From Pity to Praise

Hope In Difficult Circumstances

It is inevitable that we will go through times of despair in our lives. Jesus told us in John 16:33, in this world, we will have tribulations and trials distress and frustration, but be a good cheer and take courage, be confident, for He has overcome the world.

In difficult times we might feel like giving up or feeling like we’re stuck and don’t know where to turn. But when we hold onto hope and put our trust in God, He always makes a way. he will take whatever we are going through and make good out of it.

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose” -Romans 8:28

When I was growing up, I was neglected, and abused there were many times I wondered why these things were happening. Why was God letting them happen. I cried and begged for help. I told my teacher at school and was ignored because my mother told them I just had an active imagination. After a while I gave up hope, as the depression set in I coped by taking alcohol out of the refrigerator and getting drunk at age 13 I began doing drugs, anything I could find to numb the pain I was feeling. And I would do anything to get my hands on those drugs. My excuse was if no one else cared why should I. That led to many years of suffering. I had lost all hope. When I turned 22 I was a complete mess. I then met my husband of 36 years. But I wasn’t any better off, I still did drugs. It wasn’t until one night I overdosed. I remember thinking well this is it. I’m dying. Miraculously, I came out of it and never did hard drugs again. Children came, and through raising them, I still took pain pills to numb the pain, but I was always there for my children.

Fast forward 18 years and I became a follower of Jesus, even though I was very angry at God. I figured I had tried to fill the hole inside my soul, with everything else but Him. He didn’t get me out of the situations in my life, but He gave me the strength to get through it. I realized that through it all I still had hope it would get better. I took four years of repenting, begging, and a hope for a good future.

God how to plan for my life through it all. He had taken what Satan meant for harm and turned it into something good. I can honestly tell you that God has transformed me from being negative and pessimistic and into someone who is full of hope, always expecting kids goodness around every corner.

Hope is the confident expectation that something good is going to happen. I hopeful person refuses to be let negativity, ruin their life, even when they deal with the storms of life. Remaining hopeful and thought, attitude, and conversation.

When I began to study God’s Word, that’s when I discovered real hope, that nothing is impossible with a God attitude and an awareness that God is actually expecting, looking and longing to show us His goodness.

Isaiah 30:18 tells us, “Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you, and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you, for the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for Him.

The Bible even tells us that hope is an anchor to our soul, our mind, our will and our emotions. In Hebrews 6:19 it says, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil.”

This means that when everything looks bleak, and it seems like nothing makes sense, and it feels like God‘s promises will never come to pass in our lives, hope is the anchor that pulls us back and says, hold on, your help is on the way.

God wants us to live a life full of hope, bleeding, and expecting great things from Him. It’s not about a wishy-washy vague. Hope it’s a let’s just wait and see what happens kind of hope. It’s an attitude that says trust that He will do what He has promised.

I’ve learned a few things through my journey of life:

Never give up! Fight the temptation to think that there is no way out of your situation. Jesus is the way. This is the time to draw close and follow him.

Avoid blaming God or thinking he is punishing you for some sin. He is just using the situation to work in your life. And while it may not feel the greatest, His purpose will always be used for good.
Do what’s right, even when you’re hurting, when it doesn’t feel right or when others treat you badly. Do something good for as many people as you can and as often as you can.

Don’t withdraw or sulk or isolate yourself from others. You can either be pitiful or powerful, but you can’t be both. Many times God uses others to encourage us during our tough times.
Always keep your word and honor your commitments. This is character building time, and you are being prepared to take your place in the palace.
Don’t stop believing. Don’t give up hope that God can improve your situation.

Hope is only as strong asit’s source. That is why the foundation of our hope must be God and the promises that are found in His Word. If God is not the source, hope it’s just a wishful thought.

The world can be a difficult place, but God‘s hope is unshakable, all powerful, all knowing, and ever present. When we have a relationship with Jesus, it fills us with hope and confidence because we realize He is greater than any situation we will ever encounter.

Promised Faithfulness To The Lord -Psalm 101

Change My Mind

What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?

I am someone who is set in my ways. I am deeply rooted in my values, beliefs, and morals.

I have strong convictions based of my life experiences, and things God has shown me to be true.

My morals are non negotiable. I am defined by my values, and roles.

One thing you can count on with me is I am reliable and consistent. Principled and disciplined and I stand firm under pressure.

