my wings are made of faith

While you were sleeping...

In my prayer time, I sometimes find myself discussing with God my plans and how He can work in my life.  You see, God doesn't need my help to work anything out.  As a matter of fact, God is and has always been working.

In Genesis 1, when God had created a man and was creating Eve, He put the man in a deep sleep.  Also in Matthew 26, while Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane sweating blood and pleading with God for His will to be done, His prayer warriors, John, James, and Peter were sleeping, not once but three times.  

One of the important lessons that we see here is that God took us out of the picture during the biggest moments of the world.  He loves us, but doesn't need us to control, manipulate, or discuss with Him.  In both of those stories, we see that man had absolutely nothing to do with God's will.  

It's actually very freeing to know that our Heavenly Father cares for us so much that He watches over us, even while we sleep.  His love never changes with human emotions or works.  We have the freedom to live in complete acceptance and trust His Will for us is perfect and will be perfect in time.

My Prayer:  God, thank you for reminding us that you've got it all under control.  You have a perfect plan for me.  Thank you for knitting me together in my mother's womb (Psalm 139) for such a time as this.  I choose to live in the freedom of your love.  In Jesus' name!

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING (WEEK THIRTY-SIX): FOCUS

Distractions show up in many different forms. They can be physical, emotional, or spiritual and they can be self-initiated or they can from an outside force. The truth is that it doesn't matter where the distraction is coming from, it must go. Distractions don't really have a purpose other than to keep us from doing what we should be doing. 

Are there distractions at work that prevent you from getting your work done? Flirty co-worker. Stress overload. Social media. 

Are there distractions at home that prevent you from spending time with your family? TV. Clutter. Social media. Video games. Personal projects. Work.

Are there distractions in your life that prevent you from getting healthy? Junk food in the house. Temptations to eat fast food. Emotional barriers. Cobwebs on your workout equipment.

Are there distractions in your spiritual life? Busyness. The enemy's voice. Bad company. A church that entertains rather than speaks the Word. 

What's keeping you from focusing on what God has called you to do? God is calling us back to focus, to get rid of the distractions that are keeping our blessings hostage.

In a world that has to have our attention 24/7, you and I are losing the ability to focus on what's really important in this one, precious life ... and it shows. Jobs are being lost, families are broken, disease and illness is becoming the norm, people are turning away from the Lord ... we are not free from worldly things because we are distracted by them. 

But ... God wants us FREE. He wants you to be free from the distractions so that you can be healthy in every area of your life. Blessings are right around the corner and you shouldn't have to find your way to them through all the distractions. 

Let's focus this week on clearing the path to God and His blessings. Pray about what is distracting you so that Jesus can help you be free. Because the enemy will use every distraction that stands in your way as a tool against you. It's time to claim truth.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.—Colossians 3:2 

Lord, there is freedom in You. Help me to see what is distracting me from the blessings you want to give me. I desire to be free from anything that is not of or from You. I want to focus so that I don't miss out on this one, precious life. In Jesus name. Amen.

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This is the last week we are blogging here, on this site. We are moving to a new website and we couldn't be more excited!!! Please "like" our new Facebook page so you can join us and stay updated on new posts. You are going to LOVE our new space :)

 

Building Up Others with Prayer

Lately the Lord has really impressed onto my heart the need to pray for others.  I have several people in my life who are literally going through deep trials and tough seasons that seem to continue on and on.  I listen to their hearts, but my job is to go one step further and pray.

Prayer really does change things.  It is very common for us to listen to others and say that we'll pray, but I believe the Lord really wants us to follow through: for their burdens to break our hearts.

Ephesians 6:18 says,

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

We are in a fallen world with tragedy swirling and uncertainty abounding.  As Christians, we are called to a life of prayer.  Our challenge is to take care with our follow through and actually intercede for others. 

My prayer:  God, create in me a heart that solidly intercedes for others often.  As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are commanded to pray.  God, I've fallen so many times in my follow through.  Holy Spirit, remind me.  Make it a priority of my heart.  Jesus, thank you for demonstrating to us how to pray.  We choose you, we choose obedience.  In Jesus name!

 

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING (WEEK THIRTY-FIVE): PRAY FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

Healthy relationships makes a healthy you.

All relationships, marriage, parent/child, sibling, friendship, etc, need prayer. Why? Because, with two imperfect people, with different personalities, different opinions, different ways of thinking and doing things, there will inevitably be conflict. 

The good news is that conflict does not have to ruin a relationship, as long as you choose not to let it. Relationships heal through prayer. Praying for one another or together (or both!) dissolves discord and allows for forgiveness. 

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.—James 5:16

God is a pro at healing relationships, but you have to be willing to pray for the person with whom conflict exists. The enemy will absolutely try to keep you in a state if disagreement, anger, and bitterness until you break through the pride and take it to the Lord. 

Is the Lord leading you to a relationship that needs healing? Prayer? Surrender whatever emotions are controlling you and turn the restoration over to God. Commit the relationship to prayer and watch God move. 

Thank you, Lord, for the way you heal my relationships. I commit all my hurting relationships to you, In Jesus name. And, I trust you to heal my heart so that I forgive and enjoy the people You have put in my lfe. Amen.

Back to Basics

This is my third week back in school and life is fast and furious.  As I refocus on my job, my students, my own kids, and being a wife and mom, I often find myself waking up in the middle of the night with an anxious mind.  I frame this season in my mind as a time to get back to the basics.

When I get to a place where stress is abundant, I circle around a few basic ideas.  Am I spending time in God's Word?  Am I praying for God's direction and listening for His voice?  Am I eating a clean diet?  Am I getting some exercise?  

If the answer is yes to all of the above, I know the burden is not on me, but just a matter of waiting until God reveals His plans for how to tackle everything, and He will- in His own time.  It is in these crunch times where I strive and worry when I need to rest and be renewed.  Our challenge is to carve the stillness of sitting at the Lord's feet into our days knowing that God's hand is on you and that His promises are for you.  

My Prayer:  God, thank you for being my anchor on the days when I am over my head in the sea of life.  I choose to be filled with your Word and want to allow your Spirit to guide me.  I lay down my burdens at the foot of the cross.  Thank you Father God for reminding me of the importance of getting back to the basics.  In Jesus' name!

 

 

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING (WEEK THIRTY-FOUR): IDENTIFY YOUR STRESSORS

Sometimes people have a hard time dealing with stress because they can't identify what exactly is stressing them out. They may think it's one thing, when the root cause of stress is something else. As with any healing, if the root of the problem isn't identified and fixed, healing cannot occur. 

It may seem like everything is stressing you out these days, but that's likely not true. If I had to bet, there's one thing that is causing every little thing to be stressful and the goal for this week is to figure it out.

• Your job might be stressful, but is it really the job or is it a person at work?

• Your kids might be pushing you to the limit, but is it really your kids or is it really that you can't seem to get anything done when they need your attention?

• Does financial stress make you anxious? Or is the root of the issue not fully trusting God?

