When Your FAITH seems NOT ENOUGH!!!

"How long, Lord? Will you forget
me forever? How long will you
hide your face from me?" (Psalm 13:1)

The Prophet ELIJAH felt it! Righteous JOB lived it! HANNAH prayed 19 years in the midst of it! NAOMI bitterly expressed it! 
 

SO WHY CAN'T I?

You can if you do it their way!  Every one of these saints went through a period of extreme pain and confusion while serving God and they showed it with all the complexities of thought and emotion we humans possess! Not a single one was a Super Saint yet...

Elijah was bold enough to ask God to cause a three and half year drought over the land to prove his anointing as a prophet and God's Sovereignty over false gods. (I Kings 17:1)

God trusted the integrity of Job enough to put him on Satan's radar (Job 1:8-11). He knew what He had put in Job's heart and mind would not fail even under severe testing.

Hannah prayed so hard the preacher thought she was a drunk (I Samuel 1:9-14). But in the end it was just enough because she arose victorious her womb filled.  

Naomi overwhelmed with the loss of husband, sons, and livelihood complained bitterly (Ruth 1:19-21) but finally said enough and changed her perspective. She wisely counseled daughter in-law Ruth who ended up in Christ's genealogy. What do all these personalities have in common?  They LOVED THE LORD but, devastated with personal situations found their faith lacking in their dealings with Him... they wound up in a CRISIS OF FAITH.

HANDLING YOUR CRISIS OF FAITH!

I hope you noticed that I didn't start the second part of this post with the words: IF, or JUST IN CASE you have a faith crisis.  Truth of the matter is, if you are a functioning Christian, trying to  do the Lord's will, you will find yourself in one.  Look at this definition from the  Greenstone Counseling ministry:

"A faith crisis is a deeply personal and often disorienting experience.

It occurs when a person begins to question their foundational beliefs

in religion or spirituality.  This isn't just doubt; it's a seismic shift

that shakes the core of one's identity."

Did you get that last statement? A seismic shift shaking the core of your identity. Authentic Christians hold their belief in God and His Word as a central, undeniable part of their everyday existence.  Our faith is not just a once a week ritual, routine, rite of passage for the pseudo religious. A SAINT IS WHO WE ARE! It is first among any role or title we may hold. When an unexpected or significant death occurs; a chronic physical or mental condition develops; or any circumstance that alters our life in an extreme way happens, it affects EVERYTHING!  It not only changes things it makes us question WHO WE ARE!

God has already equipped you to be victorious over your Faith Crisis.  He has created you with emotions to express your pain and frustrations. These can be spiritually healthy and conducive to balancing out many of life's trauma.  We just need to make sure we don't let them cycle down into sinful negative ones.  Psalms, Lamentations, or any study of saints listed in Hebrews chapter 11's Hall of Faith will bear this truth out!  In other words, my friends:  "It's okay NOT to be okay!" Just don't stay that way!

WHAT NOT TO DO IN A FAITH CRISIS!

DON'T GIVE UP!!!  Believe that your prior investment in prayer, bible reading, meditation and memorization of scripture will see you through this period.  Each of the Bible personalities we named above found victory in the end and became stronger witnesses for us to read and learn about today.  their trials were not only for their generation but future generations as well! God is Faithful HIS WORD WILL NOT RETURN TO HIM VOID:  Isaiah 55:11 

DON'T DISCONNECT: The Enemy already knows you're vulnerable so now more than ever you need to be around your community of faith, your church, small groups, prayer circles. Anyone who can encourage you in the faith. Resist the temptation to isolate: Hebrews 10:25

AVOID THE SHAME/BLAME GAME: False teachers misquote scripture and manipulated the hearts and minds of earnest Christians telling them that sickness, poverty, and bad things come to those whose faith is not strong enough or that they will dissipate quickly if it is. This is not biblical!  Jesus warned that in this fallen world troubles will come. John 16:33  In the stages of a faith crisis it may look as if fasting and praying is not working  You may begin to think: "Maybe I'm not really saved!"  "God is punishing me!"  "I'm not serving or giving enough to win God's favor!"  None of these are true even if emotionally you feel that way.  2 Timothy 2:13  We must remember even when we are faithless God still IS!  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever Hebrews 13:8

 

CONTINUE YOUR SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: Praise, Prayer, Bible Reading, Bible Study, Serving, Journaling and if you are able Church Attendance.  The same faith habits you practiced during the good times will keep you stable and anchored during the rough time.

