Adversity...We All Have Our Share

Let's take a look at a few adversity quotes:

God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them. ~James H. Aughey

Without a struggle, there can be no progress. ~Frederick Douglass

Adversity borrows its sharpest sting from our impatience. ~Thomas Hartwell Horne

No man can smile in the face of adversity and mean it. ~Edgar Watson Howe 

Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters. ~Victor Hugo

Every one of us is experiencing some type of adversity. Adversity is defined as a state, condition,or instance of serious or continued difficulty; hard time, difficulty, trouble,problem, frustration.

When we think about it, none of us want to deal with adversity. None of us want to go through a hard time. None of us want to be faced with the inevitable when we just feel like we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. But know today that there IS hope. Know today that you can actually GET THROUGH.

There are many examples of those who dealt with adversity in the Bible - 

One example of adversity is exemplified in the life of Job.  Job was a rich, blessed man who feared God and lived righteously. In Job 7, Job said ’my suffering is comfortless’.  Verse 1 says - "Is there not a time of hard service for a man on earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hired man?"  Job clearly felt like a slave under tyranny of his master, longing for relief and reward.

Then over in Job 17, Job prayed for relief. He said…my spirit is broken, my days are extinguished, the grave is ready for me.  Job was going through and dealing with some serious adversity. But he continued to remain steadfast. He continued to be obedient to God. In the end, God answered Job.  The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning and he lived 140 years (Job 42:10,17).

Another example of adversity exemplified in the life of Jeremiah. When Jeremiah questioned God because of the adversity he faced, the Lord said in Jeremiah 12:5 - “If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?"  God said to Jeremiah - How do you ever expect to face big challenges if the little ones weary you???

Life was extremely difficult for Jeremiah despite his love for and obedience to God. When he called to God for relief, God's reply in effect was, "If you think this is bad, how are you going to manage when it gets really tough?" Think about that for just a moment, if you think this little test is something, what are you going to do with the BIG one comes? I think about Sanford & Son. When Lamont would do something really crazy or Grady would just spur something on Fred, he’d say, "Oh Elizabeth honey, I’m coming to join ya. This is a big one!" LOL!

You may be going through what seems like ’the big one’, but God is telling us like he told Jeremiah - this is nothing! You’ve got to learn to cope with the little things so you’re able to cope and deal with the big things.

You may still question God sometimes as to why you suffer. Well, this is probably the only way God gets some of our attention sometimes! In suffering, we give our all to God because we want it to be over. It hurts so bad, and we just want it to stop. But…we suffer, and we are going to continue to suffer. 

A lot of times we think we suffer because of what someone else did. In churches a lot of time, we hear about generational curses. But…we may bring suffering upon ourselves. Dissipation and lack of discipline bring unhappy consequences. Long-term abuse of our bodies may bring on sickness. Wrong choices come back to haunt us.

Sometimes God is taking corrective action because of sin and disobedience. God will correct and discipline His own. Through chastening, He proves that He loves us and that we are truly His own (Hebrews 12:5-11).

God may permit suffering so we learn to respond to problems in a Biblical way.  Scripture tells us that Jesus “learned obedience from the things he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

Sometimes God permits us to suffer to teach us that pain is a part of life. Nowhere does the Bible say that the Christian will not suffer adversity! Paul points out in Philippians 1:29, KJV, that it is “given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” Adversity can be a gift from God.

God may permit suffering for our well-being. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV).

Sometimes God permits suffering to speak through our life and testimony to comfort others.   God might work in your life through suffering to inspire others by your example in adversity. Those who endure adversity can sympathize and identify more effectively with others in the irsufferings. We comfort others in the way we are comforted. 
Let us learn to not frown upon our adversity, but relish in knowing that it will only add integrity to our testimony. Hang in there...we're gonna make it! God will not bring you to it and just leave you there; He's going to bring you through it!

Blessings,
~Tee

Some Encouragement for Today

For the past week, I've started my day with Mary Mary's "Go Get It" by Mary Mary. Yes...I BUMP it bright and early in the morning, and I'll keep doing so every single day! It honestly makes a difference in how
my day goes!

We hear a lot about it's our time or it's our season. Sometimes, we hear that over and over and over again until we just believe that it's cliche'; it sounds good! It's your time or your season only if you believe it! Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there's a time for everything. So that means that everything that we encounter - weeping, joy, mourning, reaping, harvesting, etc. - is a part of God's divine plan for our lives.

We never know why we struggle or why we go through. I want to admonish you today that in your time of suffering, stop and think about something - there's someone that in worse shape than you! You can make up your mind to do something different and make a change FOR YOURSELF! If you want your financial position to change, establish a budget and stick to it. Use coupons, plans meals, eat out less (and/or use coupons!), save your change! Those are just a few tips I thought I'd throw out :) If you want to be more healthy, start exercising and changing your eating habits. You'll be surprised at how much a difference the smallest changes make!