There's a root cause for everything that is unhealthy physically, spiritually, or emotionally, you just have to take the time to indentify it so that you can fix what needs to be fixed, rather than what you think needs to be fixed. Ask God to help you clearly identify what is stressing you out so that you can clear it and move forward in peace. Maybe He'll reveal more than one stressor. If so, just keep asking Him to reveal them layer by layer until they are all gone.  

God thank you for this weeks healing challenge. I want to be free from stress, but sometimes I don't take the time to figure out what exactly is stressing me out. Will You show me this week, Lord, what it is that causing my anxiety, worry, and stress? I'm tired of carrying it and I want to let it go. Amen.

"Do Your Best and Forget the Rest"

A few summers ago, my family and I decided to tackle the P90X program.  After a few nights of the workouts, I was brutally sore.  Tony Horton said in almost every video, "Do your best and forget the rest."  Although my muscles still cringe at the saying, I think there's some importance in it.

In a world where we are bombarded with seemingly good ideas:  it's best to eat whole foods, chemicals are everywhere, watch what you drink, take your supplements but only certain ones, exercise like this,  etc, etc, we can become overwhelmed with choices, especially when finances are involved.  After changing a lot in my nutrition and health in the past two years, here's where I land.

First of all, pray that the Lord gives you discernment about where to spend your money.  It is unreasonable to buy all organic foods if you can't pay your house payment and, frankly, it doesn't honor Him.  Life must be balanced.  God will reveal to you what is important.  Our family began with the "Dirty Dozen" and chose to switch those out with organic alternatives.  From there we switched to grass fed beef, organic cage free chicken and eggs, and organic whole milk.  Then to good cooking oils such as olive (at a lower heat) and coconut.  We still continue to dig deeper, but this is a great place to start.

Second, chemicals are really everywhere, and we won't know the effects for a very long time.  I began making some of my cleaning solutions (white vinegar is amazing!).  Research what you can reasonably switch to healthy alternatives.  Once I embraced that it's actually good for my family to be around some dirt and bacteria, I felt freedom from all of the anti-bacterial hoopla.  Once again here, it is critical that you pray and research.  

Lastly back to the beginning, "Do your best and forget the rest."  Actually, let God handle the rest.  You are His child anyway, right?  He knows our worries, fears, dreads, finances, and well being.  At the end of the day, we have to just lay it all at the foot of the cross and allow God to work through it for us and give us direction. 

As the old saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day."  If you are new to all of this, don't stress yourself out.  Stress alone creates poor health and sickness.  Take one small step at a time.  Research trusted sources and pray to the one TRUE SOURCE as you begin your journey.  

My Prayer:  God, thank you for being the Truth and the Light.  We ask for your direction and discernment when it comes to being healthy.  Guide us into ways of healing.  We lay our worries and fears at the foot of the cross.  We ask that you settle them with the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit.  Thank you Lord for knowing what we need before we do.  In Jesus' name!

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING (WEEK THIRTY-THREE): CREATE A TOXIN-FREE ENVIRONMENT

When i switched to a healthier lifestyle, including eating healthier and buying (or making) more natural products, i was absolutely shocked at some of the ingredients that are in cleaners, air fresheners, detergents, soap, personal care products. 

i didn't really realize the impact it was having on my health until i switched to natural products. Now, when i smell toxic cleaning products, i instantly get a headache or nauseous. Let's take a look at just one of the common household products and the toxic ingredients that are in it.

Air fresheners: According to this article, automated air fresheners contain:
• Acetone • Butane • Liquified Petroleum Gas • Propane • Perfume • Benzene • Formaldehyde

i don't know about you, but i don't think most people would want an air freshener like this in their home, spraying every time they walk by or once and hour IF they knew what they, their family, and pets, were breathing in. 

This is only one product. Most chemical products in the home are dangerous and toxic. If you want to continue getting well physically, it's time to make the decision to switch to natural cleaners and products. Now, don't be fooled by greenwashing (products that contain the words natural or green). You will have to read the label. Just like food labels, i use the same rule: Do not buy any product that contains a word that you cannot pronounce or know to be toxic. 

Chart found here.

There are so many websites dedicated to providing recipes for DIY cleaners, but you can also find some natural ones at the store. The store-bout natural cleaners will likely be more expensive, so i make my own. i'm telling you, i use vinegar and baking soda for just about everything i clean. 

Take inventory of all the chemicals in your house this week and do some research on their toxicity. Look for natural recipes and next time you go shopping, look for products that don't contain harsh chemicals. Your body will thank you.

Lord, i desire to create an environment that it toxin-free for my family and pets. Please help me to be diligent about reading product labels. Amen.

Serving One True God

God clearly commands in Scripture that we are to only serve Him and have no other gods before Him.  Obviously most of us do not have statues or shrines erected in our yards, but clearly our challenge is more difficult to define.  What are the other "gods" that distract us from our relationship with God?

As a working mother and wife, I often find that my "gods" are good things: children, serving, teaching.  Although these things are worthy, they become an idol when I am distracted by them.  It's very difficult to balance everything!

The key here is to ask the Lord to prioritize our steps each day.  We don't have to work to show God how much we love Him, but it delights Him when we have a relationship with Him.  For me, I wake up about fifteen minutes earlier than everyone else and spend time reading my devotion and praying.  This gets my day off with the most important One at the top of my list: the Lord.  The other habit we have is to listen to Christian music on the way to school which creates an atmosphere of worship in our car (and hearts).  The last important thing I do is pray every night before bed both with my kids and alone.  This helps me refocus my thoughts and settles my mind.  

Committed Christians can balance the "gods" of our society with the help from God, self control, and good habits.  This year our goal is to go deeper with the Lord and become healthy in mind, body, and spirit.  Increasing our conversation with the God of the universe promotes healing and peace. 

My Prayer:  God, thank you for reminding us of the importance of putting you first.  Show us how to balance the gods of our lives with our relationship with you.  As we spend more time with you, Father, change our hearts and help us to shine like starts in the universe to those around us.  In Jesus' name we pray!

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING (WEEK THIRTY-TWO): STEP AWAY FROM YOUR GADGETS

As technology increases, it becomes easier and easier to feel obligated to stay connected through all the social media channels, television, and talk radio. It seems like every time i turn around, a new gadget is created and everyone is flocking to the store to get it. Or, i am getting emails to join a new social media website. 

It's exhausting. 

i have hit the point of i just can't keep up. And frankly, i don't think God ever intended us to keep up. Every time my phone rings, beeps, buzzes, or makes some kind of noise, my attention is diverted. That interrupts sleeping, time with family, date night, prayer time, quiet time, etc. It steals from the things that are more important. 

Instant gratification is what our culture craves. With the latest technology, we expect an answer to an email, text, phone call immediately or it frustrates us.Now, maybe this sounds a little far-fetched, but all this technology and the attention we give media outlets is becoming a god. 

Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me."

i know there are some days (more than i'd like to admit) when i check Facebook statuses more than i pray. Or, i'll spend more time texting than spending time in the Word. Maybe you can relate to this - rolling over in bed, turning off the alarm, and checking email, facebook, and messages before getting out of bed. 

