Tag:

feelings

Alisha Faith Featured Hope Life Moments Music

Invited on the journey

What happened to that house we were going for?

Well after much waiting and stillness in Him, I am here to say that God is faithful through it all. I am currently sitting at the table looking out of the window of the very home that God said was ours. Sometimes we have an idea of how it will go or what the journey will look like and if we are not careful we can put God in a box of familiarness that is not what He is wanting to do.

I had this idea that moving in here would be a grand experience and that I would love every moment of it and it would be absolute home bliss. In this journey I have to admit it has been far from that.

From the moment we moved in I started to regret this house, be fearful, feel overwhelmed and even doubt what God was saying to us. I kept asking myself the question why? Why would you bring us here? Why would you make us go through this?

I had worked so hard with Jamie and many family and friends to leave our home in Florida clean, put together and welcoming for our new tenants. I wanted them to know it was going to be a home of peace and His presence.

By the time we left Florida I was exhausted physically, emotionally and all over the place. When we pulled into the new home I was reminded this was a testimony of God speaking something over our lives and bringing it into existence and I came in with much expectation. From the moment I walked in the door that quickly went out the window and disappointment started to set in.

The house was not clean at all and very quickly we had a list of repairs that had to be done in order for it to function properly and even make it habitable. Now I could deal with all that but then there came the spiders…

We very quickly found out the house, which had been empty for over a year, was infested with brown recluse spiders and red hornets! I didn’t sleep well for several nights and my excitement quickly turned to tears and then anger. Why would God make us go through this awful experience. I felt very alone and very sad, I even begged Jamie to take us back to Florida a few times!

A few days in I was in the midst of the chaos and I heard the Lord whisper this phrase to me. “Invite me in the journey” – my heart was thumping hard – how did I not allow him to be with me? I totally switched into survival mode when we arrived and had tried to deal with all of this in my own strength but He was longing to walk along side me even when dealing with the creepy spiders.

He is there to bring peace, to bring wisdom and comfort when we don’t understand. I have no idea why I am walking through this but I do know this, He is with me in the journey because I invited Him to be with me. I have changed my attitude towards the spiders and I have let them know that me and Jesus have put a vacate notice on them. They may no longer live in our home – you laugh and it sounds silly I know, but for me it is realizing I can live on top of the trial instead of letting it spiral me downward into a pit of depression and hopelessness.

As I write this, we still see a few spiders but it is getting much better and I am learning through it all. I am declaring everyday that no weapon formed against me will prosper. The devil can try and use this situation to make me doubt the promises of God but I am calling his bluff.

This house is a place of peace and a place where people can come and feel His presence, where they can be restored, where they can know Him in a real way! This is a place where lives are changed, music is writtien, words of life are spoken and atmospheres shift! No spider or bug can change that.

When we choose to let Him into our journey, He will bring a heavenly perspective. He will never leave us or forsake us and we will feel Him near. I am choosing to find the place where His peace is! I am doing all that I can to make this place feel like home and I anxiously await the opportunities that will come through our doors of this God given home because when He has a plan and a purpose then He will see it through! I’m not giving up – I’m not backing down but I am pressing into Him and I’m listening for His words of life! Let Him be a part today, even in the small areas of your life – He cares and He is waiting there with open arms!

SCRIPTURE STUDY ON INVITING HIM IN

Isaiah 54:17
2 Corinthians 3:12
Jeremiah 29:11
Joshua 1:9

August 23, 2018 0 comment

Alisha Faith Life

Declaring God’s Words and His Truth

written by Alisha Anderson

Did you know that we have the ability to literally change our physical brain function!?

The way in which we think and speak creates neural pathways in our brain. So many want to go to church on Sunday, hear a little sermon and let that be their Jesus time for the whole week. The rest of the time they are feasting on negativity, self- doubt, criticism, and some even watching and listening to things that are far less than appropriate.

There is a reason God’s word says to meditate on His Word. We were created to have a daily need to fill our mind and heart with His truths. Often we want to take a shortcut or just hope the one off will do it for us. The word meditate means think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation. Another version says, to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness. When we meditate on His Word, we are creating a wider neural pathway in our mind which effects our heart, our health and our entire being. When we forge these pathways and they become larger it makes it easier to think about these things again. The more you entertain or think about the same things the wider the road becomes in your mind.

