For I Am With You

For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” (Acts 18:10 NLT).

I dreaded as I knew it was coming, as he already told me of his plan. He reminded me of the secret when he said, he would come to my room that evening. My heart pounded with fear, as I waited. How would I be able to stop this? What could I do? I didn't have any answers, I just felt numb and knew that his power was greater than mine. 

 A family friend, that had become very close to us, perhaps too close became intertwined in our home. This man fooled the adults in my life, and regardless of their oblivious insight, this man held me emotionally and spiritually captive for years, by using manipulation and threats to sexual molest me.  That evening, while my siblings and I were under his care, he told me that he would be coming to my room after my brother and sister had fallen asleep, I took his word for it. At this point, there was nothing to convince me otherwise. Every act he had mentioned thus far, he managed to carry out, so why wouldn't this be any different? And nothing had changed in me to stop it. I was felt helpless and afraid. I had no voice. 

Many years have gone by since he took my childhood. The innocence and carefree attitude that I once possessed, is no longer part of me. Although, it was challenging and discouraging, God held his promise to get me though the turmoil. The Lord has given me the courage and strength to overcome this abuse. The chains that once kept me captive in fear, have been broken free. 

Although, I overcame the emotional pain from enduring the abuse, I often thought about that night, when that man came into my bedroom. How was he able to succeed and get away from leaving any physical damage to my little girl body? There were no evidence  that would show that a grown man had just raped a young child. There was no blood. There was no pain. There was no tears. I don't recall making any noise or whimpering. In fact, I lay as still as I could, waiting for him to finish. Outwardly, no one would be able to tell, that I had been violated.

For years, I tried to piece it together, to make sense of it. and finally concluded, this was this man's craft. He was a skilled child molester, and knew exactly how far to go, so that no trace of evidence was left. I classified him as to being a "pro". He was cunning enough to know his limits, when to stop and how to ensure he could get away with this act. 

For years, I gave him the credit. Yes, he was getting his directions and insight from Satan. Yes, he knew what he was doing and how to make sure there would be no ties to him. But the fact remains that I was never physically harmed from this act of violence. This man deserves no credit!

Just this week, it hit me. I am woman in her twenty sixth year of marriage, which has been healthy. I have had two children, who are also healthy. I have never had any physically liabilities due to my body being misused at such a young age. It really hit me, what really happened that evening when I was raped. Or perhaps, the bigger question WHO was with me that evening?

Jesus deserves the credit!!

I know without a doubt that I was not alone when this occurred. I know without a doubt that Jesus put Himself between me and this man to protect for any lasting physical damage that could be caused by a rape. Jesus took the abuse in my place. Jesus took the rape, so that I could grow up, marry and have children.  I give God all the honor and glory for my family; my husband and my children, where I have shared being a parent for twenty five years.  

 Jesus protected me that evening and the countless other times, this man raped me and abused my body. Jesus ensured, that I would not only become emotionally healthy, He ensured my body would be healthy as well. Jesus promises He is with me, then and now. I belong to HIM!!

Do You Have A Light?

I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in the darkness.  
(John 12: 46 HCSB)

The unhappy Christian; it sounds like an odd choice of words doesn’t it? Two powerful words when put together that can lead to unhealthy thinking. Yet, it seems to be coming more and more common.  Does the proverbial dark cloud hover over your head? Are you always expecting the worst to happen, seeing the negative, being the ultimate pessimist, instead of putting your faith to the test and being optimistic?

Soon that dark cloud becomes bothersome and before you know it, a whirlpool of despair begins to swirl around and around in our mind, and we become dizzy with pain, a lack of enthusiasm and plain ole negativity takes root.

The bible tells us that we are “the light that gives light to the world.” The bible instructs us how to live in such a way that we can be a witness for Jesus.  How influential is your light?  Is it dull, dim and barely visible? Or is it a bright, vibrant, a blinding beacon that shines vibrantly for Jesus?  

Perhaps rejoicing in the Lord and embracing the simple truth, that we are His, we can find ways to make ourselves happy with our daily existence. Perhaps, just by looking in the mirror, and instead of seeing the reflection we would normally see, we are looking through God’s eyes.  Being an unhappy Christian should be a foreign concept to us.

I grew up in a very negative household. I am sure I am not alone by saying this. I am also sure that I am not alone by guessing that each one of us has a story to tell from personal experience just how negativity, depression, illness, shame or guilt dominated the walls in which we grew up. In some way, negativity has affected our lives at one time or another. Life can be difficult, harsh and hard to understand. Life can suffocate us with negative surroundings.  

Have you ever said this to yourself?   “Lord, I can’t take this anymore. I am overwhelmed with negativity and discouragement.” We can become very discouraged during difficult times in our lives.  If we are merely living each day, under a cloud of negativity, we are not living life to glorify God.

Where is our joy? Where is our peace? Why are we so miserable?

We should be celebrating our progress. I am sure each of us can attest that our faith has been strengthened, by dumping some of the insecurities, letting go of fear that once held us captive and realizing how spiritually beautiful we are in Christ.  

A happy Christian isn’t self-seeking. It’s not about fulfilling one’s personal pleasures. It’s not a superficial feeling. A happy Christian contains a deep- rooted, inner joy and assurance, which give her credibility when she shares her love for Christ. A happy Christian is confident that God is with her all the time, even through the storms and tribulations.

Can we be happy all the time? No.  We are human, with human emotions. We often deal with a roller coaster of emotions depending on the life circumstance. Our minds, body and spirit can easily grow weary due to hardships and disappointments.

However, our walk with God is not intended to be miserable.  He has great plans for you. They are plans we could never imagine. They are plans that should give us hope for the future.

We should expect good things from God.  True happiness has to do with our faith and placing it with Jesus. He is the one true source of our happiness.

God has made us all unique with talents and gifts that we honor Him by sharing with others. The one thing we do have in common is that we have eternal peace. We can stand together as one group, a complete circle, strong and true, sharing our love for Christ.  And to make that bond strong and unbreakable, we have to be in agreement that we will strive for true happiness and grow as a Christian family.   

Are we ready to clear out the clutter and junk that’s keeping us from being the light of the world that God has made us? Are we ready to become who God wants us to be? Are we ready to experience the true joy with a whole new passion? We are all capable.

Let GO!

Let the Lord take this burden of negativity and replace it with goodness and let’s move forward – together – a band of strong Christians leading others to Christ.  Let’s renew our minds and focus on HIS WORD.

Let’s put our HOPE in HIS HANDS and see WHERE it TAKES US.

Let us concentrate on the following verses:

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

(Phil. 4:8)

A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

(Proverbs 15:13)

 Always be joyful.

(1 Thess 5:16)

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!

(Isaiah 12:3)

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

(Jer. 29:11)

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 

(Heb. 11:1)

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Heb. 11:6)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

(1 Peter 5:7)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

(Matthew 6:33)

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

(John 15:11)

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

(Psalms 37:4)

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

(Psalms 32:11)

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

(Psalms 118:24)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

(Romans 12:2)

All Bible scripture : HCSB