No wonder i crave silence and soak up every bit of it when i get the chance. All of the visual and auditory stimulation is keeping me way too alert and unable to relax. 

i have been challenging myself to disconnect from the world and connect more to God in quiet time where i turn off the cell phone, iPad, and laptop. i recognize that i can't hear God over the noise and He isn't going to shout. i am at a crossroads in my life and i need answers more now than ever. i'm going back to putting my family and God first. Social media and technology can and will pass me by, but i am not going to sweat it. i would rather be behind the times than have a disconnected marriage or a disconnected relationship with God. 

Lord, i am sorry for the times i have put calls, messages, emails, and work ahead of you and my family. i desire more quiet time to connect with you and the people i love. Amen.

BIG NEWS!

Life is full of change, and when God initiates it, it is so very exciting! We will be moving soon to a new website that is a dream come true. While we are working on it, please "like" us on our new Facebook page. It's all about discovering who God has created you to be and being wholly healthy. 

If you've been around for awhile, you know that My Wings Are Made of Faith has been a long journey for me. It is also A tie to my past. I've written often about the importance of letting go of the past and moving forward. Taking down this site is part of my wholly healing journey. 

While it's bittersweet, I'm excited about what God is doing in my life and the passion He has given me for continuing to write and encourage others. I've loved having you here, walking with me, Lori, Cynthia, and Julia, and it's my sincere hope that you'll continue to stick with us as we move. 

While I am building the new website, please give us a "like" on the NEW facebook page so that it will be a smooth transition. 

A little bit about the new facebook page and website ...

You were designed to be whole and healthy, but throughout life you experience struggles, loss, heartache, and illness that slowly chip away at your core, stealing from the wholeness of your soul. The Good News is that you don't have to stay in that place of brokenness.

But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord —Jeremiah 30:17

Friends, you were created with a grand purpose. When you seek wholeness, you find the beauty within, an outpouring of love and hope and new beginnings. You will find the amazing, beautiful, gifted person you were born to be. 

Wholly Healing is for anyone who wants to share in the beauty, love, and awesome miracles of this one, precious life ... for anyone who wants to be whole and well and find their purpose in this life. It is for the hopeless and hope-filled. For the joyless and joy-filled. This a community of supporting and encouraging one another, no matter what stage of life is present.

Here you'll find:
• Scripture verses that complement healing the mind, body & soul.
• Tips and encouragement for making healthy decisions
• Resources for cooking, eating, and shopping healthy
• Blog posts from contributors who share their struggles, successes, and hopes.
• Community support, prayers, and a whole lot of love

Wholly Healing is not a destination, it is a journey ... a life-long journey. Being wholly healthy means giving your body, mind, and spirit the tools they need to create wellness. This is the goal of Wholly Healing Experience — to walk alongside you on your journey to find good health and wholeness through the love and healing power of the Lord and His Word.

I'm so grateful that you're a part of my life and that you allow me to be in yours through this space. I hope to interact with you at our new site, too!

Love,
Christy 

Relax and Trust

 

When I first started going to the chiropractor, the idea of someone pushing, popping, and pulling on my neck and back terrified me.  Yes, I sat through the Doctor's report meetings where they diligently explained why and what they were doing, but I struggled with trust.  The fact was that I knew my body needed realignment and the only way to get a good adjustment was to relax and trust the doctor whom I had full confidence in.

As children of the Most High King, how often do we stay tensed up and fail to relax in His arms?  We fight the loving arms that seek to hold us tight and steady and offer us life.  At times we are rolling through life "trusting" God until a crisis occurs and we are shaken to our cores.  Does real trust occur when we are doing fine as well as in a hard time?  If we trust God with the calm, why are we trembling in the storm?

These questions are my feeble attempt to grow deeper in my relationship with the Lord.  I haven't figured this out.  Here's what I know, Proverbs 3:5-6 says, 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lean not on your on understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

This year, my goal is to rest in the peace of knowing that God is faithful and trustworthy.  He never fails me even when my circumstances seem dire and scary.  

My Prayer:  Thank you Father, for being faithful when I am faithless.  I choose to rest in your peace that surpasses all understanding.  Holy Spirit, envelope me in the comfort of your presence every day.  I choose to trust you in the good times as well as the bad.  Jesus, thank you for demonstrating trust in all times even in death upon a cross.  We sure do love you God, still our hearts when we tremble and give us the confidence of knowing how much you love us.  In Jesus' name!

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING (WEEK THIRTY-ONE): TRUST GOD

This weekend, i learned a BIG lesson on trust. Jason and i took a little vacation to rest and see some friends. On Sunday, we were invited to spend some time on a friend's boat. 

i hate water. i have a fear of water that is deeper than 5'4". I don't like to fly over the ocean. And I certainly don't like being thrown into water. My happy place is two feet on land. 

It's been about 10 years since i have been on a boat. A few years before that, i went on a whale-watching expedition on a high school trip — but we won't talk about how that went. 

i did fine on the boat, happy and content to soak up some of the sun and watch everyone else play in the water. But Jason was begging me to get in the water. Needless to say, i declined. A bit later, the guys inflated the tube for a little tubing fun. Not one bit of intention did i have to get on that tube to be dragged behind a fast-moving boat. But it sure was fun watching Jason get tossed around. 

As i was watching him, i started to think about how much i trust my husband — more than i've ever trusted anyone in my life. i trust him with my life. Being that marriage is about compromise and being brave enough or loving enough to try things that make the other person happy, i decided to get on that tube with Jason. Not particularly because i wanted to, but because i trusted Jason with my safety and i love him and want to experience new things with him.

Because i trusted Jason, and my good friend who was driving the boat, i became brave and fearless (well, almost, lol).

i had a blast. Jason locked arms with mine on that tube. And even though that boat was going a bit faster than i'd like, lol, we hit some bumpy spots, and i had a fear, Jason (and my friend) made sure that i was safe. 

This experience reminded me so much of what trust is like with God. Life is full of deep waters, rough spots, fears, and fast-moving days. But when i trust God, i can be brave and fearless. i can enjoy my life. i can lock arms with a God who loves me and keeps me safe. Trusting God with every part of my life means i get to fully live my life. 

Healing comes when i trust God. Even when i cannot see ahead and all i see is dark, tumultuous times, i know that God is in control. Worry and fear have no place when trust overflows in my heart.

Lord Jesus, thank you for reassuring me that i can trust you with my life. When i am afraid, timid, and paralyzed by fear, you come to my rescue.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. —Psalm 18:2

Keeping the Peace

Today was almost a great day.  I spent time with my daughter, taught a Jazzercise class, went to dinner.  As we paid for our dinner, the waiter said, "Your card has been denied."  We knew a declined card was impossible so began our evening of finding out we had been victims of fraudulent charges.

Even though the damage was minimal compared to what it could have been (No, I didn't buy hair extensions in London for $300!), my inner peace was shaken.  And now it is 12:30 and I'm writing this post.

You see, sleep is absolutely crucial for our bodies to heal properly.  The enemy will attempt any ploy to get us off track.  For example, a conversation about money, a work situation,  or an email that could lead to conflict, all disrupt our sleep patterns.