This is why when someone is worried or anxious and they continually feast on the fear, the more fearful they become. If you only spend time on Sundays thinking positive thoughts about God’s goodness but spend the rest of the week in worry, doubt and fear then you will build a 6 lane highway that will be headed straight for the negativity dump where you will get stuck leaving you with a little walking trail to our divine destiny and God’s truth over your life.

Whatever we take time to cultivate in our mind will be the thing that dominates us. When I am at home cooking, cleaning, doing laundry I always try to put on worship music and I let myself go in His presence. What an act of worship, serving my family and loving Jesus in worship at the same time. Now I promise you, I have not always had this attitude, I used to be resentful, frustrated and bitter at times because no one would help. Things have shifted in our house and my attitude has changed because I choose to create some different pathways in my brain. When you are uplifting and full of life, people are attracted to you, my family will often just jump in and help because I am a lot more pleasant to be around. I think they used to just avoid helping to avoid my bad attitude and negativity and I can’t blame them, I would have avoided myself too! Some of my greatest times of worship have been while I am doing stuff around the house. I changed my attitude and mindset that I can spend time with my heavenly Father no matter where I am or what I am doing and He sure has met me there! He doesnt mind the laundry or the dishes!

In Romans 12:2, The Passion Translation says, “Stop Imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformations of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in His eyes.”

We often try and control those things around us, our families, our circumstances, our lives, even our time. God’s Word gives us control over ourselves not control over others. He’s got our family, our circumstances and does not need our help to be in control. He is waiting to be our Savior. He is waiting for us to acknowledge our fears and have the freedom to say our fears our not in our hands and that my soul is well with You! We have been going through a big transition in our lives and I have had to choose daily to submit control to my Heavenly Father and make sure I am choosing peace and faith in the midst of what feels like potential for chaos, fear and frustration. When we submit our hearts to Him and focus on declaring His Word over our lives then our fears are disarmed – they take a backseat to peace and God’s truth! I have had a peace the last few months in my life that I have NEVER experienced before. It doesn’t mean that I don’t face fear or doubt but every time I see the flashing sign saying detour – exit to fear I choose to stay on the highway of His peace. I am learning to build toward life giving thinking, creating a neural pathway of His Truth in my life that is far bigger than the Negativity Highway I have been on for so long. It is shut down and being ripped apart but at times I am tempted to get back on what feels like the easy road – but honestly the scenery on that road is boring and ugly. I much prefer the beauty I experience on this new road of Life giving power! You can’t trust our fears to lead you to a great final destination, They are not honest and will exaggerate, they do not take your heart into consideration. They do not deserve your deepest parts or your allegiance. Giving your heart and allegiance to your Heavenly Father, to a God who is trustworthy and whose promises are the real deal will lead you to an amazing destination. God is bigger and better that the worst thing you can imagine and He is in control! Choose life, Choose to widen the pathway of Life giving thoughts in your brain! I know you can do it – I did and I felt like an impossible case that could never get off the highway of negativity I had been circling for years lost and feeling totally hopeless. He NEVER gives up on us and is ready for you today! Take time for to be in control of your thoughts and heart – fill it with His truths!

SCRIPTURE STUDY ON DECLARING GOD'S TRUTH

Psalm 139:5-6
Romans 12:2
Phil 4:7
Proverbs 4:20-23
Isaiah 26:3

April 23, 2018 0 comment

Alisha Faith Hope Life

Say No!

written by Alisha Anderson

God is about to shift some things big time in my life. I can sense it and I can feel it.

I have never been good at resting or doing nothing. I was raised to work hard and to serve with all my heart. That’s not bad at all but at the end of last year, I found myself on burn out, exhausted, overwhelmed and literally on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

I was experiencing panic attacks and shutting myself in my closet sobbing, hoping to escape this brutal cycle I hated being in so much. I had spread myself too thin, I felt trapped. I felt like I couldn’t say no to things that were wearing me down.

I lived in a constant state of chaos and felt like my heart would explode at any moment. I actually feared a heart attack due to the level of stress I was under. Those times in my closet, were way too often. I was wishing things were different, wanting change desperately but saw no way to get better.

In January 2016, Jamie and I started to see a Christian therapist. I needed it, our marriage needed it and my relationship with my kids needed it. I remember the first day – I sat on her couch sobbing. I told her I was on the edge of a cliff barely hanging on by my fingertips.

I told her I could let go at any moment and that would be the end. I was so serious that day; saying those things out loud and admitting I was at my limit, was the day things begin to shift for me.

