Don't Give Up!

Good morning family! I just wanted to share a little bit about my current struggles. Not to give the enemy any attention for what he's doing and certainly not for pity, but just to let you know you're not alone. I realize that many of you are going through much more difficult situations than what I'm experiencing and I'm praying regularly for each of you. 

For the past several weeks, it's been one assault after the other. From back, neck, head, sinus, stomach and shoulder issues to a run to the emergency room Wednesday night with an attack of diverticulitis. I'm normally very active, but lately I've felt captive to this pain with little strength or ability to do the things I normally do. Then top that all off with attacks of anxiety over what the future holds, as my husband is preparing for retirement. This woman who absolutely loves her comfort zone and despises change, is once again being stretched and forced out of her box of familiarity. We have to let our apartment complex know by the end of the day if we are going to stay another month, once our lease runs out at the end of October... we still have no clue! We are waiting on God for the answers and direction. He's NEVER early, but He's always on time! 

Though we are excited about moving to our home in Florida and near our daughter's family, we are sad about being separated from our other children and grandchildren. I'll be changing jobs after 30+ years at the same office and leaving friends and a church I love, where my son and daughter-in-law are our pastors. So far...I haven't found that job...

The combination of an unknown future and lack of sleep due to pain is what once would have formed the perfect storm of worry, confusion, stress and depression... just because we love Jesus doesn't make us immune to trials... actually the closer we get to Him, the more opposition manifests against us. That's ok, working our spiritual muscles makes us stronger, just as working our physical ones gives our body strength. So, as the enemy brings on his lies of intimidation, we plant our feet firmly on the foundation of God's Word. Study and recite scriptures that reinforce our position and lets the enemy know he's no challenge for the power of God that resides within us! We are children of the creator of the universe! The one who defeated the enemy! Yes, my mind tries to wonder to what if, but I take those thoughts captive and trust in my Father and His extravagant love for us!

There's discipline involved in our spirituality and we must set our eyes on Jesus in the midst of the storm, think on His goodness and trust that His love for us will prevail, then...with all of your heart and strength, worship Him and watch as He parts the sea, allows you to pass, then swallows your enemies! Fear, pain, trouble, sickness, stress and anxiety all consumed by the power and love of God!  Know what God's Word says about your particular situation, then hold on to His promises! Rebuke the enemy, take your thoughts captive and recite scriptures out loud, but most of all be thankful and give Him praise! It blesses your Savior and that will in turn bring you great joy right where you are as you're heading to where He wants you to be! Don't give up! Your victory is right around the corner and by faith you'll come out with an incredible testimony of His goodness and love!

Remember YOU are more than a conqueror!!

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Romans 8:37-39 (TPT) Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that His love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken His love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!