As we broach this topic this week, we are admitting to you that this is a struggle.  We have not achieved victory yet, but our goal is to reassure ourselves that with Christ, we can.  Psalm 127 tells us that, 

"God grants sleep to those he loves."

What is His plan for our lives is well within our reach.  Our challenge is to choose to lay our situations at the foot of the cross each night which creates a bubble of peace around us.  I have often found that asking the Lord to still my spirit and quiet my mind is especially helpful.  I also usually have a routine of reading or taking a hot bath before bed to settle me down.

Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow; therefore, the Son who calmed the raging storm is ready and willing to calm our minds when we call for him.  With that being said, I feel some "peace restoration" time coming to take back what the enemy stole from me tonight.  Be blessed, friends and keep the peace.

My Prayer:  God, thank you for reminding us that you love us and want us to have restorative sleep.  We choose to still ourselves at the foot of the cross knowing no burden is too big for you.  Thank you Jesus for calming the storms of life.  Your children adore and worship you.  In Jesus' name!

Weary and Seeking God's Refreshing

A number of times in life, God has seen me whining about my circumstances, and has reminded me that there are people all over the world handling difficulties worse than my own struggle. God isn't dimenishing the value of my struggle in his eyes. He is just helping me gain perspective on it. We all tend to get trapped in an inward view, when we are in the throws of our struggle, because it often consumes our time, and holds our focus. And when the day is done, we are often too weary to look around us and find ourselves in a place of refreshing.  Allow me to relay this story about King David in one of his many hours of struggle.

But before you read, realize that the life of David has parallels to the life of Christ, so you may see this story first as a foreshadowing of how Jesus walked among his followers, as members of his own Jewish heritage sought to kill him, and he told Peter to put away his sword. He said he was prepared to live through and even die, knowing it was God's will, when the naysayers came out to meet him. The picture type will be easy to see.  But taking that out of the picture, we see David being pursued by his own son who wanted to claim his throne. David had dealt for years with Saul and his attempts to kill him, and now his own son! So when one of Saul's family came out to curse at him, he said it was of no comparison to the fact his own son was trying to kill him. Notice that he says God might have sent this man to curse him. Is your first impression to think, "that doesn't sound like God. Why would David say such a thing?"

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING (WEEK THIRTY): BEDTIME EMOTIONAL PURGE

i suspect that a lot of you would raise your hand if i asked the question, "Have you ever had a hard time falling asleep because your mind was racing?"

i've been there a thousand times and it still happens occasionally. 

Tucking your unresolved emotions into bed with you makes for restless sleep because your body will try to work out those emotions in your dream state. Restless sleep isn't good for your health, will leave you feeling groggy the following day, and you'll still be carrying the unresolved emotion. 

What does scripture have to say on the matter?

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.—Ephesians 4:26 

The verse specifically says anger, but i believe that any emotion applies. 
• Do not let the sun go down while you are still sad.
• Do not let the sun go down while you are still bitter.
• Do not let the sun go down while you are still frustrated.
• Do not let the sun go down while you are still afraid.
• Do not let the sun go down while you are still (fill in the blank) ________________.

Ideally, you want to go to sleep as peacefully as possible so that your rest is sound and so that the devil doesn't have a playground. How do you do that? Well, here are a few ways to clear your mind.

1. Pray. Prayer will get you immediate relief. Ask for forgiveness and lay the emotion at the foot of the cross. Rest while God calms your mind, body, and soul.

2. Write it down. Keep a journal and pen bedside for journaling your thoughts and emotions from the day. Writing them down gets them out of your head and on paper. 

3. Meditate on positive affirmations. 
Today, I choose to let go of (insert negative emotions) ______________________ because it weighs my heart down and blocks my healing and peacefulness. I replace (insert negative emotion) _____________________ with (insert positive emotions) _____________________________ (peace, love, hope, joy, forgiveness, etc.). 
Find scripture that relates to the emotion and meditate on it.

Refuse to take your emotions to bed with you. Doing a bedtime emotional check promotes good sleep and a peaceful next day. Always find a way to let go of the negative and replace with something positive. 

Lord, help us to end each day with gratitude and love. Some days are challenging, especially when i am highly emotional over something that was said or done to me. Encourage me to choose to be positive and to see the good so that i can rest well, leaving You to handle the rest. Amen.

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING: WEEK TWENTY-NINE (DON'T RESIST THE HEALING PROCESS) RECAP

It's been a healing week for me. i cut the final string to my past and it was freeing on all levels. i was feeling pretty blah all week because of the emotional stress relating to my past. But this week of healing was different in that i didn't resist what my body, mind, and spirit were processing to get through this final stage. i came into agreement with how i really felt and i allowed myself the time and rest needed to detox the baggage i'd been carrying around. 

Last night, i asked God to speak to me through His Word as i held a closed Bible in my hands. Psalms immediately came to mind, and then, the number 37.  The verse that grabbed my attention was:

Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him. —Psalm 37:7

Rest. Don't resist. Healing happens in the resting, not the resisting. While i would normally get anxious about the way i was physically feeling, i just rested, because that's what God told me to do. And while a battle raged on my behalf, all i had to do was trust God and rest. He fought the battle, not i. He promised victory and i claimed it. 

Cynthia wrote a great post this week on Jesus performing specific kinds of healing according to the need. It included some great scripture verses, so be sure to read or re-read.

Lori listed a few essential ideas to remember in regards to healing and she also said: It is critical to see your healing as a marathon, not a race.  God reveals the layers that need to be healed, as they need to be healed.  

Julia reiterated the importance of liking yourself - considering yourself a friend, not an enemy. Loving yourself is essential to finding wholeness. 

Isn't it amazing how much each one of us has learned about God, ourselves, and healing? We are each on our on journey, but God has revealed things that all lead back to His Word and promises of healing. 

God is SO good!

Thank you, Lord, for your living Word. Thank you for letting me rest while you healed. 

_________________

P.S. We're moving! God has led us to a brand new website that we'll be launching in the next several weeks. Moving is healing for me, as this space was a huge part of my past. If you've been around for awhile, you know i've written several posts on how important it is to let go and start fresh. The last few years, i thought i had broken wings, but really they were un-broken wings rediscovered. The Lord has been kind and gracious to me and has made me strong and revealed a purpose for my life greater than i could have ever imagined. i pray you'll come with us to the new site, which also has a coordinating Facebook page. You can interact with us over there (we'd LOVE it if you would!) While i am building the new site, keep up with us here and on Facebook and Twitter, We are so excited! Stay tuned :)

Crunch Time

If you have been following our blog this year, you know our theme is Wholly Healing with an emphasis on the mental, physical, and spiritual sides of healing.  All aspects bind us together into God's perfect plan for our lives.  

The journey for healing in my life began about ten years ago with some inner healing that led to physical healing. The step I took then is still part of my travels today: a quest to be healthy-mind, body, and spirit.  It is critical to see your healing as a marathon, not a race.  God reveals the layers that need to be healed, as they need to be healed.  

