Heal Thy Spirit

Heal thy spirit and through the spirit and relationship with God Almighty and Jesus Christ our Lord, our minds can be cleared and restored. When our hearts and minds are clear, our mind and spirit along with the help of God, together, releases the pain and hurts that physically manifest in our bodies.  *Please note that there are some specific illnesses that are genetic, but we must remember that we are more than our diagnoses. Abandoning God in your time of sickness or trial is probably the single worst thing to do. Yet it is in our very human nature to accuse God and ask Him, why should I be subjected to this pain?

 The Bible teaches us that it was the work of Satan that brought sickness and disease and strife into humanity. We know that when someone is ill or suffering, this was not God’s plan. God provides us with such simplistic resolutions, yet many of us stumble for many, many years trying everything but to no avail. We wonder why can we not receive the answered prayer from God? Why does He stand by and let me suffer?

 God has inspired me to let you in on one of the best secrets to health and happiness in this life. Because in the midst of our illnesses and stresses, our minds and emotions will take us to far off places, far away from the love and truth of our Lord. We analyze, intellectualize, emotionalize and we begin to know the every facet of our sufferings. Yet even with the insight, the diagnosis, having people listen to you for support, after begging from God please make me free, we are left in silence.

People are suffering from many diseases in the 21^st century. Everything from Cancer to Aids which are deadly, to debilitating conditions such as fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Anxiety, Depression the list could go on and on. We often wonder, why me? We take on the mentality that it was something we must have done to cause the illness and we further the work of Satan’s plan by allowing him further access into our lives. Something all too natural for most people. Society also is very judgmental and we see evidence of this in many different societies in all countries around the world. Our sheer lack of compassion for humanity and indifference to greed has greatly contributed to the many ails in society.

 What are we, as true believers in Christ to do about these problems that plague our daily lives and sometimes can throw us into the prison of self-condemnation? The answer was revealed to me, an old adage, so simple that I thought,That’s it?? That’s all it is??!!! Wow what joy I find in God’s love and mercy for His beloved children who are lost in this chaos on Earth. When we heal our spirit, our hearts and minds are then opened up to the ways of God. We are brought into a loving relationship with our Heavenly Father, and thru daily prayer, worship and reading His word; we open ourselves, that is we align ourselves to receive the inheritance and blessings of God.

 I realized in all of my pain and in all of my strife, there is a way out, if only I could surrender to His plan. If only I could let go of my earthly and fleshly habits, which essentially undo everything God tries to do with me.  I have come to realize that I am “very functional in my dysfunction”.  My need to always be in control and to do things “my way” have caused me hardship more often than not. As I walk further into His light, my darkness goes away. I realize that the traumas and memories of everything I’ve experienced are stored inside my body. My human body carries a heavy load, a burden that often makes life too overwhelming to bear. With every trauma and major life experience, whether for good or evil, plants a seed in my mind, heart and soul. Those same seeds implant themselves into our bodies. We are living out the scattered seeds and repetitive patterns of our lives. Make no mistake about it; the seeds that are planted are mixed with evil and good and it’s no accident we are going through such pain.

 I am taught from a young age conflicting messages from the people who I cherish most. Through the experiences of life, my very thoughts and emotions are ruled by these traumas. Joy becomes something fleeting, something I yearn for but can never receive. No matter the countless acts of kindness or grace to my brothers and sisters, I still focus on the things I did wrong. This endless cycle of begging God to release me, doing acts and going thru the roller coaster ride of emotions takes hold of my inner life.

 As I nourish my spirit through my relationship with God, I am guided into the truth. That the layers of evil works and the fear that is instilled in me must be tossed away cast off and released. It is when I realized that God so loves me, unconditionally, that no matter how many good things or bad things I do, He loves me as any parent loves their child. I come to realize that Satan’s primary target and mission begins in our minds. Satan loves the stubborn and proud; the people who insist they’ve found all the answers and need not consult with the Creator, author and designer of our lives. He finds the things you most yearn for and narrows his targets ever so specific. Jesus calls me to uproot these plants, and some have longer roots than others.

