Tag: letting go

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Spring Cleaning

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Despite what the weather may be spring is finally here. Soon, there will be an explosion of colors from flowers blooming and the grass turning green. Even the air will smell sweeter. The warmer temperatures and being surrounded by the beauty of spring may fill us with the urge to clean. However, this spring, let us not forget to clean our spiritual lives too.

All winter we’ve been storing up disappointments, heartaches and betrayals. We may have become angry and discouraged because some of our dreams still haven’t come to fruition. There’s no telling how long we’ve been holding on to our grudges either.

God wants to give us an outpouring of blessings in our lives. He wants to give us beauty for our ashes. There’s just one problem, we have to let some things go. We have to let go of our anger and shame. Let God replace it with love, hope and joy. Clean out the past and let God do a new thing in your life. Allow Him to heal your wounded heart. He is able and willing. Don’t miss out on your blessings because you didn’t do your spring cleaning.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

encouragement, inspiration, Uncategorized

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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WOULD YOU DO IT? By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul3 Comments on WOULD YOU DO IT? By Tammy Glover

“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

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I KNOW YOU… By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul1 Comment on I KNOW YOU… By Tammy Glover

“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

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MY RESIGNATION By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul2 Comments on MY RESIGNATION By Tammy Glover

“You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:18 NIV

This is my official resignation letter. I am resigning my position as worrier, regretter, self-doubter and self-punisher. I have served in this position faithfully for most of my life. I don’t fill fulfilled any longer and not to mention, the pay has been less than stellar.

Despite the stress of this position, I do believe it served a purpose. It has taught me several things. I have learned that God is with me, always, even if I don’t listen and try to do things my own way. God is always patiently waiting for me to open my arms to Him after I have fallen. I also learned that my current position is not where He has meant for me to stay. I didn’t realize I was blind until He opened my eyes.

Praise God, He has offered me a new position. I have humbly and gratefully accepted His offer to become one of His faithful followers. I no longer have to worry because He provides for everything. I no longer have to doubt my worth because I am apart of His royal family. I no longer have to punish myself for past mistakes because He has forgiven me. I no longer have regrets. Well, maybe I do have one regret leftover. I do regret that it took me so long to accept God’s offer.

Well, it is time to say goodbye to this position. I can’t give you a two weeks notice, as my new position starts immediately. I also won’t be able to come back and visit. My new position does not allow me to look back. I am so excited; I’m finally on the right path to my destiny.

Sincerely,

Loyal servant of the Kingdom of God

P.S. I also plan on recruiting as many of my coworkers too, so expect many more resignations.

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31 NIV

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WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH? By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul1 Comment on WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH? By Tammy Glover

“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

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The Mighty Fist By Tammy Nicole Glover

by balm4thesoul2 Comments on The Mighty Fist By Tammy Nicole Glover

“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