In my opinion, there are a few essential ideas to remember on your path toward health.  First of all, your journey is your own.  No one else is like you.  It is crucial to seek out what is God's best plan for you and stick with it.  

Secondly, enlist help when needed.  These comrades could be prayer partners, counselors, pastors, or doctors who want to help you be healthy.  

Next, entrench yourself in the Word of God.  In times where great victory is on the horizon, the enemy will seek to keep you off track or distract you from your mission: a healthy self.  The Word of God is the weapon that can withstand the attacks of the evil one.  

Lastly, be careful about your words-either about yourself or anyone else.  Your words hold the power of life and death: choose them carefully.  Try not to carelessly allow speculations or fears cross your lips.  Speak truth and light over yourself frequently and ask others to join you.  Since my natural default is to become scared, I rarely say, "I am scared of..." or "I am afraid that....", but instead I quietly petition the Holy Spirit with my fears and ask for God's Will to be done in my life.  Making a covenant with your words promotes healthy thinking and, "As a man thinks, so he is." (Proverbs 23:7)

When we gird up with Truth as we are seeking Wholly Healing, we are guaranteed the victory.  Our challenge is to take one step at a time and allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit.  

My Prayer:  God, thank you for reminding me of the important steps of being healthy.  I choose to walk victoriously in you.  I pray for strength for those who are weary on this path. Pour out abundant encouragement and blessings on them today.  We choose to honor you with our lives: mind, body, and spirit.  In Jesus' name!

Denial is a Form of Resisting God's Healing

There are so many facets to the process of healing.  Scripture speaks of Jesus performing several specific kinds of healing, but it also says that he healed in diverse ways, according to the need.  It had been prophesied that this would be an attribute of a righteous savoir.

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; Malachi 4:2

Our needs for healing come in so many ways, that the questions can be asked. “What do you need Jesus to do in your life to make you whole in body, mind or soul, but also, in life’s circumstances.  Have you ever considered Christ’s intervention in your circumstances a form of healing?  He did.

This is how scripture described his ministry of healing:

1. Sickness, like viruses and bacterial illness, and disease like cancers and things that debilitate the body

-  And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Matthew 4:23

2. Oppression, like discouragements, hardships, poor self-image, nightmares, and any other way in which Satan’s lies can falsely affect our psyche or adversely affect our circumstances. Emotional healings, financial oppressions, and others.

­-How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Acts 10:38    

3. Destructions: the circumstances of life that hinder us from being or feeling whole.  Stresses or nutritional shortages, or needs for security. Like when storms destroy your home or you have been robbed.  Jesus is ready to restore us to a point of being healed. Would you have considered you need healing if you have been robbed?

-He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107: 20

We can be healed from anything that breaks us down or destroys our welfare.

What comes to mind, is how many people I know who never ever consider asking God to intervene to heal where Satan has oppressed, or life has dealt destruction. To most of us, either situation seems out of the realm of God’s healing touch, and we quickly take a stance of denial.  I have seen it happen so many times. 

How many times have you heard, “Oh, I’m OK, we just have to work our way out from under some debt.” Or “It’s nothing that time won’t take care of.”  Is there someone you know who has a denial statement.  They just don’t think lifes stresses are making them sick.  Now think, how  might have you missed the blessing of Christ’s healing intervention?  Is there a circumstance in life which you place out of the realm of healing, without even realizing Christ’s power is waiting to be applied. If it happens to you, it affects you. If is causes you to lose peace or limits any lifegiving need, it has affected you. Jesus knew our whole being is tied to what happens to us and around us in life.  And he understands that things affect us, that we need his HEALING from far more than germs and hurtful things. 

His is a ministry of renewal.  And as you notice, it was given by the Father, even to Jesus, through the Holy Spirit. Notice that it is prophesied  to be healing in his wings.  It implies that he will lift us to fly with him. It is key that we think of healing as a flight to freedom experience.  It is a Biblical, holy mental image of wholeness.  Like the eagle who is able to fly with strength and power .

 I have discussed on occasion that the eagle flies with the least wing movement of all the raptors while in migration.  Flattened out wings allow the power of the wind to lift them to new heights, and carry them forward,  like an airplane.  It is a picture of Christ, who helps us to learn how to be lifted by the Spirit, who in turn, is symbolized by wind.

A person who is depressed feels like they are in a pit and can’t get out.  The flight image is pure, because, when you can’t climb out of a hole, with wings you can fly out.  What about when you can’t swim through the waters - whatever issue in which you are in over your head…feel like you are drowning? Only birds, like cormorants and anhingas, emerge from below the water with their wings.  The image is one of overcoming and sustenance.   And God chose to call it “healing.”

 Broaden your image of what exactly it is that God desires to heal you from, to lift you from.  In short,  people often resist the healing  of God by being in denial about what constitutes a need for healing.  Be informed, know what the scriptures say.  And open your understanding to God’s viewpoint.  His healing power is waiting…”in his wings.” 

Precious Lord,  your ministry of healing us is as broad as every circumstance in life.  We always think of healing as being for sickness and emotional pain. But we often forget how life itself affects us, and leaves us very much in need of your lifting intervention.  We often deny our need until we are deeply embedded, and feel we have no recourse.  How many times would you have healed us, but we wouldn't understand the whole concept of what you desire to heal.

I need your healing power...I claim it today, and ask you to bring healing into every area of my life.  AMEN

 

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING (WEEK TWENTY-NINE): DON'T RESIST THE HEALING PROCESS

There have been times along the healing path that i have resisted, or opposed, healing because i wasn't ready to forgive, ready to move forward, or give my body the time it needed to heal. 

i don't know if you know this or not, but a lot of times we work out emotions in our dream state. If emotions are left unchecked during the day or for years, they'll likely resurface in dreams. Last night was one of those nights for me. After an intense healing session of my own yesterday and bringing up stuff from my past, i didn't sleep a wink. It didn't help that my husband's first night back to work was the same night as the Zimmerman trial ended with a not-guilty verdict (fear of riots consumed me). 

As i'd start to drift off, i'd get restless and a million emotions would come flooding back. i tossed and turned, never really able to rest. After such a long time of holding on to anger and fear, i could feel myself resisting the healing process. Holding onto those emotions gave me reason to hold grudges against people who've hurt me. But the truth is that the only person i was hurting was myself. i didn't know what it felt like to not feel fear and anger, so naturally, my entire being fought the process of letting go. 

When you resist the healing process, whether it's emotional, physical, spiritual, or mental, it creates conflict in the body. That conflict can lead to sleepless nights, among other things. So rather than resist, embrace the healing process and just rest. It's difficult at times, i know, truly i know. If you don't resist, you'll greet peace on your path, peace that'll lead you to find wholeness.

Let the Holy Spirit guide you. 

Lord, the healing journey is hard! It's brutal sometimes. Working out all the emotional junk and getting through all the physical pains. It's so exhausting. But i know that if i don't resist and let you take the lead, that You'll guide me through. i know you said it wouldn't be easy, but that You'd be right there with me every step of the way. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING: WEEK TWENTY-EIGHT (BREATHE) RECAP

i've learned, this week, that when i slow down and take notice of my breathing, my world slows down too. The busyness, the chaos, the noise, and the inside chatter. They all slow as i take the time to be thankful for each breath. 

