Yesterday was cleaning day for Diane and I have to admit that there can be times, when I don’t want to clean my house…and that isn’t because I don’t like to do the cleaning; but rather, it’s because I struggle with my legs and the chronic pain I face, from day to day.
 
It’s amazing how I can get up in the morning and think on what needs to be done…and at the same time…allow my pain or my leg problems to dictate what I feel I can and cannot do. I’m sure we all think that way from time to time; but the only thing bad about that; is that before we know it…we have talked ourselves out of experiencing the strength of a great God; who can override, what we just don’t feel capable of doing.
 
In Philippians 4:13, we read… “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This Bible verse does not say that we can only do certain things, through Christ’ strength; but rather, it says that we can do ALL things…every little thing…from the smallest thing to the greatest thing.
 
Lately, I have truly been working with God, to focus even more on His strength, rather than my weakness…and I have come to see that when I lean on His strength, rather than my own so-called strength; then I not only accomplish what needs to be done…but even more than what I had first planned to do.
 
No matter what you’re facing today…don’t let these moments control you; but instead, lean on a strong God…and I KNOW that He will walk you through these moments of darkness, into a light that can bring hope back into your life!
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As I began to walk out of all the deep pain and heartache in my life; I also began to see Jesus, as my mighty warrior…for He was the One, who always stood before me and became the shield of protection; that kept me safe from the fiery darts of evil.
 
In Deuteronomy 31:8, we read… “And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” As I continue on, I would like to share a quote of mine; that goes right along with this Bible verse and it goes like this… “Have we allowed our faith to become the giant that stands before our problems or have we allowed our problems to be the giant that causes us to wallow beneath a weak faith?” In other words…are we allowing God to be the stronger One that stands before us, during the difficult times…or have we allowed a circumstance to be the giant or stronger one that causes us to weaken further in our faith?
 
You know…it’s so easy to become so caught up in what is happening to us; that before we know it, we get our priorities wrong and allow the problem to have control over God. We must remember that we always need to have God standing before us…not off to the side or behind us. Let’s face it…we will never overcome and be able to resist the fiery darts that come our way, when we are standing alone, in the midst of evil.
 
Sometimes I wonder, if we fear the circumstance, rather than trusting God; because we have found ourselves alone…unguarded…in unknown territory. One thing I have truly come to see, while walking through some very painful times in my life; is to never walk alone, in the midst of these unknown moments…for this only makes us more vulnerable to Satan and the other problems he longs to add, to what we may already be facing.
 
Everyday…as we begin a new day, we need to make sure that we are walking with God and that He stands before us…and how do we do that…by choosing to let Him lead us through all that He has for the day. When we choose to seek His will for the day, rather than the paths we’d rather take; that is when we will truly feel His loving presence always beside us.
 
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How many times do we grow discouraged…just by what we see before us? As a circumstance enters our life; it seems as though we become so caught up in what is happening and where it could lead us, rather than what could come out of these troubling times.
 
In 2 Corinthians 5:7, we read…“(For we walk by faith, not by sight :)” We must remember that it’s the things that we trust God for but don’t yet see; that helps us to keep pressing on. We must stop and think on one thing today…if we already had what we see before us, rather than what we cannot see; then would we ever feel the need to keep moving forward in life?
 
One thing I can truly say about the deep pain and heartache that God had allowed within my life; is that these moments were actually the moments that gave me a nudge, while helping me to keep moving forward with God. Of course…at the time, I didn’t see it that way because I was too tightly focused on every little thing that was going wrong; but now, as I look back on my life; I see where the difficult moments truly served a purpose, in bringing me closer to God and what He had for my life.
 
You know…I have come to see, through a hard and difficult life; that we can find ourselves going on a downward climb; just by focusing on what we see before us. Today, we need a faith that will take us beyond what we see, while allowing us to reach beyond our circumstances; to truly experience something greater; than what may be standing before us at the moment.
 
I will never forget the time, when I had allowed each surgery…along with other painful moments, to increase with strength; just by getting caught up, in what was seen with my own sight. I not only blocked the way for God to work; so He could take me beyond these moments, to something better; but I found over time; that my response to these painful moments had allowed me to lose sight, as to what was way beyond these problems, which only led me down a path of no hope.
 
May I encourage you today; to take your thoughts and sight away from what you see before you and allow your faith to become stepping stones that can lead you away from these difficult moments of despair; that you may truly experience the best that God longs to offer you…through the circumstance!
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There was a time in my life, when all hope was gone. I don’t think that I had ever seen and experienced such darkness in my life, as when I was being counseled for sexual abuse. I felt as if I was in an endless dark tunnel, with no way out.
 
After returning home from a counseling session one day, I was so broken inside; that I quickly came through the door and went to my bedroom. As I sat and clung to the bedpost, I began to feel as if life was going further down for me.
 
