healing – Balm 4 the Soul

Love Completed by Tammy Nicole Glover

September 26, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

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

Uncategorized

I Missed You By Tammy Glover

July 8, 2013July 8, 2013by balm4thesoul2 Comments

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV

I missed you, Lord. I didn’t know if you were still listening to me anymore. I felt so alone. I prayed. I begged. I pleaded. I fasted and yet, my situation never got better, it only got worse. There were times when I wasn’t sure if I was truly thankful to have woken up in the morning. Your silence was as painful as what I was going through. I thought, how could you abandon me during one of the worst times of my life.

Finally, the thing I feared and prayed to avoid happened. “Where are you,” I cried out. “Did I offend you in some way that you would allow this to happen to me? Did I pray right? Did I fast enough?” My grief was so bad that I just couldn’t think straight anymore–maybe that’s why I can’t hear you.

Eventually, I heard a whisper. You were still with me. I couldn’t see or feel you then but now I know. I was never alone. When I didn’t think I had the strength to hold on another day but somehow I made it through, I know that was you. When I cried alone at night, it was you who heard me. It was you who would urge someone, who didn’t even know what I was going through, to give me a word of encouragement or a hug.

Even though you didn’t answer my prayers the way I wanted them answered, you still heard and answered. The answers were according to your will, which is perfect.

We may not always know the why behind the what but we can be sure that it is always in your hands, Lord. There is no darkness that your light can’t penetrate, no enemy that you can’t defeat, no sickness that you can’t heal, no broken heart that you can’t comfort. We just need to trust you. To be perfectly honest, the hardest thing to do when you’re going through something is to give up the illusion that you’re in control. How great you are, Lord, that even in the midst of our troubles, you still bless us and that your arms are always open and patiently waiting for us. It’s good to be back, Lord.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV

Uncategorized

WHO IS HE? By Tammy Glover

September 5, 2011September 5, 2011by balm4thesoul2 Comments

“I am the bread that came down from heaven.” John 6:41 NIV

He is my sun in the rain. He is the sanity in my crazy. He is the right in my wrong. He is the common sense in my stupidity. He is the wisdom in my confusion. He is the hand that catches me when I fall. He is the joy in my pain. He is the calm in my chaos. He is the healer in my sickness. He is the protector in my recklessness. He is the light in my darkness. He is the courage in my cowardice. He is the confidence in my awkwardness. He is the supernatural in my natural. He is the comforter in my loneliness. He is the balm that soothes. He is in the words I write. He is the air I breathe. He is the reason for living. He is my past, present and future. He is the gift to my soul. He is in me. His love surrounds me and his light shines through me. Who is he, you ask. He is Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV

Uncategorized

WOULD YOU DO IT? By Tammy Glover

May 15, 2011by balm4thesoul3 Comments

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV

Would you give a drink of water to someone who is thirsty? Would you give up your favorite coat to someone who is cold? Would you give your last piece of bread to someone who is hungry? Would you offer someone a place to lay their head? Would you offer comfort to someone in pain? Would you help someone up if they had fallen? Would you lay down your life to save someone else’s?

Most people would answer yes to these questions if it were a close family member or friend. However, the real question is, would those same people still answer yes if it were for a complete stranger. What if it was someone who humiliated you, lied to you, beat you, betrayed you or completely denied your existence? I’m guessing that the answer to these questions would change to absolutely not for a lot of people.

There is someone who did do those things for us despite what we did to him. His name is Jesus. He endured torture and humiliation for everyone, even those who mistreated him. He died so that we could receive salvation. He didn’t wait until we wised up and begged for his forgiveness. He didn’t wait until our attitudes changed. He asked for forgiveness on our behalf, knowing that we didn’t know any better, and he suffered the punishment that we should have received. He loves us in spite of ourselves. Aren’t you glad that he was willing to do that for us? Now, if God can forgive us after all we’ve done, why can’t we forgive each other?

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 NIV

Uncategorized

A CLOSER LOOK By Tammy Glover

May 8, 2011by balm4thesoul3 Comments

“Search me, O Lord, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.” Psalms 139: 23-24 NIV

Why does it feel like my vision is blurry? Why does it feel as if my prayers are going unanswered? Why do I feel as if I have a ton of worries sitting on my shoulders? It’s time to take a closer look at myself and ask a difficult question. Who has had top priority in my life? Has it been me or God?

Do I seem to have time to watch my favorite TV shows but can never seem to find time to read the Bible? Am I able to find time to send text messages, emails and update my Facebook status all day but can’t find time to pray? Have I found time to worry about my problems but can’t find time to turn them over to God? Do I have time to complain about all the things going wrong but can’t find time to speak God’s promises? Can I find time to gossip and talk about how someone can’t get their life together but can’t find time to encourage them? Am I able to find time to make comments about current events to those around me but can’t find time to share the good news about Jesus Christ with them?

Does it look like it’s time to make some changes?

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalms 86:11 NIV

Uncategorized

THROUGH A STRANGER’S EYES by Tammy Glover

March 28, 2011by balm4thesoul4 Comments

“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.” Psalm 41:1, NIV

What if you were granted the ability to see through another person’s eyes? What do you think you would see? Do you think that you would see that the well-to-do couple down the street is completely happy or would you see that they are stressed out because they are living above their means? Do you think you would see the little boy that has been causing trouble on the block is being told by his parents that they wish he was never born and that he will never amount to anything?