Most days, i take breathing for granted. But i know that isn't healthy for my body, mind, and spirit. These three things, that make up my whole, need slow, steady deep breathing for good health. The thing is, no one intentionally denies their body slow, deep breathing, but life's chaos and stress steals it ... unless i take it back.  

Breath is gift, but i know i don't treat it like it is. i want to change that. Because, i know, that when i recognize that breathing means being alive, i am grateful that God has a purpose for my life for another day. 

God, thank you for giving me breath. i slowly breathe in your love, joy, and peace. i exhale the chaos, stress, and thoughts that are not from You. Amen.

Inhaling the Breath of Life

When I was pregnant with my first child and took lamaze classes, one of the first things taught is called a "cleansing breath."  The idea is to focus on a deep, deep breath in and blow it out which forces the mind to focus on the breath instead of the pain.  

Now that I teach Jazzercise, I always emphasize the importance of taking some deep breaths to fill the lungs and pull the oxygen into the muscles.  This critical step causes the body to produce endorphins as well.  Breathing during exercise is also used as an idicator of the effort in that while we should be winded at the peak of exercise, we should always be able to talk.

Many times when I am feeling particularly stressed or anxious, I notice that I breathe in a shallow way.  I have to literally remind myself to take deep breaths while focusing on Scriptures.  This decision to inhale and exhale Truth transforms my heart and mind. 

That's exactly what Scripture does:  changes us.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 says,

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the servent of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

God continues to breathe His Word into our lives so that we can follow Him more closely, build our faith, and even show us when we are off track.  The wind of Scripture blows truth, light, and love into our hearts from our Heavenly Father.  

My Prayer: God, thank you for breathing Scripture into our lives.  Your word is precious to us.  We repent from the times when we choose to run on stress and anxiety which finds us short of breath.  Instead we pray that you fill us with the Breathe of Life that comes with a Holy Communion with you.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for the prompting in our hearts.  In Jesus' name!

God Wants You To Have a Strong Voice

On Monday, Christy introduced the element of deliberate breathing to ease our anxieties.  When I was on a deadline down through the years at work, I would tend to hold my breath.  If I just realized it, I would benefit greatly by taking every opportunity to breath in extra deeply. But here's another suggestion about when to become aware of how you are breathing. Know those days when you are around someone who is so about drama that they aren't happy until they have involved everyone in the room.  If they can't get the focus on themselves they make your day miserable? Have you been there?

Well, if you think about it, your levels of annoyance rise, and you find it difficult to keep your thoughts on track.  Without realizing what it is doing to you, you begin kicking yourself for getting drawn in - to the point of letting it affect your work.  First thing you know, you are anixously having to redo work.  The best remedy is to Breeeeaaathhhe. In, then out, slowly...In, then out, SLOWLY.  And while you breathe, repeat your favorite verse. Choose the one that gives you peace in stressful situations.

Our high school choir director taught deep breathing as a means of strengthening our diaphram for singing with power and projection.  He wanted us to do the exercises before we fell asleep every night. I did it so often that it became a natural part of my going to sleep every night for years afterwards. I also found that telling your body to relax during the process actually works.

I have started with my feet and concentrated on relaxing only my feet. I would roll them around at the ankles and think, my feet are relaxing, and without a pause, "my ankles are relaxing".  I would continue up my legs, lifting first one leg slightly and saying, "my calves are relaxing," and then the other leg. Continuing to breathe slowly and deliberately, I focused on every muscle, especially if it was tight or stiff.  I frequently fell asleep before I got to my eyelids.  It felt especially good relaxing my neck and jaws.  If you should decide to try this exercise, and make it past your eyelids, don't leave out your brain. Make it the last thing you speak to..."I rest my brain, I relax my brain...Lord give peace to my brain."  Even if you don't go to sleep, you have trained your body to do something other than what you have taught it to do all during the stress of most days. 

This is a great midday exercise, too.  Regular practice of deliberately telling your body to relax, makes the process go more quickly the more you do it.  I also practiced relaxation when riding my bike. And I found that the deep breathing on my bike really did strengthen my diaphram.  There were other advantages to these execises as well. A strong diaphram, helps eliminate the whiney feeling symdrom.  When you feel like others are running over you, you can get a stronger firmer voice in the face of someone who belittles you, for instance.  It's amazing when you decide to speak with power to someone who is attempting to control you. The shakiness and whine leaves your voice, and you speak with empahsis, firmness. When you frimly say "No!." you benefit emensely. You would be amazed how this overcomes someone's attempt to rule you.

Deep breathing also helps alleviate fear. So if you find yourself in a very scarey situation, remember to fall into the pattern of what you practice before sleep. Concentrating on the breathing tends to refocus the brain from the fear. And it seems to be one thing you can do simultaneously with other things. For instance, if you needed to swim for your life, deep breathing would help settle you and give you strength to succeed. In fact, if you see most situations that tend you make you feel sheepish, or small, fearful, or manipulated...as times when you feel like you are drowning, you will resolve to not drown in those situations.

These exercises are often practiced in group therapy sessions too. Therapists realize that many people who are in therapy, are there because they haven't found their own voice, and certainly haven't found the power to use it firmly and with strength of conviction.  Breathing is a powerful tool.  Practicing it is how you learn to control it. It is an element of learning to have inner strength. Prayerful breathing gives the savoir permission to aid you into wisely using one of the life-giving elements meant to enrich our being and our health.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10

Never forget that the Holy Spirit himself is represented in scriputure as the wind. And when Jesus endowed the saints with his indwelling power, He breathed on them. The parallel correlation is real. Inner power, and breathing go hand in hand. Think of the spirit like being the breath of your soul, in the same way as oxygen invigorates your body.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: John 20:22.

Lord, in the garden of Eden you breathed into us the breath of life, and man became a living soul.  The connection is more real than many of us realize. Empower us with life, and a strong voice, both to sing praises, and to stand up to one who tries to control us. May we not give that control to anyone but you. In Jesus precious name and by the power of the Spirit...we accept the power you give. AMEN

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING (WEEK TWENTY-EIGHT): BREATHE

For a very long time most of my life (that's almost 33 years), i was a shallow breather. i spent a lot of time being an anxious, Type A personality who didn't like change or spontaneity. i could run on high stress and a bad diet because it's all my body knew. 

Enter extremely stressful life circumstances, little sleep, and adrenal fatigue. Two things kept me well — God and clean eating. The storm ended, but i didn't know how to deal with peace and calm and non-chaotic moments. That is, until a friend said, just breathe. 

i thought to myself, i AM breathing. i am breathing like i normally do. It wasn't until i started to really take the time to notice my breathing patterns that i realized i wasn't breathing like i was created to breathe. i was hurried, stressed, and so out of touch with my body that breathing just seemed like normal, everyday breathing. 