So, get up. Dust yourself off. Pull out your vision board or your journal, and begin to speak what thus saith the Lord over your situation, over your life!Pray and ask God for direction and wisdom. Ask Him to order your steps and grant you favor, grace, and mercy along the way. Pray for discernment like never before. Pray for strength to endure! Go ahead my friend...go 'head and get your blessing. IT IS YOUR TIME! Are you ready? I am!

Abundant blessings,
~Tee

You're Not Alone

This morning, I received a timely phone call. I know it was truly the Lord's doing, as this is not someone I speak with frequently. After asking how I was doing and how my kids were doing, the caller said, "The Lord is right there with you in the same boat...in the same storm."

Those words began to resonate in my spirit. My spirits didn't lift immediately. But, my 'funk' that I've been in seemed to not be so funky! I really just needed the Lord to speak to me (though thru a human) and let me know that I wasn't alone.

Many times, we can go through trials, tribulations...LIFE! It seems that no one cares or is concerned about what's really going on with us. It seems as though we're alone and just going through day after day after day. But that's not necessarily the case! God strategically places those in our lives to minister to us at the appointed time! My friend reminded me this morning of the story of the disciples being out in the middle of a storm. While they were fretting, Jesus rested right there on that same boat...out there in the same storm!

I'm encouraged by this call and want to encourage you today. No matter how bad that storm is or how tumultuous the 'stuff' is, He's right there with us every step of the way. Don't look to the left or the right, and definitely don't look behind you! Continue look to Him, the one who's right there by your side! Remember that He didn't bring us this far to leave us :)

Blessings,
~Tee

Are You Willing to Change?

When we hear the word "change", more often than not, we shirk. Change means that we have to do something. And most times, our doing something is not something that we really want to do! We pray for others to change and fail to realize that it's us that really need to make a change.

I've been taking a close look at myself over the past 3 years or so. I've noticed, especially here lately, that there are some adjustments that I need to make - FOR ME! In order for me to change, though, I've had to change my mindset. I'm one of those kinda people who likes things done a certain way. I believe in doing everything as unto the Lord and not unto man because I know where my reward will come from :) A previous manager even pointed out to me that I tend to hold people to a high level of accountability. And she's right! I guess that's because I try very hard to be accountable!

I'm learning that change requires maturation. It requires transition. And it requires humility. I may have said that before, but for some reason, I need to say this again :) I've had to humble my SELF because I know that I want and NEED something different. You know the saying that goes "In order to get something different, you've got to do something different". That's the place that I'm in.

I'm grateful for the push in my spirit this week to do something different, put my 'self' aside, and press my way to Bible Study! And I'm so glad I did. I want to leave you with some declarations (in bold below) we made throughout the evening.

I must embrace the process - including the responsibility that comes along with it. Now this one needs to be posted on the refrigerator, the bathroom mirror, and the windshield! LOL! I've talked quite a bit in this blog about the process and the purpose that's in it. The Pastor brought to my attention this week that there is also another piece - RESPONSIBILITY! Different things happen at each phase of the process that requires us to 'man up'. Be responsible and remember that to whom much is given, much is required! (Luke 12:48)

I need to change with my change. When things begin to change for you, that means that you've got to make some changes, too. You may be positioned properly for your breakthrough or your blessing, but your mindset is still in Egypt! Get out and change with your change!

In order for me to change, I must transition. According to Merriam-Webster, transition means "a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another". So in order for me to "make something different" (change), I must MOVE through some stages! WOW!!!

I'm changing. But Lord, You're staying the same. (Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6)No matter what state we're in...what phase we're at in our process, the Lord, our God is still the same. He's not changing. He's still the same loving, caring, correcting Father who loves us past our hurts, our pains, our downfalls, our setbacks!

 

Be blessed and begin to embrace this place!

~Tee

Weeping Endured

As we all know, yesterday was Mother's Day. I awakened yesterday to a lot of text messages from friends and loved ones. I even got dressed in my cream suit and 6" pink heels (yes, I was cute!) and headed to church service. I thought everything was going just fine until the Pastor began talking about Mothers and their children right before he prayed for all of the mothers.

It seems like everything the Pastor said was so on point. He talked about children not being disrespectful, not talking back, honoring your mother and father so their days may be long, and even the sacrifices mothers make for their children. He also said, "Your mother loves you even when you're not lovable". I think I lost it there, and the tears began to flow...uncontrollably seemingly.

You see, the truth of the matter is, I didn't feel like I look. I didn't have on a mask, per se. I felt great on the outside but was a mess inside. No matter what happened on yesterday, I didn't feel like a mother, and it didn't feel like Mother's Day to me. 

