Today has been a day to soak up the goodness and joy of Jesus Christ. I read both my devotions, my daily read for reading the bible in a year. Today, I spent time with Jesus. We talked, talked, and talked some more. Today, I just could not get enough of Jesus Time. Today I felt one with Him. Yes, today I have been very close to Jesus and the Word. Today, I have enjoyed the cool air, coffee and time with My Jesus.
The last two weeks I have not felt as close to Jesus as I have today. I have been questioning if God still speaks and how does one hear from God. My last blog was to that testament. I had so many questions and they felt all unanswered. I am here to say, we (I) serve a Mighty God ! So Mighty that He does answer our prayers. Sometimes just not as we planned. Two weeks ago I was in the prayer chapel at my church pleading my heart out to God… .basically demanding answers to my questions. I prayed and prayed and when I left – I felt flat. No big boom of answers came. Nothing. Just flat. Monday came and I had my psychiatry appointment to renew my medication. I knew my doctor had moved on to another location and that I would be seeing the CRNP. As I walked in she introduced herself and said that if I was not comfortable with her that I was welcomed to change. Kinda made me nervous but oh well. We began talking and for the life of me I cannot recall what started the conversation but she basically asked me what I was doing since my breakdown. I told her that I had started a group at church for those that struggle with mental illness and she said with conviction “Do not call it that” I was like okay… but it is my group not yours. I continued to tell her that I had been reading this and that book and trying to learn about all the different mental illness… Again, with conviction she said “stop it”. uh… excuse me ! This woman, with conviction, proceeded to give me a sermon… GOD USED HER TO ANSWER ALL MY QUESTIONS/DEMANDS. I sat there in awe of the moment. So basically, God (through her) said Lisa, quit worrying and trying to help the mind… let the doctors do that. All I want from you is for you to work on the Heart of others. That is it ! I had GodBumps… I could not believe this woman was answering every question that I asked of God in the quite prayer chapel of my church. This woman was no where near me and yet she answered my questions in a 10 minute sermon. So with that revelation and conviction I contacted my Pastors and told them what had occurred. They both agreed and liked the new direction of my group. Broken by Struggles – because every single person will struggle at times regardless of a mental illness diagnosis… right !
I tell you this because GOD DOES SPEAK still today to us that are willing to listen. I whole heartily believe this is the direction God is asking me to walk. My pastor even texted me Saturday morning with a book that he believes will be an excellent choice for my group… “Wounds that Heal” How many pastors do that ? God is so amazing.
Okay – back to today. Today, after spending time with Jesus and reading I got kinda sleepy…. So I laid my head down on the bible and wanted to just lay and soak up His Word. While I did that, I caught myself reciting scripture and just praising God Almighty for the entire time. What peace I felt when I lifted my head. I also lifted my head to…
Psalm 34
1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely destroy the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
MY GOD LOVES – MY GOD IS ALIVE – MY GOD LOVES ME – MY GOD LOVES YOU !
RestoringHope 
Dear Lisa, thanks for sharing your post, the other day, I was reading this: Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
which was a real comfort for me when I felt so isolated because of my hyperactive thyroid (they gave me an iodine treatment). God bless you sister richly 🙂
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