I know I can come off as inflexible or judgmental. But, I don’t see being set in my ways as a bad thing. I see it as a sign of integrity.

Feeling Out Of Place

Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.

I have felt out of place most of my life. I’m sure it stems from my childhood. I always felt that I didn’t matter. For years it felt like a bruise that never healed.

The feeling like I never belonged plagues me for years. Until God came into my life. And told me that I am enough, I do matter, I am loved. That each of us are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

Uniqueness isn’t a flaw it’s often the very thing that brings light into places others can’t reach. When I learned to separate my mother’s voice from the truth I began to heal the bruises she left on me.

The Importance Of Willingness

For many years all I wanted was a life relationship with God. While my expression to God was true, I struggled with feeling like I didn’t measure up. My own effort to reach my perceived Godly standard I felt bad when I fell short of that standard. It’s a roller coaster way of living that gives nothing to God because it is focused on me and my efforts and it actually separates me from God. Yet, through it all God patiently waited for me to live His truth that I am loved, saved, redeemed, and through Jesus, can live in a personal love relationship with Him.

What I’ve discovered in years past is that my genuine desire to love God above all else, to live in all that Jesys has done for me and to be led by the Holy Spirit had no substance without the willingness to actually do it.

For years I prayed to God giving Him the desires of my heart, hoping that He would do something miraculous in me, to change my life and ease my struggles with myself. I was expecting that God would do something that isn’t His to do, to bypass what I could only I could do -to willingly step out in faith and believe Him alone.

My desire for Him was there, but I wasn’t willing to live and believe Him above my fears, and insecurities. My heartfelt expression to Him wasn’t founded on my absolute trust and belief in Him alone.

1 John 3:18 says, “My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.”

John emphasizes here the difference between desire and willingness, our desire to love is expressed in what we say, but it’s our willingness to love that gives it substance. Willingness is expressed through actions and in truth. Truth is the reality of how we live. So, while it’s important to express love, its fulfillment is found through the acts of love. Every day I tell my husband I love him, which is a true expression of my love for him, but if I’m not living in that life for him day to day by choosing to live for him above myself, the expression has no substance and does nothing for our relationship. This is what John means by the word truth, there is only truth in what we say, when what we say is made true in our lives and our relationships by the way we choose to live.

When God speaks to us our responses can be limited by the way we see ourselves and our circumstances. But that is a faithless response which effectively says to God, I believe what you say for the most part, but some of it isn’t true if me or my situation. In other words, it’s refusing to believe God. I’ve always had a strong desire to be everything I could be for God, for Him to be reflected in the way I live. But I wasn’t willing to abandon everything, to turn my back on what I’ve seen as truth about myself, and face Gid and fully embrace Him truth about me.

In Judges 6:13 God called Gideon to save Israel, God referred to him as “a mighty man of valour” This was not at all how Gideon viewed himself and he quickly let God know they He must be speaking to the wrong person because he was from the weakest clan and way “the least of his father’s house” (Judges 6:15). Gideon had a simple choice, was he going to believe what God said to him or refuse Him? But to say to God meant saying “no’ to all he felt about himself, abandoning his limited perspective, and believing by faith all that God had said. Because Gideon faithfully did that despite how he saw himself, he fulfilled God’s call for his life.

I have always believed that something was missing, or I needed more from God before I could freely live for Him. Even though this is how I genuinely felt, it is also convenient for me because it always gave me an excuse -something beyond my control for not living in my own heart’s desires. Believing this is faithless and leaves a gap between us and God. The reality is that if we’ve accepted Jesus has already given us everything we need -we are saved, forgiven, and redeemed through His life, death, and resurrection. He also freely gives the Holy Spirit to all who ask and believe, so we each have within us God’s Spirit which enables and equips us. If we want, we can go around in circles searching for something that is already there, when the only thing we are lacking, is a willingness to take our eyes off ourselves and believe in everything that God has said by faith. There is nothing more we need, there is only more to discover as we spend our lives growing in spiritual maturity with Jesus.

God could very easily remove all of our insecurities, fears, doubts, and misgivings as He could have for Gideon but then faith and belief would also be removed. With faith and belief gone so is the ability to love. Instead, God lovingly leaves us with imperfection and free will so we can always have the opportunity to choose God instead of ourselves.