  When you Think your Faith is Not Enough

Just Pray a little bit longer! Believe Just a little more!

Run on Just a little bit farther!

 God's Grace is Sufficient!

 UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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WAITING ....is the WORSHIP!!!

photo by Levi Meir Clancy - Unsplash

"Those who wait on the Lord will renew
 their strength..."(Isaiah 40:31)

What are you waiting for?"

    "What are "YOU" waiting for?"

      "Exactly, WHAT are you waiting for?

               SO...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!!!

No matter how you say it....WAITING IS HARD!!!  It feels useless, unproductive even exhausting although it doesn't seem like you've done much physically to deplete so much energy! But this past Sunday, I gained a new perspective on WHAT TO DO WHILE WAITING!  Perhaps by the end of this blog post you will too!

GOD IS WORTHY OF OUR WORSHIP!

Our Sunday school class was just diving deeper into a new study series: GOD IS.  We will be studying the Awesome Attributes of God. The first lesson:  GOD IS HOLY!!!  Is this not PERFECT TIMING?

 (Just recently a political leader used a meme proclaiming himself as CHRIST and the offense was felt by Christians and non christians around the world?)

After a song and the scripture reading click here:Psalm 99:1-9  the class ignited with powerful testimonies confirming this truth: God is Set Apart in His greatness! We turned to the second portion of the scripture (verses 4 and 5): God is Set Apart in His Justice!  One question turned the discussion and transformed my thinking in a totally new way!

HOW CAN WE WORSHIP GOD FOR HIS JUSTICE

 WHEN THE WORLD IS SO UNJUST?

We recounted as Christians even with the Hope of Christ in our hearts the many ways we felt this injustice and for a moment it was good to vent. Yet, we still had to conclude that Christ already told us that it would be this way! click here: John 16:33  We live in a fallen world. We must adjust our expectations and accept our position as Saints.  We live in this world...but it is not our home! click here:John 17:14-16

BOTTOM LINE;  Our worship has nothing to do with what is going on in the world.  We worship God because of WHO HE IS! 

HE IS JUST!  HE IS FAIR! HE IS OUR AVENGER! click here:Deuteronomy 10:17-18 

WAIT ON THE LORD!

So what do we do while waiting? Do we just sit and twiddle our thumbs? Of course not! While it is good to exercise your civil liberties: By all means, Speak up! Protest! Vote your convictions!  But understand this. It will bring only temporary relief...We Praise God for the relief...but it has no eternal value!  Instead:

• Spread the GOSPEL, The Good News of Jesus Christ Who is coming soon and is our True Savior from oppression, violence, and injustice. click here: Matthew 28:19-20

• Give generously to help relieve the suffering of others for what you do for others you are  also ministering to Christ.  click here:  Matthew 25:40-45

• Pray for those God allows to lead even if they are unjust.  click here: I Timothy 2:1-2 

Before class ended a hand went up for comments. A Seasoned Saint, a woman of experience and knowledge, full of the wisdom of God Who had at some point in her life allowed her to speak this one last truth...

 

THE WAITING IS OUR WORSHIP!!

Proskuneo (the greek word for worship) means to bow down, to prostrate oneself, show reverence by kissing the hand. It is to pay homage, render service and profound devotion. 

These actions should never be shown toward humans, items of idolatry like angels, graven images or statues.  Yet, in our limitations, we still find ways to express our devotion: Songs 

of praise; service; gifts of our time, talent, and treasure; even in the shout and dance of our culture.   But one of the simplest ways...possible for anyone, yet proven to be of extreme difficulty for many is: Waiting! Sitting! Abiding! Trusting! Surrendering! 

    This is our ULTIMATE Worship!! 

  

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His
word I hope." (Psalm 130:5 ESV)

                       

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.

A Women's History Celebration of ANOTHER KIND!

Photo by Unsplash

I'm thinking about the celebration of Women's History Month about the same as I do about Black History Month!

WHY JUST ONE MONTH?

