What if Blessings Come From Raindrops?

Day 306 of Photo Inspirations -- What If Blessings Come From Raindrops?
I loved hearing Laura Story's story.  There’s no denying some of the blessings in her life. She wrote the No. 1 worship hit “Indescribable” recorded by Chris Tomlin, married a handsome athlete the next year, and began working in music and women’s ministry at the 4,000-member Perimeter Church in Atlanta. Her national debut won a Dove Award for Inspirational album and earned Laura two consecutive nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year—all blessings, indeed.

But amid that success, a brain tumor hospitalized her husband that he continues to battle today. The faith Laura sang about was put through the unexpected fires of fear as her husband had to be on breathing machines and he had significant post-operative vision and memory loss. She said, "I spent my whole life singing,  'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,' but until Jesus took me through something where my only option was to trust Him, I didn't really know that sweetness.  It's hard to understand why God would allow us to go through this, but I know He works all things together for good.  Though He leads us through valleys, that's when we get to trust Him and draw closer to Him all the more. Though I've doubted, His grasp has never released, never slipped. He's remained completely faithful to me. He has proven that He really is my foundation and my hope."

She went on to say, "I'd like to tell those of you who are in really tough times.... "God will fix your situation.  But, He just may not fix it.   Scripture doesn't promise we'll understand everything while we're on this side of heaven, but it does tell us the broken things in this life will find their greater purpose in His story of redemption.  God promises there is purpose for the pain we're going through.  He promises He's doing something greater when we don't understand it.  1 Peter 3:15 says "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

I know what's she's saying. I've had to give reasons for the hope and peace I have.   During my husband's illness and his graduation to heaven, people would ask me,  "How can you have so much joy?"  And, like Laura, I'd say "My joy is found in Jesus.  It's not found in my circumstances.  I can't guarantee things will get better.  But I can guarantee I'M going to get better.  Life isn't all good....but God promises He will work it ALL together FOR GOOD for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28).

I urge you to listen to this beautiful song, written and sung by Laura.   Perhaps it's a "rainy" season in your world today -- this song just may give you the encouragement you need to realize that though it might be raining, God's plans  include the SUN shining again and you will COME BACK stronger, wiser, and more joy-filled, if you let Him fill you up with His goodness and mercy.  What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ

What's Wrong With Me?

Day 197 of Photo Inspirations -- What's Wrong With Me?
I had three siblings that graduated to heaven; two of them had Alzheimer's disease and the other had Diabetes so severe that she lost one foot to the disease.  My Mom, now in heaven, had congenital heart disease. My Dad, also in heaven, had a brain tumor.  Goodness gracious.  With all that medical history, you'd think I'd be saying "What’s wrong with ME?”

Honestly, when I forget someone's name or where I've put my keys or where I was headed in my house and forget why I was going there.....my mind tries to tell me "You've inherited your family's issues."   I take a baby aspirin each day to fend off heart problems.  I take mineral and herb supplements to help keep me healthy.  I walk and work out to keep my body strong.  I do the things that I can do to be healthy and strong as though it depended on me, but I've learned to pray, speak God's Word and BELIEVE God as though it ALL depends on Him.  The best antidote against the lies of the enemy and the threats he tries to place over me when it comes to my health and well being is I purposely change my thinking to keeping my mind on the ONE who paid the ultimate price for my healing, my freedom and my victory.

We must put a halt to the voice and the lies of the enemy.  The more we put up our "shields of faith" against his fiery and lying darts, the stronger we are in defeating him.  God doesn’t want us to allow the enemy to convince us we are defective or infected.  He doesn't want us entertaining the enemy who loves to cast a shadow of doubt over us.  His sly tactics are to get us to focus on what could be wrong with us (real or perceived), instead of focusing on ALL THAT IS RIGHT with us.

To put it bluntly -- Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44) and his main intent is for us to worry, doubt, fear, be dismayed and discouraged. That's just the way he operates.  But we can change that -- starting today. First, we need to realize Satan’s schemes are the same for us as they were for Eve.   She fell into his trap.  Second, we need to determine we are not going to keep falling into his traps. Instead we BELIEVE an stand on God's promise that “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…” (Romans 8:37) Period. The end.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our healing and our victory in every area of life.  All those sicknesses, diseases, challenges in every area of life were broken and paid for on the cross.  It's time we lay hold of the victory Christ brought us in overcoming and defeating the enemy.   A little shepherd boy, David, defeated the giant with his words and his slingshot.  The same holds true for us today in defeating the giants in our lives.  It starts with a simple word.....BELIEVE.....and you shall receive!  Matthew 21:22

Here are the TRUTHS of the ONE who loves and ONLY speaks TRUTHS to us:  "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Corinthians 15:57
"Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
BELIEVE