Sometimes when we’re in trouble, there isn’t always instant relief. Our friends & family can only do so much for us and we need some other form of help and assurance that we will be okay. This relief comes from God. Have you ever been so depressed that nothing in the world can uplift your mood? Not even drugs or alcohol? Or maybe you felt like your entire world around you is coming down in shambles and you can’t dig yourself out. I’ve been there. Heck, sometimes I still go there. I have felt so depressed, guilty, shameful, and worthless that I even tried to kill myself because everything I felt in me told me to. The devil had me good for many years of my life until I finally said enough is enough! I can’t live this way anymore! I’m better than this and deserve better! So I turned to God. Let me tell you guys, He did not disappoint. This is because God is at the door and waiting for you to literally let him in. Have you ever been so deeply saddened because of a death in the family or friend and don’t know what to do next? One call to God will give you the answers you need.
Trust me when I tell you that even psychiatrists can only do so much, but God can supply the true needs we are missing. When people choose to use medication for their depression, it means that their reliance on God is on the fritz and needs to be restored once again. I’m literally telling you this because even against medical advice from my own psychiatrist, I’ve been thinking about getting off all my medication. Now, I am not telling you to do this. If you are prescribed medication and seeing a psychiatrist please see him/her first. I am simply stating what I want to do.
With that being said, I feel like the same people can remember when God was with them and there were no worries about tomorrow. This is what people need to get back to. A regular prayer life that includes daily Bible study, and putting what it says into practice. Then will the Holy Spirit abide with them and be their strength when they need it most. I feel like society has simply taken every mood, feeling, action, thought from people and just just use medication as a band-aid but imagine if the entire world believed in God and followed His commands? There would be complete happiness and joy worldwide. There would be no evil-doing. No drugs, no alcohol, no sadness, nothing negative in existence.
When we’re in trouble, depressed, feeling like we aren’t good enough, are in desperate need of help, need answers to go on in life, and more, God is patient waiting for you to come to Him through prayer. In those moments of despair, knock and he will answer. If you do this, ohhh let me tell you, the tears will be flowing like a river but in a good way! For God will come and give you the biggest hug you’ve ever had. In his presence, you will feel his embrace. I can tell you from experience, a hug from God feels warm but also gives you chills. It can make you cry and be completely full of emotions but you’ll feel safe at the same time. it’s the best feeling I’ve ever had. It’s better than any drug.
As you knock, cry out to him. If there’s things to confess, then give it to him! The Lord loves you! Keep in mind, for you to experience his love, you must submit your life to him by leading his example. Being more like his Son, Jesus Christ, obeying him, and having faith most of all. Don’t think of this as signing your life away. God will give you a new life, a better life. One that you’ll love so much more that you don’t even thinking about who you were in the past. That was the old you! Do this today. Do as David did when he said, “I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.” David wasn’t afraid of any of his enemies because he knew that God was watching over him every day. The Lord surrounding him every day and he surrounds you too.
Don’t delay. Pray!
God is the only person who can give you the strength you need to carry on. You don’t have to be afraid. Not only are we comforted in this life, but will remain so in death. What that means is, we will be eternally comforted. As your life right now goes from old to new, (old you=death) this is because Jesus is our savior and will lead us safely “home” when we die. Truly. Allow Jesus to reside in your heart and you will find the depression fading away. Mine did. I hope my story can be an inspiration to you.
Wanna talk about it? Don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m your sister in Christ and your friend. You are safe here.
xo
Psalms 119:123-125
Deliverance
In the world we live in, who else is longing for God’s salvation and/or righteousness? I know I am! The truth is, only a few people feel this way. What they know and are experiencing now is more important to them. It is true that the many of these people have known about the Bible and Jesus throughout their lifetime. But it doesn’t mean more than their current beliefs or lifestyle. Add churchgoers to the list too. Most people are only Christian on Sundays and neglect the Bible and prayer entirely during the week. If only these types of people knew about how short this life really is. Then they would come to Jesus and be saved. God has the power to deliver us from every form of sin. Including addiction. He can change what they think is true and give them true wisdom. If you are reading this, then come to the Lord. Begin to pray and stir up the deep desire and anticipation for God’s deliverance in your life. God recognizes when someone is being sincere and he is ready to hear your cry and act! His guidance and mercy is then given to us freely. Being led by God is the best experience in this life. I would know. I went from witch to Christian in a short time and changed literally everything about myself but not because I thought I had to. I wanted to. When they say, transformed and reborn, it’s literal. Honestly, though? I don’t even know that person anymore. I don’t want anything to do with that person. I can barely even remember being that person. I love me now. I’m Natalie v2.0.
Do you want to be a better version of yourself? Take that next step right now and simply pray to God. Ask for deliverance. Ask for forgiveness. Don’t be ashamed in telling him everything. You can talk to him like a friend, I do. Heck, sometimes I pretend he’s sitting with me and then I look like a creep just chatting away haha but in all seriousness, if you need help or a little bit of guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out because that’s why I am here. I have been called by God to help those in need and preach the good news of the gospel. It is in my absolutely, genuine, pleasure to help you along your journey.
Talk soon.
xo
Psalms 100
Grateful heart, blessed life
I recently did a Bible study on the book of Psalms and it really gave me a better understanding for the need to give thanks to God. In chapter 100, David talks about how we should come to the throne of God each day in thanksgiving. We sing praises to the Lord through music because of our great love for the Father and His Son, Jesus. God has called us out from among those of the world and into his loving arms. We are his sheep and have heard and followed his voice for safety and now we give him thanks for his mercy as it endures forever. David said, “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. for the Lord is good. his unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues each generation.”
