Sweet sister, have you ever looked at your bank account, or the number on the scale, or your house, or your email inbox and felt overwhelmed at how far you have left to go? Oh, yeah, me too. It can be a moment where you just want to tap out, take a momentary break from the fight. That’s fine, but if you wallow you will find that getting up and into the fight again can take monumental strength. I see this often in women that take a break from trying to lose weight and when they decide to get back into it, they are farther behind than before. Today I am giving you the pep talk of pep talks for the moment you feel like you just can’t do it anymore. I remember when having sweets or alcohol in the house was like having the devil nipping at my heels. I wouldn’t think about it constantly. I would plan when I could have some, agonize over whether or not I should indulge. It was like being tortured a little bit at a time as long as my eyes were open. All I wanted was healing. I was desperate. I didn’t just want to have control, I wanted the whispers in my brain to go away. I didn’t want to have to fight anymore. Sadly, sometimes the only way to get out of the fight felt like I had to just give in and eat and drink it all. A couple nights ago I was reading the book of Matthew and came across the story of the woman with the bleeding condition. With a single touch, she was cured. Jesus told her that her faith healed her. Waves of thankfulness washed over me. I have been healed. All the whispers, cravings, and agony are gone. And I remembered this one day. I was walking in circles around our driveway. Crying. Tears streamed down my face. Begging God to heal me. I was so scared I didn’t believe enough. I was so scared that I wasn't trying hard enough. So terrified that I might stay that way forever. It was awful, but several years later I look back on my journey and I see that I have no idea the moment, day, or month that I was finally free. God walked me through that process. Baby step by baby step. Tiny victory by tiny victory. Today, I guarantee you that the way I handle life, the amount of faith and joy that I have, has been built in those moments, in the fight. I know things are hard, especially this time of the year with the stress, overwhelm, delight, and added temptation, but please, open your eyes and see those baby steps. You’re moving forward, you're building your faith and joy in Jesus Christ as you hold on to His cloak and whisper, “I know You can heal me.” Sweet sister, want to do some praying together? Okay, I want you to dig deep. What is the hardest part of your struggle? Is it physical pain? Is it the desperate need to make that better choice even when you feel exhausted and defeated from a long day of work? Is it feeling alone? Like no one sees or understands your struggle? Is it fear that you might never find that healing you so desperately want? Okay, let's take this all to Jesus.. Jesus, reach out and heal us. We are tired of the pain that we feel in our bodies and our minds as we struggle. Fill us with Your strength and peace when the temptation is stronger than our own weak will. Stay close to us, filling us with your sweet presence when we feel alone. Remind us that you walk this blessed path to healing with us and rejoice in every moment we stay in the struggle and cling to the promise. Rebuke the fear that we can never be whole but instead fill us with the reminder of how precious we are to you. Let our healing bless our lives, not just for a moment, but for a lifetime with You. Amen. I am eager for that day when you look back and say, “Wow, It happened.” Remember, it is okay that things don’t come together for you all at once. Just stay in the fight, sweet sister. I love you.
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by Lora ArmendarizYou Can Do It!Do you want to fall out of love with a destructive habit? The first 42 episodes of this podcast are a resource for anyone who wants encouragement and information as they take a six week break from a habit in order to fall out of love with it. Archives
April 2024
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