I was scared, I had moments where mild panic attacks would hit me and I would feel like I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Everything I was doing was ‘part of my job role’ so I didn’t know how to say no or communicate that it was all too much. Over the next several sessions God began to work in my heart and I started to find some peace. In the process of meeting with our therapist, I realized I needed to start saying no to things.

This was a big challenge for me. I didn’t know how to say no. I remember being mad at my therapist when she would say “just say no”. I’d say, “that’s easy for her personality type but not mine”. The thought of even saying it to my bosses (who were my parents) sent me into a state of panic. They never told me I couldn’t say no but I would feel it by the comments made along the way when I would not attend every church activity. It made me think I have to attend everything as part of my job. I began to feel resentful to the church and my job for taking me to a place of no return.

Everyone had an expectation of me and everyone needed me to do something for them; with several job roles in my lap how could I ever say no. Sadly I felt like a failure as I wasn’t doing anything well. My reactions were harsh and often rude, then I’d beat myself up for being that way. I dreaded anytime I had to do anything with church. What was once a joyful thing to do had become a noose around my neck and at any given moment I might fall off the box and hang myself (not literally).

I got to the place that I never stopped working, I never took time to rest and do nothing. I did not know how to sit still and be with my husband or kids without multitasking at same time – after all, there was so much to get done and how could I possibly take time for anything else. I was not a fun person to be around and most people probably avoided me. I had become a person I did not want to be and I felt totally trapped in a cycle I could not get out of.

After one session with our therapists I remember thinking this is such a waste of time – nothing is changing and I will never be able to say no as long as I am in this job. Slowly God had been at work in my heart and step by step He walked me through a process of healing and freedom. I found the courage to pull back a little bit at a time.

I remember the first time I actually said “no” – it was a big deal. I kept apologizing while I was saying – I just can’t take on another thing. It was helping with a woman’s event that my Mom was leading. I was so stressed at the thought of communicating to her that I could not help but I did it! I knew it was not only a victory for my heart but that God wanted to give a confidence to my Mom that she could do it without me too.

We all face seasons where parts of us break and I think it is important to take time to mend. However some of us get stuck in that place and continue to live with a mindset like we’re trapped in some old ugly rental house, when we actually own a gorgeous house full of great things. This was me, I knew I was created for more but I insisted on staying there instead of allowing God to make me new and be fully who He had created me to be.

In serving Church, I got caught up in the ‘doing’ all for the sake of the gospel but at the total expense of myself. It says it so well in the Message in Mark 8:36 “Follow me and I will show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way to saving your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? what could you ever trade your soul for?”

I felt like I had traded my own person relationship with Jesus Christ in order to please others with nothing left to give to the one who matters most in my life – my heavenly Father.

I had to do something or I would be trapped forever. The day I spoke those words out and my counselor gave me the courage to face reality as it was, I began to feel the blinders fall off me eyes. God began to speak to my heart that it was time to strip myself of my brokenness and allow Him to begin to heal my heart, one layer at a time.

He brought me to Ephesians 4:22-24 “Strip Yourselves of your former nature (put off and discard your old un-renewed self) which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts, and desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude). And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image. (Godlike) in true righteousness and holiness.”

When the Bible tells us to strip ourselves of our old nature it says to discard your old un-renewed self. When we wear an old stinky t-shirt no matter how we try and disguise it with febreze or perfume it is still an old stinky t-shirt and eventually the nice smelling cover up will go away and we will smell the stench again. You have to get rid of it completely; take if off and throw it away, not cover it up. God says that He has something new for you that is far better than you can imagine!

How do we have a wardrobe change? In verse 23 it says, “and be constantly renewed in your mind” We do this by spending time in His Word, worshipping and being in His presence. When we do this it says we put on a new nature – a whole new self!

You can ask anyone in my family to confirm this but I am not the same girl I was 6 months ago. I am allowing God to come in and do a work in my heart. Do I get in my flesh sometimes and try and put on that stinky t-shirt sometimes… absolutely and man it smells bad – everyone knows when I am wearing it.

My husband has said to me many times over the last few months how different I am – you have such a calmness about you and so much more peace. This is because I stopped living broken and I am allowing God to make me new.

We just wrote a song with my nephew last month that expresses this very thought. “You took a broken me and you made a masterpiece, You fill my heart with perfect love.” His heart for us is so much bigger then our most difficult seasons. He will use any season of brokenness to shape and mold us but don’t get stuck there, allow Him to transform you completely.