As I began to cry out, till every tear had been drained from my eyes; I began to talk with God. I told Him about the counseling session and how bad it was for me…and then I told Him; that I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it through these awful and painful memories of my past.
 
As I sat there…quiet and alone; I got a glimpse of my Bible on the bed and as I opened it…this is the Bible verse that stood before me… “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18.
 
It was at that time; that I began to feel as if God had entered that room. As I continued to read those words over and over again; I began to feel, as if God had sat down on the bed beside me and had wrapped His loving arms around me.
 
At a time, when I didn’t think I could make it through…God proved to me that I could…that is, with His help. Now as I look back on this hopeless moment in my life, I also think back on a God, who had come to me, with love…compassion and a caring Spirit…One, who truly held me close, until the storm had left my life.
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One thing I have experienced a lot of in my life; was the feeling that no one could ever understand or truly care about what I was going through at the time. I think we all have faced moments like these; where the ones that know us the best, just can’t seem to understand what we are going through…which can truly make a person feel lost, in a world of their own.
 
A couple Bible verses that have helped me through these times, is found in Psalm 142:4-5…and we read… “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. 5 I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.”
 
I have come to see one thing in my life…and that is how words become nothing to a person, unless some form of action follows. You know…it’s so easy for someone to spew words out of their mouth that says… “I care and I understand;” but what follows…really makes the difference…and truly helps a person to know whether the other person really understands and cares.
 
I remember many times in my life, when I would allow these hurtful moments…when I just didn’t feel as if people cared or understood, to truly affect my life…that is, until I came to see how I could relate with a God, who truly did understand my needs and care for me.
 
One thing about Jesus; is that He will listen and not judge. He will stay with us…and listen, for as long as we need Him…and no matter what we have to say to Him; He will remain and love and care for us. Finding a friend in Jesus, was the greatest thing that I have come to experience in my life…and now, when I need someone to understand what I’m facing…I know He will be there to run to…Someone, who will not only speak words to my heart; but will truly show His love and care for me.
 
No matter what you may be facing today…and no matter how alone you feel; just know that Jesus understands. He will sit and listen to you, as long as you need Him and He will be there to wipe the tears from your eyes and exchange these moments, for a peace and hope that can be found in no other but Him. Just turn to Jesus right now…for He’s already waiting to listen to your heart!
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​Do we allow our moments of discouragement, to become an opportunity, for God to work through these difficult times or are we so tightly focused on what is wrong; that we cannot see what good can come about through our circumstances? In Philippians 1:12-14, it says… “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. (13) As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. (14) Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”
 
Do we see our moments of circumstance as Paul did, while he was in prison? We can either allow our circumstances to turn us into bitter people or we can choose to rise above them and use them as a tool; to cultivate the heart of another person in need.
 
There was a time, when I had to have two knee surgeries, within a 6 week period. I felt overwhelmed…not only with the surgeries themselves but also with the recovery time. This was a time, when I felt very discouraged…as though hope had completely left me alone; but over time, I came to see that I could either allow these difficult and trying moments to take me down or I could use them in a positive way; that would bring honor and glory to Christ’s name.  I soon realized that when I took the negative circumstances and used them in a positive way; then I was allowing Satan to be defeated, while God was being magnified.
 
When we allow the difficult moments in our lives to discourage us; we only find that we sink deeper into more despair. Instead, we need to look at the trying moments of circumstance, as though God has us in a “training camp”…being prepared, for a special purpose that will bring honor and glory to His name. We may have moments, when we feel as though we are in a prison cell, as Paul was but these should be the times, when we exchange the circumstance, for something greater…that will strengthen us and reach out to others, at the same time.
 
We need to remember that how we react to these difficult times, will either make us appear, as though we are a part of the world or we will allow the world to see something greater that can help them too.  Jesus may not be here in human form but there are many ways He can be seen to the world and this is one of them. Are we allowing the world around us to view Jesus, so they can have the opportunity to experience His love and goodness or are we showing the world that we serve a weak and defeated God?

Lately, I have been facing a lot of chronic pain…especially at night. I don’t talk about the pain I experience, for pity or complaint; but I talk about the pain; that Christ may be seen and magnified through it all.
 
One thing I’ve come to see through pain; is that these moments can bring about new growth and cause us to gain strength, while always teaching us to lean on a strong and powerful God…that is, if we desire that in our lives.
 
In Ecclesiastes 7:3, we read… “Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” When I first read this verse, I actually was a little confused because I thought to myself… “How could sorrow be better than laughter?” It took me some time to truly understand this verse; but as I began to see God work through the pain…He also began to piece this verse together…deep within my heart and it was through the difficult moments of pain; that I began to see how I could find myself closer to God.
 
