Be attuned to the spirit. See what it has to tell you today. And just like Elijah in the time of old who expected God to be in the noise of the thunder, you may be surprised to find that the spirit is softly speaking to you - you just have to open your ears to hear its gentle whisper.

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Prayer:

Dear God, I surrender. Wholly and completely. Your love is so beautiful and your plan for life is perfectly designed. Work today in me. Shine your love in me today. Help me to be confident in uncertainty knowing that you hold my life in Your hands.

Radiate your goodness outward from my life. May I be a bright star of hope in someone's dark sky. I rest in You, your peace is mine, my heart is Yours.

Life: God's Gift

Life: Our Mission:

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