A few weeks back my daughter went to a worship night and God spoke this to her heart, when she shared it with my I began to cry but this so accurately fit where I have been and where I am going.

Here is what she wrote: Jesus loves us so much and unconditionally. It’s almost as if He’s sitting there saying, “I Love you, you know why? Because you are made in my image. You are deserving. You are my child. You’re not broken, you know why? Because I love you and I have made you new. You know why? Because you are worth it. You know why? Because you were created by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

He has made you with a plan and purpose, full of life and destiny. Let Him make you new today.

SCRIPTURE STUDY ON PURPOSE

Psalm 16
2 Corinthians 5:17
Colossians 3

June 5, 2016 0 comment

Alisha Faith Hope Life

Life or Death

written by Alisha Anderson

This week has been a bit of a challenge. I was presented with the opportunity to choose life or death in my words, thoughts and actions. Many times! Even though I knew what choice should be made – I struggled to embrace what I knew was right. I really wanted to wallow in self pity, or frustration. I would justify my feeling and convince myself I deserved to feel this way.

You ever feel that way?

When life throws us a curve ball we have a choice as to how we respond. We will always have opportunity to be misunderstood, disappointed, or to be stretched beyond what’s comfortable. Our spouses, kids and friends will not always meet our personal expectations and we will be let down. At some point, we will face the choice to either believe the best or the worst. It’s up to us.

Whatever you expect, you’ll most likely experience so choose wisely!

My husband and I are very close and talk about anything and everything – nothing is off the table in our relationship but this week we had a situation where He did something that had a profound impact on me.

For years he has wanted another tattoo and we have talked about it many times. He’s spent a lot of time thinking it about it, researching meanings, significance and carefully thought about what He wants.

Last Christmas I decided to give him some cash towards this little venture even though it was a stretch on me. I see nothing wrong with tattoos but I don’t prefer them so it was a big step to give money towards this! He finally decided the timing was right and set up a consultation to get started. I have not always been positive in my communication about him getting it and really left him feeling like I did not want to be a part of the process. So, he did not make me a part of the process….deep inside I did want to be and was hoping He would choose not to go through with it.

A word to the wise – when you don’t communicate what you need, it’s not fair to expect others to know what you need!

Even though we had talked about it along the way; size was very vaguely communicated. The day came for Jamie to go in for the first session. I asked for a picture of the transfer they had just put on His arm. I had no idea this would spin me into a melt down and literally throw my off my reality for a whole week.

I was in the middle of shoe store with my kids when the picture came in. I burst into tears, I reacted and my reaction to him wasn’t exactly life giving. I had an expectation that he would respect my wishes (the ones I hadn’t communicated) and in that moment I realized that was not at all his reality. He did what he wanted and definitely not what I wanted.

This tattoo was 5 times the size I was expecting and it broke my heart. The thought that I would have to look at his arm covered in that much “ink” for the rest of our lives was more than my heart or mind could bear and over the next few days I had nothing nice to say. My words and actions reflected my feelings of being totally disappointed in His choice. Instead of choosing to speak life into the situation I allowed my words to hurt and destroy.

In Deuteronomy 30:19 it says, “Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The fist choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose Life! Then you and your children will live!

When we have a thought that is not based on truth it will affect the way we feel, which will affect the way we behave. This create a cycle, that can spin out of control. It is dangerous and will lead to mistreating people around us.

In the moment, I believed that he didn’t value me as his spouse, which of course was not true. He believed I wasn’t a fan and didn’t care to know the details. I’d showed no real interest and he didn’t know that I did actually value being a part of the whole process and the size was important to me.

With this false truth I felt betrayed, excluded and hurt. In return my behavior towards him reflected that. I become very toxic to others and myself. I lost my sense of value and self control.

There is something extra special about this verse in Deuteronomy that has caught my attention.

We as moms and wives have an opportunity to set up our family to win by choosing life! We have the opportunity to set the atmosphere in our home, shift negative thinking and to encourage our kids to do the same.

I have been reading a book that is transforming the way I think. In the book, “Switch on Your Brain” by Dr. Caroline Leaf, she talks about the link between scientific proof and God’s Word. We have the ability to literally shape not only our future but the future or our kids and generations to come, simply by how and what we think right now!

One of the chapters refers to the Law of Entanglement where it states that; relationship is the defining characteristic of everything in space and time. What we say, think and do has a direct impact to those around us. She goes on to say, “We are so entangled that our intentions alter not only our own DNA molecules, but the DNA molecules of others as well.