There's a HUGE difference in breathing quickly & shallow and slow & deep. One keeps the body in a state of stress, the other calms the body down. 

i had to re-teach myself to brreeeeeeaaathe. What a gift it is to take in breath slowly and deeply and exhale slowly. Good health requires slow, deep breathing. In my moments of stress and chaos, i focus on my breathing while praying. i can go from that state of stress to calm and collected within several minutes of deep breathing. 

This week, find some time each day to take note of how you're breathing. Breathe in such a way that it gives energy and life to your body. Thank God for giving you breath, because it means you've been given another day of life. 

Job 33:4  The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Thank you, God, for the precious gift of breath. i pray i don't take it for granted because it means that i am still alive. Help me to get back to breathing deeply and slowly like you intended so that my body can stay rested and calm and not in a state of stress and panic. Amen.

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING: WEEK TWENTY-SEVEN (SPEAK POSITIVELY) RECAP

Acceptance — really, it's what we are all searching for. When we feel unconditionally loved and accepted, it makes us feel whole. When we feel whole, a beautiful healing starts to happen, inside and out. 

To get to the point of acceptance personally and helping others feel accepted, we have to start speaking positively. Negative self-talk and gossip damage the soul, creating a life-long journey down a slippery slope of creating a poor self-image in ourselves and others. 

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

This scripture is the key, my friends, to feeling whole and accepted for the person God has created us to be. 

• Julia refused (!) to give in to negative self-talk this week when her THIRD house offer failed.

• Cynthia talks about her mother's Alzheimer's and sever paranoia and how all the negative things in life, and her general negative attitude about them, had become her mother's whole mental attitude.

• Lori summed up the week well when she said:

Proverbs 23:7 says, "As a man thinks, so he is."

"This reiterates the idea that I should think good things about myself even in the light that I am not perfect."

i pray we will allow the Lord, our healer, to speak kindness over us today and moving forward. And, i pray that His kindness overflows so that we can pour it over others. The way we can change the world through our positive thoughts and words is hard to imagine, but i believe in big changes. It has to start with the church, that is, you and i.

 

Lord, even though i am not perfect, thank you for loving me just as i am. Thank you for accepting me, at my best and at my worst. i am a beloved child of God — help me to believe this every time i am tempted to talk negatively about myself and help me to contribute to others feeling accepted and loved. Amen

Resetting Our Default

One of the emotional healing layers I've been working on for quite some time is my self talk.  I tend to expect perfection from myself: very often holding myself to a standard that I would never hold another to.  When I fall (because I am imperfect!), I notice that my self talk is something like this, "You are stupid!"  "Why would you do that?"  "That's a dumb mistake!"  "You are a loser!" Perhaps sometimes whispered in my ear by the enemy but probably more often just my default nature in which I revert to, and it's wrong.

Negative self talk does not honor the Lord.  Scripture clearly teaches us that we were created by God, Himself (Psalm 139).  If we believe this is true, who are we to condemn ourselves over silly mistakes?  Proverbs 23:7 says,

"As a man thinks, so he is."

This reiterates the idea that I should think good things about myself even in the light that I am not perfect.  This default self talk can be healed by speaking right and true statements over ourselves from Scripture.  For example, "God, you know I'm an imperfect sinner.  Thank you for promising me that you will work all things together for my good.  Please restore my spirit and help me redeem my mistake."  

The essential key to reversing negative self talk is to stop it before it takes root.  If you are like me, it will be a skill that takes time (even years) to turn around, but I fully believe it is God's will for us to speak good things over our lives.  

The other really important idea to overturning this negative self talk is to enlist a friend or two to hold you accountable for the words you speak over yourself.  A couple of my friends really encourage me to allow myself the grace I would provide others with.  They also help guide my words to what God thinks and says about me.

With some practice, we can do this!  I encourage you to enlist the help of a friend as well as write down a few Scriptures that you can speak over yourself.  This retraining of self talk will lead us to Wholly Healing and freedom in our position in the Kingdom. 

My Prayer:  God, help us view ourselves the way you see us.  Holy Spirit, guide our hearts and minds to speak good and true things over our lives.  Thank you for my sisters who continue to hold me accountable and love me in spite of myself.  I pray for those who, like me, condemn themselves when they make a mistake.  Help us lift up ourselves so that we can live in life and in the light of abundance.  In Jesus' name!

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING (WEEK TWENTY-SEVEN): SPEAK POSITIVELY — ABOUT YOURSELF & OTHERS

There are two kinds of negative talk: 
1. Negative Self-Talk
2. Negative Gossip  

i have done a lot of both of in my lifetime. 

Negative self-talk undervalues God's magnificent creation (YOU!). 

Gossip undervalues God's magnificent creation (OTHERS!). 

Negative talk to yourself or about others damages the soul. It tears down the pure belief system you were born with and replaces it with a toxic belief system that influences your daily decisions and how you feel towards yourself and others. If you constantly tell yourself that you can't do something, you won't be able to do said thing. If you tell yourself that you aren't worth anything, you operate off that belief system, making choices that may temporarily make you feel worthy. If you tell yourself you'll never be good enough, you'll never feel good enough. Your body listens when you talk to it. If you tell it negative things, you'll eventually believe everything you've ever said. 

Did you know that most people gossip because it takes the focus off of themselves and all the work they need to do on themselves to find healing? Gossipers love to make others appear worse off than themselves so that they can justify staying in their own toxic mindset. 

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Scripture tells us to be very careful what we say —not to let anything negative come out of our mouths. It encourages us to speak only words that: are healthy, build each other up, speak love, and promote healing. This just doesn't apply when we speak to others, it also includes speaking to ourselves. 

i find myself biting my tongue often (i'm human). i always try to remember that when i feel tempted to gossip about others that i'm only trying to make myself sound better/holier/perfect than another person. This reminds me that i need to do what Matthew 7:5 says:

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

When it comes to beating myself up, that is, talking negatively to my soul, that's exactly where the devil wants me. He encourages that type of behavior. This is a true battle of the mind. If i give in to the negative self talk (or gossip), the devil wins. i have to choose to claim victory in this area of my life, to talk nicely to myself and be patient with myself. 

It's hard to stay positive sometimes. Life is chaotic at best. And, sometimes there's not much rest between the calming of one storm and the next one. But, staying and speaking positive (inwardly and outwardly) makes for a happy heart and soul. Talk is contagious, whether it be positive or negative, and you get to choose what your heart and the world hears. 

Lord, remind me to be kind and loving in my speech —to myself and others. When i speak negatively, remind me to put a halt to it immediately and apologize for the damage i've done. The stop to negative talk starts with me. 

52 WEEKS OF WHOLLY HEALING: WEEK TWENTY-SIX (LIVE FOR TODAY) RECAP

It took me a very, very long time to realize that my past does not have to haunt me or define me. 

My regrets. Failures. Habits. Sin. Memories. Thoughts. Over the years, i've packed them up and shipped them off to a far away place of no return. 