As a proud woman of color, I refuse to limit MYSELF (this incredible creation of God) to a  mere calendar notation! In Psalm 139:14  God tells me that I'm a Headliner every day of the year and that's why Dear Sisters as the world celebrates Women's History Month this year, I want to celebrate YOU!

Yeah YOU- Single and Married Sisters; Moms (Bio and Gap Fillers) Seasoned and Sassy; College Educated and GED; Stay at-home and Career oriented.  YOU ARE WORTHY to be celebrated EVERY DAY!

Nobody knows how hard you've worked and what you have sacrificed! You're barely recognized by family so why expect a banner emblazoned with your accomplishments this month!  But I know someone WHO DOES KNOW! Galatians 6:9  Heads Up My Sister, your time is coming and it will be all you ever hoped.

Today and for the rest of the month of March, the world will be reminded of Female Pioneers and Activators from every facet of Society: Civil Rights Icons, Scientific Innovators; Education Trailblazers, and Political Ceiling Shatterers!  Names known and unknown because they have made such a difference in the world and our lives. I celebrate them! Praise God for them! They inspire and motivate me to be better....but SISTERS YOU DO TOO! 

Every time, you awaken to the cries of a sick child or rushed to the side of a relative you care for; exhausted with little or no sleep (a full days work behind you); every prayer prayed and bible tract given, bible lesson taught...YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  Matthew 25:40  I sit in awe of your stamina, both physically and spiritually.  How can your heart hold so much compassion day after day? It is because God has endowed women with something no other creature He formed has..."For-ness,"a nurturing and relational strength that comes only from Him! When He wanted to show His tender love, compassion, comfort, and commitment in relationships...He expressed Himself for eternity in the Feminine Gender! 

On the other hand, as women, we sometimes appear to possess supernatural power. Look how much we accomplish in a day! Our Secret? We serve a Supernatural God.  But we are not Superhuman! Our bodies weaken; we get sick. Ultimately, health and vitality will fail us and usually at the most inopportune times: in our youth; at the peak of our careers; when we finally feel financially secure! Sickness and chronic health issues WILL  come! 

YET, even then we astound with our power to PERSEVERE!  Woman of God, this is when you are at your most glorious! Proverbs 31:25  You and I don't have to look far to find a woman we know who has done more for the Kingdom of God fighting the ravages of disease, then many in the bloom of health.  These Power Houses have excelled in career or ministry and often both while still battling ailments that would shut most of us down for the count! TODAY, I CELEBRATE YOU!

When it comes to reasons for celebrating Women there is literally not enough time or accolades to do justice!  From the AGES to the AGED, we find in our Legacy of Womanhood: Courage, Creativity, Purity,  Justice, and Wisdom to model ourselves! So on today and into the future for what Godly Women have done in my life. 

💖 I CELEBRATE YOU!💪

A flower even when it has lost its bloom can still retain its fragrance. It speaks of a witness of what was and is to come as their seeds may even produce more of the same!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.

Living In The Reality of FAITH!

Photo by Tito Texidor III on Unsplash

"We look not to the things that are seen

but to the things that are unseen.  For

the things that are seen are transient, but

the things that are unseen are eternal "

(2 Corinthians 4:18b)

 First you see it. Then you feel it. Before you know it you're projecting it upon everyone in your surrounding... Fear and Anxiety.  

The world has always been scary but it's downright terrifying now. 

 Cautionary tales meant to keep us thoughtful and alert to physical dangers have morphed into something more toxic! Disorders affecting the human psyche!

The continuous streaming of lies from media and once credible sources; A.I. generated images so darned realistic that even experts are fooled.  Delusions, deception, and distractions are all tools of the Enemy under the guise of TRUTH! And if not careful even Christians with well-honed spiritual discernment can be duped! Click Here: Matthew 24:24  BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO!

I Refuse to Live in Fear! 

Remember this famous acronym?  F.E.A.R is False Evidence Appearing Real! There is so much truth in this.  Did you know that there is a psychology behind much of what we are witnessing in society today? Magicians have used it for centuries to delude and control the behavior of their targets. Tricks of the mind to make them believe what is NOT true while distorting what IS true.  It's called Misdirection. Click Here: Proverbs 14:12  In other words as the young folks say...They Be Playin Head Games!  