 The unconscious lessons life has taught us, the negative patterns and distorted thinking, the fear that paralyzes us, isn’t a part of His plan. God very much wants us to walk in joy, peace and health, instead of the conflicts we are co-existing with. When we repress and hang on to these unresolved issues, the very matters of our hearts and being, over years of self medicating, workaholic schedules, (we women are famous for giving our last drops to others), we further foster the growth of the poison in our minds and bodies. No matter how much we say we would do anything to get better, the truth is we just aren’t. Whether by fear or doubt or the overwhelming unjust and unfair conditions we are living through, we aren’t just willing to do “anything”. If we were, we would follow God’s simple plan.

 Since I’ve started my journey and walk with the Lord, He has sparked a change in my inner most self. The “Me” He created, the person I was always meant to be. What an awesome and often painful walk it has been. God has shown me and Jesus has shown me, that love should be the foremost things on our minds. All the commandments and laws stem from love.  I also realized that He loves me, little ole me, the misfit, the victim, the little girl lost. He so loves me and He loves you too. Through every bad mistake, through every misdeed, He may have not been pleased with my choices and sometimes saddened, He always leaves a way for us to find our way back to Him. (Jesus Christ)

 I am writing this letter to all fellow Christian believers who are suffering from trauma related illnesses, debilitating conditions and people suffering from the stress and enormities of life. Don’t just ask for the answers. Listen to Him when He gives them. We can spend months and even years to find the answer that was waiting for us all along. If I could surrender completely, and know that He is in control, that God’s plan for my life is always the best plan, far better than I could ever conjure up in my intelligent and inspirational mind.  Letting go of our earthly desires and knowing that in real truth and love He will never forsake us or leave us. God is simply with you all the time.

 As my mind is cleared away, as Jesus shines his light into the cobwebs and shadows, the filled up storage containers in my body, and shows me truth, I can allow true healing to occur. When we begin to heal our spirit, we can then get to the truth of our lives and God’s will and plan. I realized that the only reason I am still suffering is because I have trouble trusting God with the most crucial areas of my life. We can often be swayed by circumstances and emotions, and that often is only a part of the bigger truth.

When our mind and hearts being to heal, so do our bodies. It is shedding the layers, throwing away the lies and garbage the devil wants you to believe. Heal thy spirit. The spirit heals the mind, the mind can then be free to go ahead and finish out the healing process. We are never promised a pain free life. In fact pain is often our only indicator of a major problem. Persistent and long-term pain means we are missing this one simple truth God reveals to us. Not only does He love us unconditionally and He gave His only son to save the world yet even more, God wants me to love myself. Judgment is not ours to pass on others. Forgiveness, love and faith are. I can only begin to imagine what other awesome and wonderful blessings lay ahead for believers in Christ and to the unbelievers too.

I tried everything this world had to offer me; therapy of all types, medications of all sorts, treatment centers and hospitals, doctors and social workers, and various “spiritual” thoughts and paths, but the one thing I never dared to try was God. Not because I was desperate, but because it was the one thing I never believed had any weight or truth to it. I wanted to know if possibly I was wrong all the years in my life. I challenged God Himself, in all my pain and self-righteous pity. I’m happy to report that this walk with the Lord is far better than any drug or therapy this world could ever provide me. When I allowed even the slightest opportunity for God to show Himself, He showed up with flying colors. I’m so very glad God proved me wrong. As I continue my walk in the faith, I realize the more I learn, the more I realize there is so much undiscovered to humans. Evidence of God is all around us. Love can and will prevail.

Dare to love yourself, as God so wants you to do. If you still have doubts, keep posted on my life and feats. I am living proof, that the blessings of God are ours, in this lifetime, and our suffering need not continue. There is freedom in the ways of the Lord. There is release from the deadly arrows of Satan. If only we would allow ourselves to claim it. I love you all and may God continue to keep you close and prosper you all the days of your life.

 

 

Mapquest

Make godly plans on purpose.

