Tag Archives: Grace

Three Rings

Posted on by under Encouragement, Overcoming Depression, Personal Testimony

I wear three rings almost every day. Some people do tattoos; I do rings and sometimes bracelets. They each have a special significance. I get asked about them from time to time…

First, the heart ring. People often think I’m married by this ring because I wear it on my wedding ring finger, so at a quick glance I could see where that is assumed. Inscripted on the inside of it are the words, “My heart belongs to Jesus.” Before anyone or anything else, He has my heart. He is first and He is enough. There is no person or no thing that can fill the place He fills; my heart is His!

One ring has the words, “Quench not the Spirit. 1 Th. 5:19”. I originally submitted it to be made in NIV, but it wouldn’t fit, so that is why it is in KJV.  I also have rings for “Rejoice Always”, “Pray Continually,” “Give thanks in all”, so this was the final verse of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 and the line people often leave off as people often recite, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” It just so happened that the others in the line of verses weren’t quite fitting my fingers right, but this one did and ultimately, this one really spoke to me as a reminder to always follow the Spirit’s leading. When I am prompted by the Spirit, I don’t ever want to hesitate!

The final ring, the “;” has a couple of meanings to me. It states, “By His Grace” on the inside. This is His testimony for my life because the truth is that every step forward I make in life is by His grace. Life can be a tough journey but, by His grace, He is always leading me forward. A lot of people have semicolon jewelry or tattoos and this universally symbolizes a point we reached where we felt we couldn’t continue on, but did (be that by our own choice or by the will of God). So, for me, the next words after the “;” would start with, “by His grace.”

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God Has More For You Than Simply Restoration

Posted on by under Encouragement

So often we pray for something to be restored, be it our own condition, a marriage, or another relationship. We cry out, “Lord, please bring restoration in this!” Not only do we cry out for that restoration, we can get stuck in our thoughts dwelling on a former condition, what something used to look like.

“I was so successful and joyful when I was…”

“My marriage was so good when we were….”

“I wish things were just like they were when…”

etc., etc.

Here’s what God has spoken to me recently for anyone who is longing for restoration. Stop looking to a place in the past and longing for things to be as they were. Yes, absolutely pray and long for things to be better, but don’t get stuck on what you think better is supposed to look like. The goodness God has in store for you may look completely different than what the goodness looked like in the past. Never forget that we have a God “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Instead of looking back to a former place, believe God for the future! He says in His Word, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” If we are only looking to some point in the past, we are limiting the potential of what God has for us in the future.

Don’t you know God is in the business of making things new?! He is in the business of not simply restoring something, but bringing rejuvenation to something. I like the word rejuvenation so much more than restoration because it so much better describes what God is going to do if you let Him!

Restoration – an act of restoring or the condition of being restored: such as bringing back to a former position or condition

Rejuvenation –  to make young or youthful again : give new vigor to / to restore to an original or new state

Let me read the scripture I shared again, ” Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Lord, I pray for anyone this speaks to. God, in whatever area they need you to work in, I pray you would bring new life and fresh joy beyond what they could ask, think or imagine. Thank You God, that You have plans to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future. Thank You God, that You are working all things for good. We trust You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

All scriptures from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 or New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson or The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Word definitions are from https://www.merriam-webster.com, © 2023 Merriam-Webster.

He Won’t Leave Us There

Posted on by under Encouragement, Overcoming Depression

God is a miracle working God! When you’re feeling burnt out and discouraged, like nothing is moving and breakthrough may never come, I want to encourage you; it is in those seasons when the most work is being done. It’s a work you often can’t see or measure as it’s happening under the surface, but that is a work that is priceless. It is a work that is ultimately going to lead you out of the dark place you’ve been into a place that is immeasurably above and beyond what you could ask or imagine. 

That is how our God is. He loves us so much, He won’t leave us in the dark, even when we don’t realize we’re in it. Often we don’t even realize we need movement or change and it’s not until we go through a really dark season that we realize we were just complacent where we were and we wouldn’t have taken a step forward had we not went through the dark season. He doesn’t want to leave us in a place that is less than what He has for us; What He has for us is so much more!

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)

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All scriptures from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 or New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson or The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Depression – Not Just a Struggle

Posted on by under Overcoming Depression, Personal Testimony

“I’m struggling with depression.” I was thinking about that statement after I had the thought of how it comes and goes; I’m unfortunately currently in the ‘it comes’ phase.  I was thinking, should I really word it that way, “I’m struggling with depression.”  Yes, it is a struggle, but in that struggle there has been a lot of resilience, endurance, strength, and victory. 

I often feel shame when I have the thought of struggling with depression because I want to overcome it and get upset with myself that it is back again, but then I am reminded by God’s grace that one, it is not within my control and nothing to be ashamed of, and two, I am not in a place of defeat; I am in a place of victory at the fact that I continue to endure each time I face it.

Let me look at it differently.  I don’t just “struggle with depression,” but also, “I endure depression.” “I am resilient over depression.” “I have strength over depression.” It’s not just struggle; it’s also a whole lot of victory.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

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All scriptures from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 or New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson or The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Pressing On In the Battle

Posted on by under Encouragement, Overcoming Depression, Personal Testimony

Have you ever felt like you’ve reached a place in your struggle where you’ve felt you’re better and then out of nowhere something hits and you’re emotionally spiraling?