Yesterday morning, I got up…after very little sleep. In fact, the last two nights before that; I spent some of my night sleeping upright. One thing I’ve come to see…through difficult moments such as these; is that Satan is at work…attempting to take us out of commission with God…and the only way we can make him defeated; is to keep pressing on.
 
As I sat on the edge of my bed…thinking about all that awaited me…God was there…for He began to work with my spirit, while encouraging me to take the day one minute at a time. I’ll be honest…there were a few times, when I wanted to just quit; but right at the moment, when I felt the desire to quit; that is when I felt God’s strength kick into overdrive.
 
Over time, I have truly come to see how sorrow, pain and heartache can make the heart better; for these are the moments, when we learn to lean fully on God, while letting Him walk us through the trials that just seem to be so overbearing.
 
No matter what you’re facing…let these difficult moments allow you to experience a powerful God at work within your life. In the end…you will truly come to see…just like me; how “sorrow can be better than laughter.”
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As I walked through the deepest and darkest moments of pain and heartache…moments that I never thought I’d ever experience in my life; God made a promise to me…and spoke to my spirit and said… “Diane, I will bring you through this time in your life.” At the moment, I was so caught up, in the hurt and shame of a past sexual abuse; that I couldn’t even begin to see a road that would take me out of all these painful moments of heartache. As God began to slowly open up new avenues for me to walk down, I began to once more see the light, of a brand new day.
 
In Isaiah 43:19, we read… “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” You know…what seems impossible to us; is never impossible to God. Maybe we don’t have the strength or knowledge, as to how we are going to escape these painful moments in our lives…but God does.
 
Through my own painful past, I came to eventually see that God was out to create something new within my life…something that would walk me away from the past moments of deep pain and heartache, while leading me on, to newly created paths. As I began to walk out of my problems, I began to see that my God could do anything…even the things that I felt were impossible at the time.
 
No matter what you are walking through right now; just know that nothing is impossible or too hard, for a mighty and powerful God to do. Where you don’t see a way…He does…and He will use the difficult moments in your life, to make all things new!
 
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Out of all the pain and deep heartache I’ve experienced in my life; I think the hardest thing I went through, was to feel as if my circumstances were slowly destroying me…which after a while, makes a person want to give up and just throw in the towel and quit.
 
Little did I know…during these difficult times; that God was allowing me to die spiritually, with all the pain and suffering of the past; so I could gain Him instead. You know…it’s so easy to turn it around the other way and not even notice that God is at work in our lives, while facing difficult times of affliction; but if we were to slow down and not allow our circumstances to overwhelm us; then I’m sure that we would clearly see how God is replacing the broken down areas of our lives, with Himself.
 
One of the verses that truly gave me hope, while at rock bottom; is found in Philippians 1:21, which reads… “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In other words…if we ever want to gain God, in a greater way; then first, we need to get rid of the rubbish that is keeping us from experiencing the fullness of God. Sometimes that process can be painful to experience; but when we truly know what God is up to…and we have a heart of trust…knowing that God is definitely got control; then we can let go of these broken down areas of our lives and make room for God, to move in completely.
 
Right now, you may be feeling as if your situation is getting worse, rather than better. May I encourage you to not lose hope…or to lose heart; but rather know that God is at work in your life…and even though it may not be the way you expect it to be…God knows what He’s doing…and in the end, I’m sure that you will come to see that He was only making more room, for you to experience His very best for your life!
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There was a time in my life, when I felt as if I was in the deepest and darkest pit ever…for I had allowed my problems to put me there. As I attempted to climb out on my own, I began to see that I wasn’t strong enough to make it. After finally giving in and calling out to Jesus…He did hear my hearts cry…and from there, He came and rescued me.
 
A few of the Bible verses that best describe my experience; are found in Psalm 40:1-4…and we read… “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.”
 
I learned a very hard lesson, at one time in my life…and I probably remained in that pit of despair, much longer than what I should have…and it was all because I had chosen to fix my own problems…my way. I think we all tend to do this…and why? Because we just want to hurry and escape the pain and deep heartache that they have brought into our lives; but may I say one thing today…don’t go it alone because you will soon see…just like me; that you are not strong enough, to climb out of such a deep pit of despair.
 
Through lessons learned, I came to see that Jesus was the only way out of that pit…and once He took hold of me and lifted me back up to stable ground; that is when He truly gave me a new song within the heart…a song that kept me pointed in His direction, rather than my own.
 
One thing we need to realize today…and that is how much Satan is reaching out to us, with deceptive lies…lies that keep us distant from God, while remaining closer to ourselves and the problems we’re facing.
 
No matter what you’re going through…and no matter how deep your pit of despair may seem…don’t attempt to climb out of these problems on your own; but rather, humble yourself and admit that you are powerless; so a powerful God can step in and do the work that you are not strong enough to achieve on your own.
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