Let's look at this acronym from the perspective of God's Word and then exercise our FAITH (the only antidote to FEAR) to help others living with worries and anxieties placed at their door!

😈F is for FALSE - A false perception of a thing will lead to a false reality! You make what you believe to be true your functional reality even if facts don't back it up and you don't understand it fully.  REMEMBER: Click Here: 2 Corinthians 5:7

😈E is for EVIDENCE - Empirical evidence demands that we see, hear, or experience something for it to be real! It must have the ability to be reproduced and checked by others. But is this always possible in this highly technological age? REMEMBER: Click Here:Hebrews 11:1  How do you explain our God to an unbeliever!?

😈A is for APPEARING - Remember the example above of the dark arts of a magician? Is what you see really what you see? Or is it what you've been conditioned  to believe reinforced by sleight of hand, smoke, and mirrors? It could be A.I.!!! Click Here: 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

😈R is for REALITY - What is Truth? Mankind has been grappling with that question for ages.  Pilate even challenged Jesus after a clear answer on the matter.  Click Here:John 18:37-38 How you answer this question will determine the authenticity of the life you are living! Click Here:John 14:6  TRUTH is a PERSON, Jesus Christ!  If you are NOT living by the same standards that He lived: Love, Compassion, Integrity, Justice and Peace you are living an ALTERED REALITY!

I Vow To Live My Life in The Reality of My Faith!

(I Invite You To Do the Same!!)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

"Stop Letting Folks Mess With Your Mind!"

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.

"A LIFE INTERRUPTED!!!"

Hello Friends...I'm Back!!

Just in case you've wondered where I've been, let me simply say ... DOING LIFE!

You feeling me?  When the LORD interrupts your normal routine what else can you do but go with His flow and for me blogging wasn't on His agenda!

DIVINE  INTERRUPTIONS: 

Death!  A Summer full [four family members in 3 months passed on into eternity in 2025] and 2026 isn't looking any better. 

 Emotional Turmoil! Current culture, societal, and political chaos occupied way too much space in my brain.  Dumping all the negativity I was feeling upon you my faithful readers just didn't seem fair or to be frank godly! So I quieted my heart as well as my keyboard.

Senioritis! Not the teenage kind, where one suffers from procrastination, lack of motivation, or an interest in routine things.  The symptoms are similar but appear suddenly and manifest itself in a different way once you reach a certain season in your life! Believe me getting through it can be a life defining thing! 

BUT NOW I'M READY TO SHARE LESSONS LEARNED!!

When God Interrupts Your Life There's always a Purpose (Jeremiah 29:11)

• Reflect, Repent, Reduce, or Repurpose: God didn't wait until the new year to convict me to do  things differently!  Family deaths and sickness that worsened over the months made me reflect on personal relationships; repent of judgmental attitudes; prompting me to set boundaries and reduce  the drama I allowed myself to get drawn in. 

           STOP!  Is what you're doing now what you want to be doing five years from now?

            (That is If God grants you five more!)

•   Win the Victory over Your Mind:  Practicing spiritual tools from a women's bible study at my church, I've been able to Catch, Check, and Change many negative or ungodly thoughts affecting my emotional/mental health! Allowing me to live in the reality of my faith rather than what I see in this fallen world!

            STOP! Where do you find TRUTH? Television, podcasts, social media Influencers? 

            Renew your mind daily with scripture; be controlled with the Holy Spirit, Occupy your time 

            with encouraging and positive conversations that leave others more hopeful!

•  Embrace Your Season: King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:1  reminded us To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.  Changes will come in your body, your mind, your finances, and possibly your lifestyle.  Many of them on the positive side: There is wisdom, freedom, grace and confidence aplenty if you only look in God's Word!

            STOP Fighting The Aging Process. Cosmetic surgeries, wrinkle creams, dyes, and other things

            the world promises as alternatives, only work for awhile!  The life God gives you to live MUST  

            be lived with Authenticity no matter your age!

GOD HAS A RIGHT TO INTERRUPT YOUR LIFE

... PLAN NOW TO USE IT WISELY!

Proverbs 16:3

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans."

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.