Say WHAAAT?

An ingenuous experiment set up by the HeartMath Foundation determined that genuine positive emotion, as reflected by a measure called ‘heart rate variability’ directed with intentionality toward someone actually changed the way the double-helix DNA strand coil and uncoils. And this goes for both positive and negative emotions and intentions. Other research shows that heartfelt intention will cumulatively alter not only your own destiny but impact the lives of others in this generation and the next three generations at least”

Whoa…..do you get the magnitude of this? We have been empowered to choose life or choose death. How often I find myself uttering grumblings or frustrations at my children or husband. Essentially I have spoke death over their hearts, destiny and future. Lord, Help me to speak life over them, to learn to let the non-essentials go and literally shape their future for greatness!

In Proverbs 4:20-27 we see God’s plan laid out for us to help us choose life and life in His divine health and life. “My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. Don’t let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them. These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover them. Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life. Don’t bend the truth or say things that you know are right. Keep your eyes on the path, and look straight ahead. Make sure you are going the right way, and nothing will make you fall. Don’t go to the right or to the left, and you will stay away from evil.”

I am learning that the choice is in my hands and with the power of the Holy Spirit I have the ability to choose life. Am I going to choose to speak life over him and not make him feel bad for His choices…..well I am working on that! I keep asking myself will I allow this to keep a wedge between us or will I choose to let it be a non-essential in our relationship. Will I allow my heart to ache everytime I look at his arm or will I choose to not let it phase me? Working on this one too and I know that God will give the strength to choose life not only in this situation but in my relationships with my children, in everyday situations and even in my own thinking! We had some amazing conversation in the weeks that followed this whole situation and because I finally decided to choose life, my heart and attitude shifted. We were able to really draw close to one another and reconcile the hurst that we had both caused. As time has passed the tattoo has grown on me a lot and now I hate to admit but I actually really love it on him!

Let me leave you with this verse in Romans 12:2 “Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God want for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect.

Let’s commit to choose life – to be atmosphere changers with our words. Let’s choose to shape the future and destiny of our families by the words that we speak! With His help – ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

SCRIPTURE TO HELP YOU CHOOSE LIFE:

John 8:44
Romans 12:5
1 Corinthians 2:11
Matthew 6:25-33
Proverbs 3:5-6

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March 27, 2016 0 comment

Alisha Faith Featured Hope Life

Toxic Thinking

written by Alisha Anderson

This year has been a year of upheaval in my life. There has been a tearing away of things that have been imbedded in my thinking, my behavior and have impacted almost every area of my life. In the midst of what felt like absolute chaos and hopelessness – God has been tugging at my heart and allowing me to see some things I couldn’t see before.

I have a garden area in our backyard where I like to grow vegetables every year and it has been calling my name to clean it up. When I first started this garden several years back I had a vision of a meticulously clean and beautiful garden with a pretty fence around it, laced in white rocks around the wood boxes. It would be beautiful to look at from every angle with absolute perfection!

Each year I purpose to get closer to my vision and each year I get to the point where I give up and let it go to weeds because I get tired of the work it takes to maintain it. Quite frankly, I don’t have the discipline or take the time to make it what I want it to be.

Each year my frustration grows and each new spring I purpose to try again. So here I am – another year waiting to clean up the garden, waiting to gain the courage to go pull the weeds again. Truthfully, I am afraid of snakes that could be hiding in the weeds.

I want to give it a fresh start and I want to dream again; that this little space of mine can be as beautiful as I see it in my head!

But when it’s full of weeds and overgrown I feel I can’t see past the what is to see what it can be. All I see is a mess that feels a bit overwhelming to tackle.

I brave the garden and go out to take a look, in the midst of all the weeds, one little jalepeno plant is sticking up fighting to stay alive and on it a few thriving jalepenos reminding me that yes life can live here again.

God speaks to me through my garden every year but I know this year is different because God is uncovering some layers in my life that only He can do.

I have been living a life of toxic thinking in my head and heart, like the weeds, it has overgrown and taken over. The moments when I think about dealing with this – I get overwhelmed for a brief moment, then… I see that one sprig of life shining through, reminding me that life and God’s way of thinking can still live amidst chaos. This simple truth becomes a lifeline to my heart.

You see, when we have toxic thoughts it affects our feelings which then affects our behavior.