His vast eternal perspective over our own limited one. He doesn’t expect us to “get over” our problems or get better at being giving, less selfish people, He simply longs for us to take our focus off ourselves and look for Him. This change of focus doesn’t make things easier or our flesh disappear, it simply puts them in their place and reduces them to irrelevant shadows in God’s revealing light.

The life that God offers us with Him is far beyond anything we could imagine when we become attuned to Him, responsive to His words, and obedient to all He says. A love relationship with God isn’t difficult, it’s freeing and life-giving. I’m not saying it will never feel like hard work but, when it does, it’s because we have to put something of ourselves in the way of God’s love. We all need to identify what we’ve put in the way, and then be willing to remove it for the sake of our relationship with Him.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” -Matthew 6:33

By prioritizing God’s will, He will provide what we need. And He will direct our efforts for success.

Life Without A Computer

Your life without a computer: what does it look like?

Life without a computer would change how I live. I would not have as much conversation with my son. It would change because I would not have this blog.

I have lived life without a computer, and I am extremely thankful for that, because my children did not grow up with the internet or computers. It gave them more of a chance to learn how to communicate and think for themselves.

In today’s world the media teaches children what to think and not how to think.

Life without computers would likely be slower, more localized. It would lead to face to face interaction with I think would be a good thing.

Who Do You Obey?

The Bible teaches us to obey God rather than man, especially when human laws contradict God’s commands. Obedience to God is expressed through following Jesus’s teachings, which involve loving God, loving others.

God’s commands are not optional suggestions, they are absolute requirements. Not obeying God is a grave mistake that can lead to disastrous consequences in this life and the next.

Obedience to God brings blessings, protection, and ultimately eternal salvation. It’s important to remember that usually men do not care about your soul. But God does 100% of the time. God knows what’s best for us and will never lead us astray.

His wisdom surpasses our understanding, and His ways are higher than our ways.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways. And my thoughts than your thoughts” -Isaiah 55:9

No matter what challenges or temptations we face, we should always strive to obey God. Trusting in Him completely and following His commands faithfully.

True freedom comes from surrendering our will to God’s perfect plan for our lives. Embracing obedience leads us towards peace, joy, and fulfillment beyond measure.

Remember, sin, even if it is legalized by man is still sin in the eyes of God. Legality doesn’t equate to morality, regarding yours, mine, or anyone else’s opinion. Isaiah 5:20-21 tells us,

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own sight, and prudent in their own sight.”

It’s always wise to remember that “all things are lawful for us, but all things are not helpful. All things may be lawful, but don’t be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12).

Spiritual Survival

How do we survive with a dark world in the period before Jesus’s return? I often wonder if I am strong enough to endure what is coming. But I think it relies on cultivating our faith, discerning truth from deception, and living a godly life through obedience to God‘s word.

The key is seeking personal revelation and inner spiritual capacity to receive it, and fostering gratitude, and hope while participating with communities that are like-minded, and remaining watchful.

We need to develop spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation, this will help guide our decisions navigate crisis and discern spiritual deceptions.

I think we need to learn to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, this is the secret of survival and living a quality life.

We must practice repentance and closeness with God. Making sincere effort to repent and draw close to God to be spiritually prepared for the challenges we face.

To discern truth, we need to know the Word of God. And be willing to obey and follow it to avoid spiritual darkness of heresy, and deception when it comes up. We need to learn to distinguish, truth from the adversary, deceptions to help avoid spiritual traps and temptations.

This includes focusing on the rise Jesus, and trust in His saving power. And practicing holiness and goodness, which means living a life of wholeness and to do good to others.

We must also find a Bible -based church and actively engaged in it, this will provide support and grounding during times of spiritual turmoil.

It’s important to cultivate hope and optimism. Embracing hope, happiness, and optimism rather than succumb to fear and worry.

1 Timothy 4: 1-2 tells us,

“The Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron.”

We must maintain strong faith in God and Jesus, stay watchful and alert for deception and constantly engaging in spiritual practices, like prayer, scripture, study, and worship.

“Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking who, he may devour, withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers (sisters) who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings” -1 Peter 5:8-9

Studying and obeying God Word helps us to gain discernment and avoid spiritual deception.

There are ways to protect us spiritually, like resisting the devil by standing firm in our faith. Putting on the whole armor of God, we must equip ourselves with spiritual protection, provided by God. We must guard our hearts, Proverbs . 4:23 tells us to protect our hearts, which is the wellspring of life.

1 Corinthians 15:58 reminds us to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the Lords work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

We must stand firm in faith, to persevere, knowing that God is faithful to keep us blameless on the day of Christ Jesus.

Skills

What skill would you like to learn?

I would like to learn medical coding. Translating healthcare services into codes. Learning medical terminology, anatomy and physiology would be a new challenge for me.

The Details

What details of your life could you pay more attention to?

There are many things we should all pay more attention to. We take too much for granted.

The small overlooked things that make up daily existence, the smell of coffee in the morning, a smile from a stranger, the sound of rain on the window. These details that stitched together, form the fabric of life.

When we slow down and true experience, what’s happening around us, we are fully here, not locked and thought rushing to the next thing. Like isn’t shaped by big events alone it’s shaped by daily rituals, fleeting conversations, and quiet details. These things create the texture of life and paying attention helps us find meaning in the ordinary.

The Symbol Of Redemption

In the Bible, silver symbolize redemption because it was used as a price for a torment and ransom in the Old Testament, such as a half shekel given for atonement for each person‘s life. An ancient times this monetary value of silver became a biblical metaphor for the price paid for somebody’s salvation, with Jesus‘s blood being the ultimate redemption price that purchased souls from Sin. 1 Peter 1:18-19 states this.

“Knowing that you were redeemed not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers.”

The Israelites were required to give a half a shekel of silver as a ransom for their lives, and offering the concept of redemption through a valuable price.

The Tabernacle in the Old Testament was founded on silver, with pills resting on silver sockets, illustrating that the foundation of Israel’s worship was redemption.

The 30 pieces of silver Judas received to be betrayed. Jesus highlighted the immense cost of redemption and the spiritual corruption that can arise from valuing material wealth over spiritual truth.

The symbolic meaning of silver:

Purification: Silver is a symbol of purity and refinement, because it undergoes intense heat to remove its impurities. This process is metaphorically linked to spiritual purification of believers from sin, making them acceptable to God.

The Value of a Soul: The association of silver with value and wealth in an ancient world, combined with a use in the context of atonement, it serves to emphasize the great price of a soul in the profound significance of Jesus’s redemptive act,

The Foundation Of The Lord

When the whole world is unsound those who are following Jesus are on a sound foundation.

Ephesians 2:20 tells us we are built a foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone. The material on which we lay our foundation determines the strength of the structure it is built on.

As I look at the things going on in America, I see confusion, lack of moral compass and lack of respect towards others.

The message of a powerful foundation emphasizes the critical importance of a solid spiritual foundation for a stable, resilient life, that is built on the Word of God.

A proper foundation protects us against the storms of life, while a fault he found foundation leads to collapse. The power of God’s foundation lies, and his ability to provide a life of clarity, purpose, and strength, when faced with challenges, that ultimately ensures our spiritual survival and well-being.

The importance of a strong foundation lies in everything we do, whether, physically, or spiritually, having a solid foundation is crucial. Just like a building needs a strong foundation to be stable and durable, our lives require a firm foundation. The quality of our foundation determines the stability and success of our endeavors.

I think our foundational problems are the most challenging issues we face. when our foundation is corrupted, it affects our entire destiny. A faulty foundation limits potential and hinders progress while a healthy foundation leads to a healthier life and better outcomes.

Many people are currently living, confused lives not because of their present actions, but because of past mistakes were negative actions of others. Learning institutions seem to teach that there is no foundation on which to live. No purpose in life. And no creator. If we have none of those things, there is no responsibility, or accountability for action. The consequences of these actions can linger for years and an impact lives in various ways. I think it is essential to recognize an address these issues to break free from a faulty influence.

No matter what challenges we face during to having a strong foundation, we can choose to take a different path, even though some will continue to follow negative patterns set by other people, but we have the power to break free from these cycles.

It’s not enough to simply wish for deliverance or speak empty words. We must have a clear desire for change and take action to rebuild our foundation. By tapping into the power of Jesus, we can transform our lives and brag free from the limitations of a faulty foundation.

Having a strong foundation is crucial for any successful and fulfilling life. Our foundation encompasses our roots, family history and past actions. It is essential to address any negative influences from, our past and align ourselves with God’s principles. By doing this, we can rebuild our foundation and experience with the transformative power of Jesus in our lives.