Guest Blogger: NEVER DOUBT GOD

Welcome to Women of Valour which is about

YOU

experiencing your freedom in Christ, being set free,

experiencing the love of God, and opening your blinded eyes
Isaiah 61: 1

Hello Women of Valour,

This blog was written by Michele Brown one of our own Women of Valour. Please leave a comment! 

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I say that now...

But trust me there was times when I struggled. I didn't doubt God as much as I doubted the process. I had it all figured out in my mind how things should go. Not only did it happen completely different than I thought but timing was way off on many occasions. 

I can remember recently, I had big plans but God had plans and my plans did not align with his. Whose plans prevailed (God's) and that is because HE is in charge of everything and HIS plans are what's best for me. 

Often times, I can confess I stepped out of the will of God because I was a control freak, I had to be in control or so I thought. So God let me do it my way and when it failed and I went crying back to HIM, I apologized, HE forgave me and HIS perfect plan prevailed. It was just delayed because of my defiant behavior. It always goes so much smoother, when I let MY Father take control. 

Can anybody relate? Keep reading...

I was recently confronted with some not so good memories. The loss of a few people real near and dear to me. At the passing of each, I refused to cry or let any emotions flow, because I had to be strong and in control. On the surface it looked like I had it all together. Then the bomb dropped. I came home from work and saw on channel 13, Myrt Howerton. (She was my friend.) I laughed with my daughter saying what has Myrt done now? News came back on just to say...

 "Myrt Howerton dead at 59". 

What, how, it must be some mistake. I just talked to her a few days ago. Tears began to flow like Niagara Falls. I couldn't hold them back I had no, I mean NO control. The cry was even hysterical and snotty. Kleenex couldn't get in my hands fast enough. Every time, I thought about it I cried almost to the point of hyperventilating. 

Grief can take us some places we don't necessarily want to go! Keep reading...

Once I got some composure I wrote a poem to her to help relieve my grief. Weeks passed and periodically I would just start to cry. I finally talked to my sister who thought I needed counseling for suppressed  grief. I sought help at the Renaissance Center and had the best counselor in the world. The healing process could be felt after 6 weeks. I could now reflect back on my being in control and how I suppressed my  pain due to losses from death and relationships. 

Over and over I was able to see how if I had only placed things in the Master's hand it would have turned out differently for me. Yep it would have still hurt when my first real love died, my mother and father, but if I hadn't thought I was superwoman instead of trusting God I would have dealt with my emotions and heartaches immediately. Instead of burying them all and having a resurrection of sad memories erupt like a volcano when I least expected it. 

The uncontrollable emotions were being exposed as if I were on a bill board with super bright florescent colors. On the most sunny day of the summer, yes God allowed my weakness to be revealed. This was done  so I could lean on HIM and be healed. Yes, it was devastating BUT God knew what I needed and HIS timing is always perfect. I knew God wanted what was best for me and wanted me to relinquish my cares to HIM and let HIM lead me. 

Good News: 
I am no longer bottling up every emotion God gave me! But instead I am able to smile over the fond memories of those who I lost. I still cry occasionally when I really miss them. 

Just to think God took someone who kept me 

grounded and laughing to break me down 

so HE could build me up. 

What an awesome God I Serve! Have a Jesus Joy Day and let God be your strength!

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Prayer: Holy Spirit, allow ALL of us to see as you have shown Michele that You are the GOD who builds us up in the midst of our struggles and pain. In Jesus Name. Amen!

Questions:

Have you been the control freak who has to control EVERYTHING?

If yes, how do you identify with what Michele shared?

GIVER OR TAKER (Part 2)

Welcome to Women of Valour which is about

YOU

experiencing your freedom in Christ, being set free,

experiencing the love of God, and opening your blinded eyes

Isaiah 61:1

The fun I thought I was having does not compare to what I have found in my personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and God. Through the process, I found out that God and Jesus are BOTH Giver and Taker. These are some things we have been given by God through HIS Son Jesus Christ: freedom, peace, love, joy, forgiveness, and acceptance, etc. I needed each one of these desperately in my life. These are some things that have been taken: pain, guilt, shame, condemnation, self-hatred, unforgiveness, rejection, etc. I needed each of these taken from me desperately. You may be desperate as well. Please keep reading.

 There was a book that began to shine some light on just how destructive my life was. It was called the “Bondage Breaker” by Neil Anderson. This book is packed full of God’s Word and truth about who we are in Christ. You may be desperate as well. God used it to show me how HE saw me. He also used it to start putting holes in the walls I had built up around myself for protection against HIM and other people. The funny or sad part depending on your perspective was the enemy (devil) and I would try and refill the hole with a lie instead of me trying to believe the truth. I knew the Scripture that said, “the enemy was a liar and the Father of lies. (John 8:44)  But the lies I believed were truth to me. It is really sad to me now to KNOW and understand that my previous belief system was based upon lies and not the truth.

I have met many people who have previously and are currently experiencing the SAME LIES in their lives. The lies are the same but they are played out differently in their lives. The enemy has strategies to take us off course using lies. God has HIS plan to bring us back to the right path. God acts like the GPS to reroute us when we miss the correct turn to lead us to HIM and truth.  

God’s Word started to penetrate because I could not just cover up the truth any more. God would speak to me through dreams, visions, music, movies, cartoons, etc. My mind would recall the Word of God. The Bondage Breaker was God’s way into my warped mind. I started to see glimpses of God as Love instead of the disciplinarian and judge. I started to see Him as the Forgiver of ALL of my sins: BIG and little ones. This was stretching the truth which was a lie as well. There are no BIG and little sins. God only sees sin which has been taken care of on the cross of Jesus Christ. What is God trying to use in your life to help you see HIS Truth?

TESTIMONY: My truth were lies. First, my truth was I was unlovable. God showed me in many ways that HE loved me through HIS SON Jesus Christ. Second, my truth was I could never be forgiven for the sins I committed knowingly and willingly against God. He showed me that He had already forgiven each and every sin. Third, my truth was I was unacceptable and rejected by God. I did not belong or fit anywhere or with anybody. God showed me that I am accepted by Him and belong to Him as HIS child.  Here are some actual truths:

v  I am loved by God (Jeremiah 31:3, John 3:16)

v  I am forgiven by God (Ephesians 1:7, I John 1:9)

v  I am accepted by God (Ephesians 1:6, Romans 15:7)

v  I am a child of God (Galatians 3:26,I John 5:1)

Due to my belief system of lies, it took a long time for the foundation of my belief system to be rebuilt. It took work on my part to believe and accept the truth. But, just as a man woos a woman he is interested in God is wooing each one of us. The time frame can be long or short it depends on you. God loves you now today. God has already forgiven you for every sin you have committed, are committing, or will ever commit. God has accepted you for who you are right now. He is trying to show us who HE really is not the lies we have believed about HIM. Just because it took me a while does not mean it has to take you that long. You can trust, believe, and accept the truth today. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me accept the truth that I am loved, forgiven, accepted, and a child of God. Show me the lies I am believing instead of the truth.

QUESTION:

What is God trying to use in your life

to help you see HIS Truth?

I pray something you read touched your heart to walk closer to God. 

Please share a comment or email me privately

Womenofvalour15@gmail.com