For a very long season I allowed this vicious cycle to take over most aspects of my life. I would begin to confess toxic lies which in turn, I started to believe. I have been in a season where I had way too much on my plate and felt completely trapped. I have heard myself saying things like, “I feel like I am going to have a nervous breakdown” – I literally felt my life slipping away before my eyes and in the moment saw no way out.

With each day I faced the reality of feeling trapped and I would begin to confess anxiety, fear and I actually started to believe I would die this way.

BUT God, being greater and His unconditional love as my Heavenly Father, reached down and put His hand on my heart and began to pull out the weeds. The blinders began to come off and I started to see past the weeds. I was able focus on the life I could see in the making and look to what is ahead.

I know what God’s truth says about me and slowly I allowed myself to see it from His perspective – not mine. It was as though the darkness in my mind began to lesson and with each day I pressed into Him a little deeper, His light began to expose the darkness and minimize it’s impact on my vision to see clearly.

Learning to get your thoughts under control is one of the greatest battles to win in order to live a life of freedom. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 it says, “ We live in this world, but we don’t fight our battles in the same way the world does. The weapons we use are not human ones. Our weapons have power from God and can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments, and we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.”

God has given us the tools to uproot toxic thinking in our minds. If we don’t use the tools, they’ll be of no use. If I never used one tool in my garden – I would never see it grow or enjoy it’s fruits. We literally have access to Heaven’s plan, His life- giving thinking which is ours for the taking…Yep it’s totally our choice.

I am tired of choosing toxic thinking. As God is continuing to do a work in my life in several areas I see the truth of what He has prepared for me. Is it hard? ABSOLUTELY… I have cried many times, feeling like I don’t want to press through – but the reward of staying steady and working towards the kind of thinking that will transform not only my feelings, but my behavior, is what I am choosing. I choose life!

In Proverbs 4:20-22 it says, “Give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.”

Choose life today and ask God to expose areas of toxic thinking.

SCRIPTURE STUDY ON TOXIC THINKING

Genesis 1:26
1 Corinthians 2:16
2 Timothy 1:7
Hebrews 11:1
Proverbs 23:7
Deuteronomy 30:9
Colossians 3:15

March 10, 2016 0 comment

Faith Hope Jamie Life Moments

In The Valley

written by Jamie Anderson

Right now at this very moment, I am in a “valley”, yet even here I know He is with me more than ever before.

Some might think a valley is a bad place to be; often the path ahead is dark and appears to lead nowhere, large mountains stand on both sides and then the sun no longer shines. Darkness and despair set in. Where once there was the ability to see the horizon, all I see now is what’s immediately before me…. but maybe that’s the point. Maybe that’s all He wants me to see; maybe I need to be here before I can see the next horizon. Maybe I need Him now, more than ever?

Truthfully, I know right now I am exactly where I am supposed to be and by the grace of God, He let me know this season was coming and in order to prepare me for it the Lord reminded me of this very well known passage of scripture:

Psalm 23 in the Amplified Bible says, “THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.”

This has to be one of THE most well known or most quoted passages of scripture. What I love most about the whole book of Psalms is how it’s like a road map from “valley to mountain top” in EVERY aspect of life.

I have vinyl decorative lettering on the wall in my house that says, “When you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart” – it’s there to remind me that His heart for me matters more than the things He can give me. I have to admit though, I often wonder why He makes us lie down in green pastures, but then leads us through the valleys of the shadow of death.

What captivates my attention for these “valley” moments is verses 4-6 where David says to the Father, “I will fear no evil, You are with me, Your rod and staff comfort me, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over, only goodness, mercy and unfailing love will follow me all the days of my life.” ALL this happened IN the valley!!

There’s not too much going on while David rested in the green pastures, just a little rest and relaxation. I can’t help but be amazed by the great lengths that God goes to in the valley moments. He lets us know that He’s with us and what He will do for us. It’s so much more than when we are in the green pastures. I am learning that the valley shapes us – it brings our attention to Him alone and it prepares us to handle the immense beauty of the pasture.

The valley allows us to know that He has fought for us in our moment of death so that we can shine for Him in our moment of life.

Verse 6 says, “Surely, or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.” (Amplified Bible)

No matter what valley you are in, the Lord is with you, to lead you, guide you, protect you and prepare a table for YOU in the presence of your enemies be it health, family, finance or work. The length of your valley is nothing in comparison to the length of days that the Lord and His presence shall be your dwelling place.

March 25, 2010 0 comment