Ask directions. Your road map is the word of God. Go to the throne. Trust in the Lord. Trust the map.

Pace yourself. Rest & pray.

Quit being pigheaded. Be willing to listen. Be teachable. Humble yourself.

Undo your mistakes. Forgiveness for self and others. Repentance. Remember that Jesus is our Savior, teacher, brother and friend. Through Him we are empowered to do much, including having a right relationship with God and others.

Experience life. Note that the word ‘if’ is half of life. Take godly chances. Step out in God’s direction. Have fun.

Stop listening to bad advice. Remember that you become what you connect to. Pass it on. Reap what you sow. Recognize the difference between love & lust, between what you want and what God wants.

Take time to fall in love with God. God is love and love never fails.

Effective Prayer

Funny how most of my life my only idea of prayer was at 3 o’clock in the morning when I had gotten myself into some pretty awful scrapes and needed all the help I could get.We’ve all been there.We usually only turn to God when things really hit the fan and we have nothing else to do but pray.

Most people’s idea of prayer is one of making requests to God.We call on God all the time without ever really praying to Him.As soon as our immediate situation improves in the slightest we quickly forget about our promises and we push God back to the sidelines.

My father told me a story of how one Christmas he got a holiday bonus from work.My mother had handed him the xmas list and off he went to go shopping.Along the way he gets a call from my uncle asking him to get in on a poker game.Against his better judgement, my father finds himself in the height of a poker tournament and the stakes begin to get high.After awhile he starts to lose his shirt.He begins to sweat and get anxious.He starts to think about what my mother will do when she finds out he lost all the christmas money on a poker game.

In between deals, my father goes to the washroom.He looks himself in the mirror and then decides to pray. “God, he says,If you help me win this game I swear I’ll never play poker again.”He means it with all of his heart and returns to the poker game.Out of nowhere his luck begins to change.He wins his money back and even makes a small profit.My father was amazed.A few months later he is invited to another game.But because he made a promise to God he turns it down.My dad has never gambled since that day.

Prayer is not just insurance. Prayer is simple communication with God.It’s taking the time every day to acknowledge Him and Thank Him.It’s pouring out your heart and it’s learning to listen and pay attention to what He’s saying.Prayer is so powerful.It is the one thing we can do anywhere and anytime.We can pray for the needs of individuals,families and communities.It’s asking God, including God  and inviting God into our daily lives.

God longs to welcome His children into His arms.He very much wants to aid and help us.He wants to have a relationship with us.Often Jesus knocks but He doesnt get an answer.God is so faithful to us and we need merely to humble ourselves before Him and start praying.It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.As long as we are humbled, honest and heartfelt.

There are many scriptures in the bible that tell us what to pray.Recently, I have come across a bible passage that can be prayed for anyone and any situation.Praying from the heart along with quoting God’s word can be very effective. 

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:9-14

This passage teaches us so much about prayer.The first part says to pray without ceasing.It means keeping a constant connection to God via prayer.It means having an awareness for the needs of others and paying attention to what’s going on around us and simply communicating to God about it.

The next part asks to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spirtual wisdom and understanding, so we can walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.This means we no longer have to pray, if God will’s it, we can simply pray that God’s wisdom and will be given.It’s also asking that a person be enabled to walk in a manner worthy of God.For some people,that means a fundamental change in the way they operate.We know from the gospels that Jesus is the example of how we are to walk.

The next part asks to be strengthened with all power, for endurance and for patience and joy.This means recieving the strength and power we need to face obstacles and to further God’s plan. It goes on to remind us to give Thanks to God because He has made us inheritors of His light.

We give thanks because of the eternal gift of life and salvation given to us by Jesus Christ.We have been delivered from darkness and brought into His kingdom where we can recieve redemption and forgiveness of sins.We no longer need to walk through life alone or carry burdens.Everything we need can be found in God.Prayer is the first step towards building a personal relationship with God and the strongest foundation for life on this earth.Prayer allows God to move in our lives.

I can’t think of a more effective prayer.