(Photo by Simply Hue Designs)

i had help packing those bags. He was the only one who could help because He knew each and every thing i packed. And, He understood that pulling everything out from all the hiding spots i buried them in, was no easy feat. i needed His strength, His courage, His overwhelming love. i needed the warmth of His healing touch as i worked to rid my body, my home, and my life, of all the things that were weighing me down. Jesus made a way for me to heal my past. 

There comes a point where you have to decide, just like i did, that you don't want to carry your past into your future. You learn from mistakes — what you learned is what you take with you, not all the drama that came from the experience. You grow in faith.

Lori said something this week worth reading over and over:

Healing former mistakes and sins is a valuable tool in our spiritual toolbox.  This hindrance allows us to move forward toward God's very best for our lives: freedom.  Our challenge is to meet Jesus at that event and allow Him to rewrite the ending to our past.

Purging your past will free up your time, mental space, memory, and capacity to love, if you're willing to let it go. You can't be afraid to let go of old memories, people, regrets, habits, etc, because you weren't created to hold onto the things that do not serve you in a healthy way.

So, what do you say? Are you ready to start packing up the bags of the past? Jesus is standing by to take carry them away if you'll let Him.

Thank you, Jesus, for releasing us from the burdens of our past. 

A New Ending to Past Mistakes

This week's focus on the blog can be absolutely life altering: forgetting the past and living in the present.  So often when we become Christians, we understand our need for a Savior, Jesus, we comprehend that we will go to heaven, we even place ourselves in positions to spread the Gospel, but we live defeated within the confines of our past mistakes.  Friends, this is not the abundant, flourishing life that Christ created us for.

I have been reading the book, You Can Be Emotionally Free, by Rita Bennett; a book which I strongly encourage you to pick up, especially if you struggle with past mistakes or hurts.  The premise of this book is that we can be healed by Jesus from issues in our pasts because God is, has been, and will always be God. He is omnipotent and omnipresent.  This healing of the past literally makes us replace our emotional attachments to that event and is healing both physically and emotionally.  The absolute keys to successful healing are to stay focused on the Holy Spirit's leading and allow Jesus to heal the event.

Then when the event is remembered either by the enemy or your flesh, there is a new ending to it: an ending designed by Jesus, himself.  This act of healing the past situations releases the emotional response and replaces it with peace.  This is a very Biblical method of healing: believing that God is omnipresent (always has been, is, and will be there) and omnipotent (all powerful).

As we study Scripture, we are affirmed that forgetting the past has always been an issue.  In Philippians 3:13, Paul, the former persecutor and murderer of Christians, admits,

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken ahold of it. But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."

Healing former mistakes and sins is a valuable tool in our spiritual toolbox.  This hindrance allows us to move forward toward God's very best for our lives: freedom.  Our challenge is to meet Jesus at that event and allow Him to rewrite the ending to our past.

My Prayer:  God, thank you for healing my heart from past mistakes and hurts.  You are the God who heals.  I pray for further layers of healing as I venture toward more abundant living.  Thank you for being the author and perfecter of my faith.  I pray for those struggling with past mistakes to allow you to teach them this important concept which allows freedom to live in you.  In Jesus name!

Learning from our mistakes, or Actively turning to the Spirit of God

We all have to learn from our mistakes. It is a part of growing up. As much as it makes my heart cringe to think of what the consequences could have been, I realized that falling down the stairs was something my grandchild had to do in order to understand why we continuously told him to be careful.  When he rushed for the stairs following anyone who happened to go down them, we jumped, over and over fearing his fall - until the day he actually fell, when no one could possibly get to him. He was so intent on going downstairs, that he would never patiently wait for someone to help him down. But then it happened. His shoe caught in the carpet,. Even though he had been holding the rail, he tumbled, head over feet. His mother scrambled to him screaming from the top, as I ran in terror attempting to catch him before he hit concrete on the bottom.  Both of us calling upon God to help. And there it was. By God's grace he landed on the bottom step in a horribly contorted position, eyes wide open in fear, and looking as though every bone was broken...but he was safe. All I could say was, "Well at least maybe we won't have to constantly tell him to be careful on the stairs. That should have scared him enough to know what can happen."

Yesterday, Ryder headed for the stairs on the deck, 13 in all, when I had my hands very tied up with a large tray of things I was taking back into the kitchen after our dinner. His older brother had already gone down and was watering my plants. When Mr. Independent headed to the top of the steps, he wasn't thinking of his fall.  But the moment I reminded him: "Ryder, stop, you might fall," he stopped.  And he backed up.  I called for Dakota to drop the hose and come help him come down, and Ryder, against his ususal character accepted his brother's help.  In fact, he wouldn't proceed until he had a firm grip on the rail, and his brother's hand. So different than before his fall.

We continue like this into adulthood, doing what we see other's do, going where others are going, being influenced to move out of impatience and desire, driven by a desire to be independent and accomplished - without even realizing that the path the world is on is totally originated and kept by the devil himself.  He loves to see us trip over our own attempts to gain, and grow, to go falling into failure.  If we don't learn from our mistakes he will continue to take us to the same path over and over, telling us to just try harder, that we will finally prevail, if we work at it. Now, there is a great deal of good to be gained by being practiced in doing something which God backs us in...but we tend to do the thing God is steering us away from, over and over, with the anticipation of change for good.

This week we are dealing with how to overcome the past. How to break free of its hold on you emotionally, physically, and of course spiritually. It occurs when you realize and redirect your attentions to the one who is in control of your paths. The choice is yours entirely. I cannot emphasize enough that not making the choice means Satan is making your choices for you. He won't reveal that he is, but scripture says he is.

2.Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 6 … hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2 excerpts.

(please note that the author is talking to Christians who are only acting like "children of disobedience" and directs them to see themselves as sitting in heavenly places.)

This very familiar chapter is usually one we look to for understanding on salvation. But if you look carefully, it explains without a doubt that in Jesus we have power to go from constantly having the Spirit calling us back from tragedy and remorse, to living with a listening ear toward the Spirit's direction.  The exact opposite of being towed along mindlessly by Satan and the ways of the world.

On Tuesday, Julia explained how Abraham and Sarah lived out their faith, well aware of everything that seemed to be against them, but wholly on a path to recieve the promises of God.But not without failure earlier in life.

  Noah built an Ark, in spite of the things people said over the great number of years it took for him to build it. Even Jesus died on a cross declaring the injury would bring blessing to all of us, and his disciples had great difficulty knowing how this could possibly be true.  Faith is a separation from everyone, everything, every plan, every belief that has us going back to Satan's paths.  I don't mean going back to sin acts,  necessarily. We can be doing every good work that we can possibly imagine, and still be on Satan's path.  Unknowingly, unwittingly, failing and falling and always rushing headfirst into life that confuses and weakens our faith in God.

Christy is so right! Sometimes it takes severing ties with people to break the power of Satan over our daily walk.  Whatever it takes, BREAK HIS POWER.  Wake up and don't go tumbling down the stairs of life again.  Make an active decision to not go plowing into life without care for the conseqences, like a baby learning why to be afraid. You know why to be afraid.  Why are you more afraid of the consequences of doing what Christ calls you to, by faith, than afraid of what Satan leads you to again and again, which keeps hurting you? Why?