I had breakfast with a friend today and it was great to see
her, yet sad at the same time. The great part was that this woman is high
spirited, vivacious and extremely intelligent. She’s a thinker, so chances are
I can pick a topic and her mind has already been there and colored in every
element of thought that I am about to share. She’s beautiful and sensitive and
caring and did I mention how smart she is? Well, she is…
The sad part was that there is only one small fraction of
her that can even fathom how awesome she is. Like most of us, she has been
berated with lies from the enemy of her soul and somehow, those lies have
intermingled with her own voice, which is even more confusing. However, her
audible confession today springs hope in my heart: “I refuse to give up!”
Because my dear friend is a fighter, which is highly
required to make it these days, I have a strong belief that she will begin to
heal and strengthen very soon.
In this life, when we are surrounded with lies from our
earliest memories until our current age, it’s almost impossible to believe that we can be motivated, productive
members of society and leave an indelible mark on this world. But as long as
there is an almost in front of
impossible, then it is highly possible.
In the spirit of my determined friend, I would like to offer
some suggestions that may help, while fighting for your life…in any capacity.
1 Don’t pretend like everything is okay. Being
fake has never healed anyone. In just about every passage in the New Testament
that had to do with miraculous healing and deliverance, someone was yelling: “HELP!”
and Jesus heard them. He will hear you too.
2 No more “woe is me”. It’s not that people don’t
care to hear your woes, it’s just that most folks know that those woes lead to
nowhere. Without a plan or direction, you’re bound to be in the same situation
this time next year. Ask God for a plan.
3 Let’s not dwell on who doesn’t love us. When we
do that, we are almost always blinded to the fact that someone out there does.
And that someone is God. God’s love gets second billing when we dwell on those
who don’t care for us.
4 Try to allow some positive eek of a confession
to begin to come out of your mouth daily. Something as simple as “I am loved by
an amazing God” can really change your perspective on life.
5 Don’t look for company in your misery, look for
inspiration and guidance from someone who has gone before you and made it
through. LISTEN and don’t try to contradict them with a bigger woe story.
Remember, they made it out and are trying to help you through it. You wouldn't
stomp on a fireman’s hand when he was reaching through a smoke filled window to
save you would you? Imagine: “But Mister Fireman, you just don’t know how hard
it is for me to leave this burning room…YOUR HOUSE ISN'T BURNING LIKE MINE
IS!!!” That just doesn't make sense does it? Okay then.
6 Unforgiveness brings torment.
This.I.know.for.sure. If you have to start by writing it on a sticky note until
you can begin speaking it aloud…forgive those who have hurt you deeply. It’s
truly the only way out.
7 God’s waiting for a heart to heart conversation
with us every day. This is the hardest thing to get Christians to understand
because so many of us talk to Him for 2 minutes and expect to get 12 hours worth of grace to carry us through the day. And then we don’t understand why we’re
defeated by lunch. God’s not looking for busy bees. He’s looking for planted
flowers to rain on and make more beautiful.
8 Pick a side and stick with it. Either we believe
God or we don’t. We cannot agree with the voice of heaven and the voice of
darkness at the same time. The enemy always lies.
9 Don’t diagnose yourself and then waive it like a
banner: “I’m OCD, PSYCHOTIC AND NEUROTIC, that’s why I’m not able to get my
stuff together!!!” Even if you are actually diagnosed with a disorder, it DOES
NOT have to define you! Try singing: “I am a neurotic, psychotic friend of God…” Go ahead I dare you to sing it at church. That would go over like a lead balloon,
just like it does with God.
1 Never limit the healing power and deliverance
from such a big God to 10 simple steps. These are just mere suggestions and
things that I've learned along the way. God has infinite ways of bringing his children to safety. Be open to all of them…
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