Over the past month, I’ve realized the importance of acknowledging how far I’ve come in my journey. Just last year I was dealing with a serious health issue. I honestly was blindsided by the whole thing. What do you do when what God promised you doesn’t align with your reality? Whatever we face in life is no surprise to Him. When I asked myself that question in 2018 all I could do was acknowledge God’s Sovereignty. And so in my pain I decided to trust God. In the uncertainty of what may come as a result I decided to trust in the one who had complete control. Besides, I was no stranger of pain and trials. I believe the Lord allow us to go through trials to build within us a character of gold. What we learn from them can also help us encourage others in their own journey. “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24). Some of us believers don’t understand what Paul was saying. Brother sounds like he was traumatized? Like, how can you rejoice in suffering? When you know who God is you can rejoice in suffering. I believe that was what Paul was saying here. And for me, it is profound and true in my own life. You see, the Lord delivered me before from things which seemed impossible to deliver anyone from. That trial which I had gone through last year was no different. I knew God would get me out of that one too. So in suffering I remembered He was and is faithful. Paul understood and that is what he expressed in Colossians. Maybe you’re going through something? Whether big or small know that this too will pass away. Out of this experience God will give you another testimony. One that will impact and encourage many to walk by faith and NOT BY SIGHT. The same way He did with Paul, myself, and millions around the world!
Walking by sight in this world will leave you blind. If I chose to walk by what I saw around me I would not be doing what I’m doing in 2019. I would not be writing to you this very moment. Looking at what’s physically in front of you will make you spiritually sick! But when you choose to look at the promises of God you will become strong even when you look, or feel weak. ” Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wing like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31).
Knowing who God is and what He promised confirmed to me life would only get better from here. You will not look like your present self when God is in your situation. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING will only get better! I never remembered a time the Lord failed me. Though I was blindsided last year by that unexpected health crisis I kept that in mind. “The Lord never failed me then and won’t fail me now.” That was my attitude in 2018. The year were once again everything flashed before my eyes. I don’t know what 2019 has been to you so far? But I do know that God is with you. Whatever you’re facing or struggling with won’t take you out! Instead, you will get out of it stronger, happier, and wiser. Every inhale and exhale is yours to enjoy. I am stronger now because of what I’ve gone through last year. I thought I was stronger before, but now I am unstoppable! Listen, I don’t boast in myself, but in the Lord! The devil thought he had me. The devil thought he had you, too! But God says It’s Not Over!
We’re in the last half of the year. I can tell you I’ve seen prayers answered, miracles activated, and dreams resurrected in my life. I have seen the faithfulness of God in the big and little things. I don’t see a stop to them either! Maybe you’ve been losing momentum? Hope? Faith? Or maybe you’ve just given them away. But let me tell you this; you can’t lose faith as a believer. Faith is a part of you! If there’s anything you should lose and give away it should be fear, doubt, negativity, and worry. The last half of the year is the time in which it counts! We will never see January, February, March, April, May, or June 2019 again. But you have July, August, September, October, November, and December to see what faith sees. What is your faith seeing today? My faith is seeing the promises of God being delivered into my reality. My faith is telling me that this life I live is not my own. It belongs to Jesus and as long as there is breath in my lungs, there is purpose! There is victory, Joy, and wonders to experience and behold. Friend, the very fact that you are breathing is God saying to you it’s not over! The Holy Spirit brought that to my mind the last day of June. I’m carrying it with me into July and wanted to share that crucial message with you. Lastly, what I’m about to say next I’m not saying it because it sounds good. I say it because it is true! And that is with Jesus you can only go forward and up! No matter what season you’re in it will only get BETTER from here. God is going to take you higher. He’s going to show you His endless supply of grace and faithfulness. It’s not over! “You will not die; instead, you will live to tell what the Lord has done.”
” I will not die; instead I will live to tell what the Lord has done.”
Psalm 118:17
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