Do you think that you would see your boss gleefully finding ways to make your life difficult or instead would you see that his boss is threatening to fire him if he does not perform? Do you think that you would see that the coworker who couldn’t be bothered to say good morning to you, weeping in her car because she found out that the lump in her breast is cancer? Do you think you would see that the coworker in everyone’s business is so lonely that she is contemplating suicide?

Maybe you could see the lady that cut you off on the way home was running away from an abusive husband? Could you see that the cashier that was rude to you just buried her eleven year old son and she couldn’t afford to take time off work to properly grieve? Could you see your friend who refuses to return your calls was raped a week ago and she’s ashamed to tell you?

If you could see these things, would that change the way you felt about them? Would you still be angry and judgmental or would you pray for them? Would this be the only way you could feel compassion for them? Well, we don’t have the power to see everything that is going on in someone’s life, nor can we see what people are thinking. We all have emotional scars that we’ve caused each other and ourselves. God still expects us to have compassion for each other just as He has compassion for us. We all need to be shown love, even if we don’t show it.

As difficult as it is, before you become angry or start to complain about someone, try to take a step back and consider that maybe something deeper that you can’t see is going on with that person. Show compassion. Pray for those who hurt you because you never know what that person maybe going through.

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless; like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:35-36, NIV

Uncategorized

I KNOW YOU… By Tammy Glover

March 14, 2011March 14, 2011by balm4thesoul1 Comment

“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 NIV

“Excuse me, don’t I know you,” I ask staring into a pair of eyes full of tears. I take a step closer, “you were there when my heart was broken. When I was rejected. When I was at my lowest. You said that fighting was hopeless. You said that I wouldn’t make it. You said that my situation would never change. I heard your voice in the middle of the night begging me to give up because it was just too much.

“I almost believed you. Your voice was so familiar and soothing. It felt like you were trying to spare me further pain, but before I gave up, I had to face you one more time. I had to look into those eyes so that I could know for sure what I was dealing with. I can see that you’re scared and frustrated. Life has beaten you down. You’re tired of crying yourself to sleep. I understand, but it’s time for you to shut up and listen to what God has to say. It’s time for you to be still and stop trying to fight this battle alone. It’s time for you to let go of your pride.

“I know it’s scary and it hurts. I know it feels like this struggle will never end. I know it’s lonely. Your Heavenly Father is with you. He loves you dearly. He loved you before you were even formed in your mother’s womb. He created you in His image. He knows exactly how many hairs are on top of your head. He knows how many tears you’ve shed. He knows all your weaknesses, all your secrets and all your dreams and yet He still loves you and wants you to succeed. He has been trying to get your attention. He wants you to open your eyes and see the blessings He has in store for you. He wants you to fully receive His gifts. He has plans for you that are so amazing you can’t even begin to imagine. You have to allow Him to mold you and guide you. You have to place all your worries and fears in His hands. You have to let Him heal your emotional and spiritual wounds.

“Yes, I definitely know you. I’m looking at my own reflection in the mirror. I’m going to keep on encouraging you. I’m going to keep on being patient with you. I’m going to keep on loving you. I will never give up on you and neither will God.”

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.” Psalm 139:17-18 NIV

Uncategorized

WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH? By Tammy Glover

January 22, 2011January 22, 2011by balm4thesoul1 Comment

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Why does it hurt so much to worry? Why does my head throb and my stomach stay tied up in knots? Why does my back ache and my neck feel tight? It’s as if I have the weight of the world sitting on top of my shoulders.

Every possible negative outcome races through my mind. When someone attempts to give me a word of encouragement, I shoot them down. I have everything under control. I can manage worrying about my hectic life and worry about you too with my hands tied behind my back.

Denial can only last but so long. When I go home my worries follow me. They wake me up in the middle of the night and torture me. Why? In the darkness, a voice says, “worry is a burden that you were never meant to bear.”

God provides for all the needs of His children so that they don’t have to worry. Life presents challenges but He has promised to never leave us alone. When the worries of this world start to weigh you down, lay them before the Lord and watch Him perform miracles in your life.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Uncategorized

The Mighty Fist By Tammy Nicole Glover

January 18, 2011February 8, 2023by balm4thesoul2 Comments

“But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts.” Jeremiah 5:23 NIV

Look at my mighty fist. It may look small but it can hold so much. It can hold anger and bitterness. It can hold fear, annoyance, frustration and every hurtful word that was spoken against me. It’s all held securely inside my mighty fist. I admit it’s a lot to hold in my grasp but I don’t want to let go. I want to keep my control over it. My mighty fist allows everyone to see how I was mistreated. They can understand why I can’t trust them. They can understand why I can’t completely open my heart to them.

The problem with this is that no one really sees any of that. They can never see the pain that I have balled up in my fist, because they are too consumed with whatever they are keeping inside of their own mighty fists. We are all desperately holding on to fistfuls of pain.

Now, we may feel safer with our mighty fists held high, but we forget that we can’t reach out and hold on to God’s hands with them. We can’t grab a hold of our brother or sister’s hands. We can’t give or receive a comforting embrace. We can’t receive our blessings.

I don’t want to miss out on my blessings, so I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I lift up my mighty fists to God and let go of the anger. I let go of my bitterness. I let go of my fears. I let go of the pain. I let go of all of it until my hands are free to receive God’s grace and mercy. I’m safely in my Heavenly Father’s arms.

It stings when I let go of my mighty fist. I cry but with every tear I shed, I release God’s healing and forgiveness. My heart opens wider. I am free to love as Jesus loves me.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8 NIV