That’s how the past three weeks were for me. It’s been several months of doing really well and then out of nowhere came a trigger and I was completely unprepared for how reactive I would be. Once it hit, I was filled with anxiety and I was super sensitive which ultimately led me to be vulnerable to another triggering event, so two triggering events in a three week period after several months of stability. It was extremely tough and emotionally painful and a reminder that this is an ongoing battle.

Today is the first day I feel like the panic of all that has decreased and my emotions have stabilized. Yesterday I went through the emotions of feeling defeated and hopeless in my fight. When I get triggered and emotionally spiral, I generally go through a period of shame where I feel defeated that I let myself get so emotional and where I feel I’m defective for having been so reactive.

I had to come to a place of realizing I still have work to be done, and also I’ve had to stop blaming myself as this isn’t a choice to have a trigger and react. The self-defeating emotions that follow being triggered are completely out of my control.

Sometimes we just have to give ourselves grace. Hitting a bump in the road on this journey doesn’t mean we’ve lost the fight or been defeated; it just means God has more work to do in us. This recent struggle has also reminded me that I need to be intentional in prayer each day, to put on the full armor of God and go into the day prepared for whatever I may face.

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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

All scriptures from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 or New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson or The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Give time another opportunity…

Posted on by under Encouragement, Overcoming Depression

Don’t give up. There is always hope.

It is hard to believe it in the hardest of moments, but we have to keep pushing forward even when it feels the darkest.

I understand the feeling of wanting everything to be better and wishing it was, hoping that I can hold on another day, but fearing that point of losing control for good and in finality. I understand those emotions all too well and I just want to say if you are stumbling across these words because you are in that place, give time another chance. Allow another day for “God’s mercies are new every morning” to prove true. Allow another day for “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” to prove true. Allow another opportunity for “God has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future” to hold true. Allow another opportunity for “I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” to prove true.

Let’s give time another opportunity. Let’s keep holding on to hope, keep trying, keep pressing forward.

đź’›

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If you are struggling and need someone to talk with, here is a link to helplines available in various countries.

Scriptures to Push Through the Darkness

Posted on by under Encouragement, Overcoming Depression, Personal Testimony

I know what it’s like to wrestle the darkness. These are some scriptures that have helped me hold on to hope in my darkest moments. I pray you find comfort in them too. The more truth we have to lean on when the enemy’s lies get the loudest, the better, so if you have any that have carried you through a dark moment, please share in the comments. đź’›

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

But He said to me, â€śMy grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. (Psalm 118:17)

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up , And have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30: 1-5)

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All scriptures from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 or New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson or The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

A Word and Prayer for Anyone in a Valley

Posted on by under Encouragement, Overcoming Depression, Prayer

Your mistakes are not the end of you. This is not your end, but a chapter in the beautiful story God has been writing and continues to write.  He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.  God, full of grace and compassion, wants you to come into His loving arms and allow Him to embrace you. You will look back on this chapter and see the beauty that came out of it.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  He hears your cries and He knows your deepest concerns.  He meets you where you’re at, even when you feel distant and at your weakest.  He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  Lean into Him and allow His grace and strength to pull you through.  As you lean into Him be assured that in all things He is working for your good.

For anyone this speaks to I pray:

Lord, I pray that this person will feel Your presence and know in their heart how much You love them and how much You desire them. Help them to find their true identity in You. They are Your child, chosen and dearly beloved.  You have knit them together in their mother’s womb and You have designed them in a unique and beautiful way to be used for Your purposes and for Your glory.  Give them strength to endure the trials they are facing and shower them with Your grace.  Help them to break free of shame and receive Your forgiveness and grace in all their shortcomings.  As You say in Your Word, You do not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Your love for those who fear You; as far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed our transgressions from us.  Praise to You, God!  Lord, help this child of Yours to overcome all fear and anxiety.  Help them to know You are their Source and You will always meet their every need.  You are their Provider and their Fulfillment.  God, bless them and let Your favor be upon them as they step forward in faith and hope, with You by their side.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

(Psalm 121)
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Feel free to share with anyone you know who this may be for.  Be blessed!



All scriptures from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 or New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

Coronavirus – Faith, Not Sight.

Posted on by under Encouragement, Personal Testimony

Well, this is definitely a different time for all of us.  This day ends and I know I’m not the only one thinking, “this has been surreal.”  Having to hunt down usually basic groceries such as toilet paper, rice, canned goods etc., as it was announced schools will be closed for at least a month, gatherings of 250 people or more not allowed, and other closings.  There’s such uncertainty about where this is headed and the affect it could have.

I have strong faith.  Two years ago I faced a lot of trials in a small period of time and one thing that season did in me was give me a lesson in God’s faithfulness and in trusting Him beyond what we see in the natural. “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. (Psalm 36:5)

We walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

In any given moment there is so much we can see or perceive in the natural, but there is also so much we cannot see.  As children of God, we have to trust His ways. As He says in His Word, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)  His Word says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” We will not always have understanding, but we can always trust.  

We know God numbers our days and that we have an eternity to look forward to with Him, we know that He is in control and that His Word is truth. We know, as His Word says, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  Yes, we know these things and we have to stand firm on these truths.  God is faithful! We can trust Him!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. (Hebrews 10:36)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Psalm 91:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.

He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”

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All scriptures from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 or New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson