encouragement

REMEMBERING WHO STANDS BESIDE ME By Tammy Nicole Glover

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I woke up this morning with so much anger and frustration. I wanted to cry, scream at the top of my lungs and demand a reason for why I have to be tested this way. I suppressed my urge to have a full blown, adult temper tantrum and remembered that God is good. He has never left my side and there’s certainly no reason for me to believe He will leave me now. I serve a faithful, loving God. I may not understand His ways but I can always count on His love. He has everything under control. I just need to trust Him.

Thank You, Lord, for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for loving me even in the middle of a temper tantrum. Thank You for molding me into a better person and strengthening my faith. Thank You for Your peace and guidance during any kind of storm. I know the One who stands beside me and He is God Almighty.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV

encouragement

Fear of Loss

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This week is about fear of loss. A few years ago, my father, my rock and my best friend became ill. It was the most terrifying thing I had ever experienced. I didn’t admit to anyone how scared I was because I felt I had to be strong and positive for everyone. The thought of possibly losing him was unbearable. I took my fears to God and decided to keep a praise journal. It helped me focus on what I was thankful for instead of what I was afraid of. On the day my father passed away, I wrote an entry that I’d like to share. I hope it encourages others who are dealing with loss.

“Well, the thing that I’ve been dreading for so long has finally happened. My father has finally given up his fight. Although, I miss him so much, I know he is in a better place. He is home with You, Lord. In spite of my grief, Lord, I thank You. Thank you for taking him home with You where there is no more suffering. Thank You for surrounding me with loving friends and family and I thank You for Your Holy Spirit that comforts me. Lord, I also want to thank You in advance for Your strength. I know that You are still with me. Praise be to God!”

We will all experience loss at some point in our lives. Yes, it hurts and it’s traumatic but it shouldn’t be something we fear, not when we know that we have a God who has promised to be with us even in our sorrows. God never runs out of strength and He is willing to provide as much of it as we need.

“I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13 NIV

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Fear of the Struggle

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I know it has been a couple of weeks since I last posted something new. It has been a rough couple of weeks but I’m back. With that being said, this month’s theme is fear. This week I’d like to talk about the fear of the struggle.

When God has called you to do something, it can be exciting and scary but because it’s God and nothing is impossible for Him, you do it. You don’t think about all of the hard work and the struggles that you’ll face trying to do it until rejection hits. You shake off the first rejection, the second and even the third but when the tenth rejection hits you start to pause and rethink things. Every new battle leaves you a bit weaker and it starts chipping away at your courage. You think, I can’t take not one more beat down. You’re officially afraid of the struggle. You don’t know if the next battle or the next heartbreak will be the one to do you in.

Of course you can’t admit this to anyone. Christians aren’t supposed to waver in their faith and be afraid. After all, we walk by faith and not by sight. We’re supposed to call things that be not into existence. What will people think if you show your weakness?

The thing is, we are weak. It’s Christ within us that makes us strong. It’s Jesus that we must refocus on. If God promised something, He will do it. We just have to keep pressing forward. Yes, the struggle is real and it hurts but you will survive this.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

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Love Completed by Tammy Nicole Glover

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Lord, You knew me before I came into this world. You knew that I would sin and rebel against You. But in spite of the heartache You knew I would cause, You still gave me life. You loved me so much that You sent Your Son to take my place to suffer the punishment that was meant for me. He laid down His life just so that I could have a chance to spend eternity with You.

Over the years, You carefully watched over me and provided for me. You patiently waited for me to turn my heart towards You. When I decided to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, You, along with all the angels and saints in heaven rejoiced. You forgave me and welcomed me into Your family. Now, I can hold my head up high because I no longer have the weight of my sin holding me down. I’m no longer ashamed of my past, it has now become my testimony.

Thank You, Lord. May the works of Your love be completed inside of me.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12 NIV

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Walking or Limping in Love? By Tammy Nicole Glover

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When I comfort a friend in pain, you might say that I’m walking in love. If my enemy is in pain and although, I don’t rejoice in their pain, I do nothing to stop it, am I still walking in love? What if I help a stranger in need but I just shake my head when I see my abuser in need, is that walking in love? How about if I see my brother or sister heading for an eternity in heal and I tell them about salvation through Christ, that’s walking in love, right? However, if a person who has stolen from me is headed towards an eternity in hell and I just say that I forgive them but I never pray for their soul or I refuse to tell them about Jesus Christ, would I still be walking in love?

Jesus is our example of love. He walked in love every single day. He didn’t refuse to help those who were considered outcasts. He died for those who loved Him and hated Him. If I am to follow His example I must truly walk in love even when it hurts or it seems unfair. Limping along just isn’t good enough because walking in love could mean someone’s soul.

“If I speak in the tongues of man and angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV

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When It Hurts By Tammy Nicole Glover

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“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 KJV

Even though it hurts right now, I will praise You, Lord. My eyes may be so full of tears that I can’t see but I will still give You the glory. I may be so scared and worried that I can speak but I will still lift my hands. I may be so weak from fighting that I can’t dance before You but I will bow down to honor You. My praise is not dependent on my circumstance. I praise You because I love You. I praise You because of who You are. You are the Creator of this world, yet Your eye is still on me, so much so that You know the exact number of hairs on my head. I praise You because You love me in the midst of my troubles. You are always by my side.

How can I not praise You, Lord? You are the source of my strength, my peace and my joy. You are God Almighty. There is no one greater than You.

“I live and breathe God, if things aren’t going will, hear this and be happy.” Psalm 34:2 MSG

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It Was Love by Tammy Nicole Glover

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Love came down from glory and into this world. It carried the burdens of our sins to the cross. It allowed us to receive forgiveness and salvation. That same love heals my broken heart. It calms me down when I’m angry and prevents me from seeking vengeance. It allows me to see the other side of the story and leads me to pray, instead of responding with harsh words. Not only does this love give me the strength to forgive but it gives me the courage to open my heart again and let go of the past.

Only God’s love could do all of this. His love changes us into a new creation. Thank you, Lord, for loving me so completely. Your love allows me to love others as You love me.

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:11-12 NIV

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Do You Know What They Did To Me? By Tammy Nicole Glover

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Do you know what they did to me? I was sent down to help them. I loved them and taught them. I only wanted them to have a chance to spend a lifetime with my Father.

I was not greeted with open arms or thanksgiving but with insults and abuse. While I hung on the cross, I never gave up hope. Before I took my last breath, I looked up towards heaven and asked my Father to forgive them. I knew they were a broken people but they were still worth saving.

I tasted death and willing went to hell in their place. On the third day, I triumphantly rose from the grave knowing that because of my sacrifice, generations to come would be saved.

My Father is faithful and willing to forgive anyone that comes in my name and repents. Sadly, there is still something holding them back. It is their refusal to forgive. There is no one who is without fault, yet they expect perfection from each other.

Dear beloved children, I would never ask you to do something that I wouldn’t do myself or that I haven’t given you the ability to do. Please, soften your hearts and forgive each other. Love one another as I love you. I only want you to receive the full blessings that I have sacrificed my life for you to have.

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them , for they do not know what they are doing.'” Luke 23:34 NIV

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Turn the Other Cheek, Say What?!? By Tammy Nicole Glover

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“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” Matthew 5:39 NIV

Let me get this straight, even though I’ve been abused, lied on, called out of my name and cursed, I’m supposed to let it go and forgive? Not only am I supposed to forgive but I’m expected to pray for them? Do you have any idea how hard it is to find time to pray for myself? What if I pray for them and they never get what they deserve?

Are we sure this isn’t just for pastors to follow? Did Jesus really expect us all to live by this command? Can I just tell them off one good time first? This is too much!

Lord, I’m going to need some serious help. This is going against everything in my flesh but I want to do what you have commanded. I want to forgive and love others as Christ forgives and loves me. But Lord, I’m going to need your strength.

“Bless those who persecute you, bless and not curse.” Romans 12:14 NIV

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The Prison Break By Tammy Nicole Glover

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I’ve been in this prison for twenty-five years. I hate it here. I don’t even recognize myself anymore. I used to be happy and friendly. I was never afraid to love. Now, I’m always depressed and suspicious. I can’t show an ounce of weakness. Forget about hope for the future, I’m just trying to survive. It’s all because I decided to hold on to my anger.

Well, today, I’m breaking out. I’m letting the anger go. Instead of cringing every time I see them, I’m going to see them as God sees them. Instead of cursing them, I’m going to bless them. Instead of talking badly about them, I’m going to pray for them.

Enough is enough. There’s no reason for me to remain in this prison of my own making. I’m ready to see the sun again. I want to be free.

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 44-45 NIV