My Pain, Prayer & Praise
March 2021 was a tough month for me, filled with pain, prayer and praise more than other months. I received bad news one after another, and some were very bad news. It was terrible, just awful! I know bad things happen to people all the time; I hear about them from people and see them on the news and I feel pain and say a prayer. But when the bad news is about people you know and love, the pain is so much greater. Though bad, God is good! “The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” Psalm 145:9 NLT. Always remember, God is God no matter what. “Be still, and know that I am God! …” Psalm 46:10 NLT
People share their good and bad news with me
I’m blessed because people feel very comfortable talking to me about whatever is on their minds and they share their happy and good news with me because they know I care and I’m genuinely happy for them. And I will celebrate with them, praise and thank God, and give Him all the honor and glory for the wonderful things He has done and the miracles He has performed in their lives.
Likewise, they share their sad and bad news with me because they trust me and know I literally feel their pain and that I’ll immediately start praying for them, their family, their situation and pray in agreement with them. And I’ll go to God’s Word for love, wisdom, comfort, encouragement, reassurance, confirmation, strength, joy, peace and hope, and share His Word with them based on their situation. This is the only way I know to deal with pain and the only way I know to tell people to deal with their pain because I know this works.
Go-to God and Turn “It” over to Him
When bad things happen to me, loved ones or anyone who talks to me, I go-to God and turn “It” over to Him. I pray! Yes, I pray believing that He will answer prayers, take care of “It,” make “It” better, set free, restore, heal, provide, perform miracles and give peace in the midst of all that is going on. Also, very important, I listen and do whatever God tells me to do, whether it makes sense to me or not. And guess what? He has never failed me and He will never fail you. “… Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”” Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV
You or a loved one may be going through tough times, feeling down, depressed, discouraged, disappointed, anxious, angry, frustrated, uncertain, stressed or hopeless. Please listen to me, from my heart to your heart, go-to God and turn “It” over to Him. Remember, God loves you no matter what “It” is. He loves you! “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT
Over the years there are a few things I’ve learned through my storms: not everybody needs to know, not everybody is part of the solution, not everybody is dependable, sometimes you have to let go of some folks (and God will give you peace), and God will use people you least expect or didn’t think of to help you.
If you listen to God, because trust me, God is talking to you (directly or through His Word or someone or other means), He will tell you exactly what to do and when, and who needs to be involved. But you have to do your part by listening and doing what God tells you to do.
Awesome news: God started turning things around!
Okay, so as I said at the beginning, I received a few bad news this month. It started from the beginning of the month, from different people. They were all painful and heartbreaking but one in particular was heart wrenching. Every time I received bad news, I immediately said a prayer and have continued praying but the one that was heart wrenching grieved my spirit so much that the Holy Spirit took my prayer to another level. A level I don’t go to too often and that only the Holy Spirit can take me… it is known as praying in the Spirit.
Now here’s the awesome news, and this is where I get my “praise on.” God started turning things around in a good way very fast. I started getting good reports and I was soo happy, praising God and thanking Him for answering prayers, for the wondrous things He was doing. Every time I received good news, I was like “WOW WOW WOW, glory to God!”
Here’s the bottom line… What the devil meant for bad, God was turning around for good and for His glory. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV. God did things that only He could do, performing miracles and yes, showing-off. All praise, honor and glory to our “Awesome God and His Son Jesus.” Alleluia! “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Who do you go-to when things are good or bad?
So, I cried this month more than I have done for a long time. Yeah, I cried when I was sad and I cried for joy. For better or worse, this is the imperfect life we live while we are on this earth, filled with ups and downs. But here’s my question to you… who do you go-to in your ups and downs? I know who I go-to… God!
Okay, so, who do you go-to when things are good? Do you go-to God to give Him credit, praise, honor, glory and to thank Him? I sure hope so because it is not good luck but God’s love working for you. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV. Or do you only go to God when things are bad? I hope not.
When things are bad, who do you go-to first? Do you go-to God first and ask Him for wisdom, help, guidance and strength? I sure hope so because “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV
Say & Believe in your heart: Greater is Jesus in Me!
Yes, March started out bad but it is ending much better. “… Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5 NLT. I’ve experienced and witnessed firsthand what God can do and has done for me, my family and others. That’s why nobody can tell me about God because I know Him… okay! Hey, I feel like shouting for joy and preaching up in here right now and I’m not a preacher. Lol! I’m just ordinary Deb filled with God, His Word, His love, His joy, His peace and His hope; just doing what He tells me to do, for you, and for His honor and glory.
I know that “Greater is Jesus in You!” because “You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NIV. Jesus Christ who lives in you, through the Holy Spirit, is greater than any storm you are facing or will ever face. I kindly ask you to do me a favor, better yet, do God and Jesus a favor, right now… Say and believe in your heart, “Greater is Jesus in Me!”
I don’t know about you but I know that I’m going to keep on doing what God tells me to do because I know and believe in my heart, “Greater is Jesus in Me!”
Photo credit to MorrArt. Great pics!
Say & Believe “Greater is Jesus in Me!”
From Deb’s 
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