I felt like I cried and cried and cried, and couldn't stop crying. A little later in the day, I saw that I was still crying. I was hurting not just for me, but for my sister (who's a mother) and my own mother. None of us appeared to be happy, and it was Mother's Day! Through my tears, my sister hugged me tight and said, "I don't care what anyone says, you are and have always been a great mother." Ohhh...how I sobbed more and more!

I ended up enjoying a fun dinner with my sister, my niece, nephew, and the Grizzlies/Clippers game! We laughed, cheered the Grizzlies on, and even had ice cream to wrap up the evening. I slept for 5 hours after that only to come home and go to sleep again after speaking with my spiritual mother.

My spiritual mother said something to me last night that I have often shared when ministering to others - "You've got to speak those things that be not as though they were. You've got to encourage yourself. You're going to get through this." It's amazing how He will bring things back to us :) 

I guess I needed the rest! I'm up this morning and glad that yesterday is over. At one point, I thought I wanted a Mother's Day 'do-over', but nahhhhh! I'm determined to honor my mother every day and not just one one day. I'm glad that my focus from how I feel to where I'm going. I'm convinced that my latter is going to be greater than my past. Weeping endured yesterday and on last night, but joy has come this morning. I will continue to encourage myself in the Lord, and encourage you to do the same! I know that my help truly comes from the Lord. I must continue to lift up my eyes to Him and trust Him to keep me. 

He loves us...He really does.

Be blessed,

~Tee

I Believe!

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” - Matthew 14:31


I don't know about you, but I know that I serve a great God! He truly is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above ALL that I can ask, think, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)! I really do believe that God will do exactly what He said He will do. His Word will not return to Him void; it will do that which He set it out to do (Isaiah 55:11)!


For a little over a year, I'd been seeing an oncology gynecologist who had given me a report regarding disease including cancer. I went through one procedure after another on last year. Ladies at my church prayed for me and laid hands on me. I even made sure that I took time during a morning worship service to lay hands on myself and speak healing over my body! I believed that the same God that was in operation over 2,000 years ago healing the sick was still in operation and working on my behalf!!! I had a follow-up appointment a couple of weeks ago. My tests came back ALL clear - AGAIN!!!!!!


Why am I sharing such personal information? Because someone needs to know that they have the power to speak their own healing AND believe God for their healing. More often than not, we speak our sickness moreso than we speak our healing. But just as Jesus bidded Peter to "come' in Matthew 14, He's bidding us to walk in faith and TRUST Him! Many can pray for you and even lay hands on your, but if you do not have faith and believe that your healing (and deliverance) exists, it's really all for an ought.


Step out on faith today and trust that He's able to do it just for you!
~Tee

Not So Fast...One Thing At A Time

More often than not, when we want change, we want it NOW. We want everything to happen all at once. We want to make more money, lose (more) weight, have a healthier lifestyle, live life to the fullest, get out of debt, have quality relationships, and the list goes on and on. Yes...I want a good bit of these things in the list like ASAP; however, Holy Spirit spoke to me and clearly said, "Not so fast. One thing at a time, Ms. Lady!"

God wants to do a new thing in and through us. However, not only do we have to be positioned for the blessing and transformation, we have to be WILLING to receive. This song has ministered to me in more ways than I can put into words. Take a listen at the lyrics...

 

When I heard the song ministered during morning worship service, this is what dropped in my spirit...quickly:

One by one, remove every hindrance. One by one, remove every thought that's holding me captive and bound. Encounter by encounter, relationship by relationship, have your way. Remove and restore one by one. One bill at a time, give me the wisdom and knowledge to handle. One by one, pick up the broken pieces. Make me whole and put me back to together again. The parts that have cut me, heal the wounds. Jehovah God, You are my provider, my all, my everything. One by one, all things are new.


I'm reminded of the story of Job. One by one, Satan tried Job. It started with his children. Then it was his house. Then it was his livestock. And then it was that horrible disease. Then we look at the rest of the story. Three friends (one by one) thought Job had done something for all of this to happen. I'm sure many of us can relate to this piece! When at the end of the day, it's not something that you've done necessary to cause all of the stuff that you're going through. It's just that you've been chosen by God to be TESTED! My God!!! Then it was his wife, who told him to curse God and die! No matter what happened and how it happened, Job didn't give up or give in! And in the end, his latter days were greater than his beginning. Restoration came, and he had MORE!

My encouragement in this post is to have patience. That's really the lesson we learn in the Book of Job. Everything is not going to happen so fast every time. It is the time...and the process of time where we are able to clearly see the big picture. Step by step, one by one, we are able to learn the lesson, see the purpose. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us that there's a time for everything. Let's take a moment to change our mindset and embrace that our transformation is a process...one step at a time, we will clearly see the manifestation.

Blessings,
~Tee