Edition 24 - Rising Tides & Reviving Souls: Navigating the Upsurge

Hey friends! The last edition came out on April 25th, 2023.

I know. It has been a while. Trust me, I know.

I have explained in other editions how these come to me. If the Holy Spirit is not directing it, then it is not the right time or topic. I have stayed obedient to that with this newsletter.

The month of May was a beautiful mess. In the last edition, "Forging Ahead", I started it out with defining Forge. I did not realize when I was writing that newsletter that it was preparing me. I did not know that the 2nd and 4th alternate definitions were part of the playbook I would need for what was upcoming. Here they are...

1. to move forward steadily and with determination, despite difficulties or obstacles
2. (noun) a strong, enduring relationship or bond, especially between people who have been through difficult or challenging experiences together.

The month started out on May 1st with getting rear-ended by a dump truck. Seriously! Recovery from that is still ongoing.

On that same day...a previous boss, but more importantly, a friend of mine from when I was in hospitality management was on vacation in NY and never woke up. She was only 62 years old. Rest In Peace Vicki.

Still...in that very same day...I received the call that my Great Aunt Lynda was being taken to the ICU from the rehab facility she had been recovering in from a recent fall. Before this she was relatively healthy. She was my grandfather's sister and an amazing woman. She was the definition of classy and kind. She unfortunately passed away on May 11th surrounded by family.

It was a long couple of weeks leading up to it as her health declined. I thank God that he answered my prayer that she goes peacefully. I was able to join hands with family across her bed and we prayed while she transitioned. It was a terrible, but beautiful moment. God gave me strength that was beyond my understanding.

This is not some type of justification for just now typing out a newsletter. I say all this to say that beauty comes from ashes. We find our strength when we are challenged the most. We either fold or grow.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:13

We are in challenging times. It feels like the hits keep coming sometimes. I get it. I've been hearing so many stories of loss, discouragements, financial problems, separations, divorces, anger, frustration, stress, price increases, and family division. I am here to tell you that you are not alone. We are all in this together in some capacity or another. We MUST forge ahead and help one another. It is in the lowest valleys that people turn to asking for prayers, or question God.

He can handle it. He can also change your situation if you let him.

The upsurge of chaos is rocking some boats, capsizing others, and causing so many people to feel as if they are drowning. But there is hope. Collective hard times spark revival even when the attacks come.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

I believe we are in an all-out spiritual war. A spiritual battle. Good vs. Evil. The "enemy" Satan is not creative in the sense that he uses the same past wounds or weaknesses to attack. He needs a small opening to get in and to start telling the lies that we start to believe. The lies like...

"I can't do this" "I should give up" I'm alone in this" ...etc.

The "enemy" does not want us getting closer to God or in trusting God. It reminds me of the adage of the devil on one shoulder, and an Angel on the other.

I still go into funks out of nowhere and even bouts of depression. They are less frequent now because I know better. I know that it is not from God. We are so overstimulated by expectations, the next new thing, success, comparison, and negativity.

We are human.

We have emotions, past traumas, and/or memories that frame how we initially react or respond to things. It is a battle of the mind and the "enemy" if given a foothold can do the most damage by just dwelling there.

Fear is not from God.

If we keep getting better at learning to have FULL Faith or FULL trust, then we can overcome the upsurge of helplessness and the worry that floods in whenever the tides rise. We wouldn't worry anymore. Even when tragic or unfortunate things happen in our lives. I don't believe that those things are from God, but in every situation, I believe God will use it to grow us for the good.

A question was posed to me recently, "How will you know that God will be there to protect you?"

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 23:4

That is where Faith must be put into action. God has no plans to harm or hurt you. For example, death...if we have belief in God, repent of our sins, seek to do right over wrong, and bring others closer to knowing him, we should be fully comfortable in knowing that death is just the beginning of an eternity in Heaven. It is so much easier said than done.

Do not fall for the lies of the "enemy". "He won't protect you...How can he possibly protect you...What if he doesn't protect you?

Despite the things of this world, we need to be thankful for breath. Another breath that has led to another day. Another opportunity to be understanding to someone else. If you have not given your burdens over to God, what do you have to lose? How have doing things your way and societies way been working out?

Take a pause and listen to this song...

I challenge you to start changing the narrative. Be kind, gracious, and empathetic to yourself. You don't have to carry burdens now or from the past. God wants to take them from you. If that is your desire, just say this prayer with me:

Lord Jesus, I need you.

Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. By faith I open the door of my life and my heart to receive You as my Savior and my Lord. Please forgive me of my sins.

Thank you for your grace and for giving me eternal life. Take control of the decisions of my life. The Bible says that in you I am now a new person. My past has been erased from the record and all things have become new.

I now receive your Holy Spirit who promised to never leave me. Fill me with new desires that are honoring to you, and help me to become the kind of person you want me to be.

Amen!

I am so excited to be back at the end of another edition. I pray this turns the tide for you or someone you love. Thanks for your patience, and your ongoing support! God bless you. Below are some additional scriptures to leave you with.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21