The apostle Paul seemed to have agreed with David because he said in Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done…” In Colossians 3:17 Paul says, ” And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving him thanks through him to God the Father”. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul says again, ” Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Remember that we don’t just pray over our food during the day, but put your focus on the Lord all throughout the morning, afternoon, and evening. Our prayers and thanks to God are not only for specific times of the day. Our hearts are entwined with him. It’s mainly through prayer that we have our communication with God. Seeking God and then giving him praise is what He wants us to do. He is the One that has blessed us, our family, our friends, our homes, our cars, our jobs, our health, and especially our salvation and mercy.
So I encourage y’all, if you feel blessed in anything, then tell God today. Cry out to Him in thanksgiving, holding nothing back. He is worthy of our praise.
xo
Genesis 13
Love Conquers All & freedom Sets You Free
When you’re in the hardship, stay calm. Let peace be in your heart. Ask that there be time to settle the matter and call upon the name of the Lord when you pray. Trust me when I say, He will hear your cries for He hears all of our cries. If you are feeling empty inside, He will fill your heart with peace. Be still because God is always with you. His love will surround you and make you whole. Let Jesus be the keeper of your heart. Seek him with all of your heart. Let him help you know exactly what it is you need to Him to do. We may not always know what to say or do in tough situations but the Lord knows, and He is willing to help us.
In the book of Genesis, (13) Abram had just prayed to God before an incident occurred between him and Lot. They both had a lot of land and animals but because of all their possessions, it was harder to live with each other. So, they started competing with each other because of their wealth. However, since Abram had the Lord in his heart, he wanted peace with Lot. Abram said to him, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsman. after all, we are close relatives!” The whole countryside is open to you. Take what choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.” (Genesis 13:8-9)
Honestly hate and anger towards others will only bring heartache and pain. The more you pray to God the more peace you will feel in your heart. There will be more love in your life, not hate. If any of you struggle in your relationships with family, seek the Lord’s help. He will give you rest. Through the storms we can find strength. God desires that we love and cherish our family. If you are struggling with something, give it to God and let him be the judge because it is not our place to be. I encourage those who are dealing with any sort of struggles with forgiving someone, make amends with them. Ask God for wisdom on the issue you’re facing. I do this all the time when I am struggling with something but it’s not as easy as Pray. Received. Answer. You have to be open to receiving that answer. Try asking God to open your eyes to all of His signs. Don’t ever think that prayers don’t get answered. God is trustworthy, it is one of his many characteristics. He may not answer your prayers in the timing that you intend to receive it because it’s not part of God’s plan for you to hear what you need to hear yet. Or maybe God is testing your faith. He does this with all of us. God knows what is in our hearts. He knows what we’re going to think and do before we even do! Isn’t that incredible?
How can we say we love God if we have hate in our hearts? There is not an ounce of hate in God’s heart. Let His kindness take hold of your life. A person in line with God is a person who walks in his words.
I encourage you all to find time today to talk with a family member whom you’re not in the best place with. Tell them you’re sorry for anything that you have done to hurt them. Tell them you will make things right and open your arms to love on them again. Take them back just as Jesus has taken you back. There’s no one that God will exclude from his Kingdom that has faith in Him. Just as God extends His love to everyone. Let go of your grudges towards others.
So my friends, love God and love one another as God loves you. Let His love flow within your heart. I know ever since I found God in my life, my life hasn’t been the same because when I look back on everything I’ve been through and when I thought I was alone, God was always there and will always be there when I need him.
Same goes for all of God’s children!
xo
Engaging Grief with Hope
Psalm 23
When I was in my twenties I was in a constant state of grief. It seemed like no matter what I did, I suffered. I had a baby with someone I didn’t really know. I gave up my rights as a mother shortly after he was born. I attempted to go to college three times and dropped out. I was homeless, drinking, partying, stealing, and having sex with random men. I was a train wreck. I ended up spending ten years of my life with someone I thought I would end up with forever. Someone who was great but ended up causing me to have PTSD that for a while transferred over to my current relationship for a short time.
I was unsure of God. I was too fearful and selfish to ask Him for help and every day that went by kept getting worse. My ex abused me in every way imaginable and my spirit was crushed. I lost my sense of identity and stopped caring about myself. I hated my life and tried to end it on many occasions.
I didn’t have a loving God to help me with a way out. I couldn’t trust anyone, not even myself. I didn’t “believe” that a loving God could let terrible things happen to me. I was in a constant state of fear. I was struck with more grief than anyone I knew and just wanted all of the pain to go away so I naturally thought that if I ended my life, I wouldn’t “feel” anymore. I would finally be free of all the pain and torment.
It took a long time for me to realize that I let these things happen to me. I made my own choices and even though I felt like there was no other way out, there was and I’m glad that God had opened my eyes to see that I was made for a purpose and sitting in my closet holding my knees and sobbing every day wasn’t it.
King David wrote many psalms that expressed his devotion to God, as well as his struggles and doubts. In Psalm 23, King David wrote, “The Lord is my Shepard; I shall not want…. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul…. Even though I was through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”
David is telling us that when we are with God, we are made righteous and are ensured His protection, goodness, and mercy every day. We don’t have to walk through life alone. God is with us! He with us when we’re happy and when we’re sad. God is with us in every circumstance, He hears our prayers, He sees our struggles, our grief, our sadness, everything. He didn’t create us just to ignore us.
Come to Him. Tell Him everything. He may not answer in a way that you expect. God always answers our prayers in His perfect timing. It may not be the way you expect but you are being answered because God loves you.